Single figures golf and how to get there.

[Backsticks]

Distance is the element with strongest correlation to handicap, and 190 to 210 drive means single figures is outside your range at the moment unless you increase it. See a pro with a launch monitor and see what they say. Maybe there is a big flaw, or you may be on the limit already. You, and the pro, need to be brutally honest on real carry distance. 14 would be a more realistic target for the moment Id say.

 

[clubchamp98]

Someone who only hits it 210 should be playing off the tees suitable for their game. If they do this, on a measured course, distance shouldn't matter as much.

That makes the score harder to shoot I would imagine.
Off our shorter tees I lose two shots I think.
So would need to shoot 70 net for par.
Our course is tricky around the greens that’s where we drop most. But even off shorter tees you still got to get it in the hole.

 

[Mike79]

I met my goal of single figures (9.something) back in 2008 before my son was born. After this, I only played a handful of rounds, until last year where I managed 5 rounds in the year. Like the OP, this year I am back with a membership and figured my handicap handicap would be around 18 and get back to single figures in a year. My handicap is actually the other side of 20, and it is a struggle. My scoring is anywhere in the 95-105 range now. Its not as enjoyable as it used to be!

Driving is ok, but the occasional big slice means some 3s off the tee or if lucky some chopping out sideways which is still a wasted shot.

Irons are striking ok, but understanding yardages with the new irons (newer lofts) leaves me regularly a club short as I feel should be hitting further. Which leads to...

Lack of feel in chipping means a few lost shots around the greens and leaving me with long puts. Which leads to...

Putting is poor (not helped by early season greens) so regular 3 putts are a killer (regular being about 50%!)

The suggestions here all look useful. The focus for me needs to be putting and chipping, as I won't fix everything at once. Those 2 areas are what cost me the most at the moment.

 

[Deleted member 1147]

If I compare my game with my mates who off handicaps in the teens, the differences are:

- I generally hit it quite a bit further
- I hit it a bit straighter (certainly fewer disasters)
- I miss hit shots less often
- I duff fewer chips & pitches
- I'm a bit better at putting than some (but not all)

 

[wjemather]

Distance is the element with strongest correlation to handicap, and 190 to 210 drive means single figures is outside your range at the moment unless you increase it. See a pro with a launch monitor and see what they say. Maybe there is a big flaw, or you may be on the limit already. You, and the pro, need to be brutally honest on real carry distance. 14 would be a more realistic target for the moment Id say.

.
Not true. There are many scratch golfers who only hit their driver about 200 yards. Distance is the easiest metric to measure and compare but on it's own, it is not a good indicator of handicap or handicap potential.

 

[RichA]

I'm mid-high handicap, like most of the guys I play with. One of our group hovers between 6 and 9.
The difference between him and us is basically natural ability. He might go and get a very occasional lesson to work on a specific element he's unhappy with. The rest of us are constantly tinkering to try to find the magical process that will shave 10 shots off every round.
For me the difference between us is that he walks up to his ball knowing what he's going to do and just hits it. When I'm over the ball I've got a dozen things going through my head: turn, left arm straight, right elbow tucked in, wrists under control, lead with the left hip, transfer the weight... The others are like me - you can see it as they stand over the ball hesitating and twitching.
I wonder how long it takes for it to become natural / muscle memory for those of us who haven't been playing consistently since a young age.

 

[adasko]

Every time you play focus on good ball striking. One shot at the time. Forget about the previous shots.
You head need clear intention for each shot exactly what / how you want to hit the ball.
Try to play as much as you can. 1 min on the course is equivalent to 100 balls at the range.
Don't get too stressed about the poorer rounds at the end of the day is only a hobby.
If your ball striking improve your scores will as well.

 

[Sports_Fanatic]

.
Not true. There are many scratch golfers who only hit their driver about 200 yards. Distance is the easiest metric to measure and compare but on it's own, it is not a good indicator of handicap or handicap potential.

You obviously get good players who can compensate for shorter distance with a fantastic short game, but I think the stats are pretty clear these days; the longer you are with driver the more likely you are to be a lower handicap.

Fit for Golf, which i know has been mentioned a few times, is worth looking at on twitter. He seemed to nail improving by focusing on being able to hammer a relatively consistent driver and then get his wedge game tuned. Took considerable dedication but they were his focus although obviously still have to be reasonable round the greens. Think he wrote an article on how he improved if you search for it.

