Milestones

[viscount17]

What are the milestones in golf?
I decided that I would use this year to learn and play as much as possible and not worry about a formal handicap (I've got the basic starter 28) until next year.
I've been playing about 8 months now and managed to get under the ton for the first time yesterday. Whether I can do it again today . . .
I've also managed a couple of birdies (on different rounds).

So what should be the next goals?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

In my humble opinion you should aim to enter as many comptetions as possible and get the handicap down. Your game will improve playing with better players (and any gaps in rules knowledge are quickly filled).

Then I guess its a question of ticking of the scores as they come down (95, 90 etc). As you improve birdies will become more of a regular occurrence as well.

However the fundamental thing is to make sure you enjoy it and take each round as it comes. Some days it will seem natural and others it will feel like you are treading in quicksand. Enjoy the good days and forget about the bad

Happy golfing

Homer

 

[John_Findlay]

Hi viscount.

I'd suggest you set yourself some goals. It's the great thing about the game. There's always another milestone to reach. But not just for scoring. Think about ball striking and maybe some other statistics too. For example, set a goal of hitting so many fairways or so many greens in regulation or taking so many putts for a round. Try to beat that next time out.

At the end of the day, none of us will reach certain milestones without good, consistent ballstriking. Lessons are the key. I've been playing for over 25 years now and it's only beacuse of lessons in the last 3 years that I've reached some of my own milestones (first hole in one, first time I've been off single figures, first 73,72,71 etc).

We all only make proper progress through being determined to improve every part of our game.

Best of luck.

 

[USER1999]

The biggest milestone to me was getting below an 18 handicap. Once you get less than a shot per hole, you feel like a real golfer at last. I guess the next one after that is single figures.

To me holes in one shouldn't be a milestone (although nice), because there is such an element of luck. Many really good golfers have still never had one. (one of my mates has had 14, and that can only be luck, I have seen him swing).

 

[GB72]

Whilst I have scoring goals galore to reach (trying to beat 90 at the moment) my background target is to finish a round without losing a ball. Fairly meaningless but never got one past the fifteenth.

 

[chipin1]

GB72, I like your idea about not losing a ball. There's always a sense of immense satisfaction when you putt out on the last green with the ball that you teed up on the first.

As far as target's go, I like to try and keep a 6 (or worse) off my card. IMHO most high handicappers can string some decent holes together but their bad holes tend to result in them scoring 8,9 or 10. If you can keep your disaster holes to just 5s, you'll start scoring well... it's not easy tho!

 

[madandra]

When I started out my old uncle looked at the 9 on my card and told me to try harder to keep a 9 off it. Then the 9 became an 8 and then a 7.

 

[viscount17]

Thanks guys,
I can definitely see my golf in there.
GB72's idea is especially pertinent to my course, Wyboston Lakes - not long but very wet. my ball has lately developed an attraction for the river on the 14th - dogleg left, river on the right, trees running up to a pond in the corner on the left.
chipin' has it right as well, there was a 10 amongst that 98. (4th - dogleg right over water (for the duffed drive) and oob up the rh side).
I guess John's advice will help me achieve the rest but in the short term madandra and GB72 will get me moving.

 

[shanker]

The great thing about golf is that there are milestones all along the way. First birdie, first eagle, first hole-in-one, first two consecutive birdies etc. Enjoy it but spare a thought for golfers like me who are going through the milestones the other way round. E.g. first time three-putting five times in a round, first time OVER 90 in donkey's years. It's still a great game, though.

 

[stevelockie]

I was going to say "my bloody putting" but then realised it was milestones and not millstones!!!

 

[madandra]

First hole in one ???

I am onto my 14th year playing this game and am still waiting.

 

[AliB]

Congrats on passing your 100 milestone and look forward to the next achievement, but don't get too hung up on it. I've got under 90 twice, but each time was a year apart with a lot of frustration in between! The idea of smaller targets is good (green in regulation etc) and someone I know has only one target each time he plays - do better than last time! that means if you have a stinker of a round, the pressure is off a bit the next time you go out.If you have a good one, aim higher.
Might be worth a try!
AliB

 

[thebelgie24]

I think the milestones come there self,its only recently ive noticed being disgruntled with bogeys which is actually what i should be playing to,these things come naturaly and i think pushing yourself to much can have opposite affect