How do you get to single figures?

Vardon11LDN

Vardon11LDN

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Whilst I understand that golf should be played for fun and not handicap vanity since I have taken up golf seriously I have had the goal of getting to single figures. I would love to hear what people in their opinion think it takes to get there and how they achieved it. I am a few years from kids and I am getting married next year so I probably have two years with the freedom to practice before it becomes harder to find the time.
 
hit it further, hit it straighter, hit it more consistently, have a good wedges game, chip it close, hole plenty of putts, good course management :)

For me the really important bits are to try and get the basics right swing wise, minimise your bad shots (rather than trying to hit great shots). Then from there its all about inside 100 yards. Work on your short game and putting and keep working on them as ultimately this is where most golfers can save the most shots and get their handicaps down. Have some lessons with a pro you trust and get on with and get him to teach you how to practise (rather than just hitting balls aimlessly as most of us do too often)
 
Lose less balls, hit it somewhere near the green, don't duff chips/miss the green from inside SW range and putt somewhat decently.

Currently struggling with the not chipping like a bellend part


Have a dependable shape off the tee so you are fairly sure that if you miss the fairway it will only be to the one side.
 
I wouldn't bother, you have a better chance of winning trophies if your handicap is high ;)
 
I found that keeping it in play off the tee and a lot of short game practice and putting practice got me there. Kept working for a while, then things got too busy and practice had to take a back seat. Staying there is far harder than getting there.
 
Good question. And one I ask myself daily. I obviously play for fun too but have always had the goal of playing off a single figure handicap since I started playing 10 years ago.

When I joined my new club a couple of months ago I was optimistic I'd get a H/C of 8/9. I got 10. I was actually happy with it, as it gave me the incentive to work hard and get it down. I've gone up .4 playing in 5 comps. Not played anywhere near it.

Had a match against Caldy Golf Club last night for our work society and one of their members (also playing in match) was hitting balls on range next to me. We got talking and he said to me "so you must be off four or five I'm guessing". Laughing it off I told him I couldn't putt. And for me, that is exactly why I am not playing off single figures, I dont make enough putts.

And given half of the game (ish) is played on the green, its the thing I practice least. So, I have decided I am going to completely overhaul my putting. New putter, new drills, more time on the putting green.
 
I was obsessed with single figures, now it's cat 1. So please remember that you won't be happy once you get there, just obsessed with a new target!

First off, work out where you are losing shots. This sounds simple because you will think that you can't drive/putt/chip but actually look at your rounds and work out where you lose shots. Work on that area (while not abandoning all practice elsewhere).

Look at where you lose shots on the course- Is there a hole you always double bogey? Is there another way to play that hole? Course management is the most important factor at your stage in my opinion. Look at how gets you in for par the most. Bear in mind that always playing to 150 yards isn't always the best way for you to get a par on every hole. What works for some may not work for others.

Work on making your bad shots good, not your good shots better- I like, when playing on my own, playing two balls and always playing the worst one. Then play out the hole this way (always playing the worst shot). Then mark your score and see what you come in with. This focuses you to concentrate on every shot and keeps you working hard.

Discount your birdies- Birdies bring your score down but you should be aiming for 10 pars. If you get birdies its a bonus!

Finally play opens. CSS goes up at opens generally, great chance to bring your handicap down!
 
Totally and completely forget all about how far and with what club - focus totally on taking each shot with a view to getting the ball in the hole in the least number of shots consistent with not taking unnecessary risks.

It all about risk reward and playing your way round the course - note playing not necessarily planning ie it's planning but one shot at a time!

When you enjoy controlling a half wedge shot into a difficult green more than smashing your 3 wood further than your playing partners drivers your are on the route to success.

Finally, everything up to putting is foreplay - putting is where it's at.
 
Practice effectively
Practice your bad shots/clubs more.
Keep the ball in play from the fee..

But above all, for me, play, play and play some more.
Learn how the ball reacts in different, real situations.
You don't get many bad lies on a range mat.
Being scratch on the range means Jack on the course.....
 
Get your mental game right.

Don't force the issue and don't beat yourself up over a bad shot.

Don't have lessons they completely fill your head up with too many thoughts and have an adverse effect,you will only play stress free golf with a clear head.

Get your yardages nailed in having a chip or a putt pin high will help no end.

Don't be happy with just chipping up try and chip close, I know that's sounds obvious but too many people I play with are happy with 20 footers when a tidy chip can half that distance.
 
pokerjoke said:
Get your mental game right.

Don't force the issue and don't beat yourself up over a bad shot.

Don't have lessons they completely fill your head up with too many thoughts and have an adverse effect,you will only play stress free golf with a clear head.

Get your yardages nailed in having a chip or a putt pin high will help no end.

Don't be happy with just chipping up try and chip close, I know that's sounds obvious but too many people I play with are happy with 20 footers when a tidy chip can half that distance.
Click to expand...

Don't have lessons?
 
Vardon11LDN said:
Don't have lessons?
Click to expand...

Exactly
If you are an 11 or 12 handicap a lesson wont help as basically you probably have a good enough game for single figures but other things are getting in the way.

Look at someone on here who is determined to do it and probably has the game but is completely overthinking the game.
Simplify it and it will happen,over complicate it and it wont imo.
 
duncan mackie said:
Totally and completely forget all about how far and with what club - focus totally on taking each shot with a view to getting the ball in the hole in the least number of shots consistent with not taking unnecessary risks.

It all about risk reward and playing your way round the course - note playing not necessarily planning ie it's planning but one shot at a time!

When you enjoy controlling a half wedge shot into a difficult green more than smashing your 3 wood further than your playing partners drivers your are on the route to success.

Finally, everything up to putting is foreplay - putting is where it's at.
Click to expand...

I would disagree. It isn't when getting to single figures (unless that is specifically where you have identified you are dropping shots and the weakest part of your game). I think shots can be gained much easier in the shot before the 1st putt.
 
woody69 said:
I would disagree. It isn't when getting to single figures (unless that is specifically where you have identified you are dropping shots and the weakest part of your game). I think shots can be gained much easier in the shot before the 1st putt.
Click to expand...

I would agree with this entirely because it was me.

I was struggling to get to singles from 12 and found that I was chipping pin high but not actually going for the pin I was just happy to be putting.
Chip close equals more single putts
 
As has been said the first step in getting a dependable swing that will stand up under pressure. Once the basics are right the emphasis has to be on the short game - specifically 50 yards in. When this is all working effectively good course management is sure to help as well.

In reality though a lot of it is confidence. Once you have the mechanics right you can really improve by having the confidence to hit good shots / putts throughout the round.

As for lessons - I think the work well with the above. Making sure you ar doing the basics correct or learning how to hit specific shots is always worth while. Some analysis of you game will normally point to where it's worth focussing. If lessons weren't worthwhile why do all professional use a coach!

No magic bullet really but achievable if you set about it correctly.
 
pokerjoke said:
Exactly
If you are an 11 or 12 handicap a lesson wont help as basically you probably have a good enough game for single figures but other things are getting in the way.

Look at someone on here who is determined to do it and probably has the game but is completely overthinking the game.
Simplify it and it will happen,over complicate it and it wont imo.
Click to expand...

A reasonable argument except that the OP has an 18 handicap. I doubt a lesson or two would go amiss.
 
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