How do you get to single figures?

[Region3]

I'm shocked no one (from what I can see) has said hit it further. If anyone disagrees they are kidding themselves.

Hit it further, means shorter club into greens, means more margin for error = less bad scores.

I also massively disagree with the old hit more fairways trash people bring up. Keep it in play more, yes, hit more fairways? Really doesn't matter. The difference between the rough we play in and fairway really isn't that big + you'll hit more greens with PW from
The rough than you will with a 6or7iron from the fairway

Someone mentioned distance very early on, but the OP plays with X100 shafts so I'm guessing he already hits it plenty far enough.

Agree with you on the fairways, keeping it in play is the key. I'd rather be in the first cut on the best side than in the fairway on the wrong side. Wherever you put it though, you have to leave yourself a shot.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Agree with you on the fairways, keeping it in play is the key. I'd rather be in the first cut on the best side than in the fairway on the wrong side. Wherever you put it though, you have to leave yourself a shot.

Was good to see you and Karen first hand do exactly that at Trump.

And also the reason I'd slightly disagree with the hit it further post from Mendie, again watching you and Karen is was more about keeping it in play than hitting it further. No point hitting it further if it is so far wide it's unplayable or lost, it's more about hitting it further with some degree of control than just hitting it further and that's probably the line between Cat1 ( and some 2) and the rest of us.

 

[Imurg]

Extra distance is great if it still keeps the ball in play.
Especially during current conditions, if you're further wide than the first cut then you're not going anywhere.
Extra distance is a curse if you can't keep it reasonably straight.

 

[duncan mackie]

I'm shocked no one (from what I can see) has said hit it further. If anyone disagrees they are kidding themselves.

Hit it further, means shorter club into greens, means more margin for error = less bad scores.

I also massively disagree with the old hit more fairways trash people bring up. Keep it in play more, yes, hit more fairways? Really doesn't matter. The difference between the rough we play in and fairway really isn't that big + you'll hit more greens with PW from
The rough than you will with a 6or7iron from the fairway

In the context of 'getting to single figures' I simply don't see it as an issue.

Obviously in your opinion I am in some way deluded, but I know a huge number of single figure golfers (some quite low) who can't hit it far enough to get to some greens in regulation with any clubs in adverse conditions. But, in a parallel to Region 3's comment, they will be on the right side to maximise their chances of getting par. 30 yds short is frequently better than 10 yds left or right of target line anyway.

Of course it helps to be able to hit it longer, straighter, with a controlled trajectory and obviously draw and fade at will...but you only need to get to an appropriate point within 20yds of each green and down in 2 from there 60% of the time to get to single figures.

Yes, there are courses where hitting a long ball is a pre-requisite to success of any sort, but for most it's a nice to have at this level and there are few courses where distance doesn't need to be tempered with improved accuracy.

I could cite, as proof, the people on here who can carry their driver 270 consistently with 150 wedges being normal - but strangely don't yet have a single figure handicap...but that would be too easy :thup:

Not hitting the ball far enough is rarely the reason for the vast number of people who stall at handicaps in the teens, let alone 10, 11 or 12.

 

[Green Man]

Firstly are you realistically capable of getting to single figures? I ask as I play with a few guys who hit straight but only ever get 170 yards max. They hit fairways. Generally they struggle to reach Par 4's in regulation therefore are chipping for 3 and hopefully putting for a par. They play off 12-14 and no matter how hard they try I can't see any of them getting to single figures. They will occasionally shoot less than 10 over if they have a good day with the short game.
If you off 18 now maybe a better aim would be to try to get to 14 then look at it. 18 to 9 is a massive jump.

I had played for years but not enough to get any better than around 13. When I started playing seriously my aim was to get single figures. When I joined a club I got a starting handicap of 12 and it took me 4 years to get to 9. The biggest single improvement for me was getting a driver which i could hit fairways with. Also using better course management, accepting bogies, avoiding doubles and playing sensibly.

Now off 8 and hoping to get another shot off. I think 7 is the best i can get to.

 

[Sats]

I'm shocked no one (from what I can see) has said hit it further. If anyone disagrees they are kidding themselves.

Hit it further, means shorter club into greens, means more margin for error = less bad scores.

I also massively disagree with the old hit more fairways trash people bring up. Keep it in play more, yes, hit more fairways? Really doesn't matter. The difference between the rough we play in and fairway really isn't that big + you'll hit more greens with PW from
The rough than you will with a 6or7iron from the fairway

Yes, hitting it longer will mean less distance to the green - but if you can't hit the green from 100 yards in what's the point? Also if you can't putt properly then you'll be bogeying anyway.

 

[North Mimms]

Dead easy.
Only play 9 holes, then my hcp is equivalent to 8...

 

[Rough and ready]

I'm shocked no one (from what I can see) has said hit it further. If anyone disagrees they are kidding themselves.

Hit it further, means shorter club into greens, means more margin for error = less bad scores.

I also massively disagree with the old hit more fairways trash people bring up. Keep it in play more, yes, hit more fairways? Really doesn't matter. The difference between the rough we play in and fairway really isn't that big + you'll hit more greens with PW from
The rough than you will with a 6or7iron from the fairway

You obviously don't play links golf ! Any wayward shots at my track and 8 times out of 10 your hacking out with a wedge , hitting fairways is imperitive to scoring low for me .

