what should i do?

[super hans]

i'm a 9 HCP from a well respected course in Glasgow. I started off 15, 3 years ago, playing our 2 courses week-in, week-out. Our smaller course, is a CSS 68(par 68) with mostly wide open fairways but well guarded greens. Our big course is regularly CSS 73 (par 70), is a tough tree-lined course but with massive wide open true running greens.

in 3 years, i have gone from 15 to 9, with all my cuts coming on the small course. I attribute this to me being long off the tee, but a bit wild at times.

I can go round the wee course in 77 quite regularly, but im happy when I break 90 up the big course.

do I have to change my mindset, or my course management, or something else Im not seeing?

 

[Spear-Chucker]

i'm a 9 HCP from a well respected course in Glasgow. I started off 15, 3 years ago, playing our 2 courses week-in, week-out. Our smaller course, is a CSS 68(par 68) with mostly wide open fairways but well guarded greens. Our big course is regularly CSS 73 (par 70), is a tough tree-lined course but with massive wide open true running greens.

in 3 years, i have gone from 15 to 9, with all my cuts coming on the small course. I attribute this to me being long off the tee, but a bit wild at times.

I can go round the wee course in 77 quite regularly, but im happy when I break 90 up the big course.

do I have to change my mindset, or my course management, or something else Im not seeing?

Could be anything. First, take a few rounds to figure out where you're losing out on the big course - fairways hit, GIR, number of putts etc. etc. and then think about what you need to bridge the gap. You've clearly got some good skills so record (don't just accept anecdotal evidence) where you're missing out and think about how to apply said skills better or add to your arsenal.

 

[MC72]

i'm a 9 HCP from a well respected course in Glasgow. I started off 15, 3 years ago, playing our 2 courses week-in, week-out. Our smaller course, is a CSS 68(par 68) with mostly wide open fairways but well guarded greens. Our big course is regularly CSS 73 (par 70), is a tough tree-lined course but with massive wide open true running greens.

in 3 years, i have gone from 15 to 9, with all my cuts coming on the small course. I attribute this to me being long off the tee, but a bit wild at times.

I can go round the wee course in 77 quite regularly, but im happy when I break 90 up the big course.

do I have to change my mindset, or my course management, or something else Im not seeing?

I assume its cawder youre you're a member of? Regardless if it is or it isn't I would suggest you should play the "big course" more regularly. I would also suggest arranging to play with some older single figure handicappers to find out, and to witness, how they get the ball round and play to their handicap.

I think you'll find the older single figure guys just keep the ball on the short stuff and also have very,very tidy short games and rarely (if ever) try hero shots.

if it is cawder that you're a member of then it's no disgrace struggling to play to single figures on the Cawder ("big") course as its by no means easy. It can be done though, and maybe it's just a bit of tweaking of your course management and shot selection when you play the more difficult of the 2 courses.

 

[MendieGK]

sounds to me like you're handicap isn't a true reflection of what it truly is (please don't take the offensively).

Stop playing the easy course and play the tough course. based on what you are saying, you could shoot +15 on it (based on CSS) and not go up. You'll soon improve and have a handicap that actually travels well.

My course has a similar set up, theres a few low members that go round and shoot mid to low 60s on our easy course (par 68, CSS 67) and enjoy telling people they are off 1 or 2. Get them on the main course, and they are nowhere to be seen.

I'd also suggest playing in opens at other courses. you'll get a few .1s i'd imagine but you'll improve as a golfer!

 

[super hans]

I assume its cawder youre you're a member of? Regardless if it is or it isn't I would suggest you should play the "big course" more regularly. I would also suggest arranging to play with some older single figure handicappers to find out, and to witness, how they get the ball round and play to their handicap.

