What Handicap is a good golfer

[Golf is fun]

Personally haven’t come across anyone who was working on their swing to “fit in”. If anything, modern golf has moved miles away from the perfect swing idea.

It's not that rare there are loads of people trying to make a swing change based on seeing their swing on video or something a mate has observed without having an expected outcome from making that change apart from being mysteriously better. They can't tell you what launch characteristic the change will alter, and why this will make them score lower.

On top of this there is a subset where the change could have an identified positive impact, but the person doesn't or won't put in the effort to make the change. That is they only practice one hour a week and want to make a complete swing overhaul, in theory the change is for the better but in practise they'll never make the change.

Golf is a very strange sport in how it ignores or resists a lot of sports science (although recently this is starting to get a lot better), and does things because "traditions" yet also has people who love the advancement of tech and science of the equipment.

 

[clubchamp98]

Clubhead speed.
If you have it naturally it’s a gift.
You can up your speed through training but imo the best players have it naturally.

 

[sunshine]

Extending the question slightly - what’s the most “unattainable” skill that the good players have?

Two things:

1. The ability to get the most out of their game, grinding out pars and birdies without playing any amazing shots but just being solid.
2. Effortless power, swing looks slow and smooth but clubhead speed is immense.

 

[Voyager EMH]

Clubhead speed.
If you have it naturally it’s a gift.
You can up your speed through training but imo the best players have it naturally.

"I'm the urban golfer baby, I got clubhead speed.
I got everything I need."

Inspired by,
1968 Neil Innes

That's what my brother and I sung circa 1969/70

 

[Orikoru]

It's not that rare there are loads of people trying to make a swing change based on seeing their swing on video or something a mate has observed without having an expected outcome from making that change apart from being mysteriously better. They can't tell you what launch characteristic the change will alter, and why this will make them score lower.

On top of this there is a subset where the change could have an identified positive impact, but the person doesn't or won't put in the effort to make the change. That is they only practice one hour a week and want to make a complete swing overhaul, in theory the change is for the better but in practise they'll never make the change.

Golf is a very strange sport in how it ignores or resists a lot of sports science (although recently this is starting to get a lot better), and does things because "traditions" yet also has people who love the advancement of tech and science of the equipment.

But there is a reason why the 'textbook swing' became the textbook swing surely - because it works? I have been making changes based on what my swing looks like, in a roundabout way - because it looks wrong. And that was making me hit it wrong. Any change I make is for more consistency in strike and/or direction, but if your swing looks better as well, there's a fair chance your swinging better. If you can make a funky swing work well then all power to you, but a lot of the time they'll be lacking consistency.

 

[Golfnut1957]

Two things:

1. The ability to get the most out of their game, grinding out pars and birdies without playing any amazing shots but just being solid.
2. Effortless power, swing looks slow and smooth but clubhead speed is immense.

Plenty of golfers have had this trait, but the one that always sticks out for me was Ian Woosnam. Persimmon head, steel shaft and 300 yards effortlessly.

 

[Golf is fun]

But there is a reason why the 'textbook swing' became the textbook swing surely - because it works? I have been making changes based on what my swing looks like, in a roundabout way - because it looks wrong. And that was making me hit it wrong. Any change I make is for more consistency in strike and/or direction, but if your swing looks better as well, there's a fair chance your swinging better. If you can make a funky swing work well then all power to you, but a lot of the time they'll be lacking consistency.

The thing to be careful of here is that correlation may not be causation. Having a good impact and hitting the ball well may make some parts of your swing look a certain way, making parts of your swing look a certain way may not give you a good impact. High level players often have lots of things in common, but also lots of difference, the main thing is they all produce good impacts and all have appropriate match ups for how they swing. You wouldn't teach anyone Schefflers footwork, Rahms backswing, DJs wrist positions, Furyks everything, Wolfs backswing, Matsuyamas pause, John Dalys overswing, Jacks flying elbow, Palmers helicopter, the list could go on. Imagine if these players had focused on making their swings prettier instead of working with what they had. That's not to say people shouldn't change their swing, but if they do it should always be for defined functionality, not aesthetics.

 

[clubchamp98]

Plenty of golfers have had this trait, but the one that always sticks out for me was Ian Woosnam. Persimmon head, steel shaft and 300 yards effortlessly.

