Cutting out the crap & getting consistency

[turkish]

Just wondering if any forummers have any tips for us high handicappers to cut out the crap and improve consistency.

I've started filling in my scores in an excel sheet to keep progress and have 6 rounds in since March. I definitely feel like I'm improving and can play a lot better since starting last summer but I still have too many nightmare holes....

For example in these 6 rounds I've NR'd 5 which will just be unacceptable in stroke play. The stableford scores have been 30, 24, 36, 30, 31, 30.

It's no particular hole that's usually goosing me as when I total my best gross score round the course it's 74(I know golf doesn't work like that-I wish) so I can get round and post good scores on holes

So are there any specific tips or do I just need to suck it up and keep trying for more experience?

 

[backwoodsman]

The one tip you'll get on here is have lessons and then practice.

Then practice some more.

Might try it myself one day

 

[Oddsocks]

If your in the cabbage just get it into play. Better to be on the par 4 in 3/4 and still have points that can be scored , that try career best shots from the cabbage and still be there 3 or 4 shots later. This includes bending around trees, hitting 5w's from bunkers and so on

This tip alone took me from 20 to 14 in a year!

 

[Jon321]

Plenty of short game practice. That is some advice I need to take on board. Around the greens is easily the worst part of my game. I will be spending many evenings this year trying to get up and down. I reckon it's costing me 3-5 shots a round at the moment.

 

[road2ruin]

If your in the cabbage just get it into play. Better to be on the par 4 in 3/4 and still have points that can be scored , that try career best shots from the cabbage and still be there 3 or 4 shots later. This includes bending around trees, hitting 5w's from bunkers and so on

This tip alone took me from 20 to 14 in a year!

This for me. I had (and sometimes still have) the tendency to play a ridiculous 'hero' shot that would inevitably end up deeper in the clag. Accept your medicine, get it back on the short stuff and go from there.

 

[virtuocity]

Ball, then ground.

That's all that's needed to get to 18 handicap IMO.

 

[Spear-Chucker]

Practice. And play.

Not being flippant at all, it's just a learning process... Good argument for practicing the right things but just play as much as possible whatever element of the game it is. Nothing wrong with a QUICK analysis of what shots put you in trouble to help steer your practice but don't dwell on it. Sounds like you're going through the process we all do; so learn some shots, try to use them on the course and think your way round with em'.

This never process never ends from what I've learnt in 30 years, for example I'm still learning stuff about the pull shot (my current favourite ) that will almost guarantee me a Nobel prize.

 

[Billythefish]

This for me. I had (and sometimes still have) the tendency to play a ridiculous 'hero' shot that would inevitably end up deeper in the clag. Accept your medicine, get it back on the short stuff and go from there.

this. Was it gary player that said 'there are no pictures on a scorecard, just numbers'

 

[PhilTheFragger]

How many of your approach shots to greens end up short?
Where is most of the "trouble" around greens? ....near the front

So i started taking an extra club on my approach shots , yes sometimes I'm at the back, and even if I'm left or right it's still up there

Also practice your chipping from 50 yards and in and master the 8 iron putt from just off the green

Good luck

 

[ScienceBoy]

Lessons and a game plan (see sig)

These two rule out the two biggest loss of shots. Thins and duffs, and overestimating ability.

Keep the ball in play and make decent contact (doesnt need to be perfect) after that it is just putting.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

If you find out let me know :thup: Playing well in practice but so in and out on the course when it matters. Think I'm doing the right things but somehow manage to chuck two or three horror holes in from nowhere to ruin and decent round

 

[Junior]

Just wondering if any forummers have any tips for us high handicappers to cut out the crap and improve consistency.

I've started filling in my scores in an excel sheet to keep progress and have 6 rounds in since March. I definitely feel like I'm improving and can play a lot better since starting last summer but I still have too many nightmare holes....

For example in these 6 rounds I've NR'd 5 which will just be unacceptable in stroke play. The stableford scores have been 30, 24, 36, 30, 31, 30.

It's no particular hole that's usually goosing me as when I total my best gross score round the course it's 74(I know golf doesn't work like that-I wish) so I can get round and post good scores on holes

So are there any specific tips or do I just need to suck it up and keep trying for more experience?

Maybe just go out with the mentality to try to play to level 5's...90 is a great score off 28. Around the green and short of it try to bump in your 7/8i as opposed to hit your 60 degree wedge. Oh, and above all take yr medicine.

 

[Farneyman]

Reducing the speed of your swing could help you gain more control over the ball direction.

Some trial and error at the range should help with it.