From 25 down to single figures in a year

[GeneralStore]

As the "Dream On" book suggest, beating par in a single round vs getting down to scratch are very different. You are clearly dedicated, have some sporting ability and with lessons and the right coaching, then I could see you beating par before the end of the year. No doubt its the hardest game I know of.

My best advice is:
1) Find the right pro - that is someone who will buy into your goals and get onboard for the journey. Any pro can show you the positions to make a good swing, but the right coach will get you to feel and understand what you are trying to do and will keep at it in many different ways if required until you get it.
2) Practise is obviously important, but the quality is as important as the quantity. Practise breaks down into 3 different categories: technique (dont care where the ball goes, its all about the mechanics), measure (how many fairways can you hit on the range out of 10 with a driver, etc..) and pressure (hitting different shots, keeping score and having to hit a certain goal before you call it a successfuly practise session). There is no point in going onto the measure stage if you have major swing flaws. Get your pro to help you draw up the practise schedule and then have the discpline to stick to it
3) Play regularly (as much as possible without affecting your practise time) with top quality players that are at the level that you want to get to or better, its amazing what you pick up from good golfers. Playing lessons with your pro are also a good idea
4) Mental game - read up about it, if you are struggling with issues then go and see a sports psych. If you cant control your emotions on the course and put yourself in the right mindset you will have no chance, regardless of what you can do on the range
5) Athleticism - probably less of an issue with you, but flexibility and core strength make a big difference. Even if your pro shows the positions you need to be in for your swing if you arent physically aboe to do so then you wont be able to improve as efficiently. Pilates is great for this
6) Finally, equipment. Get the easiest to use equipment that works for you and stick with it. Changing all the time is not going to help you get better and using fancy looking blades isnt going to get you there

It has nothing to do with luck, enjoy it and report back

 

[jamielaing]

I've just come back to golf in May and rejoined the club I played in as a junior. Am playing off of 11 and my aim (and bet with my playing partner) is for a handicap under 7 by the end of the season.

My advice-

You CAN do it! Knowing this is a massive part of the battle.

Set goals and targets, don't look at everything as a 16 shot reduction required. Start by playing to bogey and count your score this way. That allows you to always be around YOUR par. There is nothing more demoralising than thinking you are 12 over through 14 when actually this is a great score for you but the thought of being highly over is a killer.

Embrace mental golf. Start reading about how to mentally prepare, pre shot routines and visualising the shot. Helped me no end.

Course management. Start thinking about where you would like to play your second shot from and aim for there, even if that means an iron from the tee. Also, on par 4s where you struggle to reach in two start playing to reach in 3. Taking that extra hit out of your swing will put you in a good position rather than playing from the trees.

The right equipment. Make sure your clubs are right and help you reduce shots.

Stats help. Keep stats when you play and identify what needs work. Helped me really zone in on the fact that my putting was shocking.

Don't count your score (if you can help it!). Me and my PP started doing this recently and it helps no end. When you are starting a comp tell everyone you don't want to know your score after nine. This happened to my friend last week and he went from -1 after nine to finishing +6 after 18.

Finally, think about what you need to complete your goal. For me its 4 shots at 0.2 reduction. That's -20 for the season. This across a few medals is easily reachable. For you its more but still certainly do able.

Good luck and practice what you identify as your weak areas and keep doing it until it's second nature. Then you step up with all the confidence in the world.

Sorry for the long winded response, this just got me typing and I couldn't stop!

 

[John_Findlay]

My advice is to buy this book and see if you can glean any advice from it. It can be done, of course it can and don't listen to anyone who says it can't. Good luck to you and let us know how you get on.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dream-On-Hackers-Challenge-Break/dp/0856408417

Just read that last week. Didn't get his handicap down to scratch. That would be daft. However he did play a level par round within a year of playing off about 18+

Lessons, driving range every day, putting green all the time and practice your pitching and chipping like a demon. Perfectly possible for you, mate. Kids do it all the time.

 

[Deleted member 17920]

ps - its an entry into the Woodhall Spa Central England England foursomes plus room I've bet.

And I cannot win the prize - I either pay for the weekend, or we go halves as I don't want to win anything, just want to achieve my goal.

And I started playing last summer.

Good News!


If its the Mens foursomes then your bet will be safe as getting a place in that event is hard as nails as its full every year.

