singledigitdreamer
Hacker
Hello everyone, signed up to the forum today and would like a bit of advice if possible.
I have been planning to get back into golf this year but wanted to set myself a challenge/goal/aim. With that in mind, I want to get myself down to a single digit handicap within say 2/3 years. Is this possible? If so, what advice would you give me? What would it take to reach a handicap of 9?
Now for the background to help you decide if it is possible:
I am 30 and generally in good shape. I live in Northern England so obviously the weather is not great all year round. I first picked up a club aged about 7 where I had lessons with my little 7 iron. I played quite a bit as a young child and then with high school and moving away that stopped a bit. Since school I have played on and off. Some summers I have maybe done 10-15 rounds, other years I haven't played at all. The last time I played a full 18 holes was almost 3 years ago. I have been to the driving range twice in 2017. I have never had an official handicap but I can tell you that I don't think I have ever shot lower than 100 (embarrassing I know!). I think maybe 102 was about my best score, although I could be mis-remembering and maybe I did shoot a 98/99 once but I honestly am not sure. I used to play a small course near me a bit (small 9 holer, par 28) and would usually get round in about 45.
Ability wise I am bad with my driver, I can put it about 250-260 but it doesn't often go straight. I am assuming some lessons here would be worth their weight in gold. My irons are much better, my 6-iron in particular I can reach 200 yards and hit it nice and straight more often than not. Although when Im shooting 100+ you can probably guess that I have enough shots that I scuff and they go about 30 yards. Putting wise I really hate those 3-5ft ones that you know you should make, confidence is probably my main issue with the short putts, I am scared to miss them. The really long ones there is no pressure and I can often get it pretty close.
When I play 18 holes I will always have the odd hole that I perhaps par or bogey but I equally have 1 or 2 holes in a round where I hit a 9 or 10!
In terms of equipment I have some Top-Flite Tour Oversize irons which are about 15 years old but have been well kept. I know technology has advanced alot since the early 2000's so not sure how much those clubs would potentially hold me back?
Basically I really enjoy golf, I have just not played as much as I would like and back when I was at University, cash wasn't exactly overflowing in my wallet. I am in a situation now where I can dedicate more time and money to improving my game and really want to improve and challenge myself to see how much I can improve. I was going to write a blog about my progress but I am not sure anyone would want to read that so I thought I would come here for advice and quietly go about trying to improve with a bit less pressure and hopefully reach a handicap of 9 in around 2 or 3 years from now.
Sorry for the long post! Advice is appreciated!
I have been planning to get back into golf this year but wanted to set myself a challenge/goal/aim. With that in mind, I want to get myself down to a single digit handicap within say 2/3 years. Is this possible? If so, what advice would you give me? What would it take to reach a handicap of 9?
Now for the background to help you decide if it is possible:
I am 30 and generally in good shape. I live in Northern England so obviously the weather is not great all year round. I first picked up a club aged about 7 where I had lessons with my little 7 iron. I played quite a bit as a young child and then with high school and moving away that stopped a bit. Since school I have played on and off. Some summers I have maybe done 10-15 rounds, other years I haven't played at all. The last time I played a full 18 holes was almost 3 years ago. I have been to the driving range twice in 2017. I have never had an official handicap but I can tell you that I don't think I have ever shot lower than 100 (embarrassing I know!). I think maybe 102 was about my best score, although I could be mis-remembering and maybe I did shoot a 98/99 once but I honestly am not sure. I used to play a small course near me a bit (small 9 holer, par 28) and would usually get round in about 45.
Ability wise I am bad with my driver, I can put it about 250-260 but it doesn't often go straight. I am assuming some lessons here would be worth their weight in gold. My irons are much better, my 6-iron in particular I can reach 200 yards and hit it nice and straight more often than not. Although when Im shooting 100+ you can probably guess that I have enough shots that I scuff and they go about 30 yards. Putting wise I really hate those 3-5ft ones that you know you should make, confidence is probably my main issue with the short putts, I am scared to miss them. The really long ones there is no pressure and I can often get it pretty close.
When I play 18 holes I will always have the odd hole that I perhaps par or bogey but I equally have 1 or 2 holes in a round where I hit a 9 or 10!
In terms of equipment I have some Top-Flite Tour Oversize irons which are about 15 years old but have been well kept. I know technology has advanced alot since the early 2000's so not sure how much those clubs would potentially hold me back?
Basically I really enjoy golf, I have just not played as much as I would like and back when I was at University, cash wasn't exactly overflowing in my wallet. I am in a situation now where I can dedicate more time and money to improving my game and really want to improve and challenge myself to see how much I can improve. I was going to write a blog about my progress but I am not sure anyone would want to read that so I thought I would come here for advice and quietly go about trying to improve with a bit less pressure and hopefully reach a handicap of 9 in around 2 or 3 years from now.
Sorry for the long post! Advice is appreciated!
)
