Can it get any better?

[Paul77]

It's been a very steep learning curve getting back into golf. Using the fundamentals I learned before, and adding to that with a couple of lessons so far, I can safely say that it's never been as good. I've stuck to playing on the same course for a few rounds now, and just 9 holes last night, so below is how it's went so far.

Campsie Golf Course, Glasgow

• 1st Round - +14 gross score of 84
• 2nd Round - +15 gross score of 85
• 3rd Round - +9 gross score of 79
• 4th Round - +7 gross score of 43 (nine holes last night)

The biggest shock at first was the 84, however, shooting a 79 on Friday was a total surprise. I didn't even plan to play, I just grabbed my clubs and headed out seeing it was nice and dry.

According to Game Golf, I've came from a 34 handicap to a 19.4 in 8 rounds. How accurate that is, I don't know, but it's nice to have a small benchmark to work towards. I have since enquired about joining the club now to see out the rest of the season there, and my next lesson is tomorrow night.

So how have I done it?

Taking it easy on the course. Accept the bad shots and move on. Take mental note of the clubs you struggle with and sort it out at the driving range. Get lessons and concentrate on the weakest part of your game. I feel it's working so far but might not for everyone else.

Cheers to anyone who has given advice on here too. I thought my great score of 84 was a fluke, but now I'm certain that I've found the kit that suits me now and having the right attitude towards it and having fun is helping

Paul

 

[Hobbit]

Cracking scores... people will be talking

 

[Joff]

If you handed those cards in you would have been a 9.

 

[Paul77]

It's a fairly small course. 5173 off Yellows and 5509 off whites. Most holes are driver and bump and run to the green. I think it's just because I've been striking balls nearly every night and played the course with only a few days in between rounds. Greens are really small, which helps.

 

[Paul77]

If you handed those cards in you would have been a 9.

Seriously? I might have to get my butt in gear to get that sorted out.

One thing about that course is that, there's hardly any folk playing on it. It feels like you're out there on your own. It's excellent. A 9 though? nah no chance.

 

[Cheifi0]

Well done, that's a rapid progression. When handing in cards you take the best out of the 3 so you would be off 9. 19 seems a bit high shooting those scores. If they were in comps you would be getting some serious cuts.

 

[Paul77]

Ah right, I understand. That 79 round, I was 5 over in the front nine. I was out last night for 9 holes and took my other half with me. Shot 7 over on the front nine. She wanted to see what all the fuss was about and why I've bascially replaced all my clubs so early on.

To get a cert the club requires you to play three rounds with a member. One off whites and two off yellow. That sound about right?

 

[fenwayrich]

Surely the SSS for a course of that length will be a few shots less than the par? So perhaps not a 9, but an excellent improvement nonetheless.

 

[Paul77]

I actually can't find the SSS for the course. The scorecard is here, http://www.campsiegolfclub.org.uk/Campsie Course.html - However no info about SSS. Might actually say in the paper scorecard right enough.

 

[Cheifi0]

Ah right, I understand. That 79 round, I was 5 over in the front nine. I was out last night for 9 holes and took my other half with me. Shot 7 over on the front nine. She wanted to see what all the fuss was about and why I've bascially replaced all my clubs so early on.

To get a cert the club requires you to play three rounds with a member. One off whites and two off yellow. That sound about right?

Yeh sounds about right. As long as the tees have an SSS a handicap can be worked from which ever tees you play off. At my course they said you can play off which ever ones you want (Apart from the reds). I think usually at most clubs they specify that you play them all off the comp tees.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

It's been a very steep learning curve getting back into golf. Using the fundamentals I learned before, and adding to that with a couple of lessons so far, I can safely say that it's never been as good. I've stuck to playing on the same course for a few rounds now, and just 9 holes last night, so below is how it's went so far.

