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43 Comments
I just want to play well enough to win some money off my friends once in a while. I find that is more enjoyable and fun. I don't have the physical attributes to improve more than I have. I think Rick hit it on the head. Good conversation guys. Thanks
I'm wondering if he was scoring himself easier and as he got better he started to keep a more accurate score, so he's still shooting a 95 but it's a true 95 instead of shooting a 95 with a breakfast ball and a mulligan here or there and a couple gimmes near the hole, etc.
This is me!!!!!😅😅😅
Same for me go round between 92 and 101 more consistent with pars and the odd birdie but my putting and short game need improving if I’m to do any better can get near the green in 2/3 but getting it in the hole takes another 4 sometimes 🤯
What helps me is to either keep an app or do it on my scorecard where I evaluate the hole after I’m done. So I noted not just that I bogeyed the hole, but that I three putted or shanked my drive. It helps put the bogey into context.
I did almost exactly what this guy did, and in the last couple years I definitely have improved, but what really helped my score was to eliminate the 'train wreck' holes that I'd get a triple or quadruple bogie on, and what I did to do that is, if I hit a shot that got me in trouble, just take your medicine and get back in the fairway. Bad shots lead to more bad shots. Wasting a shot to get back into position is better than wasting 3 shots trying to get cute and trying a shot that has a low percentage of working. I went from being thrilled at shooting in the 80's to feeling like I shot a total suck game if I shot over 85, basically in one season.
I always have 2 to 3 bad holes, 3 and 4 overs shooting in the high 80's. What can I do, mentally to reduce those to a bogey or even a double bogey? Most of these holes if I would have just shot par, that would get me in the 70's for the first time!
I can relate to this big time this year. I'm in my 3rd year of playing as an adult. So far this year I have played the most golf at ever at this point in time for a year. I have been making improvements on my swing I have noticing that I'm making much better strikes on my ball. But the score is still staying roughly the same. I am able to identify a little bit where the problems are coming, Which can frustrate me because I know it's right there if I can get it all to click. But it is such a fun and challenging game
The better I play, the worse I score. When I’m not hitting so well I think I manage the course better. As soon as I feel I’m hitting better I think I’m Rory and start going at every pin and dropping shots everywhere. I had a 5 year break due to injury and came back to golf and made it to 5 handicap in 4 months because I wasn’t as good and my expectations dropped. I’ve went back up to 8 now I’m hitting better. It’s a funny game…. Never underestimate course management. ☹️
Recently read that in general a pro’s game is 43% putting and chipping. For us amateurs its probably even more. That says alot where to lay our training 👍🏼
I'm in the same situation – I have improved my golf game over the years, but my scores haven't gotten much better. It's really frustrating. I think this is caused by *overconfidence*, which causes me to take risky shots for which I have a low probability of success. This often causes me to hit balls out of bounds, in the water, in the bunker, etc.
Rick, Wouldn't a Great video or a series of video's be, a short game lesson from your good friends Pete, Matt and Andy. I am PGA teaching pro from Hemet CA. The yips on chipping is something that i am familiar with but am overcoming it. I would believe that they would be willing to give you each a something special to help you get through this. Your confidence will come back quickly. Good Luck and Routing for you
I would guess the short game is shit. Ball striking improved leading to more 2 putt pars and thinking your playing better but when the swing isn't clicking you blow up. Work on having a consistent chip game and that will drop scores forsure.
I tried ricks tip of playing more stableford – especially if on my own – rather than always counting just score. It’s made a big difference to my game. Shifted from rarely breaking 100 to regularly breaking 90. Might not work for everyone but definitely helped me. Thanks Rick!
Handicap is always interesting, a lot of golfers misunderstand the aim of a handicap and submit only their best scores rather than an average for a fair reflection of their standard. Agree that ball striking can seem an improvement but as mentioned there are so many layers to decent scores, course management/shot selection is massive. Also think a lot comes down to personality, Guy mentions people reaching a standard they peak at, believe there are a lot of golfers who can reach a reasonable handicap self/online taught but don’t progress further as they don’t feel lessons are for them, perhaps lack confidence, shy away from being watched, perhaps don’t think they’re ‘good enough’ for lessons in the first place.
