A little Advice please....

[Doon frae Troon]

I would recommend that you watch as much top amateur golf as you can. For example County, regional and international matches and competitions.
Observe the players and learn how they go about their business.

As you say it is quite easy to get to 8 handicap.
It is a bit harder to get to 5 then much harder to get to scratch.
Given the progress you have made I would think 4 or 5 would be an achievable target.

Don't try too hard because as we all know the harder you try the tougher this game becomes.
Perhaps this years target should be to enjoy yourself when playing.
Count the really good shots you hit per round rather than your score. Between 20 and 25 is good.

 

[bluewolf]

Since I've spent most of this year injured, I've been able to analyze where my shots go during the round. Over the last month I've worked on 2 specific areas, chipping around the green and simple ball striking. I used the chipping drill that Bobmac advocates with the piece of string (can't find the video, but it's on Youtube) to develop a "go to" shot. Even when playing badly I know I can get trust the stroke.

With regards to ball striking, like you, I don't use the most forgiving of irons, but I picked up a swingyde and worked on making sure I hit the ball first, then take a small divot. I shortened the backswing slightly and stopped trying to smack the backside out of the ball. My last 2 rounds have been a 75 and a 73 (yesterday). Probably helped by very receptive greens, but I still had to hit them.

Just pick an area that needs improving, and work on it...:thup:

 

[bladeplayer]

I set a goal of 7.1 to 5 this year mate , had a real yo yo season (see sig) ive have played about 35-40 qualifiers , including 5 scratch cups on strange courses , i went for lessons at the start of the year to help my cause because i reckoned my game needed to be tighter , didnt work for me tho as i found i was thinking too much on the course and getting too technical ..

Gona hopefully play 3 qualifiers this weekend & that will be that til March or whenever then , last 3 rounds have been buffer 36/36/38 with new irons in the bag , if my mostly reliable putter hadn't got jealous of the new irons and just behaved i would have been cut in at least 2 of them ..

Plan then is practice shot shaping with the new irons , & get use to them as they are alot different than the old ones , but i think the main work needed to get lower in singles is a razor sharp short game .. so that will be my aim over the winter