Best front 9 EVER, Handicap lowered and a Different Challenge

[Canary_Yellow]

I understand and appreciate the comments, but why should I aim for bogey golf? I've kind of been doing that which I think is why i've stuck at 25 for so long. If I walk of with a bogey, or worse, so be it, but I'd rather test myself and go for par where I can. I plan each round and if I get to a hole which I know I have no chance of reaching the green in regulation - say a very long par 4 - then I will use my shots and go for bogey. I also look at the best sides to miss the green, sometimes knowingly taking a shorter club so I don't go anywhere near the hazards. But I certainly don't want to achieve that on every hole. Is this a immature/in-experienced/novice attitude or outlook, maybe. But, personally, for me, I don't think I will improve if I am not aiming for par or even thinking I can birdie this hole. That's not really how I like to play now. If there are par 5s I think/know can reach in two - 2nd on the East at ESN for example - should I be thinking bogey on those holes?

Its an interesting time for me and my game. Played it safe for so long, but now i've seen where my game can go, I really am keen to get better in all areas including course management and the mental aspect of playing.

I've never played with you and I've never seen you play and nor have I seen you scorecards, so I can't comment specifically on your facts.

However, fundamentally, you aren't able to consistently play bogey golf at the moment, hence why your handicap is over 18.

Hunting more pins might improve your scores a bit, but surely there must be a number of easier wins in knocking shots off your score than that?

Fact is, if you can solidly play bogey golf, you will actually often shoot scores that are considerably lower. You'll have days where the second shot hits the heart of the green and you roll in the birdie putt, or you string together a run of pars.

I'm not saying bogey golf means you should be aiming for a bogey, but it's a mentality of stripping out the glory shots that sometimes come off (but often don't) and enables you to very clearly understand where you are losing shots. I.e. if you're hitting every fairway, but missing every green, you either need to improve your mid-iron ability, or increase the length of your tee shots so that greens are within easier reach (for example if you're using a 4 iron off the tee because you can't hit driver). If you're missing every green and frequently taking more than 3 shots to get the ball in the hole, you need to improve your chipping and / or putting.

I understand your logic of being on a par 5 and thinking "how can I get the ball on the green in two?", but actually, isn't what you should be thinking, "how can I get the ball in the hole in as few shots as possible?"

 

[J5MBF]

I've never played with you and I've never seen you play and nor have I seen you scorecards, so I can't comment specifically on your facts.

However, fundamentally, you aren't able to consistently play bogey golf at the moment, hence why your handicap is over 18.

Hunting more pins might improve your scores a bit, but surely there must be a number of easier wins in knocking shots off your score than that?

Fact is, if you can solidly play bogey golf, you will actually often shoot scores that are considerably lower. You'll have days where the second shot hits the heart of the green and you roll in the birdie putt, or you string together a run of pars.

I'm not saying bogey golf means you should be aiming for a bogey, but it's a mentality of stripping out the glory shots that sometimes come off (but often don't) and enables you to very clearly understand where you are losing shots. I.e. if you're hitting every fairway, but missing every green, you either need to improve your mid-iron ability, or increase the length of your tee shots so that greens are within easier reach (for example if you're using a 4 iron off the tee because you can't hit driver). If you're missing every green and frequently taking more than 3 shots to get the ball in the hole, you need to improve your chipping and / or putting.

I understand your logic of being on a par 5 and thinking "how can I get the ball on the green in two?", but actually, isn't what you should be thinking, "how can I get the ball in the hole in as few shots as possible?"

Absolutely bang on advice IMO. I was about to write the same. Bogey golf should be seen as your worst outcome, not your target score. Like has been said, you aren't at the level yet so why not get there then have another look?

Also, why do you use a crossover off the tee? If you hit that the distance you claim then switching to & getting consistent with driver will see you in even better positions which could invariably help you score better/lower.

 

[njrose51]

Absolutely bang on advice IMO. I was about to write the same. Bogey golf should be seen as your worst outcome, not your target score. Like has been said, you aren't at the level yet so why not get there then have another look? Also, why do you use a crossover off the tee? If you hit that the distance you claim then switching to & getting consistent with driver will see you in even better positions which could invariably help you score better/lower.

J5MBF - Ahhh, yes, the big issue has been spotted! I don't use a Driver or a 3 Wood of the tee as just cant do it. this is the biggest area for me where I need to dramatically improve and I'm working on that. its a mental thing really as just want to smash the hell out of it. Whereas with the crossover, its smooth, powerful and normally fairly straight. I'm having lessons and want to try and get confident by the middle of the year. My woods are generally topped as I try to knock the cover of the ball! by the way, the distance is measured from a Garmin S20 so I hope its accurate.

Canary Yellow - you say my thinking should be "how can I get the ball into the hole in as few a shots as possible?" well the answer for me, is to play for par but also think I want to shot no worse than a bogey. Then if I walk away with a par, great. A plus might be to drop a birdie every now and again, but if I walk of with a bogey then I am playing to my handicap. And I'm happy. But, if I try to play to my handicap and duff a shot, I'm walking off with a possible double bogey - not so good! So I'll be playing for par where I can. If I am playing in a Stableford comp for example, on the Stroke index 1 and 2, I'm going for par - 8 points in the bag thank you very much!

