Do you believe you can get to scratch?

[sjw]

Or alternatively, what is your long term goal? Where do you think your peak is? Have you already reached it?

This question is inspired by the goals thread, but also by a conversation I had with a semi-regular playing partner. Said bloke saw my handicap coming down and asked what my long-term goal was, did I think I could get to single figures?

I found it interesting as I'd never really thought about it, but I think I should be able to reach single figures quite easily and I have no reason to believe that I can't get to scratch. I'm still relatively young (in golf speak) at 30, I've not been playing very long (3 years) and I've already chopped 30% of my starting handicap, and I don't see why I shouldn't be able to keep dropping.

I know shots get progressively harder to cut as you get closer to the promised land, but golf is the first thing I've ever really done that I sort of think, "you know what? I could actually become quite good at this."

So what about you guys?

 

[bobmac]

What, with these feet?
(Barker R. 1974)

 

[Arthur Wedge]

I have a good chance but would prob need a little bit of luck when playing

And long term goals - nothing handicap based but looking forward to playing senior golf soon

At the moment happy to be in the 1% club

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Nope, not even close.

I don't lie awake at night worrying about it, it is not my goal in golf. A lower h/c would be nice, I'd take mid teens, but I really don't have that as a target to aim for. Nice to get there at some stage, I'd have a little smile for a second or two, but not an issue if not.

 

[Imurg]

Realistically...I doubt it.
I've been single figures for over 25 years now.
When I was playing my best a couple of years back I got my index down to 4.3 and found it tough to stay there.
I'd need to practice....lots.....and practice leaves me cold.
No matter what I try I get bored after 10 minutes..I'd rather spend an hour on the course than an hour on the range.
It's still a kind of practice but not the kind I believe I'd need to get to scratch.
Age and body health is also part of the reason.
61 isn't old by any means but I can feel the swing slowing down and distance makes scoring easier.
The knees and elbows are wearing out quicker than a cheap set of tyres which doesn't help.
To be honest I'm happy hovering between 6 and 8...It's a decent standard and still puts me easily in the top 10% in England
Can't be unhappy with that

 

[arnieboy]

I was delighted to achieve a single figure handicap a few years ago but nowadays I am just grateful for what I have!

 

[Oddsocks]

 

[Orikoru]

Absolutely no chance of scratch. I don't even really think I can get to single figures. Realistically I've always felt that I could get to 12 and then I'd be quite happy with that. Made it to 13.5 a couple of years ago but I've been going the wrong way ever since.

I play once a week, maybe 6 times a month in the summer, plus one driving range visit most weeks. I don't think it's enough to get to single figures. If I could hit 270 yard drives that would give me a chance, but I don't, I'm hitting it 240 at absolute best with the new driver and struggling to keep it in play, so 230 if I want to keep it playable. I just don't see it happening. As I say, 11 or 12 would be a realistic target.

 

[louise_a]

I reached my all time low of 7.8 two years ago since then I have gone up to 13.4 but at 72 I have lost distance and now my only hope for getting my handicap down is by improving my putting, which has always been my downfall, so i don't hold out much hope of a change there, sadly.

 

[Burnsey]

Not in a million years, sadly.

Courses getting longer and little time to practice, I will always be in the teens and for my personal enjoyment, that is absolutely fine.

I can have a shocker, or play well and still be 'in it' at that handicap.

 

[PJ87]

If I could get to 18 (which people who play with me regularly say is possible) then I'd be happy

I'm under no illusion that I'll never be anything lower

 

[sjw]

Not in a million years, sadly.

Courses getting longer and little time to practice, I will always be in the teens and for my personal enjoyment, that is absolutely fine.

I can have a shocker, or play well and still be 'in it' at that handicap.

I realise I am definitely at risk of becoming a "slave to" my handicap, which I think is a hole a lot of golfers fall down. I think it's playing alongside low single handicap golfers, though, that inspires me and I just need to watch and learn from them, like, what mistakes do I make that they don't? What areas of their game are they stronger in than me? Where am I losing shots?

I don't want to get obsessive about it and like you say, enjoyment is paramount, but I'm sure there are still fairly low-hanging fruit ripe for the picking at the moment.

 

[RichA]

Not a hope.
I've fluctuated between 15 and 19 since I became a regular golfer. Just playing socially once or twice a week and never practicing it's beyond my ability and attention span.
I'll be lucky enough to retire at 55 in just under a year so I'll be able to give golf a bit more attention.
I have the shots and I'm capable of occasional single figure rounds so that might be a realistic target.
But, after 15 years without, we're desperate for a dog or 2 so retirement might not be all about golf.

 

[Oddsocks]

If I could get to 18 (which people who play with me regularly say is possible) then I'd be happy

I'm under no illusion that I'll never be anything lower

So the answer is no then?

- it seems a lot that say are saying it’s due to age and mobility or lack of. It almost begs the question about the level of fitness etc to get to scratch.

No… id never get lower than 6/7 at best and that would be based on me dedicating 2-3 days a week practice like I did in 2014. My knee would not let me get lower

 

[sjw]

If I could get to 18 (which people who play with me regularly say is possible) then I'd be happy

I'm under no illusion that I'll never be anything lower

What do you shoot/what is your cap at the minute? Have you played a long time, or just starting? Do you know where you're dropping shots?

(Sorry, I don't know many posters at all!)

 

[Voyager EMH]

At ages 14, 15 and 16, I went from 18 to 5 in two years.
My lowest was 2.8 in my 40s.
But under WHS I've been 2.3 in my 60s. But that gave me a 3 handicap. All at the same course so I think the 2.8 in my 40s was better/lower, but not by much.

I just need 8 scores in a period of 20 to average 1 over par at my club and I would be 0.2.
Just need a couple of level and/or 1-under. Haven't shot 1-under in a comp since 2019.
Its possible, I suppose.

"You can always dream!"
(Len Macmonotony, Gilbert's Fridge - circa 1989)

 

[Arthur Wedge]

So the answer is no then?

- it seems a lot that say are saying it’s due to age and mobility or lack of. It almost begs the question about the level of fitness etc to get to scratch.

What stops people from getting to scratch or single figures etc is mainly ability

 

[Oddsocks]

What stops people from getting to scratch or single figures etc is mainly ability

Mental or physical?

 

[3 jabber]

Yes. My last 4 rounds are 73, 71, 70, 73 which with the CR/Slope at my club would have me off +0 point something. So if I can work on my consistency it is possible.

 

[jim8flog]

Back when I was at my best I shot a few rounds under par but only once in comp to scratch level (in old money 3 under par where I play) so the simple answer has to be no.