Tips to get to Category 1

[NWJocko]

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.

This is a very good post, I'll take heed of it myself as lost the plot a bit in the last few weeks!! :rofl:

FWIW, I went from 7 to 5 last year and it was pretty much entirely down to improvements 100 yards and in. Meant I was still confident of a good birdie chance on par 5's I had to play as 3 shots but also getting up and down for pars if I was in a fairway pot bunker or wayward tee shot. I actually hit the ball worse now than I did when off 7/8 but score better (in the main).

Also, don't get too hung up on doubles as they will happen. My 2 best comp scores this year have had doubles in them and I've also hit buffer with 3 doubles and a treble! You need to be making birdies to compensate.

Good luck. :thup:

 

[SammmeBee]

Delighted with this input. Really helped me out and I'll be delighted to report back when it's directly contributed to my success.

Thanks to everyone who has given real contributions, all taken on board and will apply.

No problem at all - I would concentrate on hitting it closer from 150 to 200 yards which in turn will reduce you long putting woes......

 

[User62651]

Play the percentages - put the driver away and play for exact distance left into greens. Know what you can't do - reduce risk and get those double bogeys to bogeys. Focus on the short clubs for scoring - develop a clock system for distances for each club to take feel out of it and science into it. Tape those distances onto the shaft.
Take plenty club on iron shots and rid yourself of any macho desire to always hit the shortest club you can, as most trouble is at front of greens.
Invest in a GPS if you haven't got one.
Putting key - if you can't get to be a good putter you probabaly wont make cat 1. Get a practice mirror, discover which is your dominant eye etc. Do lots of round the clock putting from 4 feet - have to hole 12 in a row or you start again etc.
Focus focus focus at all times pre shot but relax between shots.
Enjoy it or it wont happen.

 

[3565]

Some great advice on here from the coach, spear chucker and hobbit. Like hobbit says play BETTER golf, your hc will take care of itself, AND DO NOT get hung up on your hc, worse thing ever!

Lowering your expectations levels as well will go a long way to achieve where you want to go. It doesn't mean not to care but don't put unnecessary pressure on your performance levels.

 

[AMcC]

Read this thread with interest.

The points mentioned and advice given could equally apply to almost anyone trying to get their handicap down.

Best of luck Jamie

 

[jamielaing]

A step in the right direction today. Looking like a 0.6 cut to 6.1 thanks to embracing some of the advice on here.

Annoyingly I am still making stupid mistakes. Sitting pretty at +3 through 16 and stood on the 17th tee (par 5, reachable but water left and oob right). I have convinced myself that 3 iron is the way to go. Today however I hadn't hit it as well as I'd like and hadn't hit a bad drive all day so out came the driver. OOB obviously. Cost myself a stupid double and the chance to get close to cat 1.

Still, happy with my ball striking, putting and most notably chipping.

Onwards and upwards folks. Thanks for the advice, it's taking me the right way.

 

[davemc1]

A step in the right direction today. Looking like a 0.6 cut to 6.1 thanks to embracing some of the advice on here.

Annoyingly I am still making stupid mistakes. Sitting pretty at +3 through 16 and stood on the 17th tee (par 5, reachable but water left and oob right). I have convinced myself that 3 iron is the way to go. Today however I hadn't hit it as well as I'd like and hadn't hit a bad drive all day so out came the driver. OOB obviously. Cost myself a stupid double and the chance to get close to cat 1.

Still, happy with my ball striking, putting and most notably chipping.

Onwards and upwards folks. Thanks for the advice, it's taking me the right way.

I dont get what your stupid mistake was? If youre hitting one club better than another...


Maybe thats why im off 18

 

[jamielaing]

I dont get what your stupid mistake was? If youre hitting one club better than another...


Maybe thats why im off 18

Should've stuck to what was planned. Trying to get the birdie when par had me in a good position. Ultimately I was hitting my 3 a bit shorter than normal for some reason so that was the safe option. Could've got the birdie being on in 3 anyway but +3 going down the last is a good option. Throw in the birdie on 18 and there's a full shot cut.