I do understand the comments/views about "I'm only off 20", or "if I could play bogey golf" or I'm only off 20 so not consistent" etc. And in a way, that's what I'm trying to do - I stand on the tee, and think walk off with a minimum of a bogey. But, if I could just try and get my shots to the green a bit closer, my short game a bit better, my drives longer, my bunker play better, my putting consistent, then my game will improve and my handicap continue to drop.

 

[virtuocity]

Despite all of the above, of which most is valuable, I still contend that if you can find your ball after you hit it, take a maximum of two putts on every hole and eliminate fat and thin shots, anyone can easily get into Cat 2.

I generally go through an 8 week patch every year when I do the above and shoot between 8 and 12 over consistently before reverting to one or a number of the pitfalls above.

 

[Canary_Yellow]

Despite all of the above, of which most is valuable, I still contend that if you can find your ball after you hit it, take a maximum of two putts on every hole and eliminate fat and thin shots, anyone can easily get into Cat 2.

I generally go through an 8 week patch every year when I do the above and shoot between 8 and 12 over consistently before reverting to one or a number of the pitfalls above.

I completely agree. That's where I am too.

I still maintain that if you can hit the fairway pretty consistently, and then be on or around the green in regulation, you'll score well below 18 over on a good day. On a bad day, you might be at 18 over. I think that's what you're saying too.

None of the above involves me attacking pins in dangerous spots.

 

[virtuocity]

I completely agree. That's where I am too.

I still maintain that if you can hit the fairway pretty consistently, and then be on or around the green in regulation, you'll score well below 18 over on a good day. On a bad day, you might be at 18 over. I think that's what you're saying too.

None of the above involves me attacking pins in dangerous spots.

Yep, spot on. On a good day, you hole some putts and chip close. On bad days you put one out of bounds or 3-putt a few times.

I'm getting ever closer to the point where I could get down to single figures with a decent short game, but that involves practice and commitment. To be honest, I'm more content to enjoy the good days when they come whilst not putting huge pressure on myself to improve like I did when I first started out.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I'd be looking at lessons with the driver/3 wood and getting more distance off the tee with a degree of consistency (there may be an initial problem with this but stick with it). Easier to hit greens more often with a 7/8 iron and a hybrid/5 iron. Improve the chipping and putting and relax and don't worry. You can clearly get it round the course to have got cut and you just need to keep doing it and eradicating the odd bad hole. Keep working hard and good luck

 

[jamielaing]

I understand and appreciate the comments, but why should I aim for bogey golf? I've kind of been doing that which I think is why i've stuck at 25 for so long. If I walk of with a bogey, or worse, so be it, but I'd rather test myself and go for par where I can. I plan each round and if I get to a hole which I know I have no chance of reaching the green in regulation - say a very long par 4 - then I will use my shots and go for bogey. I also look at the best sides to miss the green, sometimes knowingly taking a shorter club so I don't go anywhere near the hazards. But I certainly don't want to achieve that on every hole. Is this a immature/in-experienced/novice attitude or outlook, maybe. But, personally, for me, I don't think I will improve if I am not aiming for par or even thinking I can birdie this hole. That's not really how I like to play now. If there are par 5s I think/know can reach in two - 2nd on the East at ESN for example - should I be thinking bogey on those holes?

Its an interesting time for me and my game. Played it safe for so long, but now i've seen where my game can go, I really am keen to get better in all areas including course management and the mental aspect of playing.

Maybe I didn't explain myself too well. I see a lot of higher handicap players at my club, one in particular, who see par as a dragon to slay when in reality it is not a consistent possibility.You have highlighted a hole that you can go for a par and you\ should do that but only on holes that you have learnt that this is possible and likely. At my course there are 3 holes that I feel par is not easily achievable so I play expecting a bogey and hoping to par. I've limited the expectation. Likewise there are 4 holes that I can try for the birdie. Learn these holes, learn where you can go for it and where you cant, learn what holes fit your strengths and you will improve. But the fact is that 18 bogeys is an improvement and gets you cut. If you learn how to play all bogeys your handicap will plummet. Playing for pars when you are playing off a high handicap can cost you big. I was a long time learning this lesson and I would now much rather be sat in the clubhouse with my 18 sensible holes that have got me cut 0.6 than my eagle and 2 birdies and a 0.1 because I went for everything.

When the great rounds come like the front 9 you had, enjoy them and ride them for all they're worth. But remember sensible golf gets you where you want to be.

 

[njrose51]

I'd be looking at lessons with the driver/3 wood and getting more distance off the tee with a degree of consistency (there may be an initial problem with this but stick with it). Easier to hit greens more often with a 7/8 iron and a hybrid/5 iron. Improve the chipping and putting and relax and don't worry. You can clearly get it round the course to have got cut and you just need to keep doing it and eradicating the odd bad hole. Keep working hard and good luck

Thanks for the encouragement! The driver/3 wood is the next big challenge for me as I'm so in my comfort zone with the crossover.

