One bad hole can drown out seventeen good ones
A triple bogey can dominate the journey home even after a decent round. Unpleasant events often grab attention, and replaying one keeps it prominent. Why are bad memories are always stronger—that one hole does not tell the whole story.
A fairer way to review your round
Negativity bias describes a tendency for bad events to carry particular weight in many situations. Memory is more complicated: positive experiences can also be durable. Emotional intensity, surprise and repeated rehearsal can all influence what comes most readily to mind.
A practical round review can give the evidence a fairer hearing. Name one decision you would change, one shot you executed well and one thing you learned. Be specific: “I aimed at the narrow side of the green” is more useful than “I always ruin a good round”.
This is a reflective exercise, not a validated cure or an instruction to think positively regardless of the score. The bad hole still counts. The aim is to let the other seventeen contribute to the account you take into the next round, instead of allowing the most emotionally noisy moment to become the whole verdict.