What next?

[Hunka Turf]

Just looking for some advice....

This season I have plateaued. I've probably played 12 or so qualifiers at this stage. Think I've had 6 0.1s, 5 buffers and a cut. I don't seem to be able to kick on to the lower scores.

No part of my game is outstanding, I'd say my biggest strength is that I don't really have any huge weaknesses. My swing is much more sound than it used to be, but obviously has its idiosyncrasies/inconsistencies. My short game is solid but not spectacular.

If I want to shoot lower scores, where is my time best spent? Chipping/putting and 30-100yd game? Or do I get back in to the lessons and try to groove a more consistent swing?

I feel like my golf is at a stage where if I get complacent, I'll probably hover around this handicap for a while before creeping back up. I'd like to think I could improve and get stuck in to Cat 1.

Any advice would be appreciated but it would be particularly interesting to hear from any one who has made the transition from 6ish to Cat 1? What helped you get there?

 

[mcbroon]

Just looking for some advice....

This season I have plateaued. I've probably played 12 or so qualifiers at this stage. Think I've had 6 0.1s, 5 buffers and a cut. I don't seem to be able to kick on to the lower scores.

No part of my game is outstanding, I'd say my biggest strength is that I don't really have any huge weaknesses. My swing is much more sound than it used to be, but obviously has its idiosyncrasies/inconsistencies. My short game is solid but not spectacular.

If I want to shoot lower scores, where is my time best spent? Chipping/putting and 30-100yd game? Or do I get back in to the lessons and try to groove a more consistent swing?

I feel like my golf is at a stage where if I get complacent, I'll probably hover around this handicap for a while before creeping back up. I'd like to think I could improve and get stuck in to Cat 1.

Any advice would be appreciated but it would be particularly interesting to hear from any one who has made the transition from 6ish to Cat 1? What helped you get there?

I've no business telling you how to improve but I'll give you my tuppence-worth anyway

Any Cat 1 player I've ever played with has been no worse than a good putter. Any on 3 or less have been very good putters. I've no idea what your putting is like but if it could be improved, then I'd say that more than anything will help you get lower.

 

[Hunka Turf]

Thanks mcbroon.

I'm sure I could hole a few more putts but I'm generally ok. I don't feel like I throw shots away on the green. I know it's not the best stat but I tend to have 32 putts or less a round (although admittedly I don't have many sub 30 putt rounds).

 

[scottbrown]

Number of putts as a standalone doesn't tell a story. What sort of gir do you hit?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

You can never have too good a short game, not just around the green but from 100 yards and in. That's where I'd be working on my game. Add in some work on bunkers, chipping and putting and I think you'll see improvements. As another option why not discuss your game with a pro and maybe get a one off lesson just to see if there is anything in your game that might just be holding you back. It doesn't sound too bad though if you are hitting buffers 50% of the time. There was debate on here recently about how often you should play to handicap in comps.

As another option, and something that has really helped is to look at New Golf Thinking (yes I know!!!). Until today I've not been out of the buffer zone since being chosen to attend a course with the author. It may give you a different way of looking at your game

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

I'm in a similar place to you. Clearly off your handicap you know how to hit the ball so unless there is some obvious flaw in your swing I wouldn't worry about it too much.

The obvious place to concentrate your efforts is 2nd shots and in. Work on hitting more GIR and chipping. Basically, turning 3 shots into 2 :thup:

 

[Hunka Turf]

Number of putts as a standalone doesn't tell a story. What sort of gir do you hit?

Im not sure on average GIR but thinking about the last few rounds I would say 9 would be a good day, 5 a bad day. So probably about 7 on average.

 

[Hunka Turf]

As another option, and something that has really helped is to look at New Golf Thinking (yes I know!!!).

I've heard lots about this! I'll look into it

 

[Hacker Khan]

Monkey tennis???

 

[Hunka Turf]

I'm in a similar place to you. Clearly off your handicap you know how to hit the ball so unless there is some obvious flaw in your swing I wouldn't worry about it too much.

The obvious place to concentrate your efforts is 2nd shots and in. Work on hitting more GIR and chipping. Basically, turning 3 shots into 2 :thup:

Appreciate the input. I need to have a think about whether or not I want to put the time in to improve. I'm enjoying my golf but just having too many rounds where I feel as though I've let a lot of shots go. But I guess if I want to get much lower it's going to take time and effort!

 

[needmoreclub]

Appreciate the input. I need to have a think about whether or not I want to put the time in to improve. I'm enjoying my golf but just having too many rounds where I feel as though I've let a lot of shots go. But I guess if I want to get much lower it's going to take time and effort!

