The day you realised you'd always be a hacker?

[HawkeyeMS]

For me today was the day.

I played in our monthly s'ford this morning with a chap playing off 4. Now I've played with Cat 1 golfers before, plenty of times and seen some good rounds of golf. But I think I can quite honestly say that what I saw this morning was quite possible one of the best rounds of golf I've ever had the pleasure to witness. It wasn't spectacularly low but the most effortless 71 (1 over) I've ever seen. 2 bogeys and a birdie on the front, 1 birdie and a bogey on the back and 13 of the easiest pars I've ever witnessed. To top it off, the guy was struggling with a bad back and was clearly in pain, not able to take any practice swings.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm still desperate to improve and still think I can get to 8 or maybe 7 but watching this chap play this morning made me accept what in the back of my mind I've always known. No matter how good I get, I'll always be a hacker.

When did the reality hit you?

 

[ScienceBoy]

Same thing happened when I saw my unlce go round in level gross (6 handicap), he made no mistakes, found every fairway and most greens. Nothing spectacular at all, looked very boring, there was no flair or any daring. It was just consistent and easy.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Spoke with Knocker after I got in and he said the same thing. 39 point off 4 and he didn't metaphorically break sweat. Mind you I also heard you bought a few putts for a change. Shame the driving left you. Sounds like me. Same as Thursday. Never got anything going but hitting OB with the opening tee shot is never going to set the tone

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Spoke with Knocker after I got in and he said the same thing. 39 point off 4 and he didn't metaphorically break sweat. Mind you I also heard you bought a few putts for a change. Shame the driving left you. Sounds like me. Same as Thursday. Never got anything going but hitting OB with the opening tee shot is never going to set the tone

Wasn't a great day for me ball striking wise, especially with the driver which is odd. I made a few changes to my stance with the flat stick and it made a big difference. 15 putts on each 9 after 3 stabbing the 1st for bogey.

 

[MashieNiblick]

Had a similar experience paying with a scratch guy at out place a few years back.

Shot 2 over, didn't even look like it was difficult. Struck the ball beautifully and missed a load of putts.

He also missed the buffer zone.

Different game.

 

[RGDave]

I'm not falling for this Hawkeye. You know a hacker and a "hacker" are two different things.

Unless I'm misunderestimating your short game, you know form comes in fits and starts. I bet people have played with you on a day when you've pretty much peached every shot and still walked off not exactly close to par, but what could/should have been. I bet your lowest scores (maybe your 10 best rounds of all time) were not even close to "hacker-worthy".

Chin up mate.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

I'm not falling for this Hawkeye. You know a hacker and a "hacker" are two different things.

Unless I'm misunderestimating your short game, you know form comes in fits and starts. I bet people have played with you on a day when you've pretty much peached every shot and still walked off not exactly close to par, but what could/should have been. I bet your lowest scores (maybe your 10 best rounds of all time) were not even close to "hacker-worthy".

Chin up mate.

Not down about it at all, just come to the realisation that I will never play golf as well as what I witnessed today. In a strange way, I think it might help me, we'll see.

Of course you're right, I have played some good rounds of golf which would make people question the validity of my h'cap, I had what I consider to be a bad day today an shot 83 which isn't exactly "hacker" golf but there is my best golf ans there is proper golf - and there is a chasm between them that I will never cross. I'm happy to admit that, it doesn't bother me as like I said, deep down I have always known it but openly admitting it to myself and the forum feels like taking a bit of self applied pressure off.

Whatever it was, it was a joy to watch.

Plus, Fulham 5 Norwich 0, QPR 0 Swansea 5. Anyone seen the Premier League table today :rofl: Today has been a good day

 

[kev_off_the_tee]

I'm a hacker mate. I haven't got time to play an practice to lower my HIGH handicap so I'm in it for the fun. I've hit massive numbers and low 90's.

I've played with other high handicappers who score better than me but cannot hit the ball as far as me, likewise I've played low teen handicappers who never hit over 200 yards. I have just learned to play my own game and enjoy golf. If I had time, I'd be half decent and If I reduce my handicap fair enough but life goes on regardless

 

[Evesdad]

Yep everytime I play!! Yes I can play some good stuff but can't string anything together consistently. It can be a joy just to witness it, I also play for the enjoyment of the game and have stopped beating myself up over bad shots, they will always happen. On Wednesday I hit what I believe was my best ever drives, measured at 272 yards straight as an arrow down the middle of the fairway. It went further than when off the yellows let alone from the very back of the whites. These are the things I take heart from lol!!

 

[Deadlydan]

What has always made me wonder is how do you know how low you can go?
Maybe if one small thing clicks it could turn into effortless golf for you too?
How can you know that "this is it, as far as I can go"?