I think you'll find the older single figure guys just keep the ball on the short stuff and also have very,very tidy short games and rarely (if ever) try hero shots.

if it is cawder that you're a member of then it's no disgrace struggling to play to single figures on the Cawder ("big") course as its by no means easy. It can be done though, and maybe it's just a bit of tweaking of your course management and shot selection when you play the more difficult of the 2 courses.

Well guessed MC72 - i assume you've played here then ? - being a member here gets in your head - i go round the keir playing like a 9 HCP, then a few days later play like a 18 (or worse) up top.

it messes with my head - i know the courses are different and easier/harder, but i try to play them the same way

 

[super hans]

sounds to me like you're handicap isn't a true reflection of what it truly is (please don't take the offensively).

Stop playing the easy course and play the tough course. based on what you are saying, you could shoot +15 on it (based on CSS) and not go up. You'll soon improve and have a handicap that actually travels well.

My course has a similar set up, theres a few low members that go round and shoot mid to low 60s on our easy course (par 68, CSS 67) and enjoy telling people they are off 1 or 2. Get them on the main course, and they are nowhere to be seen.

I'd also suggest playing in opens at other courses. you'll get a few .1s i'd imagine but you'll improve as a golfer!

not offended at all mendie - when i see other 9 HCP ers playing - i think im nowhere near their ability, even just now telling myself im off single figures seems crazy

 

[Slab]

Does read like there's a few reloads/tough recovery shots on the tougher course that's doing the score no favours. Maybe have a think about any pattern to which holes its happening on and what the longest club that'll get you on the fairway 9/10 on those holes if driver is getting you into trouble too often

As an aside I think its fascinating how a golfers handicap could vary by 40% playing two different courses and weird how the system is so tuned to an individuals home course when its so much easier these days for golfers to be playing multiple courses that really needs a more accurate (adaptable) handicap system

 

[louise_a]

" a bit wild at times" shorter course as wide open fairways, longer course is tough and tree lined.

From those statements I would guess that you get away with it on the wider fairways, Looks like you need to work on your accuracy off the tee.

 

[MC72]

Well guessed MC72 - i assume you've played here then ? - being a member here gets in your head - i go round the keir playing like a 9 HCP, then a few days later play like a 18 (or worse) up top.

it messes with my head - i know the courses are different and easier/harder, but i try to play them the same way

Yep, have played both courses a few times. If you take step back and have a think about the comparison of the 2 courses then I think you'd accept that there's only 3 or 4 potential disaster holes on the smaller Keir course and they're basically the ones round the perimeter where you could lose a ball with an errant tee shot. Other than that the holes in the middle and the par threes aren't difficult at all.

In comparison the longer Cawder course has some really tricky holes if you're not straight and reasonably long off the tee (3rd over the road and up the hill, and the 4 or 5 holes from the back of the clubhouse. The par threes are generally more difficult, is it the 8th where if you don't hit the green your ball is basically gone?

going by what I've just noted down above, to lay the larger course well you'd be more consistent off the tee and more accurate with your irons. On a bad day you'll get away with it on the Keir, and on a good day you'd be around handicap on the Cawder. Flip it around though and it's obvious that you won't get near handicap on the bigger course.

practice you're 5 iron, at least you'll be good for a potential 2 on the 18th on the Calder!

 

[patricks148]

I don't know the course, but i would guess there would be a few factors.

longer, tighter and with bigger greens?

play the bigger course more, it may be that your handicap will go up a bit but it will be worth it in the long run. Also try and play as someone else suggested some of the older lower handicap guys and see how they play the course.

 

[Curls]

Get on the big course and forget your handicap. In fact forget your score. Just beat the ball around and have fun getting it in the hole in as few shots as possible. After a few rounds you'll realise there are certain aspects you maybe need to improve, but don't tie it to a number. And certainly don't frustrate yourself with trying to go around in single figures. Play golf. Improve. Enjoy the process. The numbers will come down all by themselves.

Lose the label. You know what the funniest thing is? No one really cares. I have loads of friends and they don't know what my h/c is. My wife probably couldn't tell me. It isn't important, only to you, so get out there and enjoy the challenge.