 

[davemc1]

How would you feel if you messed the 3i up?

Personally I think you made the right play :thup:

 

[Deleted member 16999]

I dont get what your stupid mistake was? If youre hitting one club better than another...


Maybe thats why im off 18

I see what Dave is saying here, it's hindsight that made it a mistake, surely you felt more confident standing with Driver than 3 Iron, maybe you could of used a 5 or 6 Iron to guarantee you avoided trouble,
Don't be too hard on yourself, store it away and take the positive of 3 over after 16.

 

[Spear-Chucker]

Good going OP, getting yourself in a great position to score is most of the battle. We'll all make odd mistakes or get a rogue swing occasionally - that's part of being human (I'd like a quid for every time I've done something like that - but on the flip side there's been many times I've nailed it in that position too).

React well, learn from it and forget it. Keep enjoying the process, sounds like you're doing great.

 

[User62651]

Give the club choice you made was there not something between driver and 3 iron to hit, 3 iron is arguably the hardest club in the bag to hit, a hybrid or 5 wood may have been the play given you were perhaps feeling the pressure a bit (as we all do) when a good score is in the offing late on and it was a par 5 with OOB a possibility off the tee and driver will slice/hook more than a more lofted club.

Given the same situation again what shot/club would you choose? That's learning!:clap:

Me - choke down a little on a 3 wood for control and swing smooth! 200 yds easy.

 

[jamielaing]

I dont get what your stupid mistake was? If youre hitting one club better than another...


Maybe thats why im off 18

I see what Dave is saying here, it's hindsight that made it a mistake, surely you felt more confident standing with Driver than 3 Iron, maybe you could of used a 5 or 6 Iron to guarantee you avoided trouble,
Don't be too hard on yourself, store it away and take the positive of 3 over after 16.

It is hindsight but the mistake is there from the start. The plan is to hit 3 iron. Stick to the plan and the outcome should be better.

 

[jamielaing]

Good going OP, getting yourself in a great position to score is most of the battle. We'll all make odd mistakes or get a rogue swing occasionally - that's part of being human (I'd like a quid for every time I've done something like that - but on the flip side there's been many times I've nailed it in that position too).

React well, learn from it and forget it. Keep enjoying the process, sounds like you're doing great.

My main positive on this is that I had 2 doubles and was +4. Those mistakes gone and its at the level I am striving for. Also bounced back with a birdie after 17. That's a small win for me and hopefully I can keep going with them.

 

[Spear-Chucker]

My main positive on this is that I had 2 doubles and was +4. Those mistakes gone and its at the level I am striving for. Also bounced back with a birdie after 17. That's a small win for me and hopefully I can keep going with them.

:thup:

 

[Deleted member 1147]

OP, regarding the 3 iron or driver choice on the par 5 17th:

One question I think you should ask yourself is, whether you're choosing the 3 iron so that you can avoid a mistake, because you are wanting to get to cat 1, or because it is your best chance of scoring a low score on that hole?

I only say this as you are clearly playing well, to be at +3 after 16 and on the verge of cat 1. Are you planning on playing differently to hang onto your score or to score better, what is your normal thought process, attacking, defensive, a mixture depending on the hole etc etc?

I ask this because it is something I ask myself quite often. My 17th is a good birdie chance, but a poor drive and you're shafted. Should i go for the 3/4 or try to guarantee the 5? What if I 3 putt, then it's a bogey and I'm incredibly annoyed?

 

[jamielaing]

OP, regarding the 3 iron or driver choice on the par 5 17th:

One question I think you should ask yourself is, whether you're choosing the 3 iron so that you can avoid a mistake, because you are wanting to get to cat 1, or because it is your best chance of scoring a low score on that hole?

I only say this as you are clearly playing well, to be at +3 after 16 and on the verge of cat 1. Are you planning on playing differently to hang onto your score or to score better, what is your normal thought process, attacking, defensive, a mixture depending on the hole etc etc?

