Rapidly improving golfer aged 63

[PhilTheFragger]

As many of you know, I am a high handicapper with a catalogue of medical issues, both current and historic. Aged 63 and on 1 May I dropped down to 3 days a week working.

12 months ago my index was 25.4
9 weeks ago it was 24.5

In the last 9 weeks I have put in 12 scores, 8 of which make up my counting scores on WHS. my index dropped to 22.7

This has now triggered a handicap review and they have knocked another 2 off my index down to 20.7

In terms of actual shots, off the whites I was getting 31, now 25
Yellows was 29, now 24

I have no idea what triggered the review, but hopefully there is a bit more in the tank. I’ll let you know tomorrow

It just shows that even if you are a crap player, even if you are decrepit, you can still improve at this game

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Sorry, but unless you have a goal of +10, you aren't trying

Having fun is the most important thing.
I myself have gone up 10 shots in the last 5 years, 3 of them this year.
Of course being self employed and then having a little fall has helped
Well dont btw

 

[GG26]

As many of you know, I am a high handicapper with a catalogue of medical issues, both current and historic. Aged 63 and on 1 May I dropped down to 3 days a week working.

12 months ago my index was 25.4
9 weeks ago it was 24.5

In the last 9 weeks I have put in 12 scores, 8 of which make up my counting scores on WHS. my index dropped to 22.7

This has now triggered a handicap review and they have knocked another 2 off my index down to 20.7

In terms of actual shots, off the whites I was getting 31, now 25
Yellows was 29, now 24

I have no idea what triggered the review, but hopefully there is a bit more in the tank. I’ll let you know tomorrow

It just shows that even if you are a crap player, even if you are decrepit, you can still improve at this game

Well played Phil.

Sadly I am going in the opposite direction. 14 months ago my HI was at a low of 16.1. It is today 20.2 and by Sunday it could be close to 22.0 as my good scores are now dropping off.

 

[wjemather]

As many of you know, I am a high handicapper with a catalogue of medical issues, both current and historic. Aged 63 and on 1 May I dropped down to 3 days a week working.

12 months ago my index was 25.4
9 weeks ago it was 24.5

In the last 9 weeks I have put in 12 scores, 8 of which make up my counting scores on WHS. my index dropped to 22.7

This has now triggered a handicap review and they have knocked another 2 off my index down to 20.7

In terms of actual shots, off the whites I was getting 31, now 25
Yellows was 29, now 24

I have no idea what triggered the review, but hopefully there is a bit more in the tank. I’ll let you know tomorrow

It just shows that even if you are a crap player, even if you are decrepit, you can still improve at this game

Good playing and good luck keeping it going.

Fwiw, the extra reduction sounds questionable.

 

[AliMc]

As many of you know, I am a high handicapper with a catalogue of medical issues, both current and historic. Aged 63 and on 1 May I dropped down to 3 days a week working.

12 months ago my index was 25.4
9 weeks ago it was 24.5

In the last 9 weeks I have put in 12 scores, 8 of which make up my counting scores on WHS. my index dropped to 22.7

This has now triggered a handicap review and they have knocked another 2 off my index down to 20.7

In terms of actual shots, off the whites I was getting 31, now 25
Yellows was 29, now 24

I have no idea what triggered the review, but hopefully there is a bit more in the tank. I’ll let you know tomorrow

It just shows that even if you are a crap player, even if you are decrepit, you can still improve at this game

One of my mates Brian, who's around the same age as me 67 ish and was Scratch when he was younger, now off around 6 played a senior open with a guy who had been very good, off around +3 or +4 but now off 2 point something, he was having a bad day and Brian, in general conversation, asked him when he became 'crap', he said when he turned 70 it was like falling off a cliff. So I reckon I've got 3 or 4 years decent golf in me before I hit the downward spiral, you've got a few more years Phil so make the most of it

 

[sunshine]

Well done Phil. Remember, you’re only ever 8 rounds away from scratch.

Looking forward to following your blog dedicated to your sponsors and the journey to scratch. Like and subscribe

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Well done Phil. Remember, you’re only ever 8 rounds away from scratch.

Looking forward to following your blog dedicated to your sponsors and the journey to scratch. Like and subscribe

The Road to Mediocrity

 

[Tashyboy]

I know exactly how you feel. Last couple of rounds I have played really well except stupid decisions Or shot selection have cost me good reductions. The golf has been good but my golfing mentality is rammel.
Keep it going fragger. Be interesting to hear the non bias Imurgs view

 

[Imurg]

Good playing and good luck keeping it going.

Fwiw, the extra reduction sounds questionable.

Another cut today maybe suggests not...

 

[wjemather]

Another cut today maybe suggests not...

Although a reduction is achieved simply by beating out the 8th best score differential (often 2 or 3 over handicap, or more); just 34 or 35 points is almost always enough unless a strong counting score is being lost from the most recent 20.

The idea isn't to try and limit players to scoring a maximum of 36/37 points when playing their absolute best - which is what Phil's reduction looks like. No-one should need to achieve a score they've managed just once in over 2 years in order to play to handicap.

NB: rapidly improving juniors and new golfers are a different proposition.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Shot 97 today off the whites , for 35 points
Reckon I’m a bit closer to mediocrity than I was this morning

 

[clubchamp98]

One of my mates Brian, who's around the same age as me 67 ish and was Scratch when he was younger, now off around 6 played a senior open with a guy who had been very good, off around +3 or +4 but now off 2 point something, he was having a bad day and Brian, in general conversation, asked him when he became 'crap', he said when he turned 70 it was like falling off a cliff. So I reckon I've got 3 or 4 years decent golf in me before I hit the downward spiral, you've got a few more years Phil so make the most of it

I’m 68 and think it’s happened early to me.

 

[AliMc]

I’m 68 and think it’s happened early to me.

I'm 67 and a half at the end of this month and I think it's happening to me too !

 

[Hobbit]

I thought you were a lot older…

 

[PhilTheFragger]

I thought you were a lot older…

I've had a hard life

 

[louise_a]

your handicap committee must have done it, unless you had a round that 10 or more less than handicap, but they should have notifyed you before making the change

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

67 in August I'd like to get my HI down to 6.7. My current is 7.7 and lowest ever 6.8...I know I can do it (though not by my birthday - but in the year following it) as I know that I am still improving and I'm a better all round golfer than I have ever been - and I've been playing (with a handicap) since 1984.

 

[louise_a]

I got down to 7.8 when I was 70, now 73 and 13.1, I can still have the good holes but i have lost the consistency and throw in 2 or 3 rubbish holes neatly every round.

 

[Imurg]

If I'm honest I don't really have much enthusiasm for getting much lower than I am...been bouncing between 5 and 8 for a few years now and when I do get lower - 4.3 is my best - it's just bloody hard work staying there.
I'm a streaky player...I'll have several bad rounds and then throw a couple of spectacular ones and that's what keeps the index low. Example..haven't broken 80 in 10 rounds...and that means there's a couple of good ones around the corner
When I'm not swinging well it's so hard to score with so few shots...

 

[PhilTheFragger]

If I'm honest I don't really have much enthusiasm for getting much lower than I am...been bouncing between 5 and 8 for a few years now and when I do get lower - 4.3 is my best - it's just bloody hard work staying there.
I'm a streaky player...I'll have several bad rounds and then throw a couple of spectacular ones and that's what keeps the index low. Example..haven't broken 80 in 10 rounds...and that means there's a couple of good ones around the corner
When I'm not swinging well it's so hard to score with so few shots...

Where did I put that tiny violin