The Psychology of the 4th Hole

A short story in self-sabotage, softness, and the mid-round reckoning.

No one talks about the 4th hole.
Which is funny, because that’s where everything happens.

The swing falls apart.
The glove gets adjusted a little too dramatically.
The silence gets heavier, or the jokes start landing just a bit too loud.

The 4th is where the illusion of control politely excuses itself — and you’re left alone with your tempo, your alignment, and the guy who wore joggers on principle.

At Après Club, we know the first three holes are for show.
But the 4th? That’s when it gets personal.

It’s where you find out who you are without adrenaline.
Where your grip gets sweaty and your self-talk gets weird.
Where you wonder if it’s the club… or you. (It’s you.)

It’s where your playing partner stops trying to impress you and starts eating trail mix with conviction.

And it’s also where things can quietly click.
Where the swing softens, the breath returns, and the tension in your jaw migrates to your shoulders — which is, all things considered, progress.

Golf is a mental game, yes.
But the 4th hole? That’s psychological warfare.
Just you, the pin, and a fairway that looks shorter than it is.

If you can get through the 4th with grace —
you’ve probably got the makings of a real player.
Or at least someone who knows how to finish a round with dignity and a drink.