How quickly should you get to 18 handicap after taking up the game?

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Snelly

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I was discussing this question with a friend of mine on Saturday. How fast, given regular weekly games, should an average person get to a handicap of 18?

I am not talking about occasional players, society golfers, juniors, seniors, ladies or anyone with extenuating circumstances, just a normal bloke (although I would say the same applies for just about anyone if pushed).

Our shared view was that everyone should be able to do it within a year of starting the game properly, i.e. joining a golf club. You just need to be able to grasp the basics of the game at beginner level in order to play at this standard.

Obviously, this conversation took place in the real world, but I mentioned to my friend at the time that saying something similar on a forum like this would invite a barrage of criticism and a plethora of excuses.

He said it doesn't matter, we both know we are right. 18 should easily be doable in a year. I agreed.

Reading the second thread on HC increases reminded me of this so I thought I would ask the question here. Not trolling. Just firmly believe that 18 handicap should be a very easy goal to achieve after a year of effort and application.

Any thoughts?
 

Hobbit

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I think your supposition is too general. There are golfers out there that will never reach 18, some of which have had lessons and play every week. The prime, perverse, example I know is a guy who was an international Lacrosse player for a number of years yet just couldn't get to grips with golf. Even 10yrs after starting to play a couple of times a week he rarely got much less than 26.

I agree that the majority of players, applying themselves properly, should be able to do it. But there'll always be exceptions. Think about it, how many kids did you play football with who never could hit a barn door yet the top striker in your team could knock hat tricks in for fun? That's your difference between Cat 1 and Cat 4. Some can, and some can't.
 
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Far too many variables within the game to have a generalisation like that

I got to 18 within 6 months I know some that have never reached 18 , some that took 6 years some two years and that's even with regular playing and lessons

Natural ability of a person will determine how long it takes and that's a hard thing to measure

And there is no right or wrong answer - there is just opinions
 

D4RK1

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Far too many variables within the game to have a generalisation like that

I got to 18 within 6 months I know some that have never reached 18 , some that took 6 years some two years and that's even with regular playing and lessons

Natural ability of a person will determine how long it takes and that's a hard thing to measure

And there is no right or wrong answer - there is just opinions

+1 to that.
 

Hacker Khan

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I suppose it depends on what you man by 'a year of effort and application'.

If you have the time, resources and mind set to do it then I imagine most (but not all) reasonably competent golfers could get there or there abouts. But as already noted some people just will not be able to get to that standard. It's easy for a good golfer to say 'well I can do it' but some people are different and they are naturally better at some things than others.

Also motivation and mind set is vital. You can't assume everyone is desperate to reduce their handicap and will put in the hours and practice needed. Some people just play mostly for fun, they have families and jobs and they are fitting golf in in between these commitments. Yes it's great if the handicap reduces and they always want to get better. But they can have just as good a time shooting 95 in a bounce round with mates than they can shooting 85 in some serious comp playing with wannabe's pros. And those types will probably not get to 18 in a year, if they ever will. Just because it is not the primary aim of them for playing.
 

turkish

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At 27.7 threads like this make me want to cry!!! I'm just at a year and have put in so much effort but I have definitely made a marked improvement. I fancy my chances that I'll be down to about 20 soon just not had much chances to play in a lot of medals.

Also need to point out the difficulty of the course you play will have a big impact. Played my mates new course last week- he's recently been giving a handicap of 21 but no better than me- beat him 5&4 and didn't even need the strokes tbh. front 9 was 44 which is equal to my best on my home course which is a lot trickier.
 

PhilTheFragger

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Well it took me 6 years to get from 26 to 18.4 and I am now on 18.7
It isn't through choice, I'd love to be lower, and I am still improving so there is every chance.
One really good round that gets me a couple of shots off is all I need to get me to under 18 for quite a while.
Everyone is different , there is no rule of thumb as long as people try their best it doesn't matter what their handicap is.
 

garyinderry

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I would say a couple of years. This is from watching a few people recently.

One guy back home ha really started to put in the work. It won't be long to get down from 25.

It really depends how much work is put in. If they actually try and implement what they are told.

