Son, 11, consistently scores better in front 9 than back 9

[jigsaw1011]

My son,11, started to play 18 hole tournaments last fall. When we were looking at his scores since then we noticed a trend of him scoring much better in the front 9 than back 9. He doesn't know why. Anyone have any insight?

 

Thanks.

[b.helts]

He’s getting tired. Mentally, physically or likely both.

[leezer99]

My son,11, started to play 18 hole tournaments last fall. When we were looking at his scores since then we noticed a trend of him scoring much better in the front 9 than back 9. He doesn't know why. Anyone have any insight?

 

Thanks.

 

Fatigued like b.helts said. Remind him to eat something every six holes (or sooner) and drink some water on at least every third hole. More often if the heat index is high.

[4rheel]

Best thing my son's coach did "mentally" was to make him play a game of 6 scores of 3 holes with the goal to be 1 over for each. You mess up after the first 3 holes, you forget it and move onto the next 3 holes score, repeat.

[tiger1873]

As everyone said he gets tired. One thing you can do is go on long walks around the neighborhood so they get used to walking 18 holes. Also make sure they have comfortable golf shoes.

 

 

[Tannerbug33]

I did some research on diet and what to eat prior to a tournament and what to eat during the tournament. Then the next challenge is to find what he will eat. I encourage his to sip a water are sports drink every hole. And every 3 holes eat something. I keep protein bars and a couple of bananas in his clic gear cooler.

Now I am still able to caddie for him so the next challenge is will he do it himself

[kcap]

Diet is key; got some really good tips from other parents on this forum. Followed that advice and he eats, nuts, fruits, bars, sandwich and water during the round. We try and mix it up between salt and sweet stuff, and the idea is to keep it healthy and filling without getting sugar rushes and crashes. No sports drinks or soda.

 

Away from that, i generally feel he gets tired and looses intensity during hole 12-15 - the last few times he did something to break the routine and getting pepped up with a focus to finish strong!

[heavy_hitter]

Diet. Limit unnatural sugars. No Bread. Water, nuts (preferably almonds), bananas, apples, jerky, more water. No juices and no gatorade type drinks.

 

Make sure he eats eggs banana for breakfast as well with water.

[leezer99]

Diet. Limit unnatural sugars. No Bread. Water, nuts (preferably almonds), bananas, apples, jerky, more water. No juices and no gatorade type drinks.

 

Make sure he eats eggs banana for breakfast as well with water.

 

It's all about the pickle baby.

[cwglum]

At 11 ... wouldn't get too analytical about it yet. Make sure he's having fun and he'll keep going with the sport.

[BertGA]

...No juices and no gatorade type drinks...

 

 

What?!?!? But that article you posted says Gatorade good! Sugar highs!

[heavy_hitter]

...No juices and no gatorade type drinks...

 

 

What?!?!? But that article you posted says Gatorade good! Sugar highs!

 

Says to swish in mouth and spit out.

 

 

LMAO

[hangontight]

If you have room in cooler, try a nutritional drink like Muscle Milk or ensure . My son recently started to drink about 1/2 before round and 1/2 midway through. Seems to have helped. This in addition to snacks every third hole , usually banaana, apple, or almonds , and me shoving water in his face EVERY chance I get., ha.

[heavy_hitter]

If you have room in cooler, try a nutritional drink like Muscle Milk or ensure . My son recently started to drink about 1/2 before round and 1/2 midway through. Seems to have helped. This in addition to snacks every third hole , usually banaana, apple, or almonds , and me shoving water in his face EVERY chance I get., ha.

 

Muscle Milk is one of the few drinks I would allow. Great Product full of protein and very low sugars.

[kekoa]

Having the right foods/snacks is one thing and making a child eat it is a whole other battle we face. My son normally won't eat until his is very hungry and by then its just too late. Besides physically shoving food and water down his throat, I'm not sure what to do. With 3 18 hole rounds coming up next week its going to be tough.

