There can be various reasons why you play poorly after starting out well on the front nine.It's how you label yourself as a golfer that often affects how you perform.Over the years I have worked closely with a number of sports psychologists to understand how to approach my students in helping them put together their skills and making it happen on the course to yield successful results.Here are some examples why.

If you think your a bogey golfer,for example,you'll think you're playing over your head after a great front nine.When this happens,you start feeling pressure to keep that hot streak going.You don't want to sqaunder a potental great round so you start to play defensively.Your swing becomes tentative and your muscles tighten up.As soon as you make a few bad shots,you get frustrated because your saying to yourself that you're blowing a great opportunity to shoot a low score.With each hole,pressure builds up inside and that's when people often start to over-analyze.By this time,your muscles are really tense,your mind is distracted at the task at hand,and your swing becomes too mechanical and unnatural.Everything you do becomes effortful.You have the classic" paralysis by analysis" syndrome.All of this happens because you're thinking about consequence and outcome instead of staying in the present and playing one shot at a time.

When you start down this path,you forget all your basic training that a golfer should apply on the course.When you are not focused on your shot at hand,distrusting your swing becomes evident,also you have difficulty accepting the results.Ultimately, all of this becomes a recipe for disaster.

Another scenario plays out if you start out with a poor front nine, and then have a good back nine.Because you have played so bad for the first nine holes you probably are saying to yourself that since you have already messed up your round and have nothing to lose you let loose.You adopt a carefree attitude and swing freely,without thinking about the consequences or overall outcome.

A bad front nine is often the result of poor preparation or poor focus on the first couple of holes.Some players get so nervous on the first tee and this throws them for a loss.They lose confidence after a bad start and it takes awhile to get back on track.Good preparation and a solid preshot routine will help you to start your round on the right foot.

The solutiuon to break up this circle of stagnation,you must first change your limiting self-beliefs.It's always preferable to label yourself as a better golfer than you really are.That way,when you're on a hot streak,you don't think that you're playing over your head.This removes pressure because it's normal for you to play this well. Use imagery to imagine yourself playing a good consistent round. Picture yourself making birdies and pars.You must restructure your thinking to convince yourself that shooting a certain score is well within your reach.

Second,commit yourself to play one shot at a time and forget about the consequences of missing or making that shot.Stay in the present a focus on your target.Having a good preshot routine under pressure is a must to help you reinforce good habits that you have practiced with your instructor on the range.

Third,use positive self-talk to calm yourself down or help you focus on the shot at hand.What you say to yourself must be encouraging and supportive.You know yourself best,so you know what can bring out the desired reaction.

Fourth,make a refocus plan the night before.Your plan should include the actions and strategies you want to use should your concentration falter.Simulate in your mind every situtation that might occur and see yourself reacting in the ideal way.

Finally,adopt a carefree attitude.Enjoy the oppotunity to play golf in a beautiful setting while others are trapped in their offices at work.Put things in perspective.You're out there to have fun,so enjoy yourself.