The smile on the 18th comes from the distribution on the 10th

“It is the distribution, not the result, that makes the difference.”

Rather than trying hard to get good results, think about where you use your energy and focus.
That distribution can change the scenery in the second half.

The afternoon, heading to the 10th hole after finishing lunch break

The grass, with the morning dew gone, is slightly dry and strongly reflecting the sunlight.

The heat of the day remains on the cart seat, and when you take a sip of a cold drink, it soaks right into your body.

Looking at the scorecard, the first half was decent.

My legs are still moving. I don't feel much fatigue in my shoulders either.

“Alright, let's push a little harder in the second half.”

I think it's very natural to feel that way.

I've felt that way many times too.

The desire to “hit it further” is not a bad thing

When your energy returns after a break, you suddenly want to step on the gas from the 10th hole.

Swing the tee shot with all your might, and aim for the pin on the next shot.
If there is a wait, you repeat practice swings over and over.

At that moment, you don't feel tired yet.

In fact, you think, “I can make it to the end today.”

However, around the 14th or 15th hole, the scenery starts to change little by little.

Your stride shortens, and even going back to get a club feels like a chore.
Even when you get into your address, your breathing doesn't settle, and your hands grip the club too tightly.

And then, the 17th hole.

The more you think, “It's just a little more, so hang in there,” the less your body listens to you.

You swing late and it flies to the right, and the next shot, trying to make up for it, goes to the left instead.

The back nine, which I thought I would be energetic for, turned into a time of endurance before I knew it.

I thought I had confidence in my physical strength.

When I was young, I worked part-time delivering newspapers, moving furniture, and at construction sites, and I walked the course almost every day as a caddie.

I had a fair amount of confidence in my stamina.

Even so, during summer rounds, I would lose my footing around the 16th hole.

Even though I felt energetic, my body would sway sideways during my swing, and the ball would fly to the right because I was late to swing.

I had experienced it many times, so I should have known.

Yet, every time, I would only realize it after making a mistake, thinking, 'Oh, it happened again.'

I think there were mistakes I could have avoided if I had saved a little energy from the start of the back nine.

Mr. F, who used to fall apart on the back nine

Mr. F, whom I used to coach, was also troubled by the fact that he would do well on the front nine but fall apart on the back nine.

When I asked him about it, I found out that he would feel good after nice shots on the front nine and keep swinging with the same intensity on the back nine.

So, I suggested that after finishing his lunch break, he take one deep breath,

tell himself, 'Let's go at 80% for the back nine,'

and then head to the 10th hole.

A few rounds later, Mr. F said with a smile,

'I was able to play the back nine more calmly than I thought.'

His driving distance dropped a little, but his major mistakes decreased, and his total score actually improved.

I think it wasn't so much that he improved because he held back his power, but rather that he was able to use his energy for all 18 holes carefully until the end.

Pacing to keep going until the end

The saying 'It is the pacing, not the result, that makes the difference' does not mean holding back your strength.
It means using your physical energy and concentration by dividing them between the first and second halves.

You should use your physical strength and concentration by splitting them between the first and second halves.

Rather than trying to hit more perfect shots,
walking, setting up, and swinging at the same tempo until the final hole
can sometimes do more to support your entire round.

There are two things you can try starting today.

The first is to take small sips of your drink before you feel thirsty.

In the summer, I prepare both water and salt (or sports drinks) and make sure to take a sip every time I return to the cart.

The second is to take a long exhale before heading to the 10th hole.

Then, whisper to yourself, 'Let's go at about 70% for the back nine.'

It is not about not giving your all, but rather using a strength that leaves a little bit of energy left after you finish your swing.

It is okay not to think of it as a bad thing that you cannot move the same way you did in the first half.

If you anticipate the change from the beginning, you won't have to panic when you start to feel tired.

The final hole, with a stride that still has energy to spare.

The final hole in the evening.

The slanted light casts long shadows on the fairway, and a slightly cooler breeze passes over your sweaty cheeks.

Even if it wasn't a perfect day, if you can walk to the green laughing with your friends, that is a good enough round of golf.

The small amount of energy you saved in the first half leads to a smile on the final hole.

For today's round, from which hole will you try saving a little bit of energy?