pokerjoke
Money List Winner
Ive represented my county at 2 sports:ears:
Not doubting your ability just your attitude towards lesser mortals.
Was always taught to have 2 ears one mouth not the other way around
2 to Scratch?
- Thread starter FairwayDodger
- Start date
Ive represented my county at 2 sports:ears:
Not doubting your ability just your attitude towards lesser mortals.
Was always taught to have 2 ears one mouth not the other way around
FairwayDodger
Money List Winner
Taking all the advice in, filtering where appropriate but it's all welcome.
golfcitydweller
Q-School Graduate
Ive represented my county at 2 sports:ears:
Not doubting your ability just your attitude towards lesser mortals.
Was always taught to have 2 ears one mouth not the other way around
haha nice one ..i like that x
D
Deleted member 15344
Guest
Butch Harmon was a pro tour golfer at one stage so whilst not the most successful he still knew what it took and used that to become an even better coach
In some way City Golfer has a point - what does a 13 HC for example know about going from 2 to scratch ? It's a whole different ball game.
pokerjoke
Money List Winner
It might be a different ball game to some but if you go back over all the replies they are pretty much all along the same lines.
Golf only has a few areas to work on so I suppose to get from 2 to scratch you have to be good at them all,not rocket science.
Very good point. Having looked at the thread again, I don't see how a mid handicapper shouldn't have an opinion as it's all the same difference and most were nothing but supportive. It's like saying a non-league club should never play in the FA Cup because they can't win it
golfcitydweller
Q-School Graduate
agreed ...i`ve had the priveledge of playing with and against many fine players and in my experience it`s the putting that seperates the 2/3 h`cap`s against the scratch / plus golfers . same on any tour golf it`s the best putters that win week in week out .
pokerjoke
Money List Winner
True
I heard an interview with TW and he said "we can all drive,iron and chip so it will come down to who holes the putts".
I suspect he's changed tact a little since he's struggling with all aspects apparently.
jamielaing
Q-School Graduate
Karen, as a member of the forum that has watched you play, you definitely have it in you. I would say that this is where mentality and putting come into play massively, especially when you say you are putting for par too often. Get around the green as much as possible and work on it. While I'm a few shots behind you in handicap hopefully my advice my be useful;
Since working on my putting it has improved. This is probably just down to confidence from seeing them fall. I'm going up twice a week for an hour of putting and chipping in addition to my usual golf.
Everything else I've got comes from playing with guys under a 3 handicap at Duddingston and are just my observations but it's what I want to work on;
I played with 2 of the team guys and watching them on the green was unbelievable. Every miss they had they stood over it perplexed that it did not go in. They knew they were that good that it should have. This is the confidence level I yearn for.
Another hit every putt so hard that it either went straight in or went 6 foot past. He went for everything and they seemed to keep dropping. Thing is, when he missed he always got the one coming back.
Another had a terrible round. He didn't make contact properly all day and was +3 opposed to his usual scratch. His ball was always in play though, just short for him. He has got such a low maintenance swing that his terrible shots are just a bit shorter.
On the 17th at DGC I hit a good driver leaving an iron to the par 5 which I pulled and left myself a horrible chip. I did well to get it to 10 foot and missed the birdie putt by inches and took my par. My playing partner was full of condolences because he couldn't get why I didn't birdie it after my drive. He wouldn't accept that I'm his game and its made me think about holes where par isn't good enough.
I have no doubt you'll manage Karen. And if all else fails, just play duddingston medals. Always seems to be reduction only for the ladies! 😉
Since working on my putting it has improved. This is probably just down to confidence from seeing them fall. I'm going up twice a week for an hour of putting and chipping in addition to my usual golf.
Everything else I've got comes from playing with guys under a 3 handicap at Duddingston and are just my observations but it's what I want to work on;
I played with 2 of the team guys and watching them on the green was unbelievable. Every miss they had they stood over it perplexed that it did not go in. They knew they were that good that it should have. This is the confidence level I yearn for.
Another hit every putt so hard that it either went straight in or went 6 foot past. He went for everything and they seemed to keep dropping. Thing is, when he missed he always got the one coming back.
Another had a terrible round. He didn't make contact properly all day and was +3 opposed to his usual scratch. His ball was always in play though, just short for him. He has got such a low maintenance swing that his terrible shots are just a bit shorter.
On the 17th at DGC I hit a good driver leaving an iron to the par 5 which I pulled and left myself a horrible chip. I did well to get it to 10 foot and missed the birdie putt by inches and took my par. My playing partner was full of condolences because he couldn't get why I didn't birdie it after my drive. He wouldn't accept that I'm his game and its made me think about holes where par isn't good enough.
