Tips to get to Category 1

'long post' warning - read only if inclined

OP thinking to a certain extent you outlined in what you've written a bunch of factors contributing to the difficulty of moving from the current index level

but fraid make no bones it can be a ways difficult to drop below anyones current index level and for sure gets exponentially harder the lower down the index ladder folks go

currently just from the small amount already self identified there's the areas around course management, emotional control, short game around/on the green but bet there's maybes a few more factors in there also - could be other stuff leading to the pressure felt on the greens

if this being around for sometime then maybe a case of looking to seek more regular specialist help from a relevant PGA coach as often times there are those who specialize more towards the sharper end of the index, though often times too that help is a tad more expensive

but consider out of the very top PGA tour Pro's can probably be counted on one hand the number who don't have regular interaction with a Coach, everyone will name the one obvious name but maybes struggle to name 5 and certainly more than 5 straight off
there's a good reason for that to play the game at the highest level just ain't that easy

there's a world of difference to being able to achieve real good strike, or thinking the ball striking is at a pretty good level already to it actually being highly functionally good in a scoring sense

just taking stuff from what you've written there's seems some kinda issue with putting - which likely embedded in set-up and technique as well maybes as thought process - if around distance control then likely some kinda stuff around tempo and stroke length

but is from the get-go putting being put under some extra stress by irons in to green and the resulting distance to the pin norms
and/or was the best target (where on the green) chosen to leave the ball in the best place on the green, was the correct club chosen to get the distance control to pin level or a good ways too many coming up a deal short, all that kinda stuff

if the irons also part of the issue is that just an issue with decision making shot selction or also down to the ball off the tee-box not being in the best place to give the optimum line into the green

only ways to find out for sure is to monitor with rigor, reeally gotta to be tough on the after game review the real stats out in play not just an impression of, as 'feel to real' can hide a bunch of stuff in this area of the game as much as in the swing motion itself

there's only one real ways to play golf and score well once the technique is up to a certain consistent and high enough level, that's simply to stay in the present, cliche maybes, but true
the only important thing at the time is making the right decisions on the shot you got, having a good process, psr, to give the best conditions for the best shot execution - the bogey before or the bird simply doesn't exist anynore - soon as step up to the thinking box of the shot in hand there's got to be a level emotional control and just get on with the process and the definitive smallest identifiable target for whatever the shot is putt or drive, process and definition stops the mind wandering

got to enjoy the game and accept fully the challenge while recognizing the way to channel and get stuff done - approaching play thinking about lowering the index, focusing on the score, the 'buts' and 'if only's' for sure ain't goin to work out too good

got first off to be pretty ruthless in identifying the real week areas, seek help to improve them

putting set-up and technique lessons a good start - but it's not really just about having one and thinking that's it done as it won't be
chipping - pitching lessons - spend at least 65% of each practice time from 80 yards in and you got to make that competitive so have target keep score

then proper training practice if working on technique of any sort from putting through to the big stick which you simply gotta monitor with rigor only ways to do that is video it then properly analyze it both in session at the time and again in review after

have to also build in random practice to different targets replicating playing conditions, in that you mentally play golf holes
don't always hit straight out of a bay if at range have targets across the range leftfield to rightfield
hit tee-box driver, 3 metal, hybrid, long iron to those different angled targets but identify a target side of a 'fairway',
then seconds in aiming to be inside 15 feet, pitch through 20 to 90 yards to inside 10 feet, chip to inside 8 feet, on putting green hole those 8 footers from around the hole (clock) and importantly keep a score for each area of the game then you have a target every session - so practice gets competitive and you create pressure so get better at handling pressure out in play

would say find a PGA Pro who is more used to teaching at the sharp end of the index (that's not meant as a slight to any Pro out there) but some tend to specialize more than others and then have an 18 hole playing lesson - would have a convo around "I'm here at 8 but think I should be able to get to here" (Cat 1) and ask if he'll take notes and ask you questions as you go around and deliver the analysis at the end - but be prepared for some real tough eye openers

- did this when index was at 3 with a PGA Pro who had a number of Tour Pro's on his lesson book and I was looking to get to scratch and it was a pretty brutal experience for sure but also opened the ways forwards - and at 3 already had the ability to strike the ball pretty good

but rel truth is 8 to 5 is ways more than just the number 3, even more so 5 to 2 it gets significantly more difficult the lower the index as the margins become infinitesimally small
 
Foxholer said:
Were they from '3-putt country' though?! I had 3 last round, but 2 of them were from 'miles' away, so relatively acceptable! The other was only from about 20 feet (2nd putt was from about 7 feet on same side of hole!), so definitely 'unacceptable'!! :mad:

Could be that not getting close enough with your approach shots is the 'real' issue!
Click to expand...

