1st Handicap

[sneill]

Have just been giving my 1st official handicap today and im relatively pleased to say its 20. Was just wondering what all our 1st handicaps were and what was best piece of advice given to get this number lower.

I have played about 20 rounds since taking the game up and recently joined the local course. Got handicap today and play in 1st competition Thursday so fingers crossed it all goes to plan.

 

[Robobum]

Well done that man

Just play, pay attention to what you do well and what you don't. Do this over a length of time and your h'cap will also settle and be representative of your ability.

 

[sneill]

Thanks robobum. I feel my problem is off the Tee so trying to sort that out. Got the dreaded slice. Had 1st lesson just before xmas and pro thinks I got decent swint just need to release right wrist little earlier to get clubhead square at impact. Managing this with irons however with Wood in hand different story. Also looking to change irons as he said I realy should be using stiff and heavier clubs. Had few swings with different irons and just looking for the deal that tempts me.

 

[patricks148]

Have just been giving my 1st official handicap today and im relatively pleased to say its 20. Was just wondering what all our 1st handicaps were and what was best piece of advice given to get this number lower.

I have played about 20 rounds since taking the game up and recently joined the local course. Got handicap today and play in 1st competition Thursday so fingers crossed it all goes to plan.

my first handicap was 24 when i started in 2006, prob had only played 3 or 4 times when i played my medal for handicap purps.

play as much as you can would be my advice and get lessons, whish i had wheni started.

 

[pokerjoke]

Congrats that's a good starting handicap.
My advice is keep it simple.
Never try a shot on the course you have not practiced on the range.
Good luck on reducing that hp in 2014

 

[golfdub]

Started in 2010 and got my 1st handicap of 11

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Well done. Now the hard work to get lower starts

 

[Deleted member 15344]

That's good going

And to the OP - just go out and enjoy yourself

Lessons don't work for everyone

But practise and lots of play certainly have helped me

I started with a low 20 handicap just under 5 years ago

 

[pbrown7582]

Good work 20 is a decent starting point. :thup:

Course management and minimise errors will help keep your scores down.

 

[Alan P Mills]

Keep it simple and don't force it. Well done on 1st h/c and good luck for 2014. :thup:

 

[Airlie_Andy]

Don't make the same mistake as me and solely focus on the long game. Try to spend just as much time practicing the short game as that will get the handicap down much faster.

 

[hamshanker]

Good starting h/cap,like you i struggled from the tee distance wise and position so for many years it was irons and 3 wood only just started using driver 18 months ago after 15 yrs of playing so try not to think distance is everything as i make alot of shots up with short game and on the green..

And when playing comps with other people watch some of their course management the better players when in trouble rather than go for high risk recovery will take their medicine and get the ball back in play but overal enjoy playing and you will soon see your h/cap slowly improve:thup:

 

[woody69]

Thanks robobum. I feel my problem is off the Tee so trying to sort that out. Got the dreaded slice. Had 1st lesson just before xmas and pro thinks I got decent swint just need to release right wrist little earlier to get clubhead square at impact. Managing this with irons however with Wood in hand different story. Also looking to change irons as he said I realy should be using stiff and heavier clubs. Had few swings with different irons and just looking for the deal that tempts me.

The main thing I think is to enjoy playing and play as much as possible. If you can only play once a week or less you will struggle to get the handicap down unless you have a real natural talent for the game.

You need to concentrate on your finesse game, i.e 100 yards or less and in. Let's face it, you'll be hitting, or aiming to get onto the green with your 3rd shot (on a par 4) "most" of the time. It's from that distance you want to be aiming to be getting down in 3, i.e. chipping/pitching close enough for a 2 putt so you're effectively playing bogey golf and dropping to 18. As your skill in that area increases you'll start getting close enough for the odd 1 putt and then GIR will start coming and you'll be taking on birdies.

 

[Robobum]

Thanks robobum. I feel my problem is off the Tee so trying to sort that out. Got the dreaded slice. Had 1st lesson just before xmas and pro thinks I got decent swint just need to release right wrist little earlier to get clubhead square at impact. Managing this with irons however with Wood in hand different story. Also looking to change irons as he said I realy should be using stiff and heavier clubs. Had few swings with different irons and just looking for the deal that tempts me.

When you say slice, how much movement are we talking? Is it on every shot? What is approx. carry distance (be honest ?

I play with a slice, it's not all bad

 

[sneill]

When you say slice, how much movement are we talking? Is it on every shot? What is approx. carry distance (be honest ?

I play with a slice, it's not all bad

with driver its bad were talking starting left hand side ending other fairway. Distane wise I hit long with irons ill carry my 6 about 180 swing speed of 93.5mph

 

[hamshanker]

with driver its bad were talking starting left hand side ending other fairway. Distane wise I hit long with irons ill carry my 6 about 180 swing speed of 93.5mph

its always been said the beers good up in scotty land well ok the whiskey:lol:

 

[sneill]

I wish I could blame the drink. I honestly hit that far. At 1st at my course mate who plays off 18 hits 5 wood I hit 7