What's Preventing You From Playing Scratch Golf?

[Kieran123]

Time, weather in Alberta, and the fact I just bought a house and a car and all the furniture to go in said house, and that I just got engaged, and am now saving for a wedding.........

[DennisMiller]

Kieran123 - You're obviously looking at so many significant lifestyle changes. Just don't let less golf be one of them. Somewhere, there is a touchstone where you relieve stress. Golf is good for that. And congratulate on the engagement and new home.

[Lihu]

Kieran123 - You're obviously looking at so many significant lifestyle changes. Just don't let less golf be one of them. Somewhere, there is a touchstone where you relieve stress. Golf is good for that. And congratulate on the engagement and new home.

I agree, that for me it is a good means to relieve stress, but I don't really care how I score. I just write them down and forget it. I'm still only looking for that one good shot or hole that makes the entire round worth while.

It seems like the lower you want your handicap, the more stressful the game.

[Kieran123]

I always find time for golf - but I may play less expensive courses, or less often. Golf is my ultimate stress reflief

[flopster]

I think right now my potential handicap is probably somewhere from 3.0-4.0 a little over a year ago I was as low as 4.3 however in the past 4 months I have at the least played the front 9 at my home course at -1 and -2 at 138 and 141 slopes, I think the next  8 months are going to tell me a lot if I'm going to get close only or actually reach scratch. I'm 48 right now but don't feel that's going to hold me back yet at least not for another 10 years I would think. I really feel I may be close to a breakthrough point and just the right practice on the right things may be enough to get me close. I have a good amount of experience playing and can handle pressure in most instances however I did follow those low rounds with bad back 9's but it wasn't nerves as much as a couple bad breaks and trying to force a couple things when I knew better. I really feel that it's within my capabilities but I really have to practice very efficiently in order to make it happen, I play right alongside scratch players every week and see where I should be and can be as well as them telling me I can do it too. If I don't make it I'm planning on getting damn close at the very least and then drift back up to a 3 or 4 and enjoy playing only.

[mmoan2]

Today it was rain. Darn mother nature... I'll never be a +4 handicap this way. I'll have to live with the mental handicap that I can compete with the Honda Classic guys while watching from my couch!

BTW - there was an interesting movie (documentary) about some guy who had his own successful business but wanted to try and seriously make a run at the PGA Tour as a 40 year old with a wife and kids. I forgot the title of it, but I saw it about two years ago. Reminds me of this thread - what gets in the way of allowing you to master a sport you love. Check it out. I recommend it.

[LuciusWooding]

Today it was rain. Darn mother nature... I'll never be a +4 handicap this way. I'll have to live with the mental handicap that I can compete with the Honda Classic guys while watching from my couch!

Poor you. The rest of us who still have tons of snow on the course are begging for rain.

At this rate I'll be scratch right after I move to Florida.