I mean I thought about the in club competitions I’ve been playing for about 5 months I’ve hit 104 with 103 then 95 96 etc but been under 96 for last 2 rounds. I thought about doing a roll up which they do each week which I think my game could get on a bit better hopefully. the coarse I joined was extra tight which I think helped me a lot I hope you could help with this lads 👍
Exactly what happens to me .
Hitting better but barely improving my scores.
Think with me 1st started comps 5 yrs ago handicap 17 got it down to 10.5 now which I think is where I am good n bad days as always but only practice before rounds as dont get time due to work so I feel I'm ok at that love to get to single figures been there but distance not got never really have but happy with 10.5 handicap from where I started comps
Just won, on Tuesday my first midweek monthly medal, very proud of myself, with also the lowest score off the white (longest tee). Note, we have 3 division connected to handicap index, i was 25.4 and scored 95, par 72.
Some people say they are practicing a lot. Getting better. Buying new clubs. Watching your videos. They are not actually training, practicing the proper way, understand the dynamics of the swing and cause and effect of what their body is doing. I play with people who swear they are 7 hcp and really good. But their swing and body dynamics legit can not produce those scores. It’s hard to judge how good you are, and how consistent. And you also don’t understand what playing well is, until you spend time around seriously skilled people. That’s where the playing in club comps could work for some people. Gives you a better idea on where your at
Course management…I got a lesson years ago on course management. My ball striking was no different but my handicap went from a 12 -13 to 7 -8. Learn to think your way around a golf course…be aware of conditions and where you want to hit the shot and where you want to avoid. I carried a handicap around 7 for years and was quite satisfied with that. To get better was to start practicing more which I had NO time to do. Given the time I had for golf and my handicap…I was happy with it. I was always able to shoot about 80 with a goal of breaking 80.
I know I want to improve my technical skills, and get the slice ironed out, get more consistent striking and all that, but seriously, I enjoy the game but I know I'm probably never going to be able to invest the time to be a competition level player, and that's okay with me. I golf to remember the good shots and laugh about the bad shots.
Golf is really fun and I love playing. I will play as much as possible with friends or as a single. But golf isn't life, there is way more to it than your handicap.
I believe if you are a 15 handicapper and you play with other 15 handicaps every week you will all plateu. If that 15 handicap starts playing with a 5 he will get better 100%. Even if he only learns course management he will massively improve.
Want to get better? Play with better players
He might have improved his swing, but his strategy may not have.
I'm looking to improve in my game. I drive the ball well, my iron game is good, but my short game sucks, which is where I need to improve. With me it's not about tournaments, handicaps, or turning pro, it's only about one thing, improvement. I'm getting there, but it's a long hard slog.
I think what the person was talking about, in his games improvement, was literally hitting the ball better. What happens is whe people hit the ball better, they are now left with different shots. Lets say it's a par 4, If you hit two bad shots (lets say 150 yards), That leaves you a short chip then one put, that's a par. When you've improved your ball striking, your second shot will probably be longer out, with a harder shot at getting close to the hole. Another good ball strike could still leave you a 2 put. And the result is par. On a side note, the most important part of the game is putting! And it's probably the least practiced. Which also causes scores not to go down.
The biggest things I started keeping track of when I hit a bump in the road like this is marking my tee shots that end up in the fairway and then greens in regulation because that’s what really makes the difference just because you get better doesn’t matter if you still hit the green in the same amount of shots aside from the fact it looks and feels prettier
Playing competition improved my game. Taught me to manage the course and really knuckle down on each shot, but have a laugh between shots, even if I am going to look for the ball. I only concentrate hard when playing the shot. Before joining a club I never broke a 100. After 2 years I played of 9.
I am 61, and did not start golf till I was 37 and joined the club when I was 40, when I felt confident enough to at least stand on the tee and actually get the ball forward.
My current handicap is 16, but that is due to a bad back injury which restricts my long game. But I have a decent short game, plus I enjoy the walk and the people.
Course management could be the problem
You can actually get better without lowering your handicap. A good way to measure that is the anti handicap. Take a look and see if your worst 8 of last 20 scores are getting better even if your best is not better.
It only takes two bad holes to completely ruin your score. I usually have those on the first two holes.
