2 to Scratch?

[3565]

Iain, that's a key point. It's not about how good your good golf is, it's how good are your bad shots.

Just a thought, try and get hold of a book called Golf54 by Lynne Marriot and Pia Nielsson. They worked with Annika Sorenstam and with the Swedish golf system. Interesting read and something's you can take from it and try in your own game. It gives an insight on how Annika's thought process in situations evolved as she worked with them.

As for the thread, there is no right way or wrong way in how to get to scratch. But we all know the better you get the more you need to keep on top of your game, practise sessions, and mentality towards golf. Their all opinions at the end of the day and it doesn't matter who's played with who and how they did it, doesn't mean it's the right way, it just means what they did, it was right for them!

Good luck in finding the holy grail, I've been trying for 20+ years.

 

[Liverbirdie]

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.

I can give you advice on how to get to +1, Kaz.:thup:

I've gone from 6 to 7 this year.

 

[the_coach]

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.

FD - some stuff to maybes have a ponder over

speaking to my own journey but also to work done with other real low index players looking to improve the game

first off have to be real sure of the state of the game over the last say 2 seasons - so not an 'impression of' how the game is but the real nitty gritty of it - exactly where the weak points are

some you started already to list on this thread - maybes some still not for sure been identified yet

2 key areas already highlighted would be the driving & putting

& while these are for sure key - once you get to the index 4 & below what i've seen while these areas can be improved by folks a real key is the game in-between, so looking at distance control + accuracy from 130/140 to around 200

the level I play at & the level around scratch folks pretty decent from the tee-box & on the green plus scrambling the real difference is in that chunk of the game in-between

generally my game will be much more efficient in this 'approach shot area' than those index players say at 4,3.2, even 1,0 -- that 2nd shot into the green in distance control (+ accuracy) in that crucial important distance from the pin stat + the also the importance of leaving the ball in the best position on the green for the best putt line to be able to attack the hole with the putt --

so that's more about better control of swing motion & strike - plus the knowledge of knowing/owning that motion to figure out whether in play it really was a swing issue or lapse in concentration of set-up/alignment/course management that put me where I didn't want to be - I don't expect not to execute the shot I want to hit, ever, but stuff sometimes happens if/when it does I take say 10, 15" to figure why then that's all history, move on

for sure driving, putting, the ultra short game, scrambling is important but generally down around 2 through the + index side most folks if a true low index player* are all pretty good at this - it's the big piece of the game in-between that's a deal different in my experience.

(*meaning with a low index that travels to many different tracks, long difficult stuff, in competition not just a low home course index player - that's not meant as a criticism of this it's just that the 'state' of their game is different can get away more with stuff not quite on point)

sure practice well everything - there's the whole attitude + course management side - like never play a game without a game-plan for every hole
know to the yard the 'carry' of every club both full through the bag also the wedge part game from 30 to 120 (in 10 yard steps)

{know on a level surface straight putt how far the putter head travels back & through the hit a 15' 20' 25' 30' 35' 40' putt - consistent tempo - distance not by hitting softer or harder would be my take on how to lose the 3 putt}

for sure 1st priority sounds like the driving needs to get sorted - have to hit fairways with at worst only being just off in the short first cut - {the longer the folks average drive gives some room for being less accurate but meaning 275 carry & upwards} 250 or below really gotta hit the cut stuff

 

[harpo_72]

What does scratch offer? In a way is it just a no mans land ... in that your good, but not good enough to go on tour, you can teach and play the local stuff, would that satisfy? Really what is the ultimate goal? As this will be the drive for success.

 

[MendieGK]

Being off scratch, is something 99.9% of golfers will never achieve. It's an incredible achievement.

I dream about the day I get the notification to say my handicap is 0.0.

It's an absolute driver

 

[FairwayDodger]

Being off scratch, is something 99.9% of golfers will never achieve. It's an incredible achievement.

I dream about the day I get the notification to say my handicap is 0.0.