They were long putts but I would still expect them to get them to drop in two shots. Approach shots are good, unfortunately two or three times around you will leave yourself in the 30-40 foot area.
 
bobmac said:
Are you hingeing/cocking your wrists for the long putts?
Click to expand...

I tend to try and keep my arms straight, no hinging. I feel that my stroke it's self is good but I am not able to gauge the longer putts properly. I feel like I have to hit them to get there but come up short or rifle through. Within 20 foot though my confidence has really increased and I feel I can get them. Obviously this doesn't happen al the time but I am giving them a chance more times than not.
 
the_coach said:
'long post' warning - read only if inclined

OP thinking to a certain extent you outlined in what you've written a bunch of factors contributing to the difficulty of moving from the current index level

but fraid make no bones it can be a ways difficult to drop below anyones current index level and for sure gets exponentially harder the lower down the index ladder folks go

currently just from the small amount already self identified there's the areas around course management, emotional control, short game around/on the green but bet there's maybes a few more factors in there also - could be other stuff leading to the pressure felt on the greens

if this being around for sometime then maybe a case of looking to seek more regular specialist help from a relevant PGA coach as often times there are those who specialize more towards the sharper end of the index, though often times too that help is a tad more expensive

but consider out of the very top PGA tour Pro's can probably be counted on one hand the number who don't have regular interaction with a Coach, everyone will name the one obvious name but maybes struggle to name 5 and certainly more than 5 straight off
there's a good reason for that to play the game at the highest level just ain't that easy

there's a world of difference to being able to achieve real good strike, or thinking the ball striking is at a pretty good level already to it actually being highly functionally good in a scoring sense

just taking stuff from what you've written there's seems some kinda issue with putting - which likely embedded in set-up and technique as well maybes as thought process - if around distance control then likely some kinda stuff around tempo and stroke length

but is from the get-go putting being put under some extra stress by irons in to green and the resulting distance to the pin norms
and/or was the best target (where on the green) chosen to leave the ball in the best place on the green, was the correct club chosen to get the distance control to pin level or a good ways too many coming up a deal short, all that kinda stuff

if the irons also part of the issue is that just an issue with decision making shot selction or also down to the ball off the tee-box not being in the best place to give the optimum line into the green

only ways to find out for sure is to monitor with rigor, reeally gotta to be tough on the after game review the real stats out in play not just an impression of, as 'feel to real' can hide a bunch of stuff in this area of the game as much as in the swing motion itself

there's only one real ways to play golf and score well once the technique is up to a certain consistent and high enough level, that's simply to stay in the present, cliche maybes, but true
the only important thing at the time is making the right decisions on the shot you got, having a good process, psr, to give the best conditions for the best shot execution - the bogey before or the bird simply doesn't exist anynore - soon as step up to the thinking box of the shot in hand there's got to be a level emotional control and just get on with the process and the definitive smallest identifiable target for whatever the shot is putt or drive, process and definition stops the mind wandering

got to enjoy the game and accept fully the challenge while recognizing the way to channel and get stuff done - approaching play thinking about lowering the index, focusing on the score, the 'buts' and 'if only's' for sure ain't goin to work out too good

got first off to be pretty ruthless in identifying the real week areas, seek help to improve them

putting set-up and technique lessons a good start - but it's not really just about having one and thinking that's it done as it won't be
chipping - pitching lessons - spend at least 65% of each practice time from 80 yards in and you got to make that competitive so have target keep score

then proper training practice if working on technique of any sort from putting through to the big stick which you simply gotta monitor with rigor only ways to do that is video it then properly analyze it both in session at the time and again in review after

have to also build in random practice to different targets replicating playing conditions, in that you mentally play golf holes
don't always hit straight out of a bay if at range have targets across the range leftfield to rightfield
hit tee-box driver, 3 metal, hybrid, long iron to those different angled targets but identify a target side of a 'fairway',
then seconds in aiming to be inside 15 feet, pitch through 20 to 90 yards to inside 10 feet, chip to inside 8 feet, on putting green hole those 8 footers from around the hole (clock) and importantly keep a score for each area of the game then you have a target every session - so practice gets competitive and you create pressure so get better at handling pressure out in play

would say find a PGA Pro who is more used to teaching at the sharp end of the index (that's not meant as a slight to any Pro out there) but some tend to specialize more than others and then have an 18 hole playing lesson - would have a convo around "I'm here at 8 but think I should be able to get to here" (Cat 1) and ask if he'll take notes and ask you questions as you go around and deliver the analysis at the end - but be prepared for some real tough eye openers

- did this when index was at 3 with a PGA Pro who had a number of Tour Pro's on his lesson book and I was looking to get to scratch and it was a pretty brutal experience for sure but also opened the ways forwards - and at 3 already had the ability to strike the ball pretty good

but rel truth is 8 to 5 is ways more than just the number 3, even more so 5 to 2 it gets significantly more difficult the lower the index as the margins become infinitesimally small
Click to expand...