If its the mixed then you had best get practising as there are always a few spaces available.

Oh and good luck by the way, I hope you do it. Where do you play your golf?

 

[pbrown7582]

I would go easy on the reading of mechanics leave that to your coach/pro just read and the mind side if thing bob rotella etc.

 

[philly169]

I'd love to see a swing vid if you're 25 now. Going down to single figures in less than a year is pretty tough and I'd expect would need to not have a full time job..

Are you a member and playing official competitions or just using an online golf handicap tool and playing social rounds?

Good luck with it, but can't really see it happening. If it does il donate £10 to HFH.. Would need to see an official handicap cert though...

 

[robert.redmile]

great news about the foursomes! but I'm a gent, so will pay for something similar!

I play at Holme Hall in Scunthorpe.

 

[garyinderry]

I would concentrate on honing the short game. Once you safely get the ball away off the tee around 200 yards and can knock an iron near the green, it's all a matter of getting up and down.

Don't waste your time in search of the perfect swing. Beautiful Swings don't score score you points.

That's what I would do for the challenge. Quickest way to 9. Many including myself swing like choppers and still knock it round in the 70s.

 

[Hacker Khan]

great news about the foursomes! but I'm a gent, so will pay for something similar!

I play at Holme Hall in Scunthorpe.

You played at Forest Pines in your part off the world? Nice set up there, worth visiting if you haven't.

 

[londonlewis]

I would concentrate on honing the short game. Once you safely get the ball away off the tee around 200 yards and can knock an iron near the green, it's all a matter of getting up and down.

Don't waste your time in search of the perfect swing. Beautiful Swings don't score score you points.

That's what I would do for the challenge. Quickest way to 9. Many including myself swing like choppers and still knock it round in the 70s.

agreed, you are a chopper.

 

[Deleted member 17920]

great news about the foursomes! but I'm a gent, so will pay for something similar!

I play at Holme Hall in Scunthorpe.

I like Holme hall nice course, If you can get to single figures there in a year you will have done well :thup:

You can always go on the reserve list for the foursomes event, you never know if a space may become available.

 

[garyinderry]

agreed, you are a chopper.

Darn tootin 😁 no pictures on the scorecard

 

[Leereed]

I reckon you could have a round in single figures if everything works on the day.but a official handicap will be difficult.Anyway good luck.I play off 15 and my best is playing to 8 several times.

 

[Smiffy]

Not a chance mate.
Sorry.
Not so bad when you are off high double digits but as soon as you get down to a proper handicap, say 13, it begins to get really, really tough.
Rob (a 13 handicapper)

 

[ScienceBoy]

And was first team captain at Lincoln Rugby club until 3 years ago. Played in first team until I packed in at 41.

Ha I played a single game for Lincoln as a kid (14ish), we (Grimsby) were away at you and you guys only had 14 turn up. I drew the short straw

 

[Qwerty]

If we're talking Congu H'cap then its a huge ask.
You'll have to play a hell of a lot of qualifiers especially towards the end of the season which is likely to be the end of October. More comps = more potential 0.1s when your having an 'off day'
I honestly think you'll need to get to 11.5 by the end of June then batter it for 4 months to have any chance of getting the next 3 shots off.

Advice.. Simple, Range and Short game at least 2 hours a day minimum 5 days a week.
On course practice= 2 qualifiers a week minimum.


Good luck :thup:

 

[louise_a]

Good luck with you quest.

I am currently 12 (11.9) and hope to get down to 9, (I will settle of 9.9) this season and I think my biggest stumbling block will be mental, I am already thinking, I need to par half the holes, and even more if I anything worse than a bogey.

I guess has you have already played sports to a relatively high standard, unlike myself, then you will have a positive mindset.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

It can be done. Whether you can or not is a different question. I've got a low as 10 and stagnated in the last two years or so in my on pursuit of single figures. I can get there but having gone to 12, it's still going to need some consistency and good play. That's the biggest issue for me and most club golfers...consistency. Oh that and my dodgy short game

 

[chrisd]

Sorry but 2 games a week won't do it unless you're super talented. You'll never get as much from range practice as real play on the course. You really do need to get on the course all your spare time to play and practice and use the range to groove changes

I do wish you well trying though

 

[MikeH]

Been reading this thread with great interest. Really enthused to hear everyones positive comments. Good on the forum, good on Rob. Will be checking in to hear progress!