I was also having this problem. I knew i could play the game but i was just keeping myself from shooting my best. I recently read a book by Dr. Parent called Zen Golf. Its a good book to read and only has about 200 pages.. Pick it up and i think it will help

Courtland, Instead of breaking your round into two nines, try breaking it down into six, 3 hole tournaments. After the first three holes you can start clean with a new 3 hole tournament. Try setting a target score for each set of three holes. Evaluate yourself by how many target scores you reach out of the six.

Try not adding up your scores till the end of the round. Just write the number down and put the card back in your pocket. When you add it up at the end you might be pleasantly surprised.

The best advice I can give is to check out a book by the name of Zen Golf. This has improved my mental game drastically and even has me shooting scores I would have never thought were possible!

Courtland, I was there and from time to time find myself back at this mental place I dont like. I use anothe Book called Golf Talk. this works for me. what you say to yourself and think about your game before and during the round will result in how you perform. all I can say is this, slow down on the course, be very aware of your thoughts and self talk, never critisize yourself, se every situation you end up in as a challange and dont become frustrated or worried about the outcome. focus on the shot at hand as a positive challange and over time you will see great results. If you have a crap day, use it as a training round, forget about the score and focus on playing the best possible shot each time, some will word some not, this is learning process. even the pro's shoot 63 the one day and the next day 73. 10 shot swing, who are we to think we will shoot below par every time we play!!!! I recently shot a 69 after I started the round with two dropped shots, I knew that I hit the ball well but was unlucky to drop those shots, I remain focussed on the positive, and turned the game around, shot 4 under for the next 7 holes, the back 9 was difficult as I was hovering between protecting a score and playing positive, again I dropped a shot but made 2 birdies to end with 69 of a 3 handicap. Never talk down to yourself, always focus on the positive and your current and past success. and if you have a bad day, use it as a practice round and dont let the score bother you. Post round, always review all the good shots and puts you made, dont count the fairways missed but the fairways hit/or the good drives you had even if you missed the fairway.

Jakes,

Thanks for taking time out of your day and a page from your experiences to share with me. Much of what you said is true and insightful. Thanks again. Also, I am writing the book down now and will pick it up.