How much effort is required over natural ability?

[G1BB0]

So here I am after my 1st season in golf and feeling pretty despondant

hit some balls, joined a club, got a handicap, a few lessons and only just got my 1st cut albeit 0.4

I know I am better as have had 3 rounds in the 80's but at the same time plenty high 90's & low 100's

am I expecting to much too soon and should persevere or just accept I aint all that and may get down a bit but nothing spectacular

bare in mind I have played a few sports at a decent level put down to a fairly natural level of ability but golf really is the only one that has me going 'aaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhh'

 

[sweatysock41]

Re: How much effort is required over natural abili

It took me years to get it through my thick skull that improvement came with practice and experience. I too was reasonably competent at other sports - most of which involved a moving ball.

It is only in the last 4 years (I've been playing regularly for about 12) that my handicap has dropped from 22 to 12. I put that down to a couple of things - finding a pro who I could connect with to give me lessons and lowering my expectations. Having said that got cut to 12 - next round 20points - did I let that phase me no - today 34 points. Don't beat yourself up after one season just set realistic targets.

 

[Lump]

Re: How much effort is required over natural abili

I dont think many peeps get to where they want in there first season. My first handicap was 14, I struggled to play to it all my first season. I didnt know the course or when and how to take advantage of good shots. After my first season I had lessons thinking that would solve it all. It didn't, it created more issues with which I strugged with into my second season. After slowly learning the course and thinking my way round rather than trying to beat the course into submission my handicap has dropped and I can see single figures coming very early next season. Give yourself time. learn the game and your course... and most importantly ENJOY IT!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Re: How much effort is required over natural abili

I wasn't born with natural sporting ability and any success I've had, particularly in golf have been down to sheer hard work, practice, tuition and experience. I always want to play to the best of my ability but have finally recognised that it won't always happen. I've stopped chasing targets (10 and below being the main one over the last few years). I know there are key elements to work on especially in the short game area but when it does click as it did a few time this year there is no better feeling. It really makes the hours of practice, the frustration and the kicks in the goolies this came give worthwhile

 

[G1BB0]

Re: How much effort is required over natural abili

I guess it is sort of summed up by the fact I know I am so much better than my current h.c suggests but I am not, otherwise it would be lower, proper frustrating lol

 

[bluetoon]

Re: How much effort is required over natural abili

I dont buy into this natural ability business. Sure if you want to be the best of the best, aka tiger, rory, seve, then you need something extra to cross the finishing line first.

For us mere mortals, single figures is well within reach and anyone with a hole in there ar$e should be able to play off 18. No, what is needed is practice, practice, lesson, practice. No point in bashing balls for the sake of it, there needs to be a purpose and focus in the practice.

So, pack in work, bin the missus and sell the kids, simples

 

[G1BB0]

Re: How much effort is required over natural abili

if only it was so simple

 

[USER1999]

Re: How much effort is required over natural abili

Can't understand why everyone can't shoot mid eighties. It's not hard.

That said, every one thinks they are an above average driver. They can't all be.

Everyone thinks they are a better golfer than they are. Sadly, handicaps don't lie. Often.

 

[Gazboy]

Re: How much effort is required over natural abili

To be honest there is nothing more soul destroying that busting your chops at the range, at the short game practice area, on the putting green, on the par 3 and having lessons only to get comprehensively blown off the fairway by someone who just strolls up to the tee every other Sunday and rips it dead straight and almost as long as one of your good tee-shots AND your second shot. That's if you've played that well and haven't duffed it off the tee, smashed it all of four feet with your second shot and sliced it OOB with your third.

I'd say natural ability has a huge effect, you either have it or you don't. Tenacity & effort can only compensate for so much.

Yes I played like a muppet today...

 

[DaveM]

Re: How much effort is required over natural abili

Correct me if I am wrong. But from seeing the vid's you have put up. Plus you saying you feel you play better than your handicap. I belive you, so that just leaves your course managment! how are you at that? As that could be your problem. Do you plot your way around, or go for the shots even Seve would not have tried?

 

[timchump]

Re: How much effort is required over natural abili

i think a lot of effort is required over natural ability, sure good co-ordination helps

but ultimatley the golf swing as an unnatural movement, (unlike other sports), a good swing is learnt over time, nearly all the top pros were taught at a young age.

