How to break 85 - 3 goal method

[Deano23]

Thanks for the replies, from the varied responses it is clear that a sub 85 plan is different to sub 100. I think that Hawkeye's post sums up quite nicely that the mental side of the game and course management is very important for the sub 85.

It would appear that trying to make a 3 point plan is a little harder for sub 85 and could vary depending on each individuals strengths and weaknesses.

For me much of the original plan is still true but perhaps slightly tweaked

1 - Get on the fairway from the tee. For me driving is a major weakness but I can hit my hybrid well so just use that
2 - <190 to the green give it a go, but look to see where the good miss is. Irons are one of my strengths
3 - >190 think carefully before going for the green. If it is too tricky make sure you leave a full club into the green
4 - Do I need to. Take a couple of seconds to re-evaluate your shot and look to see where the danger is

Just to complicate things:

1) Yep, usually a good plan
2) <190 Don't make this a hard rule - take into account conditions, how you are feeling, swinging etc.
3) Same as above. Be realistic though.
4) Great advice. always look at it from the perspective of having just played the shot.

 

[RobertB]

Don't fixate a strategy based on yardages.

Its about the cost of a miss, whether a 50 yard pitch over a hazard or a 200 yd approach - what is cost if shot goes wrong?
Then the Do I Need To question.
As I said couple pages back my level 4s argument means you've got shots to play with.

 

[NorfolkShaun]

Some really good reading here.

When I look back on a round there is always a few silly shots that cost me. Not keeping score is one that helps me most.

I do however play with two guys off slightly higher handicaps and one of these has been having a really bad time lately, I find this can break me if my FC's score well so do I so often.

Daft but I always seem to fall into a bad round if people i'm with are moaning / having a bad round.

 

[Deano23]

Some really good reading here.

When I look back on a round there is always a few silly shots that cost me. Not keeping score is one that helps me most.

I do however play with two guys off slightly higher handicaps and one of these has been having a really bad time lately, I find this can break me if my FC's score well so do I so often.

Daft but I always seem to fall into a bad round if people i'm with are moaning / having a bad round.

This is what I was getting at in my post about my best round. I've since worked on meditation and mindfulness practices to attempt to stay more in the moment and be less affected by my playing partners etc.

 

[NorfolkShaun]

This is what I was getting at in my post about my best round. I've since worked on meditation and mindfulness practices to attempt to stay more in the moment and be less affected by my playing partners etc.

This is probably my biggest problem if i'm honest, need to find a way to solve this.

Played in a team scramble with a 6 capper and played some of my best golf for ages, was in teams of 3 really relaxed. After the round the 6 capper said to me that he hopes to never see my name drawn against him in the match play.

 

[Deano23]

This is probably my biggest problem if i'm honest, need to find a way to solve this.

Played in a team scramble with a 6 capper and played some of my best golf for ages, was in teams of 3 really relaxed. After the round the 6 capper said to me that he hopes to never see my name drawn against him in the match play.

Watch your thoughts in both circumstances...

 

[John_R7]

Lots of good but conflicting advice - this doesn't make anyone right or wrong.

You need to look at your game (truthfully) and decide from there.
If you shoot 90 with 36 putts then you can do 85 with 31 putts without changing your game - concentrate on putting.
If you average around 32 - 33 putts then you probably need to look in depth to the rest of the game to decide where to devote practice.

On course try not to keep score. Stay calm but focused when required.
Forget what has already happened.
If you do keep score try counting to Level 5's.
If you assume 'standard' Par 72 with 4 Par 3's:-
Level 5's is 90, 18 over (H/C if consistent)
Level 5's but par the Par 3's is 82, 10 over (H/C if consistent)
Even if you make 4's on the 3's you will still shoot 86

Personally I think it is short game and putting that gets me low. My long game is pretty good so I concentrate short game.
If your long game is poor then you can only salvage so much with a demon up & down touch so it is horses for courses.

Oh - keep the ball in play
Good luck, you will get there.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I'd still be looking to play level 5's (90 for 18 holes). I would suggest you'll make enough 3's and 4's on the par threes and short par fives to offset a six at a par five or the odd bad hole. ,

 

[RGDave]

Play safe ( read boring ) and while your handicap will improve it will only get so low. A 9 handicap has to shoot 9 pars around. Can't always do that by playing ultra safe and not taking on longish shots

Well said. I play boring on 7 holes at my course. That usually averages out at 7 over par. (1 x 1 putt, 1 x double bogey, that sort of thing). That leaves me 11 holes to "make" a score. I'm never going to par much over half of them, so without birdies, that's playing to 7+5 or 7+6, which is like playing off 12.5.

Which is my exact handicap... and it's very boring. A few more up and downs might get me to 10 or 11, but I can't be bothered anymore.

 

[Lydo]

Split your course up in to holes of 3. Try to be 2 over par in each section.

Or level 5s with a few 4s and 3s thrown in.