Did a search - Handicap Improvement: From 5 to +1 In One Year. : Fit For Golf

 

[Backache]

.
Not true. There are many scratch golfers who only hit their driver about 200 yards. .

Are there? I have never met even a low single figure golfer who is this short. I'm not saying they don't exist but I suspect they are very rare. Many par 4's will be out of reach in two and some par threes can't be reached in one.

 

[Deleted member 1147]

Are there? I have never met even a low single figure golfer who is this short. I'm not saying they don't exist but I suspect they are very rare. Many par 4's will be out of reach in two and some par threes can't be reached in one.

I played with a fella who got to 9, and only hit about 220. He's the only one I can think of.
He used driver on most par 3's and F/W approaches on most par 4's.

 

[sweaty sock]

So a few decent golfers on this thread, are you saying if I only gave you a 5 iron down, you couldnt break 80?

 

[Backache]

I played with a fella who got to 9, and only hit about 220. He's the only one I can think of.
He used driver on most par 3's and F/W approaches on most par 4's.

Yup and nine is still quite a way from scratch and 220 yds is 10% over 200. I can believe that one though.

 

[wjemather]

Are there? I have never met even a low single figure golfer who is this short. I'm not saying they don't exist but I suspect they are very rare. Many par 4's will be out of reach in two and some par threes can't be reached in one.

Play from the back tees on a 6500+ yard course and they'd struggle, but play from appropriate tees and at most there would only be one or two holes out of range in regulation.

 

[sweaty sock]

For insight, the average driving distance for 6 - 12 handicappers, from the usga distance insight report. 215 yards....

 

[Steve Wilkes]

These are my carry yards measured on an indoor shot tracer which I use for an hour twice a week, they equate to what I do on the course, I'm 62 so no way now can I add yardage and just club accordingly
215 yards Driver, 178- 4 Hybrid, 152- 6 Iron, 122- 8 Iron, 98- P/Wedge, 80- Gap-Wedge
normally around the 225-230 with normal roll
These are not huge numbers, but over the last year have fluctuated between 2.6 and 4.1 Handicap Index
I used a 7 Iron for all chipping around the green and the Gap from 45 yards or more, I'm rubbish out of Bunkers so verge on the safe side going into greens
This shows it can be done if you don't have power, Two of the 3 guys I played with regular are longer in the irons and about the same off the tee and they are 14 and 19 handicap
I always say from about 5-6 Handicap to 18ish the only difference is consistency, We can all play the same shot, but more consistency means lower handicap

 

[patricks148]

.
Not true. There are many scratch golfers who only hit their driver about 200 yards. Distance is the easiest metric to measure and compare but on it's own, it is not a good indicator of handicap or handicap potential.

I'd agree, the most consistent player I know hits it 200 at most, he is over 70 and never been higher than 3 since he was a child. Plays at a course that's 6900 off the medal tees and can't reach the majority of par 4s in two. He never misses a fairway and has a mustard short game.

 

[Curls]

I think there’s an important distinction between people who have been playing for years, probably at a pretty low number and as they got older and lost distance still had enough game to manage getting around in few shots - and people starting out tying to get down to a number.

You won’t have the skill set those guys have so if they only drive it 200 and get around in single figures it doesn’t compare to your challenge. You need to get longer imo. Whether that’s a swing change or getting physically stronger I don’t know. See a different pro, because it’ll be difficult (but not impossible) to get there on your own and this one doesn’t seem to be helping you progress. He might be a good pro, just not for you.

Ps carry of 190, which is your Lower estimate and therefore probably more accurate of an average ? is too short. You’re taking long irons and 3 woods into greens that single figure guys might be taking Mid irons into and that’s a huge difference

 

[Sports_Fanatic]

For insight, the average driving distance for 6 - 12 handicappers, from the usga distance insight report. 215 yards....

Average Driving Distance: Amateur Handicap & Age Analysis [Full Guide] (practical-golf.com)

This is also quite helpful showing some stats and the correlation. Presume they are total distance with roll but really not sure; either way they aren't forum distances!

 

[Imurg]

Note to the OP..
Believe me, single figures is not all it's cracked up to be when you play as badly as I did today....you have no shots to play with and it makes you look daft..
Stick to 11-12.....

 

[Backache]

Play from the back tees on a 6500+ yard course and they'd struggle, but play from appropriate tees and at most there would only be one or two holes out of range in regulation.

But handicaps take into account course length. Our course is 6000 yds and there are three par fours at over 400 yds and a couple in the upper 300's . How many scratch golfers do you know who drive it 200 yds or less?