How long did it take for you to become a single handicapper ?

[Nikki]

Also applies to scratch golfers or pro's or anything else that good...

I'm farting along trying to improve my golf game as much as I can and was wonderin how long it takes to become that good...


I know it varies on the player, but I'm just trying to get a bit of an idea...


From when you first started...

 

[steveyjd81]

A few months but my first handicap was 11 after taking up golf again! Had 5 year break when I was down to 8! Took 2-3 years I think but I practiced chipping a lot!

 

[CrapHacker]

So far 30 years, with about another 45 to go.

If I haven't done it by then, I'll probably just start playing for fun.

 

[smange]

Started playing regularly in February 2006 and got an initial handicap of 19.

At the beginning of June this year i got cut down to 9.3, ive since managed to get down to 8.7 at minute so just over four years it took me but everyone will be different.

Some folks will never get there and some will get there very quickly and stay there forever

 

[Ronnoc1980]

Took game up when I moved to Oxford in 2003 and think 2007 when I first reached 9 but have been up and down from 9 to 10 for past 3yrs.

But would like to think I have now turned the corner as this year I have gone from 10.0 to 7.7 in around 6wks and if buffer had not messed me about I would be of 6.9!!

Having said that one positive for you is in the year I 1st hit sig fig's I went from 10 up to 12 and finished the yr off 9 so keep plugging and never give up!

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Now lets see. Started playing seriously when I was 21 and got my 1st official handicap of 9 aged 31. However, I don't really count that as it was based on one of my qualifying scores being an 81. Now I'm 35 I'm hoping to get to a proper single figures by the end of the year so hopefully the answer will be 14 years...watch this space

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Started playing golf in 1976 and got to single figures aged 14 in 1980. Managed to keep it that way until I grew disenchanted in 84 and gave up for the joys of beer and women. Got back into it and hovered around 10-12 but yet to get back to single figure territory and not looking good this season either

 

[Owen_Thomas_14]

2 years for me and ive never went back to double digits since. Do i practice?? No, Do i play a lot?? Yes quite a bit. As long as you get a decent amount of golf in you will stay near your current handicap, if you want to get lower then practice.......Simples

 

[brendy]

2 years for me also give ot take a few months. A handful of lessons and lots of practice helped get me to 6 very quickly.

 

[lukey_lukey]

been playing for about 3 years then i had 3year break til 4 weeks ago ive been playing weekly (just) i dont think il ever get that single figure, although im around 14 now. i love golf, id love to become more more consistant but goona be a while. i love golf for mainly the peace, the fun, and a good old cigar, im only 21 so few good years yet

 

[Society_Fan]

18 years from starting at 12 (Hcap 36) to stopping at 18 (Hcap 12).
Started again 28 (Hcap 18) and got down to 7 when I has 30, but stopped for a year 31 to 32, and have started again at 16...
... here we go again... Hopefully

With decent talent and understanding combined with time and desire a 2 to 3 years should be enough.

 

[birdieman]

Took me 3 years to get to single figures. Year 1 as a junior I did 36 to 21. Year 2 I went 21 to 9. Year 3 I started as a senior off 11 and got down to 6. That was 23 years ago!

Since then I have only improved 2 shots to 4. I plateaud very early it seems.

 

[SharkAttack]

First season from 18-15 then second season from 15-9 although not to sure when I got down to 9 so 18 months.

Shark

 

[Toad]

Only started playing seriously 4 years ago when i got my first official handicap and was off 15, steady progress since dropping a shot or two a year, did get to 9.4 for a week last year but tried too hard to reduce it further with no success.

I eventually got to single figures this year and have played to my handicap most weeks since.

 

[DCB]

Got my first official handicap in 1984 and was off 17. It took approx 20 years to get down to single figures. I played off the 11-12 mark for many years before suddenly finding a game and got down to 7.6 in 2004.

It's been a slow rise back into mediocrity since then. Hit 13 (12.5)back in June this year, first time I've been that high for 15 years.

Still, there's alwaysnext week

 

[USER1999]

One year off 18, 20 years off 11/12, 3 months off 9.4, currently on the way back to 11, at 9.8. On the up escalator.

 

[RGDave]

I started aged 23 and got down to 8 by aged 27. 4 years, but the 1st year was just messing around.
I quit for a fair time and started back on 11.5 which I couldn't play to, I'm getting there though.

If you take lessons and work hard, 3 years "usually" sees you to 90% of your ability.....apparently. (not my figures, a survey)
3 years without help and you could be a low-h'cap in waiting, I guess.

 

[jammydodger]

Got a h/c but was in the Army and away every summer so couldnt get to play in many comps. The first year I didnt get sent away I got down to 11 and then I left the Army the next year in April and I got single figures a couple of months after that.

 

[Imurg]

First handicap of 15 in '93. Got to my highest of 15.2 within a month and then began a steady slide to reach single figures 4 years later (8.1 best).
Injuries took me back up until I had to stop for 5 years. Started again 4 years ago at 13 and I've reached a low of 9.5 since - nearly back!
Just need a few decent rounds in the back half of the season and I'll be back to singles again

 

[Fyldewhite]

Played for 15 years casual golf with mates etc and first h/c was 10 but this was a bit low for me. Took about 6/7 years as a member to get to a point where I was single figures and probably going to stay there a while.