Fred Couples and big Ernie were my faves.

 

[clubchamp98]

Plenty of golfers have had this trait, but the one that always sticks out for me was Ian Woosnam. Persimmon head, steel shaft and 300 yards effortlessly.

I met Woosie on holiday once .
One of the nicest people I’ve met.

 

[rulefan]

When you think of a good “club Amatuer” what do you see as their HC

Anything better than mine

 

[harpo_72]

Fred Couples and big Ernie were my faves.

I was lucky to see Els, Price , Montgomery at the match play .. what stood out was the tempo. Els is just sublime I wanted to swing like that and will always want to, the newer golfers are throwing themselves at it with all these jump moves etc .. but less is more.
I guess I have wasted a bit of time with this stuff and now I am just going back to basics. Set up correctly and get my tempo working. I am getting pretty consistent more than I have been for a while. My best golf is when I don’t think about my swing … which means it’s just a tempo and fluidity that takes over. I suppose I can do it on the range, but on course it’s paralysis by analysis.
So good golfers can shut off .. disconnect from their surroundings focus on something that positively impacts their swing or game..

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

"I'm the urban golfer baby, I got clubhead speed.
I got everything I need."

Inspired by,
1968 Neil Innes

That's what my brother and I sung circa 1969/70

When my swing got fast, or my walking between shots got too fast, mine was and still is the 59th Street Bridge Song. If you know you know. And it’s not about getting back in the groove - though it might.

 

[Rlburnside]

Golf is hard anyone who gets to single figures is a good golfer in my eyes.

 

[Mel Smooth]

Golf is hard anyone who gets to single figures is a good golfer in my eyes.

I'd agree with this - there's no margin for error. When I go round with the youth he simply can't make mistakes that cost more than one shot. 3 putts, balls in the water, balls OB will ruin a round for him. To get to single figures, you have to be consistent, and good in all aspects of the game.

He plays regularly with a kid who's 11, and plays off 10.5 - factoring in his age, and size, he is a very good golfer - it's something we need to bear in mind for both junior and senior golfers who don't have the distance that most players do.

 

[Oddsocks]

Who defines a good golfer? A 20 handicapper could see a single figure handicapper as a great golfer. Whereas a 2 handicapper could see an 8 handicapper as a hacker. Very subjective answer.

Personally, I'd rate some 11,12,13, etc handicappers as good golfers, as I watch them play and love their ball striking and consistency. Clearly there must be other areas that let them down, but I still rate them higher than myself in many aspects. And I'm in single figures, lower handicap than them. And I'm a terrible golfer as far as I'm concerned.

This is where the topic is subjective, I’m off 10 and strike it like a tart!

 

[Voyager EMH]

This is where the topic is subjective, I’m off 10 and strike it like a tart!

I play fairly frequently with a chap who cannot reach our 202 yard par-3 with his driver.
Handicap 10.3
He is good.

 

[Voyager EMH]

When my swing got fast, or my walking between shots got too fast, mine was and still is the 59th Street Bridge Song. If you know you know. And it’s not about getting back in the groove - though it might.

I find being drowsy and ready to sleep somewhat of a hindrance when playing golf.
But that is one of many tunes I hum to myself from time-to-time.

 

[Slab]

And for me there's a huge difference between a good golfer and a good player
But for a handicap, a good golfer is playing off single figures


(or one shot less than whatever liverpoolphill is off just now )

 

[The Squirrel]

Fred Couples and big Ernie were my faves.

Never saw Fred Couples live but I know exactly what you mean even off the telly. Seemed to be swinging in slow motion and yet the ball fires out massively faster than the visuals of the swing would suggest. Must be some very good sequencing, timing and ball striking all working in near perfect harmony - something just beyond the regular golfer. That or it was witchcraft.

 

[Oddsocks]

I play fairly frequently with a chap who cannot reach our 202 yard par-3 with his driver.
Handicap 10.3
He is good.

I don’t recall us playing

I think my acknowledgement of a good golfer is more about consistency. All golfers irrespective of level will have a weak point in their game, but someone who’s WHS record doesn’t look like an ecg in my opinion has to be deemed half sensible.

I’ve seen great 20 cappers that are awesome ball strikers that either can’t chip or simply have no course management.