It's an absolute driver

Exactly this, getting lower opens up options of great competitions to enter and opportunities to play in various teams etc, but getting to scratch is motivation in itself. Just a huge challenge.

 

[351DRIVER]

Shots are mostly saved from the hole outwards

So short putts, medium putts, long putts, chipping, bunker shots, pitching, wedge game, iron game tee shots..

I notice that scratch golfers do not have destructive shots, their bad shots can still leave them a good chance of par, there is an invetibility that they will hit either a good shot or a really good shot... this must come from swinging within yourself, hitting shots you know you can hit etc..

Never got to scratch, but on the occasions i did care about a decent performance, putting and more putting, you can find two shots on the greens simply by spending a lot of time on them.

Scratch is not a no mans land
Scratch is a significant golfing milestone thing is too, if you have the mentality to get it done, you will no doubt look at plus 1 when you are at scratch, golf is a marathon not a sprint..

A 4 minute mile is too (You will win jack **** but its a universally known standard)

Being, 0.0 is a great achievement (0.4, does not cut it!)

I would like to think i have a scratch golfer lurking within, but barely play these days, 2.7 was my lowest and my course management and approach was ridiculous (Smash it and never practise short game) fun though

 

[MendieGK]

Exactly this, getting lower opens up options of great competitions to enter and opportunities to play in various teams etc, but getting to scratch is motivation in itself. Just a huge challenge.

I would say the in the amateur men's game, scratch won't open many doors as the big events are usually around +1.2 before you get a look in but still...go girl. Dedication will get you there.

 

[turkish]

Does 0.4 not cut it as a scratch golfer? I think I'd tell myself if I got to that I was a scratch golfer!!!

Ps I got golf54 on the kindle after recommendation and really enjoying it on chapter 3 👍

 

[351DRIVER]

Does 0.4 not cut it as a scratch golfer? I think I'd tell myself if I got to that I was a scratch golfer!!!

Ps I got golf54 on the kindle after recommendation and really enjoying it on chapter 3 

For all handicaps, the .4 is acceptable of course, but as a golf achievement, Scratch is 0.0 for me... sure you can have a scratch handicap but until you hit 0.0 its not quite done is it

 

[FairwayDodger]

I would say the in the amateur men's game, scratch won't open many doors as the big events are usually around +1.2 before you get a look in but still...go girl. Dedication will get you there.

Different for women, though, as there isn't the same depth. There were a few 2 handicappers in the Women's British Open this year, for example.

 

[FairwayDodger]

FD - some stuff to maybes have a ponder over

Coach, thanks for all that. Lots to ponder indeed.

I feel a very long way from scratch after a dodgy couple of hours practice this morning!

 

[Doon frae Troon]

My daughter went from 3 to +1 in two years, aged 16 to 18.
I did not see a great change in her actual game except some new clubs gave her more distance and confidence.
She had 3 years in the top England training squad, playing with the best of your peers gave her the knowledge that she could match them. She then believed she could win every match as opposed to thinking she could win every match.

Karen you have played her under the pressure of a county team finals. I would say that she was then roughly playing 4 shots a round more than in her prime [probably 5 now!]
Sounds like a small gap but it is a pretty big mountain to climb.

My advice would be to keep on doing what you are doing as it is obviously working.
Try as much as you can to play with better players.
Don't get bogged down on technical issues
The best players you will meet will be thinking the same as you.
Remember they still eat, sleep, worry and pee. ie they are beatable. [Jack Nicklaus admits to being nervous on the first tee]
Good luck and keep us posted...good or bad!
[OT Lady Doon got some excellent results on Friday]

 

[FairwayDodger]

My daughter went from 3 to +1 in two years, aged 16 to 18.
I did not see a great change in her actual game except some new clubs gave her more distance and confidence.
She had 3 years in the top England training squad, playing with the best of your peers gave her the knowledge that she could match them. She then believed she could win every match as opposed to thinking she could win every match.

