The 9 Holer

Hi All,

I have been taking lessaons to improve my game, my instructor has had me playing a draw shot this is to replace my awful slice.

Yes my game is improving longer drives better direction BUT...I ill cannot string 18 holes together, Am i being greedy?

I played yesterday went out in 43 best i have done for a while, but then has soon as i reached hole 10, it is like have i ever hit a ball in my life! out in 43 in on a 60. it was jaw dropping to see all those picked up shots dropping.

Can anyone provide any tips or do i just require further practice.

Thank you all.

There are many possibilities, some of which could be

1) Front nine is easier than the back nine
2) You have not established or forgot about your preshot routine
3) You're expecting to fall apart. Remeber, 43 is a reflection of your true potential
4) You lose concentration after 9
5) You are letting one or two bad shots affect you round.......

I have been working on a couple drastic changes to my swing. All last week I hit at the range every day and by friday I was hitting great, I played saturday and did pretty well but could see my changes going away the more into the round I got but I did not worry and just kept plugging away. I know If I played sunday I would have been lucky to break 90. I am not worried because tonight I am back to the range and I will be ahead of where I was last monday, I expect to hit like I did last friday by wednesday or thursday. THen this saturday I should be able to hold my new swing changes into place for a few more holes but not all. Each week I will improve on the previous as long as I keep my practice focused and soon enough I will string it togethor for 18. My main objective on saturday was not to hit one snap hook off the tee, I tried to fade every tee shot and fairway shot. I achieved this goal and took the left side out of play, just taking it one step at a time

Dear Thimble,

In a broader sense, that is what golf is all about. Look at what happened to Phil Mickelson. That proves that it happens to everyone.

What really matters is how you adjust to the times when the wheels start to fall off. Don't let it turn into a hand wringing session but rather treat it like any other adversity. Try to hit each shot one at a time and don't let the one bad shot turn into two, three or four.

Don't expect anyone here to hand you over the answers to why this happens, because it happens to everyone.

It's actually helped toughen me up mentally, and remember what Arnold Palmer said "If you can't have any fun, don't play".

It's gonna happen, just keep working on it. I know first hand..haha

Good luck,

Chessbum...

Thank you all for your replies,

I think you have all provided valid feedback, I will be taking bits from you all. I think looking back I had forgot to have fun, but also tried to hard.

Again Thank you all.

I have the exact same problem as Thimble, except that I usually suck on the first couple of holes, then get in a groove from 3 to appx hole 11 or 12, then lose it all again.

I can add a few possible reasons.

6) You are getting tired - work on physical condition, that also affects mental state.
7) You are low on bloodsugar. Don't forget to eat and drink during a round. Plenty of water. Fruit is good. 'Fast' energy is good too ... nuts, almonds, raisins.