I have no doubt you'll manage Karen. And if all else fails, just play duddingston medals. Always seems to be reduction only for the ladies! 😉
Crow
Crow Person
I've got the most wonderful piece of advice that will help all scratch ability golfers, but as a lowly double figure capper I'd better not post it.
golfcitydweller
Q-School Graduate
pokerjoke summed it up nicely about ears and a mouth ...think it`s intended for you as well.
FairwayDodger
Money List Winner
Thanks Jamie. We need to get another game! I'd love to play with some of those guys - nothing better than playing with better players.
Duddy medals are funny - there's so few women play in them that CSS is never right. I've played great in bad conditions and missed out on a cut because CSS stayed at SSS based on my score when the guys' CSS was SSS+2 and conversely I've got away with playing badly in good conditions because only a couple of women played and neither hit buffer.
You even get the situation where I know before teeing off that no other women are playing so my handicap can't go up.
FairwayDodger
Money List Winner
I'm pretty sorry the turn this thread has taken. I'm open to advice from anyone; I know my game well enough to filter stuff that can help me and stuff that isn't relevant and I don't for a minute think higher handicappers can't suggest something of value. So I don't want to disparage anyone!
That said, I'm particularly interested to hear from those that have done it or have got close and those that are still trying to make the same progress. I don't think that's unreasonable.
El Diablo
Assistant Pro
Good luck in your pursuit of scratch.
All the players I have played with who shoot sub par hit the ball far longer than average, which on occasions means far wider than average. Key is every par 5 is a possible eagle and almost certain birdie.
Their games from inside 150 yds (wedges effectively) are very good and they hit it close.
Denis Pugh posted the following somewhere which seems to sum up what I have seen first hand.
Hit long way
Find some fairways
Hit approach close
Miss green get close
Putt outside 5paces get close
Inside 5paces hole some
1pace hole all
All the players I have played with who shoot sub par hit the ball far longer than average, which on occasions means far wider than average. Key is every par 5 is a possible eagle and almost certain birdie.
Their games from inside 150 yds (wedges effectively) are very good and they hit it close.
Denis Pugh posted the following somewhere which seems to sum up what I have seen first hand.
Hit long way
Find some fairways
Hit approach close
Miss green get close
Putt outside 5paces get close
Inside 5paces hole some
1pace hole all
3565
Journeyman Pro
Now now, stop self deprecating ......... 😉
Jacko_G
Blackballed
Talking from experience?
NWJocko
Tour Winner
I'm a long way off that standard sadly but I've played quite a bit with a scratch and plus guy this year and the 2 main things I've picked up are:
1) Their bad shots are not destructive like mine. I can hit the ball as well if not better than them with a good swing. My bad shots are way too bad though! I end
Up making a double/triple whereas they are bogey at worst. Just much more consistent than I am.
2) My putting, especially long putting, is utter dross compared to them. I very rarely have tap in pars if I've got a long first putt. These guys knock it dead every time. Mid range putts all look like they've got a chance and short ones are very, very rarely missed.
Might not help, but they're the things I need to improve to get lower than I am.
Good luck :thup:
1) Their bad shots are not destructive like mine. I can hit the ball as well if not better than them with a good swing. My bad shots are way too bad though! I end
Up making a double/triple whereas they are bogey at worst. Just much more consistent than I am.
2) My putting, especially long putting, is utter dross compared to them. I very rarely have tap in pars if I've got a long first putt. These guys knock it dead every time. Mid range putts all look like they've got a chance and short ones are very, very rarely missed.
Might not help, but they're the things I need to improve to get lower than I am.
Good luck :thup:
FairwayDodger
Money List Winner
Iain, that's a key point. It's not about how good your good golf is, it's how good are your bad shots.
D
Deleted member 1147
Guest
I fully subscribe to this point of view.
I played a big county competition recently alongside a scratch and a plus one player.
I hit it longer than both and my best shots were better than theirs, but my bad stuff was far worse than theirs and they holed much more than me.
turkish
Journeyman Pro
I'm in no way qualified to offer advice but not only in golf I like to come up with an action plan to develop.
Do you have any way of recording where you are leaking shots? Patterns over say 20-30 rounds?
I'm guessing at your level you already have a coach? Do they ever come round for playing lessons to identify where you can improve?
Rather than specific advice on a forum getting some real time on course advice over a period of time from a pro is your best bet (albeit not cheap). All the best I hope you can achieve 👍
Do you have any way of recording where you are leaking shots? Patterns over say 20-30 rounds?
I'm guessing at your level you already have a coach? Do they ever come round for playing lessons to identify where you can improve?
Rather than specific advice on a forum getting some real time on course advice over a period of time from a pro is your best bet (albeit not cheap). All the best I hope you can achieve 👍
