Low teens to single figures

[Jack991]

I was in a similar position to you last summer went from 13 down to 5 over the summer and think it was mainly down to thinking more off the tee which meant hitting less drivers as hard as I could and playing more 3 woods and irons to try and put my main focus down to hitting the fairway, then I practiced my short game relentlessly, most of us can all hit good drives and approaches but most of my shots were saved from making more up and downs and holing out within 5ft

 

[ScienceBoy]

Same plan as me, I am 12 at the moment and can knock it around the mid 80s on an average day, mid 90s on a bad day and low 80s on a good day. I am yet to break 80!

For me I need two things, good game 120 yards and in, safe reliable game to get me inside the 120 yards.

I am participating in a weekly group session which is really helping. I know how to swing a club so all I need are little bits here and there to improve, for example my most recent tweak was to close my shoulders a fraction. That cost me the same as a burger meal and I got 200 range balls as part of that cost too!

If you can find a budget way to get regular checks like a "practice club" you can do it. To get to single figures all you have to do is make 2 pars and a bogey ever 3 holes. That means your short game needs to be in tip top condition and your game from 120 yards in needs to be setting up makable up and down chances.

Then its a case of just playing intelligent golf. Always look to get yourself into a place to make an up and down if you cannot SAFELY reach a green, my cut off is about 160 yards carry or it is lie dependant.

 

[Curls]

went from 13 down to 5 over the summer

Kudos!!!!

 

[golfdub]

I see there is plenty of us in the same boat then. Some of the things that people have said have made it sound very simple and is a eye opener such as I'm only 3 putts away from single figures, 3 putts! Also 2 pars and a bogey every holes sounds good as a confidence booster.

group pratice sessions sound like a good cheap way of some tuition. When I was grinding away online poker I would join a Skype group to discus strategy and review some plays I think maybe a group of people who have around the same handicap could pratice together and learn of each other would be a big help.

 

[Wayman]

Practice short game that will always get your score down

 

[Jack991]

Kudos!!!!

Playing most days after school and most weekends probably helped too....

 

[ScienceBoy]

Playing most days after school and most weekends probably helped too....

Im between jobs so I go to practice club (group lesson) once a week and play 2-3 times a week, usually 18-27 holes.

All to get ready for Woburn in March lol

 

[Curls]

Playing most days after school and most weekends probably helped too....

Fair play chap, there's no way I can commit that sort of time so I'll be more realistic about my progress

 

[Hobbit]

Practice short game that will always get your score down

Especially putting

 

[Wayman]

Especially putting

Haha I still can't get over that putt on 15 yesterday

 

[scratch]

3 words for the OP

Short game, course management and concentration.(erm...make that 6 words)

That is all you need to get down to single figures.

Good luck :thup:

 

[Region3]

I've improved a few things since I was playing off 10/11, but the thing that got me down to single figures initially was putting. After that was chipping.

I probably hit the ball as well off 10 (2 years ago) as I do now off 6. The difference is short game. It's like all the stuff our parents told us when we were kids, you don't believe it until you find it out for yourself and then wished you'd listened!

Oh, and the pressure I put on myself to 'break through the 10 barrier' definitely didn't help either. Take the pressure off yourself, if you're good enough it will happen without you worrying about it.

 

[drawboy]

I totally agree with Captain Ron I'm having a rethink on course management this year on the 4 lowest stroke holes at ours I'm stopping going for them in two unless I spank the drive and get to below a 5 iron. I will play three to the green and then if close enough hope to stick it in one if not then I will use my shot get 5 and walk off no worse.

 

[USER1999]

I have no idea.

I was off 12 for the best part of 20 years, and then in one season got cut to 9. I have stayed there for 2 years, but am hovvering on 9.4 at the moment.

Clearly my natural level is 12. I'm just struggling to get back there!

 

[HawkeyeMS]

I was in a similar position to you last summer went from 13 down to 5 over the summer and think it was mainly down to thinking more off the tee which meant hitting less drivers as hard as I could and playing more 3 woods and irons to try and put my main focus down to hitting the fairway, then I practiced my short game relentlessly, most of us can all hit good drives and approaches but most of my shots were saved from making more up and downs and holing out within 5ft

13 to 5? Your at school or college right? Plenty of time on your hands?

 

[Curls]

13 to 5? Your at school or college right? Plenty of time on your hands?

See his next post

Still, pretty good eh?!

 

[Nashy]

Lessons!

Was playing off 12 and hadn't had a lesson since I was a junior, new teaching pro started at Aldersey (Stuart) and it all kicked off from there!

Great advice this for anyone trying to improve. Once you start to see results of you lessons and you realise you can play to couple less than your handicap it just happens more and more. Then you look at what you next need to improve. "Keep getting better!" Is my motto, you can always get better!

The other note is having known Cookie for most of my life. I know once that last thing clicks he will be off 0-1. The trouble for me is I will end up buying the chips even more often!

 

[Imurg]

For me it was keeping the ball in play.
I've always been a decent putter and always had a tidy short game. I leaked shots getting myself into trouble off the tee.
Once I sorted that out I dropped fairly quickly to 8 from 13. After that it's been small improvements in everything that got me down further.

 

[FairwayDodger]

It took lessons for me. I had a very unorthodox swing and got to 10 but was pretty inconsistent - too any wild shots - and I probably wasn't going to get any lower than that. Took it back to basics.... more turn, less sway and improved greatly. Having more lessons over the next couple of months and hoping that'll help me go lower.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Got to 10 with a swing I couldn't control and no short game. Now got a better swing and a about to find a short game in the next few weeks so I hope that 2013 will be stellar. I think there is a 6-7 in there but for now 8 is the first staging post