 

[MendieGK]

Lose the label. You know what the funniest thing is? No one really cares. I have loads of friends and they don't know what my h/c is. My wife probably couldn't tell me. It isn't important, only to you, so get out there and enjoy the challenge.

I dont agree with that.

any golf related conversation with a stranger usually goes like this -

A - you play golf?
b- Yeah
A- Whats your handicap?

 

[Curls]

I dont agree with that.

That's fair enough Mendie, I guess I sensed a little anxiety in the post and hoped to reassure Super Hans that seeing yourself as a single figure golfer doesn't define you as a person. Off 3.2 you can happily enter into the conversation above with anyone, fair play, you've earned it. Personally I play to compete, improve, have fun. Not everyone does. And many are trying to reduce their number but struggling, the moment that starts affecting their mood then it should be nipped in the bud. How many forlorn posts have we seen on here, people giving up, frustrated, angry, despondent...

The moment you start saying "I'm a single figure golfer who can't play to single figures" then you've started down a road that will only ruin your enjoyment of the game.

Play ball, the scores will come, that's all I was trying to say.

 

[MendieGK]

That's fair enough Mendie, I guess I sensed a little anxiety in the post and hoped to reassure Super Hans that seeing yourself as a single figure golfer doesn't define you as a person. Off 3.2 you can happily enter into the conversation above with anyone, fair play, you've earned it. Personally I play to compete, improve, have fun. Not everyone does. And many are trying to reduce their number but struggling, the moment that starts affecting their mood then it should be nipped in the bud. How many forlorn posts have we seen on here, people giving up, frustrated, angry, despondent...

The moment you start saying "I'm a single figure golfer who can't play to single figures" then you've started down a road that will only ruin your enjoyment of the game.

Play ball, the scores will come, that's all I was trying to say.

I actually hate the conversation. because i dont think its possible to say a low handicap without coming across as arrogant. drives me crazy!

but yeah i absolutely agree with you, people including myself can get too hung up on it!

 

[Region3]

I actually hate the conversation. because i dont think its possible to say a low handicap without coming across as arrogant. drives me crazy!

This ^.

I used to enjoy being asked when I was 9/10/11 because you can play a little bit, but now I'd rather not be asked.

 

[SugarPenguin]

Im a pretty similar golfer. Im rather long off the tee compared to most and on open courses can break 80 even if they are long.
Narrow courses with large greens is what I struggle on.

 

[MendieGK]

This ^.

I used to enjoy being asked when I was 9/10/11 because you can play a little bit, but now I'd rather not be asked.

then they always respond with 'WOW! you're really good then? '

what are you supposed to respond to that? i usually say 'i'm alright'

 

[Curls]

then they always respond with 'WOW! you're really good then? '

what are you supposed to respond to that? i usually say 'i'm alright'

This ^.

I used to enjoy being asked when I was 9/10/11 because you can play a little bit, but now I'd rather not be asked.

I never realised this was a thing! Interesting, I never thought of it that way...

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

OK...to the struggling 'big hitters' out there......

Learn to hit the fairway with 3w/long irons off the tee. If you have the length you claim to have and your firing into big greens, hitting them with long/mid irons shouldn't be too much of a problem. Then learn to hit your first putt close. If you can do that, you'll either play to your handicap or see it come down.

It's just a bit of course management really. No point thrashing away with 300 yard drives if you are losing balls or carving it deep into the trees.

 

[Region3]

then they always respond with 'WOW! you're really good then? '

what are you supposed to respond to that? i usually say 'i'm alright'

The last conversation I had was ok actually.

Man came to fix the boiler. Wife mentions something about golf to me and he says "I play a bit too".

Me: Where do you play?
Him: I'm at so-and-so now, but last year I played on the Europro tour.

I can live with him asking my handicap now