[tiger1873]

Having the right foods/snacks is one thing and making a child eat it is a whole other battle we face. My son normally won't eat until his is very hungry and by then its just too late. Besides physically shoving food and water down his throat, I'm not sure what to do. With 3 18 hole rounds coming up next week its going to be tough.

 

Totally agree with this you can't make them eat. I think it's a maturity thing too. I found with my kids I can tell them a lot things but they simply do not listen unless someone else tells them. Sent my daughter to camp and they talked about nutrition and now she gets it even though I been telling her for years to do what they just told her :dntknw: .

[heavy_hitter]

Having the right foods/snacks is one thing and making a child eat it is a whole other battle we face. My son normally won't eat until his is very hungry and by then its just too late. Besides physically shoving food and water down his throat, I'm not sure what to do. With 3 18 hole rounds coming up next week its going to be tough.

 

At 8 they are too young to understand how important it is. Nutrition on the course is an important role to playing and scoring well. You can get away with it on 9 holes. You can't get away on 18 holes.

[jigsaw1011]

Thanks everyone for your feedback. He drank lots more water and ate some fruit every few holes. He shot his best score(75) and had consistent energy throughout the round.

[heavy_hitter]

Thanks everyone for your feedback. He drank lots more water and ate some fruit every few holes. He shot his best score(75) and had consistent energy throughout the round.

 

That's what I'm talking about.

 

I was shocked that course nutrition meant as much as it does. It is huge.

[PostandGhost]

Two words: Himalayan Salt

[leezer99]

Two words: Himalayan Salt

 

1/2 teaspoon per gallon of distilled water folks. Add a squeeze of lemon for taste.

[Tannerbug33]

My son is completely opposite. plays better back 9. Never have any issue with his eating healthy are drinking water on the course.

Shot his best score today 74 2 over par and had 3 birdies on the back 9

He has the ability to get under par just hasn't been able to do it on the front 9. And he's still in the 9 hole devision. But the. Grind out again tomorrow. ?

[Big Ben]

I think you are all nuts he's 11 what does it matter.

[leezer99]

I think you are all nuts he's 11 what does it matter.

 

Shut it down folks... Big Ben has spoken.

[heavy_hitter]

I think you are all nuts he's 11 what does it matter.

 

Are you advocating poor nutrition?

[Big Ben]

No of course not it's that I seriously think we push these kids too hard. I have a 10 and 12yr old who are very active as well.

[mx6262]

Best thing my son's coach did "mentally" was to make him play a game of 6 scores of 3 holes with the goal to be 1 over for each. You mess up after the first 3 holes, you forget it and move onto the next 3 holes score, repeat.

 

Great way to stay focused. Understanding Course management early in a players golf life could be better you think, good fundamentals, course management, dedication to proper practice could lead to very cool future. $$$

[heavy_hitter]

No of course not it's that I seriously think we push these kids too hard. I have a 10 and 12yr old who are very active as well.

 

In this day and age in America we tend to forget how important nutrition is. You are telling me that someone is nuts for asking a question about "Why his kid peters out on the back 9"? If it were football, soccer, baseball, basketball etc. would it still be considered nuts? Proper nutrition and hydration are important for all sports. I don't know about you, but I want my kid to be as successful as he can at everything he does whether it in academics or athletics at this age. If he reads more he will become smarter. If it is as simple as proper nutrition to be able to finish out an athletic competition, then again "Why is it nuts?".

[Big Ben]

There was nothing in the OP's original post that mentioned nutrition. You are entitled to raise your children as you see fit. The question for a 11yr old child was why his score was off on the back nine, I'm saying he or she is 11 and why even care if he is enjoying the activity. Different perspectives my comment was a little harsh for that I apologize.

[Fade to Black]

Fatigue is likely the answer.

 

Quick question: is he playing the same 18 hole course?

 

If so, is it possible that the back 9 is just more difficult?