What should I focus on to get handicap lower?

[slicer79]

Currently off 6 aim is to get to 2 or lower over the next 2 years (by summer 2014)

What do ye think is the best thing to focus on? I'm guessing short game is the obvious answer.

I don't think any one area of my game is better/worse than another. The one area that might hold me back slightly is driving distance (about 240/250 off tee)

Anyone Here manage a similar drop? What did you find was key?

Any other areas to focus on? Fitness?

Any thoughts/recommendations welcome

 

[Jensen]

As you say it's short game without doubt. Chipping, pitching and putting makes a massive difference.
We all want to hit the ball further but it's the short game where you score as well you know

 

[G1BB0]

as a high capper I can't really comment but you knoiw your game best. Where do you feel you can make shots?

6 to 2 is fine margins so could be anything. probably more mental than ability tbh

 

[slicer79]

Maybe hitting more GIR would be a help I'm thinking

 

[Imurg]

If you're 240-250 off the tee then I don't think you have too much to worry about there as long as the ball is kept in play.
If I had the time and the inclination to get lower I'd practice from 100 yards in.
If you have a 350 yard hole and you hit driver 250 up the middle, the best way to lower your handicap is to wedge it dead from 100 yards.
Be comfortable getting up and down anywhere from 100 yards.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

150 yards and in and short game. If you can get close with short/mid irons to make birdies and then have a solid short game for when you miss the green you'll give yourself scoring chances. I think if you can also hole out regularly from 3-6 feet it takes the pressure off

 

[Andy808]

First thing I would do, and have, is to go out and keep an accurate account of 5 rounds. This will tell you exactly where you are losing the shots. I would think you are losing the shots from 120 yards in if you can hit a driver 250. If you haven't its well worth having a listt of the average yardage for each club so out on the course you know which one you should be hitting.
I know I'm losing alot of shots getting to the green which is what I'm working on to get my H/C down at the moment.

 

[RGDave]

This is in the lounge right?

So I can comment?

Do you ever review your round and see where you could have saved a shot or two?

I was driving terribly today, but parred half those holes anyway with a 1 putt. I was in 3 bunkers and got down in 2,3 and 4 shots, so the 4 shot one was a double bogey because was trying to save par to a short pin and only just got out the bunker, then needed 3 .

Look for patterns whether you are off 2 or 22. There must be something in there if you look.

Our lowest 2 players don't do the gym or go running or read head-shrinking books, they just work hard.

One of our lads off 5 (?) can't putt for toffee. Really, it's sad to see.

Most "normal" players of a good standard seem to carry some sort of weakness, if you don't have one that stands out like the one poor chap, keep searching. A bit more distance seems useful I guess, especially on the par 5s.....

 

[G1BB0]

it must be approach shots and scrambling? off the green how often do you get down in 2? Thats where scratch players/pro's make shots.

Also putting may be a factor, converting a 2 putt to a 1 putt here and there. Could also be course specific. Pro's hole out from 10ft on some courses but struggle on others. May sound daft but after watching the pga/ET a lot this last 12 months it makes a lot of sense.

 

[Phil2511]

Pretty much what's already been said. Our clubs lowest player is off 3 and struggles to get lower. His game from about 50yds and in stinks, his chipping and long putts are those off a high handicapper.

He just so used to hitting his irons to within 6-8 feet that when his swing is just a little off or perhaps it's windy as, his short game is not up to the standard to save his scores. Therefore he constantly hovers between 2.5 and 3.4.

 

[MadAdey]

Have a good think as to what is letting you down. I think you can do it as you are honest with yourself about your driving distance, most golfers think that they hit it a lot further than they actually do.

A few years ago when I was working hard at golf I dropped from 9 to 5 very quickly. I did it through practising everything, as I did not have any part of my game that was really strong or poor.

What is your putting like? Do you hole everything from within 6 foot? That is the money shot in golf I think. Watch the pros and they just knock them in for fun. Being able to that will take pressure of your chipping as you can afford to be slightly aggressive as you know you can knock the putt coming back in.

Good luck and I hope you can do it.

 

[patricks148]

I play with a lot of low guys 3 and under and its all about getting up and down.

The lowest guy i know is off +3 and his long game is about the same as mine, but always saves par. sinks most putts inside 10 feet within reason.
Deff short game
Good luck

 

[Macster]

As has been said, Short Game without a doubt.

But interestingly, the Mind Game is something we probably all need work on.
Case in Point: One of our Members runs his own part-time Phsycho-clinic, call it what you will. He's had training from one of the country's best, and he plays off 1/2 anyway.
However, he's been working with another of our Members who is no mean player himself, off 6.
Last weekends Medal, that Member shot a 68 (CSS69) Nett 62, to win by 6 clear shots, and that included a 7 on the last ! (Triple Bogey!)
Summat is clearly working for him, perhaps co-incidence, but I doubt it.
Would it get me from 10.5 back to Singles ? Its certainly got me wondering..........

 

[sev112]

For what my opinion is worth
Putting and Mental
No good benig good from 100/150 in if you cant put them away
A lip out from 10 ft is 20% of your handicap / shots gone
You will be faced by (i guess) 10 oprtunities for a 6 to 12 ft putt in a round - how many do you currently sink ? For even just improving that by 1 shot a round is an improvement, but if you actually get better at this part of your game, you have the opportunity to make a 3 or 4 shot difference quite quickly.
But then there is saying it and doing it

Best of luck

 

[Snelly]

I would say mental attitude, course management and every shot from under 100 yards.

I would further say that in my experience, the difference between 6 and 2 is greater than the difference between 18 and 6. As said previously, fine margins in Cat 1. 6 is a bogey every 3 holes which is not too tricky. 2 is 1 bogey in each half. Significantly more testing...... but good luck with it. A good target to aim for.

Lastly, fitness has got nothing to do with it whatsoever. Craig Stadler was and still is brilliant and also as fat as butter. Golf magazines may state otherwise but they are full of rubbish.