I know exactly where your at m8. Come off after so many rounds hitting buffer but knowing you should've scored better, i just can't seem to hold it together over the closing stretch. Someone mentioned GIR, i reckon that's a big weakness for me as i'm averaging 5 at best, so putting extra strain on my short game, that's my target to improve on.

 

[Foxholer]

Appreciate the input. I need to have a think about whether or not I want to put the time in to improve. I'm enjoying my golf but just having too many rounds where I feel as though I've let a lot of shots go. But I guess if I want to get much lower it's going to take time and effort!

That (shots to green) is definitely the area I would see the most benefit. I got down to nearly your level with some dedicated practice but rose pretty quickly over a year or so of 'neglect' (just playing rather than practicing too) before stabilising over the last several.

If you are a Range Rat, then accuracy with the mid-long irons is probably the focus. If not, then pitching/chipping to within 1-putt range could be more productive/less boring. And putting of course. I measure my 'short game' performance by Total Putts minus GIRs - fringe doesn't count for either - and the closer to 18 you can get the better!

Either way, however, will take time and dedication. Realistically, with whatever else may be happening in your life, you need to determine whether you are able and prepared to commit to that time - or simply enjoy being a very capable golfer!

 

[garyinderry]

never bee down there myself but looking at the scores of the people who shoot those low scores you have to ask yourself if you make enough birdies? 3 seems to be average for guys shooting level and below. they fairly smarten up a card.

 

[Hunka Turf]

never bee down there myself but looking at the scores of the people who shoot those low scores you have to ask yourself if you make enough birdies? 3 seems to be average for guys shooting level and below. they fairly smarten up a card.

I definitely don't make enough birdies! The question is how do I make more! :thup:

 

[JustOne]

Im not sure on average GIR but thinking about the last few rounds I would say 9 would be a good day, 5 a bad day. So probably about 7 on average.

7 is about spot-on for a 6 h/capper, a TOUR pro will hit 13/15 greens and get up and down on the greens they miss.

If you can hit 9 greens on every round then you'd be a 2/3 h/capper (provided the rest of your game remains as is).

Chipping stone dead is your biggest area of need, do that on the 11 greens you're currently missing and you'll be on the tour

Then worry about hitting more greens in reg.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Would say chipping and putting - look at the scoring shots.

Looking at your results and you are playing well - and levelling out will always happen through a season and you will have that one good round which will knock you down a few . I would just keep on doing what you are doing , knock a few more putts in and the score will follow.

 

[duncan mackie]

putting putting putting and putting

it's that simple

the better your putting stroke and technique the easier it is to chip it dead, or in, because you know you will make any putt and the pressure is off

the better your putting the easier it is to put your shorter approach shots close because you aren't trying to put them unrealistically close every time

the better your putting the more often you will save a par from a poor drive because you won't feel the need to take on the ridiculous, or even pinch a bit of distance or angle when getting back into play. You know you have a good chance of getting down in 2 from 130 (see above) so the reward shot becomes the easy option

the better you putt the more likely you are to put your tee shot in play; you won't need to spank it unrealistic distances to play short wedges to have a chance of birdie, you won't worry if it rolls off the fairway a little because that's no longer an issue (so you will relax and knock it down the middle more often

all because you know you are the best putter out there :thup:

 

[JCW]

Its the short game pure and simple , 100 yards and in plus around the greens , I have been in cat 1 for 12 of the 16 years i have played this game , slowly going up as i don`t get up and down like before , i know more times then not if i missed the green its a bogie , that then affects the rest of my game , then there is the putting , yesterday i had 10 lip outs or shaved the hole in 10 of the 1st 11 holes , pretty hard to carry on after that , that was a bad office day so to speak , anyway always next time but the short game is the route for sure ..............................EYG

 

[Hunka Turf]

I think as a trial I'm going to try regular chipping/pitching/putting practice this summer. I tend to spend more time on the course than the range/practice ground so I'll change my approach and see what results it brings.

Don't think I'll ever have the drive of the very low guys I see at the club who spend hours on the putting/chipping greens. I think I would slowly lose all the love I have for the game!

 

[Deleted member 15344]

I think as a trial I'm going to try regular chipping/pitching/putting practice this summer. I tend to spend more time on the course than the range/practice ground so I'll change my approach and see what results it brings.

Don't think I'll ever have the drive of the very low guys I see at the club who spend hours on the putting/chipping greens. I think I would slowly lose all the love I have for the game!

Trust me you dont need to spend hours on the putting/chipping green.

Carry on spending more time on the course - you will not get a better place to learn and practice things. Find times when the course will be empty and try things out there - on bounce games try a different type of chip etc but to be consistently around your handicap and a few .1's when your are playing ok means that a good round is instead waiting to get out. You dont need endless hours of practice to being it out - by playing on the course it will come out natural - you will tee up one day and chips will drop in , putts will drop in.