I ask this because it is something I ask myself quite often. My 17th is a good birdie chance, but a poor drive and you're shafted. Should i go for the 3/4 or try to guarantee the 5? What if I 3 putt, then it's a bogey and I'm incredibly annoyed?

Worth considering. I think that you should play every hole whichever way you have worked out to give you the best chance of a certain score most of the time. This is where course management is so individual. There are some holes at my club where I would rather have a 50 yard shot than a full wedge in because it gives me a better chance. Other holes I would rather the full club so will take an iron off the tee.

Looking at this hole in particular;

The 17th at my club is 515 yards. There's water on the left at landing distance and the fairway slopes towards this. There is OOB tight right. The line to take is right hand side of the fairway. I'd you are 15 yards right of that you risk OOB. If you are left you could go in the pond. If you get it right your drive can go far with the slope and leave a 5/6 Iron in.

The other option (for me) is 3 iron off the tee. It is still just about reachable with a 3 wood second shot however this is still a risk.

For me, this is a birdie hole. I have eagled it twice this season so it is a rewarding hole. However this is all based on the drive. This is a real risk reward hole. So while it is a birdie hole. I'll take 5 any day. I think the option going forward is 3 iron, 3 iron and try to pitch close for the 4. Once you are on the fairway the risk reduces vastly so you can be aggressive.

I also think once you are having to discuss with yourself whether to be safe or not you should go safe. Once it's in your head it's dangerous.

I know what you mean, if you go on to bogey having tried to play safe it is annoying. But as people say often, it's about putting yourself in good positions as much as making the score.

Ask yourself this- if you hit driver, how often will you a) birdie b) par c) bogey d) double or worse out of ten?

If you play an iron what's the answer to that question? There may still be a few birdies to be had.

This is the state of mind I want to achieve. It's easier said than done though.

 

[Deleted member 1147]

A good, reasoned and rational answer.
Just remember going forward why the iron off the tee is the right choice and don't change your mind.
Good luck in your quest for cat 1.

 

[MadAdey]

Your aim, in my opinion, is to play better golf, not aim to get the handicap down. If you concentrate on the golf shot, not some abstract number, you'll play better. If you put pressure on yourself to hit a particular score you'll start chasing scores mid round instead of 'chasing' shots.

Imagine you're 4 over after 12 holes. Do you think about the end score or the shot you're about to play? Is it, "I mustn't drop another shot?" Its a cliché but play the shot, not the hole. The score for the hole and, subsequently, the round will look after itself. And if you hit good shots, the end score will be good.

Getting ahead of yourself in golf, writing the winner's speech or projecting a score, is the quickest way to screw up.

Couldn't agree more. What has got me to make the jump from high single figures to cat 1 is playing better golf. I've always had the tools for it, but never played good enough golf. The best tip I have for you is this:

Have a better attitude to what is happening and do not get frustrated when a hole is going wrong, it will cost you shots. Know when to go for it and when not to, accept your going to make bogey and do not try and force the par on a hole where it has gone wrong, you could still make par with a good 3rd shot or putt. If you do, then you will stop getting the dreaded doubles on your card. The best example of this was me on Sunday.

SI 1 and I fluff a 4i off the tee and leave my self 250 to the green. Left with 2 choices, rip a 3w from the light rough with water 50 yard short and 10 yards right of the green, or hit a 5i short of the water and play for the bogey. 5i was the choice, hit it well, then the hit my GW onto the green. Just missed the putt and holed out for bogey. Even though I made a mess of the hole, I never got frustrated or annoyed and concentrated on the shot I was about to play.

I could have tried the 3w option but there was the risk that I was going to put it in the water, drop for 3 and then hit my 4th in a really pee'd off state of my mind. screw the 4th one up and end up with a double or triple.

Play better golf is what being a low handicapper is all about. Ability to hit a ball will only get you so far IMO.