 

[G1BB0]

Re: How much effort is required over natural abili

DaveM you are probably right, got monthly medal in the morning and going to actually concentrate every shot and not just step up and hit it (more or less)

my post wasnt just based on personal issues btw as there have been a lot of posts recently where many of us seem to have hit a brick wall and can't see over it

 

[Imurg]

Re: How much effort is required over natural abili

One of the biggest illusions in golf is that you get better at a steady rate. There are so many peaks and troughs on the learning curve of Golf that you'll feel like a nodding dog if you followed them on a graph.
Consolidate what you have. You've already improved -a bit - let that ability settle and then, all of a sudden, you'll move up a level. That's the way it goes.

Another thing to take into account - and not at all saying that you've reached it - is that we all have a point where sooner or later we're not going to get any better. There has to be a high point, after which it's all, at best level and at worst a slippery slope. Some reach that level very quickly and will never progress from 28 or break 100. Some reach that point having won 14 Majors. It comes to us all eventually, no matter how hard we may try to avoid accepting it.
Everyone has their summit.

I had a bit of a Eureka moment last night. I've been struggling with my new handicap a little over the last 3-4 weeks, although a 76 yesterday was nice, but I thought to myself "even if I have a bad day I'm still playing better than the majority of people who play this game - why am I getting uptight about it?" I've reached a level and it's tricky to keep it there. But if I don't, if I start to slip higher - so what. I'm playing for the enjoyment, it's not my living. I'm going to have good days, bad days, good months and bad months.
There's more to our form of Golf than putting the ball in the hole.

 

[DaveM]

Re: How much effort is required over natural abili

Good luck with the medal mate. Knock um out you can do it.

 

[GOLFBALL_WHACKER_GUY]

Re: How much effort is required over natural abili

I've been playing a year now, nowhere near getting a cut, best round was 102 scoring 35, and if anything since then it's been worse. A month ago my society had a weekend away playing at the Essex g&c club, I scored 16 pts on the Saturday and 24 on the Sunday.
I took 3weeks off golf, and played last Sunday at the course where it all began, 105 and 28 pts. Not as good as I feel I should be scoring, but my driving and putting was superb, no three putts at all and some lovely 20-odd footers really gave me confidence. Im still waiting to have a good day with these blasted new irons, but from some of the shots I did hit well I've learnt that I have got it in me to do it and with time it will all come together. Gutted I didn't reach my goal of breaking 100 in a year though!

 

[Toad]

Re: How much effort is required over natural abili

I just don't get all this I hate my game, it drives me mad, im better than my handicap nonsense.
People need to realise that we are mostly weekend hackers, no one has vast amounts of spare time to practice enough to get anywhere near scratch.
I believe that for the majority, natural ability is enough to get to a level where you can get some enjoyment from golf and not look like a complete novice.

I will never have a lesson or spend time practicing at the range, I prefer to just play golf with my mates and don't give any thought about where my handicap ends up a, as it's a true reflection of my level.

 

[RGDave]

Re: How much effort is required over natural abili

without effort, I'd still be unable to break 100......and I have a natural leaning towards accuracy sports.

I know lots of talented sports-players, especially tennis and cricket. Not many of them could be beat me no strokes. it must be because I try...

 

[wookie]

Re: How much effort is required over natural abili

For me personally I am finding the need to put effort / regular play in.

I have been told that I have a good natural swing, timing etc but still getting the ball to go where you want it to can be a struggle and then you've got to chip and putt well!

My first year of playing regularly / "seriously" has seen me go from 110 - 115 to 95 -105 with a fair amount of range time.

Am now striking the ball better and having joined somewhere will be hoping to get more short game and putting practice in (plus the mrs has had enough of me putting up and down the living room.)

As for feeling you are better than your handicap - dont we all think this to some degree? Agreed you must peak at some point but I know that I can play better than I am at the moment and just need to practice a bit more.

 

[paul1874]

Re: How much effort is required over natural abili

Natural ability is a lot of crap, you are not born with any sporting ability so it must be something else

 

[diesel75]

Re: How much effort is required over natural abili

Natural ability is a lot of crap, you are not born with any sporting ability so it must be something else

I completely agree with that statement. Golf is no different that other sports or other professions. You wouldn't hear someone say that person has a natural ability for nuclear physics. But they would have the same level of passion for their subject and put in a huge amount of time and effort mastering their trade.