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Hi all,
I am trying to break 90 and my problem is that I play really bad on the front nine. My last 5 rounds, the front nine are 4, 7, 6, 5, and 5 strokes worse than the back nine (on 4 different courses). So it is very consistent. My scores is between 92 and 96 for all those rounds.

Do you have the same problem? I usually do not have time to pratice before playing. I have 5 or 10 minutes max and usually devote the time for putting. What is your suggestion for me?
thanks,

I think the most important factor in determining your bad front is where are the strokes coming from. Is it just inconsistent play, off the tee, shrot game, or putting? Even when I am pressed for time, I try to hit at least 25 golf balls just to loosen up. I get to the golf course late compared to some of my regular playing group, and thats 30 mins before we tee off. Try to hit a few drives first just to loosen up, I don't even care where they go. Give me some more info, and I'll see if I can get a pregame routine for you.

Since your problem is consistently on the front 9 I'd say you really have to give yourself a chance and get to the course 30 min. early.

A small bucket and some good stretching can easily save you 5 strokes. It's so very important to be relaxed on the 1st tee.

Whatever you do, don't forego the putting practice.

I agree with the others about getting to the course early enough to stretch, hit balls and practice putts, and get into the right frame of mind for the first tee. However, if you can't do that, I would suggest you downsize your expectations (may take pressure off yourself, help you relax and thus score better) and really focus on course management on the front nine (don't try for pars; play to avoid double-bogeys). If you can get to the 10th tee having played bogey golf on the front, it sounds as if you'll be in good shape. Best wishes!

I have the same problem sometimes. For me it usually is attributed to trying to score instead of just letting go. For instance I was playing in the club championship qualifier and was extremely nervous. Needless to say I shot a 45 on the front 9. Upon making the turn my caddy goes to me, "alright lets shoot even on this side". On the 10th hole I hit my 3rd shot into the par 5 to 2 inches. I eventually stopped trying to control everything and shot 35 on the back nine with a double bogey, a bogey and 3 birdies

You may want to try this, do not worry about getting on the green in two on a par 4 etc., do not worry about making a par or a bride every time etc. work on getting to the greens on par fours in 5, get a couple three's in three's, fives in fives or maybe five in six other words keep your strokes to one over on most holes. You will be surprised to find that you will shoot in the upper eighties quite easy then start working on getting those one stroke over to even stroke. By doing this it helps to relive some of the tension and you find yourself playing better golf and enjoying it

You've pinpointed your problem...no time to properly warm up. I'll wager putting is not where you are losing strokes. Next time out, assuming you still only have a few minutes before the round (why is that the case every time?), split your time between putting and chipping...chipping will at least give you a little feel of the swing weight of the club and will stretch your golf muscles and give you a bit of timing. Of course, going to the range and properly warming up would be much better...that's why the back side is better, because you've had time to warm up. Good luck with it.

Shade

Try hitting a bucket of balls before hand.


Fox

In 10 minutes?

Shade

One thing that works for me is if I don't have time to warm up. I just try to ease into it. The first hole at my home course is a par 5 off a bluff over a lake. If you aren't on the money it's easy to slice into big trouble. I just make a good easy swing. My main goal is to be in the fairway. Plus being a par 5 I have two more shots to get me there. I shoot to be on in no more than 4 and 2 putt. Then increse my prower over the next few holes. But as the guy said before If you can just try to reach the par 4's in 3 and the 5's in 4 and two putt you will be playing bogey golf which on most courses is a 90. Throw in a par and you are in the 80's

You could hit a small bucket or split it with someone.


Fox

Assuming your course is par 72, breaking ninety is 17 bogies and one par.

Play bogie golf for the front nine. Regard hitting the green in regulation as a bonus , and do not hit long irons or woods intot he green.