Would it be realistic.....

[kid2]

........of me to try and get down to 12 before the season finishes.....

Been playing well to my handicap of late and im knocking on the door of a really decent round but im wondering am i pushing a little too hard....

Started with a handicap of 21 three years ago and im now down to exact 14.8 handicap (15)...
After 2 bad Achilles Tendon injuries on both legs iv had a few setbacks but nothing life threatening.....
Iv yet to have an actual lesson so im for the most part self taught....


Anyone been in the same situation...

 

[beggsy]

I started 3-4 years ago off 18 got down to ten last year had a bad year and gone upto 11.3 now if you wan it you will get it

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Personally I strongly believe you will only get so far on self analysis. I think if you bit the bullet and had a few lessons (swing MOT, putting and short game) it would save you lots of shots and then yes I think you could get there

 

[Tree seeker]

I was just about to post a similar question.( i hope you dont mind me hijacking your thread)


Mine was to ask what a realistic goal would be to reach by the end of the year? . I started playing a little over a year ago with the 1[SUP]st[/SUP] 3 or 4 rounds scoring 114. After a bunch of lesson and a month or so later I started scoring between the 93- 96 mark.
More recently i had an on course lesson and was told that my putter was costing me a lot of shots so I went out and brought a new one.. Then a whole new set of clubs to match. Anyway.. last month I joined up at westerham and most rounds have struggled to break 100. Am I punching above my weight thinking 17 is reachable by the winter? ( I was told I was playing to 23) I’ve yet to hand any cards in to get my official handicap though.

 

[kid2]

I was just about to post a similar question.( i hope you dont mind me hijacking your thread)


Mine was to ask what a realistic goal would be to reach by the end of the year? . I started playing a little over a year ago with the 1[SUP]st[/SUP] 3 or 4 rounds scoring 114. After a bunch of lesson and a month or so later I started scoring between the 93- 96 mark.
More recently i had an on course lesson and was told that my putter was costing me a lot of shots so I went out and brought a new one.. Then a whole new set of clubs to match. Anyway.. last month I joined up at westerham and most rounds have struggled to break 100. Am I punching above my weight thinking 17 is reachable by the winter? ( I was told I was playing to 23) I’ve yet to hand any cards in to get my official handicap though.

No bother at all Pal.


If your playing to 23 and if your course is a Par 71 then your shooting between 94 and 100 roughly, a round....
Figure out where your dropping your shots and try and tighten up that part of your game.....You need to be shooting 90 or less a round to get to 17......So your goal would be to see where the strokes are lost first and then the drop will come in time.....

 

[jammag]

To be honest with you, anything is within your grasp if you work hard for it. You will get to a certain point with your natural ability but then the hard work will come in where you have to work on your game to reach the next level.

In my opinion and people may agree or disagree but if you take a typical starting handicap of 24. I would say you can knock off 6 shots with good distance, 6 shots with good approach/iron play, 8 shots with a good short game including putting and then I feel the final 4 shots come off with good tactics, mental approach etc. It doesnt matter how you knock them off but it will give you an idea on what to get better at.

Even though I have put about how you can get down, I would not set yourself a big target for the end of the season or by a certain time as it can lead to much disappointment, set very small targets that are achievable and you can reach at a regular interval, this will enable you to get good bursts of positiveness in your game.

 

[ScienceBoy]

I got from 17 to 12 in about 8 months but it cost me about £200 in lessons and I was at the course 2-4 times a week weather and time dependant. I did a LOT of practice or played 5-9 holes during the week and then got out for 18 at least once over the weekend.

Its not difficult but its requires a lot of practice. I even spent hours putting at home on the carpet to refine my stroke.

 

[kid2]

I got from 17 to 12 in about 8 months but it cost me about £200 in lessons and I was at the course 2-4 times a week weather and time dependant. I did a LOT of practice or played 5-9 holes during the week and then got out for 18 at least once over the weekend.

Its not difficult but its requires a lot of practice. I even spent hours putting at home on the carpet to refine my stroke.

Well at the moment this year after the injuries Scienceboy i made a promise to myself that id step up the practice once the summer evenings were in and the light was there.....
I think that it has had a difference to me as im playing to my handicap every week and out of 13 comps this year iv had 7 buffers 3 cuts and 3 0.1's back i think....

The practice has definitely helped as has a few small swing changes.....
So i am disciplined enough to put the time in....Im of the thought that you'll only get out what you put in....

 

[louise_a]

Well you need a 2.1 drop to reach 12 thats 7 shots under CSS ove the next couple of months, if you are constantly close to your handicap and know where you are losing a couple of shots a round there is every chance.

Having said that I revised my target after getting close to my original one and now find I struggle to get near to my current handicap.

 

[Tree seeker]

My driving and putting are what I believe is letting me down. Driving is very inconsistent on the course and i’m more or less 3 putting every green. Maybe better course management and some more time on the putting green is needed.
I’m fortunate enough to work for myself so I’m hoping to start getting a couple of rounds in a week (weather permitting) so i’m hoping that time pays off . I think you right with setting a fairly big goal in a short space of time can lead to disappointment. I will keep you posted on my progression.

Thanks for your replies

 

[hackerjack99]

As long as you practice I don't see a reason why you can't. I do believe that if you want to get lower you will definitely need lessons.

 

[bobmac]

and i’m more or less 3 putting every green.

There's your problem.
Your wasting 20 shots a round just on your putting

 

[One Planer]

........of me to try and get down to 12 before the season finishes.....

Well I started the season on 18.3 with a 'goal' of getting to 16.

I've had 2, 0.1's back and a 0.6 reduction. now at 17.9.

I think you can do it for sure. Question is.... Do you?

 

[patricks148]

Why not a couple of goo rounds and you would be there.

I first started playing in 2006 didn't have any lessons and got from 24 to 14 within a couple of months, got down to 12 the next year but was then suck there for the next 3 years.
i then went from 12 to 8 and have been stuck on 9 the last two years, I had to bite the bullet and have a few lessons and have a comp swing rebuild. Grip, stance, everything, my swing would not hold up to getting any lower. When it was good it was ok but anything slightly off was bad, shanktastic!
I really feel i'm getting somewhere now and its all thanks to lessons.

Good luck.

 

[duncan mackie]

........of me to try and get down to 12 before the season finishes.....

if you spent less time changing you clubs and swing, get comfortable with one primary tee club and more time playing in Q competitions I would have thought that you would easily get below this mark.

 

[Alex1975]

Ye you can do it Kid, how are the injuries?

 

[kid2]

Ye you can do it Kid, how are the injuries?

Not too bad AL...Thanks for asking:thup:...
Pretty stiff the following morning after a round but thats expected....
Im carrying now as well in the hope of getting fitter and getting the strength back into them.....Cant see myself going back to a trolley unless there's a 36 hole competition or something to that effect on.