What do you do to handle the mental game of golf? I seem to after shooting a great front 9, end up sucking on the back 9 and either tie my best round or worse.

For me.

One shot at a time. I can't do a thing about the terrible hole I just finished, and right now, on this hole, I sure as heck can't do anything about the Birdie I need on hole X to shoot XX.

The only thing I can control is the shot I'm about to hit.

How serious are you about this question? If really serious, go see Jon Stabler - the name of his organization is Golf Psych - think its near San Antonio though he used to do seminars on the road too. Great program for the mental side of the game.

Staying even keel has helped me tremendously. Never get too high/low after a good/bad shot.

There may be some newer stuff but Dr. Bob Rotella "Golf is not a Game of Perfect" is a good read or get the audio. From that I'd expand on what the others said. Play one shot at a time. Pre-shot routine is a very large part of that. Imagine the shot you want to hit and go through a consistent routine every shot forgetting about everything but the current shot you have in mind. Another thing is don't add up the score until you're done. That will help keep you focused on the current hole and shot not the entire round.

The Golfing Mind by Robert Brown Ph.D.

you can thank me later!

Music helps me forget the **** that happened last shot.

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There may be some newer stuff but Dr. Bob Rotella "Golf is not a Game of Perfect" is a good read or get the audio. From that I'd expand on what the others said. Play one shot at a time. Pre-shot routine is a very large part of that. Imagine the shot you want to hit and go through a consistent routine every shot forgetting about everything but the current shot you have in mind. Another thing is don't add up the score until you're done. That will help keep you focused on the current hole and shot not the entire round.

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This, this, and this. I've said it many times on here and told many friends that the best thing I ever did for my golf game was to read "Putting Out of Your Mind," and APPLY it. I decided that I was sick of being a below average putter, and committed to getting a solid routine down to the point where I don't even have to think about it. It doesn't apply just on on the greens, either. A thing he goes back to often is you "gain control by giving up control." If you have a process to rely on, and believe that every shot is of the same importance, you will be surprised at how well you cal actually play if you don't care about results before you hit the ball.

The book Golf's Sacred Journey: 7 days at the links of Utopia, by David Cook.

Haven't read the book, but Utopia is amazing. What a magical part of our state. When anyone (without knowledge) demeans the beauty of our state, I direct them to that part of the Hill Country. Argument ends.

I just watched the movie. I plan on reading the book.

Anyone ever played Utopia? Saw it is a 9 hole course.