Golfing Challenge

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ScratchOr_Bust

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After recently discovering the Golf Monthly forums I just want to take the time to introduce the golfing challenge i have recently started. I am
also hoping to get some feedback on my challenge and see what the wider golfing world thinks of it. So here goes...

Basically my challenge began after reading the books "Dream On" and "Hacked Off" in which two middle aged golfers with wives, children and jobs go from high handicappers to golfers who can break par and have single figure handicaps respectively.

So after reading these books and being annoyed at being a high handicap golfer myself I decided I was going to start my own challenge. And seeing as I am younger ( I am 23) and hopefully fitter than the gentleman who wrote these books, have the benefit of having no wife, girlfriend, children or any major responsibilities, as well plenty of time on my hands due to long summer breaks from university and double the time I thought I should be able to at least match their achievements or maybe do slightly better.

It was at this point I decided that I was going to go for scratch as this is the ultimate goal for any golfer and if I am going to spend two years of my life doing something as I may as well try and reach the highest level possible.

So I began the challenge on January 1st 2011 and am going for scratch or bust!

Thank you in advance for taking the time to read this and I look forward to hearing your feedback, also would anyone be interested in following my progress at all?
 
Welcome to the Forum.

There is someone else on the Forum who set out with much the same challenge I think last year, - you should speak with him, it might inspire you.

Or more likely, shatter all of your Golfing illusions/dreams/hopes/aspirations !!
 
Noble challenge and I wish you all the luck in the world. I know Tiger originally set himself a similar goal within 5 years (he's got family etc) but evenutally moved the target. I think it'll take a lot of hard work, plenty of professional advice/lessons and a positive but beligerent outlook. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress
 
I think getting to scratch needs a certain level of physical and mental ability that you may or may not know that you have.

But I reckon anyone with basic physical abilities dedicated to their game, with some time and money to spend on it, can get to single figures.
 
Ben Hogan was convinced (read his book) that by following just 5 basic principles that anybody with an ounce of athleticism could shoot in the 70's constantly.

Who are we to argue with the great man

:)
 
I think getting to scratch needs a certain level of physical and mental ability that you may or may not know that you have.

But I reckon anyone with basic physical abilities dedicated to their game, with some time and money to spend on it, can get to single figures.
Click to expand...

True and True. :)

I went all-out to get as low as possible (never considered scratch though) and stalled off about 8. I quit the game and vowed never to return.

Until you find out whether you "have it" or not, you'll just have to work hard and see how you go.
 
Isn't every golfer on a "quest" to scratch??? Or is there really someone who has got to 10 and refused to go any lower??

"This is quite far enough for me thank you!" :D :p


I feel another blog coming on here, deep joy. :rolleyes:
 
scratch or bust ...listen mate ,forget all this `scratch` in 2 years crap ..just go out and enjoy ur golf , because i `m sure along with the majority on here that u`ll be very dissapointed come the start of 2013 . there`s a certain forumer on here who`s tried this and his h`cap`s gone up ! if the game was easy everyone would be good at it .u should never set goals that are unrealistic..get real and stop all this crap -it`ll drive u mad ... gcd :)
 
Sod Scratch


PLUS 6 OR BUST HERE!

Original concept!

Way better than scratch


OP, This has been done and documented any rank beginner saying they are going to do the same is not even worthy of a thread and IMO its pretty dull. Reason being all golfers set out to play, then improve then wonder what it will take to get to scratch. The odds of you achieving it are slight, but with so many new golfers taking up golf each year maybe 1 of the millions will do it, statistically its not going to be you though

So why would we follow this?

I have played golf for a long time, hit more balls than I care to count and am blessed with some natural aptitude, I never sniffed scratch. Not sure why I would have an interest in your progress to a middish handicap in 1 year!

Go do something else!
 
Good luck on your goal,i think most players that can put a lot of time in can get to low singles,going the whole way to scratch,will take lots of lessons with a qualified teacher,it might also take a lot of money as well.Getting a golf scholarship would certainly help.
 
Hi and welcome

I agree with other posts practise and dedication may get you to single figures, scratch takes talent which you may or may not have, how long have you been playing and whats your current handicap ?
 
Sod Scratch


PLUS 6 OR BUST HERE!

Original concept!

Way better than scratch


OP, This has been done and documented any rank beginner saying they are going to do the same is not even worthy of a thread and IMO its pretty dull. Reason being all golfers set out to play, then improve then wonder what it will take to get to scratch. The odds of you achieving it are slight, but with so many new golfers taking up golf each year maybe 1 of the millions will do it, statistically its not going to be you though

So why would we follow this?

I have played golf for a long time, hit more balls than I care to count and am blessed with some natural aptitude, I never sniffed scratch. Not sure why I would have an interest in your progress to a middish handicap in 1 year!

Go do something else!
Click to expand...






Is that blessed with some natural aptitude.
It should be some ATTITUDE
 
OP, This has been done and documented any rank beginner saying they are going to do the same is not even worthy of a thread and IMO its pretty dull. Reason being all golfers set out to play, then improve then wonder what it will take to get to scratch. The odds of you achieving it are slight, but with so many new golfers taking up golf each year maybe 1 of the millions will do it, statistically its not going to be you though
Click to expand...



If someone is going to achieve it, it may as well be you.

Good luck and enjoy the challenge
 
Tad harsh. OP made no reference to a blog. He may not have the time anyway having to spend all of his time living and sleeping golf to reach his goal :D :p
Click to expand...

............Thank you in advance for taking the time to read this and I look forward to hearing your feedback, also would anyone be interested in following my progress at all? also would anyone be interested in following my progress at all
Click to expand...


Really?
 
Sod Scratch


PLUS 6 OR BUST HERE!

Original concept!

Way better than scratch


OP, This has been done and documented any rank beginner saying they are going to do the same is not even worthy of a thread and IMO its pretty dull. Reason being all golfers set out to play, then improve then wonder what it will take to get to scratch. The odds of you achieving it are slight, but with so many new golfers taking up golf each year maybe 1 of the millions will do it, statistically its not going to be you though

So why would we follow this?

I have played golf for a long time, hit more balls than I care to count and am blessed with some natural aptitude, I never sniffed scratch. Not sure why I would have an interest in your progress to a middish handicap in 1 year!

Go do something else!
Click to expand...






Is that blessed with some natural aptitude.
It should be some ATTITUDE
Click to expand...


I got both :D
 
Good luck.

My one observation would be that in my experience, there is a big, big difference between playing off 5 and scratch. 5 is achievable with a modicum of hard work, talent, practice and drive.

Scratch golf is not an option for everyone. You need to have a real natural aptitude for the game to get this low.

Just my view based on my experience. I tried to but never got to scratch, not that I am bitter about it or anything.....!
 
Sod Scratch


PLUS 6 OR BUST HERE!

Original concept!

Way better than scratch


OP, This has been done and documented any rank beginner saying they are going to do the same is not even worthy of a thread and IMO its pretty dull. Reason being all golfers set out to play, then improve then wonder what it will take to get to scratch. The odds of you achieving it are slight, but with so many new golfers taking up golf each year maybe 1 of the millions will do it, statistically its not going to be you though

So why would we follow this?

I have played golf for a long time, hit more balls than I care to count and am blessed with some natural aptitude, I never sniffed scratch. Not sure why I would have an interest in your progress to a middish handicap in 1 year!

Go do something else!
Click to expand...






Is that blessed with some natural aptitude.
It should be some ATTITUDE
Click to expand...


I got both :D
Click to expand...

One of them stinks :eek:
 
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