Thanks for our points Coach and the time taken.

I do feel that my strike is good. In a round there are a couple of times that I come up short or go too long. This is generally down to misreading the wind strength etc. Last night I had one where, expecting the ball to run out I hit a 4 iron, 3 iron would be too much. Unfortunately it checked when I didn't expect it. I tend to think of these as things that can happen to us but try to learn from it. For instance softer 8 rather than the full 9. It's the decision making that is causing the issues in these circumstances.

I do try to focus my practice and avoid just smashing drivers. I spend time dialling in distances with wedges, working on chipping and pitching, bunkers etc.

I like the round lesson idea and have considered it often. I have thought though that this will revolve around course management with a couple of points on technique but more an 'advice' on how to play the course. Regular lessons are however something I need to take on and commit to. Again I have a degree of fear of mass changes to my swing that leave me all over the place.

My frustration is that I know I have the potential to be a very good golfer. I drive accurately and long, my irons are good. Putting is a bit Sergio and my chipping is reasonable. When it's on, I play well, score better than my handicap but have 1 or 2 holes where I blow up. Once you are at 6/7 that blow up takes away a buffer that you just can't lose. Even worse when you get lower.
 
Jamie obviously i'm not cat one, but having dropped my average scores considerably this year,( in the last month really) it is no doubt down to the improvement of my putting. I genuinely think I've knocked 5-6 shots a round off, just on the green alone. The two changes I have made are as follows.

I changed my normal size grip, for one of those mid sized Winn grips. the difference is immense. putts inside 10 ft feel like a doddle. Give that some thought if you don't have one already.

The second change was how I approached my putts. I can't remember which video it was, but was probably a Rick Sheils or Peter Finch one I watched. I picked up some great advice from it, from the guy whose putting studio it was filmed in.
I know its advice that is given all the time but I hadn't been doing it for some time. And that was to get down behind the ball and picture the ball rolling towards the hole, imagining it taking the break. if it doesn't seem right in your head, adjust and imagine again.
Quite often, on severe breaks, I move a foot sideways, to see the ball starting out on a wider path and then follow the line to the hole. The key thing though, and this is the most important part, is once you have decided on the line, you have to believe it is the line, 100%. Even if it isn't, just believe you have picked the right line. You put a much better stroke on the ball. The rest is down to pace, and you know what you have to do to sort that.

Since employing the above, and the earlier drill I mentioned, I haven't 3 putted once. Something I only achieved for the first time, 3 rounds ago. (I think)

Best of luck buddy, hope you make it. I'm chasing down cat 1 too, just from further away.
 
bobmac said:
You should never hit a putt, it should be a smooth stroke. Just make the backswing longer
Click to expand...

I play with a shorter backswing than follow through, should this be more equal length on both sides? My worry with a long backswing is that I have a history of quitting and not committing to the shot
 
TonyN said:
Jamie obviously i'm not cat one, but having dropped my average scores considerably this year,( in the last month really) it is no doubt down to the improvement of my putting. I genuinely think I've knocked 5-6 shots a round off, just on the green alone. The two changes I have made are as follows.

I changed my normal size grip, for one of those mid sized Winn grips. the difference is immense. putts inside 10 ft feel like a doddle. Give that some thought if you don't have one already.

The second change was how I approached my putts. I can't remember which video it was, but was probably a Rick Sheils or Peter Finch one I watched. I picked up some great advice from it, from the guy whose putting studio it was filmed in.
I know its advice that is given all the time but I hadn't been doing it for some time. And that was to get down behind the ball and picture the ball rolling towards the hole, imagining it taking the break. if it doesn't seem right in your head, adjust and imagine again.
Quite often, on severe breaks, I move a foot sideways, to see the ball starting out on a wider path and then follow the line to the hole. The key thing though, and this is the most important part, is once you have decided on the line, you have to believe it is the line, 100%. Even if it isn't, just believe you have picked the right line. You put a much better stroke on the ball. The rest is down to pace, and you know what you have to do to sort that.

Since employing the above, and the earlier drill I mentioned, I haven't 3 putted once. Something I only achieved for the first time, 3 rounds ago. (I think)

Best of luck buddy, hope you make it. I'm chasing down cat 1 too, just from further away.
Click to expand...

Thanks Tony, I am going to try the drill and have been spending more time looking at lines. Also have a similar putter grip so hopefully all steps in the right direction!