Karen you have played her under the pressure of a county team finals. I would say that she was then roughly playing 4 shots a round more than in her prime [probably 5 now!]
Sounds like a small gap but it is a pretty big mountain to climb.

My advice would be to keep on doing what you are doing as it is obviously working.
Try as much as you can to play with better players.
Don't get bogged down on technical issues
The best players you will meet will be thinking the same as you.
Remember they still eat, sleep, worry and pee. ie they are beatable. [Jack Nicklaus admits to being nervous on the first tee]
Good luck and keep us posted...good or bad!
[OT Lady Doon got some excellent results on Friday]

Thanks Doon... I enjoyed that match but still have nightmares about my approach shot on 18 that day! It's all experience though and that was a great lesson in the dangers of indecision and failing to commit to a shot!

Good news re Lady Doon!

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Thanks Doon... I enjoyed that match but still have nightmares about my approach shot on 18 that day! It's all experience though and that was a great lesson in the dangers of indecision and failing to commit to a shot!

Good news re Lady Doon!

Good players start winning matches when their opponents start to think they have beat them.
Don't let it happen again.

 

[the_coach]

Coach, thanks for all that. Lots to ponder indeed.

I feel a very long way from scratch after a dodgy couple of hours practice this morning!

maybes look to how you practice too FD
don't know how you working

but where you are now level-wise working solely on technique block practice with one club across a good number of balls not always that helpful even if working primarily on technique change

much better to fit any change to technique work into 'random' practice through the bag - one ball one club then change & change target each time that ways practice is more mirroring play

best possible way to practice with 'game type' pressure is if you got a teacher with trackman so able to do random through the bag 'combines' that for sure shows where the game really is and it will give you to an estimated index so can qualify where the game is
& this for sure will highlight any full shot weaknesses distance control, accuracy, plus there are wedge based 'combines' choosing random option means don't hit the same shot consecutively
flightscope & GC2 have similar if the software has been purchased & license paid up to date

 

[dewsweeper]

Good players start winning matches when their opponents start to think they have beat them.
Don't let it happen again.

Beggar the golf Doon, have you ironed Mms D's knickers yet?
Glad to hear of better news.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Good advice from the coach.

I watched Sir Bob Charles practice at Turnberry about 6 years ago.
He was dreadfully slow and it took him nearly two hours to hit 100 balls.

It took me a while to realise he was playing the course shot by shot.
He must have been in his early 70's then but he was still totally fixed in his concentration.

One of our range winter drills with our good youngsters was to go through the bag from Driver to SW.
The minute they hit a less than perfect shot it was back to the driver.
FD.... I can vouch strongly for regular winter range practice two nights a week minimum.

 

[FairwayDodger]

maybes look to how you practice too FD
don't know how you working

but where you are now level-wise working solely on technique block practice with one club across a good number of balls not always that helpful even if working primarily on technique change

much better to fit any change to technique work into 'random' practice through the bag - one ball one club then change & change target each time that ways practice is more mirroring play

best possible way to practice with 'game type' pressure is if you got a teacher with trackman so able to do random through the bag 'combines' that for sure shows where the game really is and it will give you to an estimated index so can qualify where the game is
& this for sure will highlight any full shot weaknesses distance control, accuracy, plus there are wedge based 'combines' choosing random option means don't hit the same shot consecutively
flightscope & GC2 have similar if the software has been purchased & license paid up to date

Sadly I don't have access to that sort of technology!

A common practice for me is to virtually "play" a course I know at the range. So visualise each tee shot, hit the appropriate club, estimate where it would have finished and visualise and play that shot. Keeping track of GIR through the session. Achieves the same thing, hitting different clubs and shots and means I practice with more of a competitive mentality rather than beating balls.

Today it was just cold and muddy and I was mostly working on a drill from my pro to help the driving... with mixed success!

EDIT: Ha! Just saw DFT's post about Bob Charles

 

[351DRIVER]

I think everyone is missing the obvious, the easiest way to go from 2 to scratch is to take your UK handicap and go play in the USA