Handicap has stalled

[jimjoachim]

Just looking at my full handicap certificate and since 30 July 2014 (so 2.5 years) my handicap has not left the range of 9.9<10.7!!!!!

The 2 years previous I had seen drops from 21 to 11.
Determined to push through that barrier into single figures.

What are the main differences you see between Cat1 and Cat2 golfers?
I haven't played with a lot of low guys but their scrambling always seems so good.
I drive it pretty well and I think im pretty decent in the 80-150 range but prob struggle a little outside of that.

 

[Imurg]

Put simplistically, the difference between a 9 and a 4 handicap is 3 X chip and a putt vs chip and 2 putts plus a couple of putts dropping instead of lipping out....
It's obviously more than that but if you're driving and irons are ok, that's an area to focus on..

 

[jimjoachim]

Put simplistically, the difference between a 9 and a 4 handicap is 3 X chip and a putt vs chip and 2 putts plus a couple of putts dropping instead of lipping out....
It's obviously more than that but if you're driving and irons are ok, that's an area to focus on..

Chipping is defo something I will have to work on. I have never been able to get my chip shots to check and stop so I always have to try and judge the full run out which I feel like makes it tougher.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

It's sometimes easy to get down to a certain level and then you stall. Keep working hard. As Imurg says, the short game is key, maybe a lesson or two to get a different perspective. I'm sure you'll find a way to get some cuts again in 2017

 

[Region3]

Chipping is defo something I will have to work on. I have never been able to get my chip shots to check and stop so I always have to try and judge the full run out which I feel like makes it tougher.

You don't have to play sexy looking chips to score well. I play most shots around the green with a PW purely because I've got used to how far it rolls out.

Try going on your practice green with a few clubs and find the one that is 50/50 flight/roll for your stroke and green speed.

I've been cat2 and cat1 in the last few years. The differences in my game now are:

Driving - still as bad
Irons - about the same
Pitching - much better
Chipping - a little better
Putting - better

That, and playing smarter.

 

[patricks148]

You don't have to play sexy looking chips to score well. I play most shots around the green with a PW purely because I've got used to how far it rolls out.

Try going on your practice green with a few clubs and find the one that is 50/50 flight/roll for your stroke and green speed.

I've been cat2 and cat1 in the last few years. The differences in my game now are:

Driving - still as bad
Irons - about the same
Pitching - much better
Chipping - a little better
Putting - better

That, and playing smarter.

I'm sort of the same, I'm not any better with Driver/woods/ chipping than i was when i was off 9 or 10. My iron play is better... but the biggest difference in my putting. I am considerably better now than i was then.

 

[hovis]

i play off around 7and my pp is off +2. i often find more fairways than him and as many greens in reg. however, he always gives himself a better chance of birdies than me. he's deadly from 120 yards and in. I've realised at my handicap its no longer acceptable to just be on the green. i need to hit it close for a better chance at a birdie

 

[drewster]

Interesting thread and some excellent content. Like the OP i'm at the same level and wanting to take the next step. I miss a three footer every single round so know where my main problem is. Trouble is it's so hard to replicate the feeling standing over a putt with a decent card in your hand when you're practising on the putting green.

 

[hovis]

Interesting thread and some excellent content. Like the OP i'm at the same level and wanting to take the next step. I miss a three footer every single round so know where my main problem is. Trouble is it's so hard to replicate the feeling standing over a putt with a decent card in your hand when you're practising on the putting green.

nothing wrong with missing a three footer per round. most tour players do

 

[jimjoachim]

i play off around 7and my pp is off +2. i often find more fairways than him and as many greens in reg. however, he always gives himself a better chance of birdies than me. he's deadly from 120 yards and in. I've realised at my handicap its no longer acceptable to just be on the green. i need to hit it close for a better chance at a birdie

I think birdies is an example of where I need to improve (sounds obvious..)
In my last 5 rounds I have averaged 2 better than handicap but only had a grand total of 1 birdie in that time!!!
In a winter setup with soft greens I really need to be making more. Putting is prob a big part of that.

 

[drewster]

I think birdies is an example of where I need to improve (sounds obvious..)
In my last 5 rounds I have averaged 2 better than handicap but only had a grand total of 1 birdie in that time!!!
In a winter setup with soft greens I really need to be making more. Putting is prob a big part of that.

Jim, that's a very good point. I'm roughly the same. I'm off to do some birdies per round analysis and then pledge to better this year. I reckon that my average is going to come out at about 0.6 birdies per round which isn't good enough. Making sure putts actually get to the hole will be a good start !!!!!

 

[jimjoachim]

Jim, that's a very good point. I'm roughly the same. I'm off to do some birdies per round analysis and then pledge to better this year. I reckon that my average is going to come out at about 0.6 birdies per round which isn't good enough. Making sure putts actually get to the hole will be a good start !!!!!

Getting putts and chips to the hole is a major mind block for me.
I feel like I'm putting them "to" the hole not "into" the hole.

I suppose there should be a point where lagging them up is sensible but I guess from inside 20 feet I should be getting everything at least to the hole.
I could start with being more confident over 2/3 footers. Knowing ill make the one back would help my aggression from 10 feet..

