Handicap target..

[NewFish]

Alright lads..

Posted on here a few months back when I first started playing asking for tips for a total newbie to golf, after following some of your tips im really into the game now, I can get round my local 9 hole course with a reasonable score - my best being 47 over 9 and average probably 50.. (i have only been doing 9 holes due to the weather) the course consists of 7 par 4's and 2 par 3's.. So im still not a high standard but I feel I am improving..


I want to get myself a handicap and plan on joining a club in the next 3/4 months, first question is.. Is this to early? Should i keep playing at my local municipal course for a while and get to a better standard before taking the plunge and joining a club/trying to get myself a handicap?? Or should i just go for it? And if i did go for it what would you say is a realistic target to get my handicap down to before the end of 2009? As i am a target driven kind of guy you see..



Any advice welcome..

 

[Deleted member 1147]

I'd say get a handicap ASAP.

 

[Herbie]

If you have only been playing a few months and you are averaging around 100 for 18 holes thats a good enough start point to get your h/c, once you have it you have something solid to aim beyond.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I know where you are coming from target wise but don't get too bogged down in numbers and striving to beat your best score eveytime. You will put too much pressure on your game and you'll lose focus on the enjoyment side of things.

My advice would be to maybe get a lesson or two and make sure you have all the swing basics in place. Shop around for a club that offers everything you think is important in a golf club and get yoursel in. From there get your three handicap cards in and see what you get. Even if you start on 28 you have something to work with. From there it is ablut using those 28 shots as wisely as possible and getting into competitions where the real pressure starts. Get a few good rounds under your belt and it will start to come down.

I guess it depends on how much you play this year and maybe practice or get professional advice but if you really have the golfing bug I'd say a 2 shot cut would be a good starting point in a first full season.

 

[Smiffy]

I know where you are coming from target wise but don't get too bogged down in numbers and striving to beat your best score eveytime. You will put too much pressure on your game and you'll lose focus on the enjoyment side of things.

My advice would be to maybe get a lesson or two and make sure you have all the swing basics in place. Shop around for a club that offers everything you think is important in a golf club and get yoursel in. From there get your three handicap cards in and see what you get. Even if you start on 28 you have something to work with. From there it is ablut using those 28 shots as wisely as possible and getting into competitions where the real pressure starts. Get a few good rounds under your belt and it will start to come down.

I guess it depends on how much you play this year and maybe practice or get professional advice but if you really have the golfing bug I'd say a 2 shot cut would be a good starting point in a first full season.

Great advice

 

[Imurg]

Just personal experience here but...

When I was looking to join a club, I thought I wasn't good enough. So instead of joining I spent Sunday mornings on the range. After 6 months I figured I was good enough and wouldn't embaress myself so I joined. Put my 3 cards in and got a 15 handicap for it. The average handicap at the club was 20.

Now had I joined early and put my cards in I may have got a 20 or 24. Would it have taken longer to get down to 8 (as low as I've been) - who knows. Point is I thought I wasn't good enough when obviously I was.