 

[RGDave]

What has always made me wonder is how do you know how low you can go?
Maybe if one small thing clicks it could turn into effortless golf for you too?
How can you know that "this is it, as far as I can go"?

It's a good point. I stopped once I'd reached where I thought I was about as good as I could be. That wasn't very good to be honest, but it was a watershed moment.

Second time around, I have a different attitude. Can't fully explain why, but I have no interest in the number on my h'cap card, other than if that is the right number for my game.

 

[19thagain]

The lovely thing about golf is .. it is me v the course ( taking in nature as I play - how tight the lady members wear their trousers nowadays, for instance!)

I think we are all born with differing abilities and this therefore makes it an uneven sport from the outset. I would suggest that a 79 from one player is equal or better than a 71 from another due to the differing mental/sporting makeup of the respective individuals.

I often play on the driving range next to a 75+ portly gent - if I could only bottle his swing and timing. No effort, just lets the club do all the work and the ball exits right from the bay and swings gently back onto the centre again. Maybe his club selection may be different to the 'raw steak' players on here, but by using his club selection he is still able to pepper the flag.

Hackers we will always be if that means we are comparing ourselves with better players but we can truthfully be satisfied with our play when we compare it to our own abilities. Thank God!

 

[kid2]

Hawkeye,
Last week i soaked up as much of Fred couples swing as i could....I was watching it on my phone, i was practicing the same tempo in my practice sessions.....Everything felt nice smooth and lazy......I was hitting the same soft fade with every club in my bag...I had a consistent miss...My putting was nice and relaxed.....Every time i swung the club i could feel the club head in the swing....I didnt care how good the shot looked...I just concentrated on smooth effortless swings....

I shot 2 under last sunday and won our medal....Although i was 9 over standing on the 10th tee i played our back nine in 3 over gross.....All with the same tempo...
Today i went back to my usual swing....A more mechanical one plane swing....It feels powerful rigid and i hit some great shots with it but it felt like i was fighting it the whole way round the course....
Today i shot a 90......And im really pissed after it....Iv set the bar so high for myself that my expectations are a little above my playing level at the moment...I know ill get better and more consistent and will get low but i have to keep trying to find a nice smooth tempo..........RE: Shaft question in "ask the experts"
Iv gone back to a regular shaft to try and slow my tempo down a little.

 

[AmandaJR]

Never - or at least I've not thought that ever. I've had days in the sun when I've felt anything but a hacker and played to a 5 handicap and that's my potential and something I believe I can do more consistency with more experience and practice. Today my long game was off but, following a lesson on Thursday, my lofted chip shots were a delight and not those of a hacker

 

[bladeplayer]

Kinda like yourself Hawkeyes , played with a 2 handicapper , out drove him most of the time, but he'd smoothley stroke his second on to the green & the putts that didnt go in were tap ins.... if he did get in trouble he played to lay up distances & just got on with it, i think it was how simple he made the game look or something , even the good shots i hit seemed HIT his seemed stroked (if ya know what i mean)

there is a young boy in our club, off 2. something now , he was -6 through 12 the other nite & finished -4..if i play realy well i finish bout +2 ... reality is a beech isnt it ha

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Kinda like yourself Hawkeyes , played with a 2 handicapper , out drove him most of the time, but he'd smoothley stroke his second on to the green & the putts that didnt go in were tap ins.... if he did get in trouble he played to lay up distances & just got on with it, i think it was how simple he made the game look or something , even the good shots i hit seemed HIT his seemed stroked (if ya know what i mean)

there is a young boy in our club, off 2. something now , he was -6 through 12 the other nite & finished -4..if i play realy well i finish bout +2 ... reality is a beech isnt it ha

This is the point I was making. It's not that I don't think I can improve and it's not that I can't play good rounds of golf (not that I have done much of it this year) and it's not the score. It's the way the game is played, The way the ball is hit and the consistency it is hit with, in relation to that, I'll always be a hacker

 

[TheJezster]

Being fairly new to the game, I dont really understand the term hacker. Different people seem to use it in a different context to others. Does it mean you cant improve and stuck on a certain handicap? Some people seem to think it's around 20+, others mid teens and some others even high single figures!

I've no idea, and not ready to say I cant improve anymore. I'm off 18 now and in a team comp this morning went round the front 9 in one over for 26 points and was playing really well, some good stuff, and my putting was excellent. Ok I didnt stay at that level for all 18 holes, but still played. That said I know I can improve on that so i will keep trying. It's a great game. Frustrating at times, but great nonetheless

 

[Andy808]

About the time I put in my last card for my handicap!
Love playing, can play well, but not consistant enough the get anywhere near single figures and it doesn't bother me in the slightest!
My goal this year is to get to 18 from 26 at the start of the year and I've only got 2 shots to go. My long term goal is to get to about 15 and I will be a happy golfer.