A new perspective on scoring.

[Bobmysterkaymer]

I'm playing off 18.7 (19) at the moment but believe I can shot an 86 (+14). the front none is the hardest at our course so I aim to get round the front in +9 and the back nine in +5. so I decided to par each hole depending on how I score. For example
Hole: Par: My aim par:
1. 3. 4
2. 4. 5
3. 4. 6 (steep up hill)
4. 4. 5
5. 4. 4 ( normally par or birdie)
6. 5. 7 (very steep up hill!)
Etc.
Anyway I par'd the course at the weekend and had two ob's, some duff chips and messed up on a few holes I should be parring, but feel more positive with having new achievable goals to help lower my scores to mid 80's. Just a thought for us high handicappers to make those high scores a little lower!

 

[BluenoseGolfer]

That's a good idea and something I think a lot of us need to do more of. I often set myself too high standards and then never enjoy it when i don't reach them!

 

[jimjoachim]

I do the same. Few of the harder par 4s on my course i play as a par 5. Stops me going hell for leather to get there in two.

Theres one hole in particular. Good drive would leave about 180 into the green. but anything slightly left falls down a 30 foot drop, anything slightly right or long is ob. Ill play two wedges in at the moment to be sure i stay on line. Maybe when i get better ill go for it...i get 2 shots on the hole so it makes sense.

Then theres the SI3 hole where i also get 2 shots i cope fine with it and will play it as normal hoping to par/bogey and pick up a shot or two

 

[Evesdad]

I've noticed a difference in using these targets too. Even if I just use the shots given in stableford it takes the pressure off in my mind, a 7 on the hard par 5 at mine would equal a net par etc, it also boosts myself with net birdies etc. I've enjoyed myself more in the process.

 

[chris661]

Going to the other side here, but surely if you settle for a 7 on the tee then have a nine your mindset could be "ah well it's not too bad only two over target" but If you just play each hole by how it goes and try to limit the damage then surely the results should be better?

 

[brendy]

As above, forget "systems" and treat each hole on its merit on the day. saying you always par a hole is asking for trouble.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I've always said that if you treat every hole as a par 5 you won't go far wrong. What you make up for on the par 3's and shorter par 4's you can afford to give back on the long 4's and the 5's. If you played level 5's and shot 90 less 19 and nett 71 week in week out I bet you wouldn't be far away in comps and chances are would come in a few under that and so get cut anyway

 

[Evesdad]

I don't think of settling but takes the pressure off in my mind and will generally shoot better than trying to make par on a long 5 which my current game doesn't produce. Take each hole as it comes and play to strengths and try to take the trouble out of the picture. I've said before one day I'm going to try and play a round with just a few irons and putter. 7i 150 yds at a time etc and see if I can score any better, just an experiment.