I am running into similar issues. It almost feels like I have lost my swing. When it's going bad, I try to hit the reset button and play safe. Irons off the tee, easy swings and try to make a putt.

Is the issue a mental block on those 4 holes? What happens on the back nine if you play a different course? the mind is a terrible thing to take on course. ...Stay within your next shot? Forget the last shot, let alone the shots from 5 days ago.

Otherwise, how is your fitness? Do you eat small snacks or is the tank running on empty after 9 holes. How is your hydration - especially since you can't breath in water like on the east coast?

I get this a lot from my students who are getting better and I tell them.... Your just getting ahead of yourself, that's all. At some point, a fellow player and/or you think because of the great start you've just had, you're going to shoot or break 70 or 80 or whatever. That number is still a far way off once you count the strokes, holes to get there.

To get you to the next plateau, it's thinking consistency that'll do it and once you do it, you don't get ahead of yourself. Here's how....

This has happened to Arnold early in his career as well as Tiger, thought they had it in the bag because everyone was telling them and everyone was cheering way before it had ended at the 18th, but they both lost eventually because they let off..... and the mind-set they adopted afterwards was "Finish, just finish". That was to "finish" the stroke, the hole, the nine, the whatever, thereby simplifying the process even further so as to "focus and play one shot at a time, one hole at a time, one nine at a time and then one game at a time". This way you never get ahead of yourself and therefore you stay humble... especially if you pull off the shots. This allows you to play within yourself and not be swayed bu any outside force. Always stay humble and play within yourself and don't let anything like a score card or a playing partner take you elsewhere.

Good Luck!

Try to track what you do on the back 9 (fairways hit, GIR, putts, etc.) (when by myself I do it for all 18 holes) so you can see what is costing you strokes. Once you have an idea of what is causing your score to balloon, you can work on the issue(s).

Best advice I ever got was to stop and look around the green and then decide where to miss. A good safe miss can easily take par but a bad “go for it” can be a bogey. Best of luck.

As above, slow it all down!
Play more percentages shots,
Tee to green.
Try to hit more Fairways,
greens in regulation.
Don’t think about 3 putting concentrate on making that two putt.
️‍♂️️

Don't add up the front side might help eliminate that mental side of knowing where you sit for a sub 80 round. I've been through that before & blow it on the early holes as well. I now don't add up my score until maybe around hole 15 to see where I sit.

But my only suggestion is to just play each shot as it presents itself & the round should unfold for you as the front 9 did. There is no real solution other than staying the course & hitting the higher percentage shot and paying your game. IMHO

Good Luck I think you'll get it done soon,



DM

Focus on you next shot. Forget about score or how many over par you are.

Were you playing the same course for those rounds? If you look back on your round is there any holes on the back nine that are causing you to pick up too many strokes? My suggestion would be to look there first. Next time try and make a game plan to play a different strategy on the back. Shoot for the middle of greens and club up if you’re coming up just short. It could be you’re playing with some good confidence but maybe a little too much to where you aren’t pulling enough club out of the bag and you’re short siding yourself. Also, what are you doing with the putter? If you’re picking up 3 putts then you’ve got some work to do there. Good luck!

Thanks Team for all the support, it was three different courses.

(1) Angel Park Mountain Course in Las Vegas 6700yds, had not played it in two years.

(2) Sewailo Golf course in Tucson, 6500yds
First time playing.

(3) Southern Highlands in Las Vegas 6800yds. First time playing

I always have water and snacks so I don't think that's it.

So I'm thinking that I should wait to total my score until after the round, because I'm definitely planning my post round press conference at the turn
....lol..
And thinking about it now, I'm pretty sure I've been more conservative on the front 9. Then get full of myself by the turn..

The golf gods hate arrogance

Again thanx Team, I'll be back on the course this weekend....madgolfer hitemstraight

Wow. That sounds like me. I'll tell you what I do. Think one shot at a time and don't total up your score until you walk off 18. Try to stay in the moment and don't look ahead.

I know this is going to sound stupid but you need to try not to think about it. Don't add up the front nine. It only makes you think right, I just need to keep this up. Then you have pressure without really thinking you do.

Try chatting to you playing partner keep your mind of that score ok?

Don't add them up until your in the parking lot!

Eric has some great advice. I use to play with a guy who love to tell me on around the 15th or 16th hole how I was playing and I finally told him to stop it. It was messing up my game. I told him I would add them up when I got in and I could focus on my game. I write down the scores and add them up when I get in and sometimes get pleasant surprises. If you start worrying on those finishing holes, those double bogey blues can start playing in your head and you will stop playing you game. Have fun, enjoy the game and stop worrying. Has helped me. With respect. Been there done that.

I've tried playing playing all the shots on my home course on the range. It helps me out. Hit em good and enjoy!

this scenario has happened to me more times than i can count. Either i start off strong then collapse in the back, or i start off poor and finish off strong. I have always blamed it on the lack of a solid consistent dependable swing.

Not knowing your level of fitness it could be muscle / joint fatigue. If you’re not doing a workout and stretching regimen your swing and even your grip could be suffering later in the game. Small / minor changes in joint and muscle strength / weakness can play a huge part.

It could also be the mental part too.

Play the front 9 on one day, then come back the next day to play the back 9 lol

Relax. Don't think about what your final score, MAY be, and do like the wise advice above spells out and play one shot at a time and concentrate on that shot.

May be something simple, I have a routine of grabbing a quick bite to eat out the bag and drink before I tee off on 10th. Maybe refuel before you start. Fatigue, mental and physical.

The thoughts that you’re on for a good round could also be in there so try not to checking your card ( hard to do, I know)

Good luck

Thanks for the feedback team. Since my last post I've only played The Revere Concord course in Vegas. I shot 79 (37/42). I figured out that I am getting a little aggressive off the tee after a good front nine. My buddy said to me after my fourth straight bogey on the back ( if you don't calm down I'm going to punch you in the back of the head). lol
That's what friends are for!!!!! Thanx Team for listening....madgolfer hitemstraight