Realistic Handicp Target for an 18 Handicapper

[AMcC]

You are only an 18 on paper and in your mind, I reckon 13 or less is achievable for you without any doubt but it will hinge on the amount of comps you'll get to play as 5 shots is a lot to come down but not for you, it's about time you got lower

Your game is there Al, you just need to bring it out when it matters :thup:

Cheers Martin, need to think about it less lol

 

[Garush34]

I'm in a similar situation as you, playing off 19. Last year I wanted to set the target high so went off trying to get to 12. Failed and still off 19, 0.3 lower than I started the year so I still came down just no where near where I wanted to be. I think I focused too much on the number and it put me off a bit and I struggled.

This year I have decided to focus on playing good golf, and working my way around the course better. I focused my main goals on qualifying for the club championships, the 36 hole Fox and Hounds final, and getting through the 2nd round of the match play. This way I have better targets to focus on instead of just a number. Yes I have a handicap target as well but it is not the main focus. Looking to get to 16 by years end, 17.5 by the club championship which is in the middle of the comp season. If I happen to get lower than that great I will be really happy, but if not and as long as I move towards 16 I'll take some positives from it.

Like the Nike advert said a few years ago, Winning takes care of everything, if I win by achieving my goals in qualifying then my handicap should come down accordingly.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Cheers Martin, need to think about it less lol

One tip to getting down is protect against the +0.1s - use your 3 shots buffer zone. If your round isn't going to get you under par or likely CSSS just work hard to remain in the buffer zone. As I see it, the buffer zone gives you the room to play your 'average' round - so use it - and don't be a handicap boomeranger.

 

[Fish]

I'm exactly 18.0 now aftrr coming down 2.7 shots early last year, those shots took a little getting used to not being there so my sights are on 15 which I think is well in my grasp and doesn't put too much pressure on myself, anything better than that will just be a bonus.

 

[AMcC]

I'm exactly 18.0 now aftrr coming down 2.7 shots early last year, those shots took a little getting used to not being there so my sights are on 15 which I think is well in my grasp and doesn't put too much pressure on myself, anything better than that will just be a bonus.

Could be a bit of competition here Robin to see who gets down the farthest

 

[louise_a]

I found that getting below 18 was a bit of a change to my thinking as all of a sudden I didn't have the comfort of getting a shot on every hole and it took a bit of getting use to.

 

[AMcC]

I found that getting below 18 was a bit of a change to my thinking as all of a sudden I didn't have the comfort of getting a shot on every hole and it took a bit of getting use to.

I am like that just now Louise, knowing i have shot on every hole I can play bogey golf

 

[Vikingman]

Getting down is one thing, maintaining it is another.

I started last season at 15.6, had a real hot spell and got down to 11.5 by the end of May.

The change in categories was the thing I noticed, shooting 87 off 13 (cat 3) gave me 74 net which would usually buffer.

Off 12 it was 75 net and 0.1 back.

Finished the season off 13.5.

 

[MC72]

I am like that just now Louise, knowing i have shot on every hole I can play bogey golf

Pits ok having that as a fallback but if you play bogey golf you can end up scoring double bogey golf if you have one of those days. I would agree with those who've mentioned the mental aspect to it. If you play risk averse golf you could easily get yourself down a few shots. It might become boring depending on the dirt person you are. There's guys I know who play at cat1 level & chap but don't strike the ball that well, and aren't log off the tee but that doesn't matter to them they play conservative golf keeping the ball in play and have a tidy short game.

i also know guys who aren't conservative but want to get lower and the only thing stopping them is their mental approach to their round and their choice of shots. They're not happy playing safe irons or hybrids off the tee and also want to play difficult wedge shots rather 7/8/9 irons to role the ball around the green.

i got myself lower by eliminating costly shots which were generally off the tee, and also got better closer to the hole by playing easier lower tariff shots with 8&9irons. It became much easier playing to a lower handicap that way.

Good luck, you've got a great course to do it on - love playing Gailes.

 

[shun_naka]

I'm in a similar position, the last few months of last year was when I properly started getting into golf, first round was 130ish and now I've got it to 106

hoping by the end of the season I'll be shooting into the low to mid 90s regularly. Not got an official handicap yet so looking to get my general scores down. Think it'll be tough but achievable

 

[clubchamp98]

I am preparing a plan for my golf in 2017, and where I want to be at come the end of the season. How many games I want to play, courses I want to visit etc.

As the title suggests what would be a realistic handicap target for me to aim for ?

I am not averse to practicing and am currently having a lesson a month. I have played four or five times in the last couple of weeks and aim to continue playing as much a I can and aim to get to the range one night a week.

Also, what are your targets and have you achieved previously set ones within the prescribed timeframe.[/QUOTE
17 then 16 then 15 etc don't put pressure on your game do it one shot at a time.
Any reduction at the end of the year is success.

 

[Dasit]

I got my handicap of 23 at the start of October.

Now consistently shooting 88-92, but rounds not qualifying.


Hoping if I can play qualifying comps this year will get my handicap down to 13.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Maybe don't set goals. I've decided not to bother too much. I know where I'd like my handicap to go to and have an idea what needs working on to get there but I'm definitely going with the mindset that play with an emptier mind and more freedom and let the good scores come at which point the handicap cuts take care of themselves.

 

[pokerjoke]

Maybe don't set goals. I've decided not to bother too much. I know where I'd like my handicap to go to and have an idea what needs working on to get there but I'm definitely going with the mindset that play with an emptier mind and more freedom and let the good scores come at which point the handicap cuts take care of themselves.

That's rubbish Martin do you honestly expect us to believe that.

Plough you own furrow as you say but don't feed us the bull.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

That's rubbish Martin do you honestly expect us to believe that.

Plough you own furrow as you say but don't feed us the bull.

Yet more snidey digs. Wind your neck in. How do you possibly know what's going on with my game over and above the last thing on my blog which you invariably look at and suggest try and post comments on there too

 

[patricks148]

Dear boy, forget the targets,get out and play in as many comps as you can, opens the works. Enjoy it and the handicap will come right down.

 

[pokerjoke]

Yet more snidey digs. Wind your neck in. How do you possibly know what's going on with my game over and above the last thing on my blog which you invariably look at and suggest try and post comments on there too

How can they be snidey digs when I told you face to face at Hillside the same thing.

I also said you would never get lower with all the thoughts in your head have you finally started to listen.

Have not read your blog update but will do when I'm bored and take the pins out of my eyes

 

[HomerJSimpson]

How can they be snidey digs when I told you face to face at Hillside the same thing.

I also said you would never get lower with all the thoughts in your head have you finally started to listen.

Have not read your blog update but will do when I'm bored and take the pins out of my eyes

Too bored of the snidey pops. Welcome to IGNORE

 

[pokerjoke]

Too bored of the snidey pops. Welcome to IGNORE

Not half as bored as your quest for single figures ive been over the last 7 years

 

[davemc1]

Another here at 18 with ambitions to go lower. I'd say 12 great, 14 really good and 16 good.

I like the thought of working on your bad shots to get lower. Currently, driving is iffy at best. Hybrid and long irons are pitiful. I hardly ever get up and down and can't putt for toffee. That's a lot of work, or alternatively a lot of room for improvement.


When you say you only have a couple of medals per month to get your hc down, do you not have any qualifying stablefords? Played your gaff a couple of years back in some brutal weather. Cracking course, some fantastic par 3s if I remember right