Something I've experienced recently after buying new clubs, the pro who fitted me, taught me how to draw the ball to gain a little distance has tweeked my swing to a point where I'm always drawing or even hooking the ball. I can't seem to get rid of it. Golf is so frustrating
Hey, I'm a 10 handicapper in Belgium. I tend to do around 10-12 pars per round at my home course on a good day. What I notice when I play with slightly higher handicappers, let's say 10 to 20 handicappers, is there's a huge skill gap. It takes much more skill for me to do pars than for them to do bogeys.
Or sometimes I get a par just like they did, but mine is a tap-in par from 5-10cm and theirs is a long-ish putt to get par.
The scorecard doesn't tell the whole story. Like how many really good birdie chances did I have? I'd say on average I get a look at 6 or 7 birdie chances from under 10 feet per round. Or sometimes I lose a ball and then still manage to do a heroic bogey. I think there's a huge difference between 'improving' and improving scores.
Most of the time when I feel like I have played a great round, the scores just don't reflect it, so I totally relate to this video.
Keep up the interesting content Rick!
I use Arccos for this, it shows me, statistically what is happening, it takes my ego and only playing golf for two years point of view out of the equation.
Under the new system your handicap is basically your playing average not your best. Under the previous system it was closer to your potential best. I play in comps now knowing that even if I get 36 or 37 points I know it wont be enough to win. All my top 8 scores are in the last 2 months but there's plenty out there who still have a best score from over a year ago. The new system would only work if higher handicappers took the avarage of fewer of their best rounds (5 out of 20 rather than 8 out of 20) and handed in cards more regularly.
I’ve been playing for a year and a half and felt the same with my score not improving much. I really put more thought into my course management and now my scores are improving.
Sometimes it comes down to time. Best I ever played was a 6 or 7 handicap. I was hitting the range 1-2 times a week and playing once a week. I couldn’t commit any more time than that to the game and the lower your score, the more effort it takes to get better. So that was my limitation there
For when I started playing better scores I had to identify my limitations and play to my strengths. Examples: par 5 you have 300 yards into the green 2nd shot.
layup shot of 150 = 150 yards to green
layup shot of 175 = 125 yards to green
layup shot of 200 = 100 yards to green
Let ur lie dictate what club you play not ur ego.
For me when the pin was in the front I layed back for full shot to be able to stop the ball close if I tried to knock it up by the green and left it say 30 yards short the next shot always ran out to the middle or back of green because no spin.
If the pin was in the back 30 yards short was ok I could land it on the front or middle of green and it would run to the back pin.
If in trouble off of tee GET the ball back in play at all costs. Learn how to play low punch shots. Get shot to have in ur bag.
Main key for me is always try to be pin high with my scoring clubs. Less likely to 3 putt… If you have a real difficult pitch shot don't get cute and leave it short in the rough put it of the green and make a par or bogey at worse. Limit ur mistakes.
Best lesson my Dad told me. We were playing a par 71 course and I had never shot under 90. He said bogey every hole and you shoot 89. I thought cool that sounded alot easier took the pressure off. I did shoot my first round in the eighties that day… An 89 lol…
With regards to scores I find it more uplifting to myself to see how many over par I am through 9 or 18. So like seeing if I'm 2 over instead of seeing it as being a 38 on a par 36 off nine
Average golfers spend WAY too much time busting drivers on the range thinking this will make them score better.
Once you become an okay ball striker, The biggest difference between average golfers and good golfers is all short game.
Want to score better? Less range time and MUCH more time chipping and putting practice.
Get a chipping lesson! Guarantee it’s a game/scoring changer!
Scores will drop a lot!
Best thing I did was leaving my ego at home (driver) haven’t lost a ball since
Catch 22 with me, I’m 58 but pretty athletic still hitting a few 300 yard drives. I don’t enjoy golf if I’m not playing decently. I now rarely can play 18 holes without a blob. Once played to 4 now about 12, my 100 yards in game and putting are awful whereas used to be pretty good, never great. I’m starting to question whether I actually enjoy my once every 1-2 week torture and frustration and am considering playing even less. Obviously to improve you need to play at least twice a week but don’t think I could handle it lol