Good luck to you too!
 
jamielaing said:
I play with a shorter backswing than follow through, should this be more equal length on both sides? My worry with a long backswing is that I have a history of quitting and not committing to the shot
Click to expand...
If your backswing is too short for the long putts, you'll have to 'hit' it which is hard to control.
You should keep the same tempo........back and through.

[video=youtube;GsfxDNNxcNc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsfxDNNxcNc&list=PL7Uf2W3sfvqYBJ3OUldKvQT7 ZWYEmPOyW&index=13[/video]
 
Apart from just generally improving all aspects of your game (!), the biggest thing for me in getting to cat 1 was (almost entirely) eliminating double bogeys. At cat 1 level these just kill you. It was a mental shift for me instead of always chasing the green to save par after getting out of position I recognise that sometimes the risk of a big number is too great. I try to weigh up now the chances of pulling off the rescue shot versus the risk of disaster.

Not saying I don't still make doubles but they are much rarer than before.

It's also interesting how often you can save par with a good approach and a single putt after laying up from trouble to a good spot. Get the short game into a good state and trust it when you need to.

The way you hit the ball it's definitely only a matter of time before you make cat 1, just cut down the daft mistakes IMO.
 
For what it's worth, you've identified an issue with putting which gives you something concrete to work on. Other than that I'd be looking at 100 yards and in and all things short game and developing a better golfing brain to work out a way of getting it round even on bad ball striking days. Good luck with your efforts and again for what it's worth, a good winter of constructive practice and I think you can get there in 2017
 
jamielaing said:
HELP NEEDED!

I started the season off 8.3 and had two great medals to get me close to my target of playing off 5.0 or less by the end of the year. I was sitting pretty at 5.9 with the whole season ahead of me. 10 0.1s later and I've got my form back and am sat at 6.7. The last three medals I have played well and feel like, barring a little bit of luck and a mistake here or there I would be going round in level par. I keep shooting buffer though.

Anyone that has made the move to category 1 do you have any tips that can help me get there. I had a couple of 3 putts which obviously makes a big difference and I am working on that but anything else would be greatly appreciated.

I thought this would be easier for me than it is!
Click to expand...

Be patient, i am in similar position i started the season at 7.5 reached 5.5 now after a 3 week holiday and about another 6 medals i am at 5.9, i just remember its one good round required, I bear in mind what has got me down to this "5.5+" level and it will come, (as long as the practice and enthusiasm is there, and a bit of good fortune helps)
 
bobmac said:
You should never hit a putt, it should be a smooth stroke. Just make the backswing longer
Click to expand...

I was given the same advice by my pro, and it's helped my lag putting massively - it took a while to get the confidence of a long back swing, but I'm now much better from long distance than I was, when I was trying to hit it harder.
 
I don't know your game at all OP, but I'll assume you can hit a decent ball and give you the slight benefit of how I did it...

1. Consistency is a valuable commodity; you don't have to be a stellar ball striker but work on the areas where you're weak and bring these up to a good enough level - you'll figure out what good enough is. Keep swing changes and thoughts for the range and for the course use what you have on the day. One simple, generic swing thought such as 'tempo' is fine

2. Have a go-to shot off the tee for when conditions aren't helping or you need something to fall back on - perhaps you're playing great and want to keep it in play on the difficult 17th tee! I have a couple; a cut with the driver or punched draw stinger thing with a hybrid

3. You cannot practice the short game enough. 120 yards in is key; set yourself challenges and always practice to a very distinct target. Know the distances/shapes/heights you hit shots with 3/4 clubs to an exacting level

4. Don't take stupid risks, know your limitations and plot your way around the course within them. The doubles will evaporate (barring the odd calamity we're all victim to occasionally) and the birdies you make will determine how good your score is. This element (for me at least) was difficult and needed steely determination.

5. Finally the really important bit, think like a cat 1. Think you are one; be confident, accept mistakes instantly, learn to pick yourself up quickly if it's not going great, enjoy hitting great shots and reliving them during downtime, watch and listen to others making mistakes and resolve not to repeat them. There's lots more to this and read up on the really insightful instructors like Rotella et al.

To get to around 7-8-9 hcp means you can hit really good shots, the difference between that and cat 1 is thinking skills and a little consistency. Nothing more. I've not commented on putting at that's hugely personal but from looking at the posts bobmac is talking good sense as usual.
 
I think it depends on the golf course your getting your handicap from. i know many cat 1 golfers that are never what I would class as a true cat 1 golfer. They play courses that are a bit longer or tricky greens and they fall to pieces. personally on my course i have to be straighter with my driver to get lower than my current handicap. I can be the best putter in the world but if I'm hacking out the rough all day it wont make any difference
 
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