 

[njrose51]

Maybe I didn't explain myself too well. I see a lot of higher handicap players at my club, one in particular, who see par as a dragon to slay when in reality it is not a consistent possibility.You have highlighted a hole that you can go for a par and you\ should do that but only on holes that you have learnt that this is possible and likely. At my course there are 3 holes that I feel par is not easily achievable so I play expecting a bogey and hoping to par. I've limited the expectation. Likewise there are 4 holes that I can try for the birdie. Learn these holes, learn where you can go for it and where you cant, learn what holes fit your strengths and you will improve. But the fact is that 18 bogeys is an improvement and gets you cut. If you learn how to play all bogeys your handicap will plummet. Playing for pars when you are playing off a high handicap can cost you big. I was a long time learning this lesson and I would now much rather be sat in the clubhouse with my 18 sensible holes that have got me cut 0.6 than my eagle and 2 birdies and a 0.1 because I went for everything.

When the great rounds come like the front 9 you had, enjoy them and ride them for all they're worth. But remember sensible golf gets you where you want to be.

thanks, that is sound advice!

 

[jhills89]

.
If I am playing in a Stableford comp for example, on the Stroke index 1 and 2, I'm going for par - 8 points in the bag thank you very much!

In response to the above. if your setting yourself them targets then I would rethink my golf. I'm playing off 10 now and never had a lesson. I walk into my comps and my tactics are SI 11-18 get my 2 points maybe pick up a 3 with a good approach shot. But SI 1-10 its all about getting on the green as safe as possible. I don't need to attack the flag. if I'm on the green in 2 and 2 putt I'm walking away with a par and 2 points. rather than getting myself into trouble and walking away with 0 points

Don't take this the wrong way but your playing off 20 but seem to have the mentality of someone playing off 4.

being realistic with your game and playing 'boring safe' golf will give you a much better chance of lowering your handicap.

I use to try and hit every pin, My score never lowered, all I got out of it was good bunker and chipping practise when I missed 90% of the greens. Maybe why my short game is what it is now

 

[njrose51]

I understand all the comments, and i'm taking some/most on board, but I don't see what is wrong with having the attitude of wanting to par each hole, or trying to get closer to the flag for the odd birdie, going for the flag where possible? Perhaps its just me. I know I currently play of 20 but I am aiming for that to come down and it has come down over the last 4 rounds. If I walk off with a bogey then so be it, and I'm playing to my handicap. I can accept that. By the way, I know I'm not going to par every hole - I'm not a professional golfer after all. But I want to try and think positive about my golf and how I can improve. That includes course management, taking calculated risks, the mental aspect, playing to my ability, and having a positive, realistic outcome for each hole. For me, that means standing on the tee and thinking what is the most realistic and best result for me and this hole based on my skills, my ability and the toughness/distance/green layout etc of the hole. It could be just getting a tee shot down the middle! I try and play each shot as it comes as well. As you all say, consistency is key. But id rather think - where possible - go for par, than lets try to get/be happy with a bogey. As I say, I am a realistic when it comes to my golf. Its more of a mental thought process.

But I do want to get better. I do want my irons to better both in terms of distance and accuracy. My short game to get more consistent. And I need to become more confident with the driver/3 wood, moving out of my comfort zone. I'm playing Friday at Mannings Heath Waterfall, so lets see how that goes!

Thanks everyone for the insights, encouragement and advice.

 

[Orikoru]

I understand all the comments, and i'm taking some/most on board, but I don't see what is wrong with having the attitude of wanting to par each hole, or trying to get closer to the flag for the odd birdie, going for the flag where possible? Perhaps its just me. I know I currently play of 20 but I am aiming for that to come down and it has come down over the last 4 rounds. If I walk off with a bogey then so be it, and I'm playing to my handicap. I can accept that. By the way, I know I'm not going to par every hole - I'm not a professional golfer after all. But I want to try and think positive about my golf and how I can improve. That includes course management, taking calculated risks, the mental aspect, playing to my ability, and having a positive, realistic outcome for each hole. For me, that means standing on the tee and thinking what is the most realistic and best result for me and this hole based on my skills, my ability and the toughness/distance/green layout etc of the hole. It could be just getting a tee shot down the middle! I try and play each shot as it comes as well. As you all say, consistency is key. But id rather think - where possible - go for par, than lets try to get/be happy with a bogey. As I say, I am a realistic when it comes to my golf. Its more of a mental thought process.

But I do want to get better. I do want my irons to better both in terms of distance and accuracy. My short game to get more consistent. And I need to become more confident with the driver/3 wood, moving out of my comfort zone. I'm playing Friday at Mannings Heath Waterfall, so lets see how that goes!

Thanks everyone for the insights, encouragement and advice.

In all honesty, we play the game to have fun, so if you want to aim for the flag more often then not, then go for it. I think people are just warning you not to get too disappointed if it doesn't come off, given your current level. i.e. you can go for the pin and make a par, or fire it into a bunker and make a double bogey - or you can go for the safe part of the green and make an easy bogey. Ultimately it's your decision though.