Campsie Golf Course, Glasgow

• 1st Round - +14 gross score of 84
• 2nd Round - +15 gross score of 85
• 3rd Round - +9 gross score of 79
• 4th Round - +7 gross score of 43 (nine holes last night)

The biggest shock at first was the 84, however, shooting a 79 on Friday was a total surprise. I didn't even plan to play, I just grabbed my clubs and headed out seeing it was nice and dry.

According to Game Golf, I've came from a 34 handicap to a 19.4 in 8 rounds. How accurate that is, I don't know, but it's nice to have a small benchmark to work towards. I have since enquired about joining the club now to see out the rest of the season there, and my next lesson is tomorrow night.

So how have I done it?

Taking it easy on the course. Accept the bad shots and move on. Take mental note of the clubs you struggle with and sort it out at the driving range. Get lessons and concentrate on the weakest part of your game. I feel it's working so far but might not for everyone else.

Cheers to anyone who has given advice on here too. I thought my great score of 84 was a fluke, but now I'm certain that I've found the kit that suits me now and having the right attitude towards it and having fun is helping

Paul

Well played Paul, great scores, one on the game Golf Handicaps they use a standard Par of 72 and it gives you a rough guide, it takes into account every round you upload regardless of no of holes you play, I've been using GG for over 12 months and it has me off 12.7, actual handicap is 14.0 so not far off, but good as you say for seeing progression until you get your official one.

 

[guest100718]

The SSS is 65
according to google

 

[Paul77]

I just wonder if it's a coincedence that I switch to Titleist AP2 710 irons then I suddenly start enjoying iron shots again. A little bit bigger heads than the Cleveland TA2 but a nice weight to them.

Lets hope it continues

 

[rosecott]

It's a fairly small course. 5173 off Yellows and 5509 off whites. Most holes are driver and bump and run to the green. I think it's just because I've been striking balls nearly every night and played the course with only a few days in between rounds. Greens are really small, which helps.

Using those yardages the basic SSS will be 65 for yellows and 66 for whites. Your scores should be gauged against those figures and not against par, so, assuming you played off yellows, your 79 would lead to a handicap of 14 - but remember that you have to do that with a scorecard in the hands of a marker.

 

[Paul77]

I guess that's when it goes horribly wrong. When your playing more seriously for a score on a card. Game golf is ok but I think the nerves might get in the way on a markers card. You never know though.

 

[walliams8]

Good scoring ! Try not to get carried away with it all, don't put your expectations too high . I shot gross 2 under through 10 holes on Wednesday evening . Yesterday I played 18 and lost 7 balls . 6 from the tee , 3 on the same hole . Disastrous round . Just when I thought I had the game mastered!!

 

[Paul77]

I have had experiences like that before. I tend to keep more level head these days. I'm happy I got those scores but doing it consistently is another thing. That's what seperates the good and the average players. Still a long way to go yet.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Nice shooting but take it with a small pinch of salt in that the courses are dry(er) and its running more so it makes the holes play shorter. That said, you still have to hit good shots and you seem to be doing that. Well done

 

[Paul77]

Nice shooting but take it with a small pinch of salt in that the courses are dry(er) and its running more so it makes the holes play shorter. That said, you still have to hit good shots and you seem to be doing that. Well done

Almost every course in my area is like a swamp at the moment. Scotland only gets about 4 days of summer anyway Would be great if it dried up a bit. There's about 3 par 4's I reckon I could green with a drive if I got a nice run after it landed. At the moment it's just plugging and popping back.

 

[Picto]

It's a fairly small course. 5173 off Yellows and 5509 off whites. Most holes are driver and bump and run to the green. I think it's just because I've been striking balls nearly every night and played the course with only a few days in between rounds. Greens are really small, which helps.

If your course is a bit on the short side - rather than always taking a driver and then having short-ish approach with your second - it might be worth playing around with taking some shorter clubs off the tee when you're out practicing on your own. That should give you some experience playing longer irons into greens for times when you play on longer courses.

I've done a bit of that lately, just for fun - e.g. not playing any woods except maybe a 3 wood on longer par 5s etc. You end up getting to try out shots you might not ordinarily get a chance to try on your course :thup: