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Why You Play Worse on the Back Nine (And How to Stay Calm Under Pressure)

Golf

Why You Play Worse on the Back Nine (And How to Stay Calm Under Pressure)

Think Above Par | Your Mental Caddy for Golf Mindset & Performance›
Mar 25, 202611:11

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Episode Notes

Ever make the turn, realize you’re playing well… and suddenly everything feels tighter?

Welcome to your back nine brain.

In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly what happens when you go from playing freely to trying not to mess it up—and why that shift is what actually costs you the round.

We’re talking about:

  • Why your brain goes into “protect the score” mode
  • The sneaky difference between “I’ve got this” and “don’t blow it”
  • How future-thinking kills your ability to swing freely
  • And the simple shift that helps you stay present and finish strong

Here’s the truth: nothing has gone wrong—you just left the present moment.

If you’ve ever felt the pressure creep in on the back nine (or the last few holes), this episode will help you spot it, laugh at it, and get right back to playing your game.

One shot. One decision. One commitment.

Let’s go.

How many shots is your mental golf costing you?
Take the quiz here: quiz.mymentalcaddy.com

Continue your mental journey at Your Mental Caddy HERE

Mastering Your Golf Brain - A Guide to Self-Coaching

Mastering Your Golf Brain - The Workbook

Mental Golf Journal - A Range for Your Brain

Are all available at KathyHartWood.com/book

Private coaching starts with a Free Discovery Call here: 

Email Kathy at Kathy@KathyHartWood.com

Website: KathyHartWood.com

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Listen guide

How do I listen to this episode of Think Above Par | Your Mental Caddy for Golf Mindset & Performance?

"Why You Play Worse on the Back Nine (And How to Stay Calm Under Pressure)" is an episode of Think Above Par | Your Mental Caddy for Golf Mindset & Performance. Runtime 11 min. Published March 25, 2026. Hit play above to stream it here, or open the free Spot Sports app for background play and offline downloads.

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  2. Or stream right here. Tap play on the episode card above. No app needed.
  3. Browse the full podcast. Jump to the Think Above Par | Your Mental Caddy for Golf Mindset & Performance page for the rest of the catalog.
  4. Or subscribe in any podcast app. Think Above Par | Your Mental Caddy for Golf Mindset & Performance ships on a standard RSS feed, so Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, and Pocket Casts all work too.

Quick FAQ

When was this episode published?
March 25, 2026.
How long is this episode?
11 min.
What podcast is this from?
Think Above Par | Your Mental Caddy for Golf Mindset & Performance. Browse the full back catalog on the show page.
What does this episode cover?
Think Above Par | Your Mental Caddy for Golf Mindset & Performance covers golf. This episode runs on the show's regular cadence.

Sources

  • Get the Spot Sports app
  • Why You Play Worse on the Back Nine (And How to Stay Calm Under Pressure)
  • Think Above Par | Your Mental Caddy for Golf Mindset & Performance

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