The difference between theory and reality

[timgolfy]

Let's face it: if golf were a game of theory most of us would be on the PGA Tour. Homer may even have won a major or two.

So what's stopping us all being scratch golfers? (If anyone says "talent" I'll eat vegetables).

 

[goldenbare]

sorry Tim, but natural hand/eye coordination is definitely the answer....Carrot Stew?

 

[haplesshacker]

Time, money, dedication, belief, oh, and of course talent.

 

[Toby_LeRhone]

Practice.

 

[jammydodger]

Time
Lack of focus
No patience
Lack of talent
Physical constraints
Nonchalence
A couldnt give a stuff about scratch attitude
Family
Work
Finances

etc etc etc

 

[Mongoose]

Poor attitude and lack of work ethic is the biggest inhibitor for most amateurs. Pretty much any male under 40 of able body on an average difficulty course can get to close to scratch, just most either cant be bothered to make the effort, or love their handicap "shots" too much to wish to relinquish them. The ones that really want it get there.

 

[RGDave]

Time
Lack of focus
No patience
Lack of talent
Physical constraints
Nonchalence
A couldnt give a stuff about scratch attitude
Family
Work
Finances

Jeez. Have you been sitting in on my therapy sessions?

All of these apply to me.

 

[Macster]

Poor attitude and lack of work ethic is the biggest inhibitor for most amateurs. Pretty much any male under 40 of able body on an average difficulty course can get to close to scratch, just most either cant be bothered to make the effort, or love their handicap "shots" too much to wish to relinquish them. The ones that really want it get there.

Its called life !

IMO - it needs an enormous amount of talent/natural skill to get to scratch, its not just about a 'work/practice ethic'.

 

[RGDave]

The ones that really want it get there.

Do they?

 

[USER1999]

Mentally, we are unprepared to play to our potential.

Chocolate fire guard.

 

[richart]

I think you should answer this one Tim.

 

[RGDave]

IMO - it needs an enormous amount of talent/natural skill to get to scratch, its not just about a 'work/practice ethic'.

At last. Some sense.

I can't believe the rubbish talked about these days how anyone can do anything. It drives me mad and makes my job infinitely harder than 10 years ago. It's just NOT true.

 

[RGDave]

Mentally, we are unprepared to play to our potential.

You mean some of us aren't utterly deluded.

 

[timgolfy]

I think you should answer this one Tim.

I'll answer with another question:
Why doesn't my body do what I want it to?

 

[PhilTheFragger]

I think its best to start young, get ahead before real life kicks in.

Starting in your 30's or 40's with a job, mortgage, kids and no time is a recipe for mediocrity.

Any chance of a life re-run?

Fragger

 

[Robobum]

The ones that really want it get there.

Do they?

Agree with RGD. This forum is a decent cross section and the ones who want it the most seem to be in the groups that a furthest away from it.

Jammy is pretty spot on, although he is a bit cynical towards the game at the moment. Too many things more importantly occupy my time to devote enough effort to get to scratch.

 

[Scouser]

for me lets think..........oh yeah its about an average
of 52 shots

 

[richart]

I think you should answer this one Tim.

I'll answer with another question:
Why doesn't my body do what I want it to?

The bad news is as you get older it listens even less.

 

[RGDave]

I'll answer with another question:
Why doesn't my body do what I want it to?

The million dollar question.

Tiger was described as a "sponge", he just sucked it all up; he could do things immediately and only needed encouragement and practise (assisted by Dad etc.etc.)

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Time
Lack of focus
No patience
Lack of talent
Physical constraints
Nonchalence
A couldnt give a stuff about scratch attitude
Family
Work
Finances

etc etc etc

All of the above. I will never see scratch. I may with a change in fortune, some dedication and the will to carry on at all, get down to 9 which would do me. Is it the be all and end all. At the moment no. My verge of giving up post sums up my frustraion at not always getting back what you deserve and I'm only trying for a relatively small improvement. Take this to another level of getting to Cat 1 initially, staying there and then getting enough cuts to get to scratch I think unless you are young, naturally gifted, have access to top coaching and practice facitilites, then it is something very, very hard for the average person to get to.

I'm all for setting the bar high, reaching for the starts and all those other cliches, but sometimes we do need a reality check.