 

[Qwerty]

i play off around 7and my pp is off +2. i often find more fairways than him and as many greens in reg. however, he always gives himself a better chance of birdies than me. he's deadly from 120 yards and in. I've realised at my handicap its no longer acceptable to just be on the green. i need to hit it close for a better chance at a birdie

Im similar. Play off 7, Good at finding greens and Fairways but I just don't make enough birdies.

I seem to be good at making clutch putts for par but I think I'm just not aggressive enough on birdie putts when the opportunity arises, same with the short game, it's ok but I'm not aggressive enough.

It seems to be a medal mentality, feel like in protecting a score by cosying it round.
I need a kick up the backside and play with a bit of freedom.

 

[drewster]

Just done my birdie counts and it's poor reading:

2013 - Handicap Q Rounds - 12 , 6 birdies, BPR = 0.5
2014 - Handicap Q Rounds - 17, 5 birdies , BPR = 0.29
2015 - Handicap Q Rounds - 13, 3 birdies, BPR = 0.23
2016 - Handicap Q Rounds - 15, 11 birdies , BPR = 0.73

It's obviously clear where last years progression came from but if i can get this up to averaging one birdie a round then i'm on my way. At least now i have something "SMART" to aim for.

 

[jimjoachim]

Just done my birdie counts and it's poor reading:

2013 - Handicap Q Rounds - 12 , 6 birdies, BPR = 0.5
2014 - Handicap Q Rounds - 17, 5 birdies , BPR = 0.29
2015 - Handicap Q Rounds - 13, 3 birdies, BPR = 0.23
2016 - Handicap Q Rounds - 15, 11 birdies , BPR = 0.73

It's obviously clear where last years progression came from but if i can get this up to averaging one birdie a round then i'm on my way. At least now i have something "SMART" to aim for.

We moved handicap system last year so I can only look at last years stats.
I had 18 birdies in 22 rounds. Although I had one monster round with 5 birdies.
So taking it out im only averaging 0.62 per round.
That's the goal set for this year then....

Thinking about the 1 I've had in the last 5 rounds. It was actually a chip in

 

[Deleted member 3432]

We moved handicap system last year so I can only look at last years stats.
I had 18 birdies in 22 rounds. Although I had one monster round with 5 birdies.
So taking it out im only averaging 0.62 per round.
That's the goal set for this year then....

Thinking about the 1 I've had in the last 5 rounds. It was actually a chip in

Reducing the number of bogies and doubles is going to be a quicker way of reducing handicap.

Try and eliminate mistakes especially poor decision making is a good way to lower scores.

Tighten up chipping and pitching and if you can hole out from inside 6ft you are well on your way.

 

[pendodave]

Interesting.

In my comp rounds last year I averaged less than one birdie a round (it was actually nearer one in two). Despite this I ended the year pretty much the same as I started...

While I would like to reduce bogies and doubles, I think that it's hard to go out trying NOT to achieve something.

Aiming for more birdies (by aiming at flags, chipping and pitching more positively, putting past the hole) is something that can actively be targetted. It therefore seems to offer a more achievable goal. Something to have a go at this season once the temp gets above minus something.

 

[drewster]

Interesting.

In my comp rounds last year I averaged less than one birdie a round (it was actually nearer one in two). Despite this I ended the year pretty much the same as I started...

While I would like to reduce bogies and doubles, I think that it's hard to go out trying NOT to achieve something.

Aiming for more birdies (by aiming at flags, chipping and pitching more positively, putting past the hole) is something that can actively be targetted. It therefore seems to offer a more achievable goal. Something to have a go at this season once the temp gets above minus something.

THIS !! I agree 100% that it's better to try and achieve something than starting off with the mindset of trying to avoid something. My old man is a wily old fox and last year decided to fine himself 25p for every putt he left short of the hole. He ended up buying himself a new putter with his fines and is now much more positive and holes so much more as 90% of the time he's past the hole and he loves his new putter. WIN/WIN

 

[Deleted member 3432]

Interesting.

In my comp rounds last year I averaged less than one birdie a round (it was actually nearer one in two). Despite this I ended the year pretty much the same as I started...

While I would like to reduce bogies and doubles, I think that it's hard to go out trying NOT to achieve something.

Aiming for more birdies (by aiming at flags, chipping and pitching more positively, putting past the hole) is something that can actively be targetted. It therefore seems to offer a more achievable goal. Something to have a go at this season once the temp gets above minus something.

Aiming at flags is a guaranteed way to more bogies and doubles in my opinion.

Interesting your take on reducing bogies and doubles. Set a target then for a maximum number of dropped shots.

To me there is a danger if you are targetting birdies in becoming frustrated if chances are missed when in reality you are playing well. Lots of patience involved in golf. Many of my best rounds have few birdies but very few dropped shots which results in a good score.

 

[lukeysafc100]

The big difference the 7 inches between the ears!!! Focus on your mental game!

Although putting and proximity to hole from irons is also huge!

Also Take you medicine! Don't go thinking about seve shots! 1 in 10 will come off! Accept the bogey before you write down a double!