Difficulty of course is a factor no doubt.
 

delc

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Think from memory (it was a long time ago) that I got down to 12 within a year of starting to seriously play golf as a teenager. Oddly enough that is still my handicap now, although I have been a bit lower in between! :mmm:
 

Lambchops

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Started last year and got down to 20 - no lessons, no time at the range, just playing once a week. I suppose if I could be bothered to put the effort in, wasn't so busy at work, kid under 1 year old I could get lower but a round of golf is just a bit of time to myself for me
 

FairwayDodger

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I think a year is probably too quick - some will do it, undoubtedly, but from a standing start of never having played that's too fast to say that anyone should be able to do it. I'd say maybe a year getting the basics, getting properly "into" and understanding how to play before coming down quickly in year 2.

BTW, I don't think you should get a general exception to this just for being a "lady"! :)
 

Khamelion

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After a year of playing I put in three cards and got 17.1, two years later I'm now 20.6 and that is with regular weekly games, so talent, ability, time, determination all come into it, as does the persons mentality.
 

Slab

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I think you’re wrong and right

Like many things as a broad generalisation it’s a fair enough claim, but a bit more than a stretch to claim it as true in the real world when applied to real people
 

KhalJimbo

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I started November last year, had some lessons beginning of this year. And jut put my last card in for handicap on Saturday, I'll be off 28 as my lowest card was 100.

I was planning to have been off of 18 by having my lowest card as 90 but that just didn't happen. I so wanted to get a handicap of lower than 28 but I at least am proud that its a genuine 28 that I've been given. I feel I have had some massive improvements since I started in November from having scores of 127 to handing in cards of 100. My long game off the tee is usually whats kills my scores, I know I have low 90's in me if I could control my long game better. For example, 2 weeks ago just playing with a friend I was 5 off the tee on 2 holes (would have been Par on both of them) and had to drop twice which cost me around 10 strokes, since my card was 106, I should have have had around 96 for the entire game.

Expecting a child now in two weeks so playing on Saturday and Sunday this weekend, hopefully I can improve on my long game.

I don't think it will take me long to get off of 18 once I've ironed out my long game, but from my experience as someone working full time, balancing 4 hours worth of commuting each day and only able to play on weekends, I would suggest it would take about 2 years to get off of 18.
 

matt71

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been playing proper for about 3 years and off 22. not very good but have improved from 28 when I 1st started! I only play once a week due to offer issues and I think that is what is costing my handicap to get lower!

When I do play (for fun) I can rock in with late 30's or early 40's stableford points but when I go in a comp my game is shocking and end up with late 20's or early 30's!

my friends say my handicap is not a true reflection to my ability but I disagree as I am unable to play to it when it matters :(

oh like to add my stroke score is around low 90's most weeks and the odd high 80's which is nice :)
 

TheCaddie

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Time constraints for me are the big one. I get down the range once a week, and only from about February this year, have I started to play around once a week (mostly). I've had lessons, and continue to have lessons, and each tweak my Pro gives me will cost me a couple of rounds... which is a couple of weeks.... maybe longer. Similar to most, I definitely have 90-95 in me, without a doubt, maybe even lower. But I am just not playing enough atm to iron out the creases quickly enough.

I am moving to Sevenoaks in September, and likely to be joining Knole Park.... I think that's when I will really focus on playing a lot and I will see the handicap come down.
 

Fish

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I don't know what the issue is, so what, I'm a cat4 (21.2) and just love playing golf with like minded people and sharing great company on the course, if their happy to look for my occasional stray ball, like yesterday, then great, if they don't because I'm judged and should be off 18 or lower after playing for 4yrs, then I simply won't look to play with those people, stuff 'em! I think the later you come into the game the harder it can be to improve to certain levels or judgmental barometers!

If I don't reach my goals I won't beat myself up about it anymore, as long as I know I'm trying my best and enjoying myself and not having a negative effect on those playing with or around me, who cares if I'm off 19, 21, 24 or 28!

I won't win many things as an individual but I'm a great pairs or team player putting at least two 4 pointers and a handful of 3 points on a card per round, everyone of you low guys loves a Cat4 player when it suits in your team or BB pairing though!

No plethora of excuses from me, I'm simply not consistent enough to put a total 18 holes of decent golf together at times, but I won't stop trying...
 

matt71

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love that attitude Fish! need to take that more on-board myself as I do feel a bit down with my handicap and need to be more positive like you!
 
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