As you lower your handicap what areas of the game become absolutely crucial?

[RaCs]

Morning guys,

Hope you are all looking forward to the weekend!

My golf game has improved dramatically over the last couple of weeks. My last 3 rounds have been 94, 92 and 90 (in that order). I have managed to get my handicap down to 20 which to me is a good achievement seeing that i started at 28 just 7 months ago. I know these latest scores are nothing out of this world but for the level I am at I am well excited on what the future holds! I am so addicated to the game right now its unreal!!

As you can see in my signature below, my target handicap for the end of the year is 18 and I feel I will have no problem in achieving this if I continue to play consistently.

I have been told that once you get to 20 it becomes increasingly difficult to go lower (obviously!). I just want to get some opinions from some of you on what aspects of the game are absoluately crucial in order to further lower my handicap and shoot even lower scores on a consistent basis!

Thanks guys.

 

[StrangelyBrown]

For me, it is course management, short game, driving. In that order.

Everyone is different though, you need to take a look at some stats to see where your weaknesses are.

 

[Bucket92]

Short game and 100 yards and are vital, they can save you from a lot of situations

 

[dufferman]

My handicap is (slowly) coming down too - from 28. The thing I've found to be the most important is short game. Anything on and around the green is the difference between par & bogey, which over 18 holes can be a difference of 5 or 6 shots in most games!

 

[Garush34]

Short game and putting for sure. That's where the majority of the shots are played. What I'd do would be to get a playing lesson with a pro so they can see your game as a whole and then they can assess where best to improve and get your handicap lower.

 

[fundy]

Mental approach, putting, short game, driving, irons in that order for me

 

[FairwayDodger]

It's almost a cliche but it really is short game and putting. I'm never going to hit 18 greens in regulation so the ability to get up and down is crucial to a decent score.

I'd say I can have a mediocre day off the tee and with approach shots but still score reasonably if chipping and putting are going well but probably not if its the other way round.

 

[CMAC]

Most players can hit a fairway a good few times! As h/cap decreases every shot is a prisoner and the short game is King, no question.

 

[RaCs]

Thanks for your responses guys!

I too have always thought that the most important aspect to improve in order to shave strokes of your game is the short game. In fact the last 3 scores (which I posted in my original thread) have been down to my short game. This area of my game has definately improved dramatically recently and I feel very comfortable with this area of my game. Having said this I know there is always room for improvement. Hitting the range tomorrow to get in some practice with my main focus being on my short game. I come from a cricketing background so my touch, technique and hand eye coordination is very good and I know that this definitely contributes!

 

[chrisd]

I always try and identify what is the weakest part of my game at every stage. So if I practice mid irons and that improves then I may do work with the driver if that is then the weakest part. I do work separately and regularly as well on my short game.

 

[Robobum]

The fact that you achieve a low h'cap means that most parts of the game are fairly decent.

As you get lower GIR (or fringes/ v.close) becomes the most important part of the game. Work that back from the green and you want to be hitting mid to short irons into most greens for best chance of achieving this. Therefore the most important part is driving - in play, decent length so you can start knocking out pins.

 

[One Planer]

I'm going against the grain with my reply as I believe it's an entirely personal topic.

For me to get lower

Driving

Mental side

Course management

short game

The reason I have them in that order is this. My shortgame is pretty good, putting is steady, irons and wedges are as good as they've ever been. My problem is getting the ball in play on the Par 4's and Par 5's. My driving has always been erratic, some weeks great, others shocking.

With my track being pretty short, accuracy is at a premium. I take the right club to take trouble out of the equasion, but often don't get the results I'm looking for. If I could get and keep the ball on the short stuff, or close to it, off the tee, I'm sure my scores would tumble.

The mental side comes from a poor drive. Hit a poor drive, head goes down. yes, I know it shouldn't and it's something I'm working on and have had a few lessons oon driving to help keep it in play.

 

[duncan mackie]

The fact that you achieve a low h'cap means that most parts of the game are fairly decent.

As you get lower GIR (or fringes/ v.close) becomes the most important part of the game. Work that back from the green and you want to be hitting mid to short irons into most greens for best chance of achieving this. Therefore the most important part is driving - in play, decent length so you can start knocking out pins.

exactly

I would also put forward "how you think from 75 yards and in" as the fastest route to improvement. Many only think about their tee shots - everything else becomes a simple step on the way to putting the ball out of it's misery (in the hole); the automated use of a 3 wood (or whatever you longest fairway club is) from the fairway when you can't get to the green etc etc

 

[Snelly]

Course management if you are off 20. Plan for a bogey on every hole and you will get 38 points. If that means taking 6 irons off the tee on a par 4 then so be it.

GIR and putting if you are low single figures.

 

[patricks148]

i would say improve your putting, if you 3 putt most greens, a slight improv would save you a couple of shots per round

 

[Alex1975]

Hitting the middle of the club and not relying on physical strength to get the ball down there, so giving myself time and having good technique. The more I do this the better my mental tempo and the better my positivity. I am a very physical person and go at things hard and that is my downfall and I need to keep it in mind, specially when playing with strong players.


.... Oh and I have to putt well to put a good card in.

 

[Slab]

Nothing to do with the original question but have to ask the OP, I'm guessing you actually have to go to another country to play your golf, is that right?

Surely it must be a first for the forum...or is it?

 

[RaCs]

Nothing to do with the original question but have to ask the OP, I'm guessing you actually have to go to another country to play your golf, is that right?

Surely it must be a first for the forum...or is it?

Yes you are right. We just need to pop across the border to Spain in order to play as we do not have a golf course in Gibraltar. There are more than 15 coures withing a 30min drive from Gibraltar along the Costa Del Sol. There are some top championship coures just a short drive away from me e.g. Valderamma, Finca Cortesin, San Roque Golf Club and I am fortunate to be able to play at the spectacular San Roque courses (Old & New) on a regular basis.

Have any of you played some courses on the Costa Del Sol and if so which and how do you rate them?

 

[A_McIntyre]

70% of your practise should be done on your "short game". Most people make the mistake of hitting too many balls at the range with the driver and neglect practising from 100 yards and in. Be sure to focus on chipping and putting and you will begin to see your scores lower.

However, you need to assess where you loose most of your strokes in a round - everyones' development needs differ. Do you loose 2-3 balls off the tee per round? If so, focus on developing your technique with the driver. Also, be sure to keep stats - statistics don't lie.

How many greens in regulation? How many fairways? How many putts?

Good luck!

 

[BoadieBroadus]

Avoiding penalty shots and 3 putts would go a long way to reducing handicap. So i'd look for more driving consistency and better lag putting / holing out.