 

[harpo_72]

Does it matter what you use from 150 yards in, surely if you have that distance in under control your going to score well. It's worked for me. Also putting, just 20 minutes a day for 2 weeks saw a massive change in my putting.
Having said all the above you could possibly tell I break down holes to 150 yards in, over those distances I am content to hit the green. Also look at your bag set up, I am forever tweaking it. The top end I.e the woods are the key ones to look at. Presently I have driver 4w 7w - thinking that the 4w could go for a 5w and I would be okay.

 

[bobmac]

How do you get to single figures?

Learn how to hit the ball where you think you are aiming it and keep your head still

 

[kid2]

I can echo a lot of what's Been posted. My voyage has been well documented on here and most will tell you from looking at my posts it's not been easy.

It's not as easy as telling someone hit your drives straighter or your approaches closer or knock putts in from everywhere.

First you have to believe you can get there. It's not going to happen overnight unless you have all the time on your hands 7 days a week.

I have the usual 9-6 job with the missus and 2 kids and the dog😀.
Have the mortgage and the bills. Also😵.
It helps having a better half that supports what your doing as well.
Golf is a very selfish sport that way..

As a high handicapper I would first look at my course management.
Just because your playing partners are busting their driver doesn't mean you have to.
Find the widest parts on your holes ( The safe landing spots off the tee).
Play to these. When you get down the holes have a look back at the tee and see the room you have to play with.
Most but not all holes have the wider areas about 150-160 mtrs from the hole.

I would also recommend spending 90% of you practice time from 100mtrs in. Set yourself drills so that you don't become bored.
Because no matter how proficient your swing may be you will always miss greens.
Missing them with a decent short game keeps your confidence high because missing them won't worry you.
Concentrate on lag putting and your 3-6ft putt range.
Their the make it break distances.
Forget hitting putts on your practice green 50 and 60ft. If your leaving yourself that distance for. The hole on the course then your underclubbinh your yardage.

Always try to miss pin high. Unless your bringing trouble into play which comes back to course management.
Also not every single figure is the textbook player that everyone might perceive them to be.
You'll notice that as you get better.
Some drive the ball miles but struggle with irons at times.
Others have magic short games but are no bubba Watson off the tee.
Believe your good enough to get there and put in the time and it will happen. But it won't be a walk in the park.
I'm of the opinion that the ones that do get there realise very quickly that it's about playing boring golf. Taking your medicine when you have to. Grinding out a score when everything seems to be going against you.
And also accepting that you will have more bad days than good ones.
Accept these and you'll be on your way there.
And you also need to be playing at least twice a week with practice in between.

 

[Shooter McPowick]

I'm off 14 but yesterday shot an 81 with 2 double bogeys.

What happened?

driving was long, but not the straightest I've been
hit all 4 par 3 greens off the tee
up and downed from the side of the green a few times
9 greens in regulation and I'd say this was what made it happen

 

[Soft hands]

As kid2 said its playing boring golf. I've gone from 9.2 to 7.1 due to two rounds this season mainly due to to improving my putting and pitching.

At the minute I just try to hit the green two putt and walk off, decent course management comes into it, not being too aggressive middle of green will do most times. The only time I go straight at flags is 50 yards and in.

Being sensible trying to eliminate doubles, taking your punishment and have a tidy short game will get you there.

 

[MendieGK]

You obviously don't play links golf ! Any wayward shots at my track and 8 times out of 10 your hacking out with a wedge , hitting fairways is imperitive to scoring low for me .

I'm actually a member of one of the best links courses in the country.

I'd also argue that off 23, finding the fairway is of limited importance, not hitting it into the deep stuff I agree, but NO golf course has purely long rough with no first cut etc. Proper course management would save you 5 shots a round

People's perceptions of fairway IMO is all wrong, hitting it into a position that enables you to hit a normal shot is a far more important stat.

 

[Beezerk]

I'm off 14 but yesterday shot an 81 with 2 double bogeys.

What happened?

driving was long, but not the straightest I've been
hit all 4 par 3 greens off the tee
up and downed from the side of the green a few times
9 greens in regulation and I'd say this was what made it happen

Similar to me, off 14 now and scored 40 points recently on a course I'd never played before which included 2 x blobs and 2 x 3 putts for a point.
Consistency is the key for me and to be honest I don't practice enough to even consider getting to single figures. I'm too busy enjoying playing and my handicap will do whatever it does.

 

[Hobbit]

Was good to see you and Karen first hand do exactly that at Trump.

And also the reason I'd slightly disagree with the hit it further post from Mendie, again watching you and Karen is was more about keeping it in play than hitting it further. No point hitting it further if it is so far wide it's unplayable or lost, it's more about hitting it further with some degree of control than just hitting it further and that's probably the line between Cat1 ( and some 2) and the rest of us.

I'm past the age of consent by about by some margin, and rarely compete for the longest drive prize these days. It'll take make 3 or 4 years of bad golf to get up to double figures.

Keep it on the short stuff and learn to chip and putt. Getting up and down a few times from just off the green will make a huge difference. As long as you're knocking it out 220+ you'll get enough par chances from GIR and getting up and down to get to single figures.

 

[Spear-Chucker]

Improve consistency and eliminate poorer shots: driving, fairway play, chipping and putting. Use these skills thoughtfully on the course. This applies to getting into single figures and beyond. Distance is largely irrelevant but use it by all means if it's part of your natural game.