Is this normal?

Coyote · June 12, 2006

Hi, everyone. Just started play early this year but have really worked on my game. Range or chipping every single day. Lately been shooting around 80-85. But had a rather normal round last Sunday, that’s the problem. Shot an 83(par 70) real short course 6450. Had 10 birdie opps and converted none of them. On the 10 birdie chances I was +6. Yeah you read that right, plus 6. Had 42 putts. Three putted 7 times. Was wondering if this was normal because of my lack of experience or because I have a serious problem with my putting? Any tips?
Help!

**LarryK** · June 13, 2006

Hi, everyone. Just started play early this year but have really worked on my game. Range or chipping every single day. Lately been shooting around 80-85. But had a rather normal round last Sunday, that’s the problem. Shot an 83(par 70) real short course 6450. Had 10 birdie opps and converted none of them. On the 10 birdie chances I was +6. Yeah you read that right, plus 6. Had 42 putts. Three putted 7 times. Was wondering if this was normal because of my lack of experience or because I have a serious problem with my putting? Any tips?

Did I read your post right? You just took up the game of golf earlier this year? If so, not only are you "not normal", I would say you are an alien -- probably from the planet Krypton, because no one I ever knew other than Superman has ever had a chance of shooting in the 80s after only six months playing the game, much less had 10 birdie opportunities. If I get 10 legitimate birdie opportunities this month, it will be a great June!

But, hey, congratulations and more power to you. As for correcting the problem, I would simply advise analyzing your misses. Is it your read or your speed? Are you consistently long or short or typically need to play more or less break. I am ususally short. My putting was much better this weekend just by being a tad more agressive. If you cannot identify a tendancy, I'm not sure what to tell you. In fact, if you can't identify a specific tendancy it probably means you are doing a lot of things right . On the other hand, if the first of those three putts are more often than not from 30 feet or more, cut yourself some slack. The effects of break and green speed are significantly magnified at those distances. Really good lag putting isn't any easier than sinking that three-footer to win the press.

**Will** · June 13, 2006

Shot an 83(par 70) real short course 6450. Had 10 birdie opps and converted none of them. On the 10 birdie chances I was +6.

Let's say instead of +6, you had two-putted each for par. Your score would have been 77. Or, if you'd made just 50% of those putts, you'd have shot 72. That's pretty good ball-striking for a beginner. (read: impossible.)

If you want a serious answer, you should pose a serious question.

**TinCup** · June 13, 2006

YEah I was about to say the same thing! If you shot in the lower 80's and your a beginner then I don't think you have any problems. I would say take a couple of lessons focusing on putting.

farce · June 13, 2006

There's no need to say his question is bogus and shooting low 80's by a beginner is impossible. I've only been seriously practicing and playing since the beginning of this year (before that i'd played some rounds but never actually practiced to improve my game) and when I'm concentrating correctly I can shoot mid to high 80's with relative ease.

**Wood** · June 13, 2006

I don't think it's impossible, maybe unlikely. Someone might be an athlete, or just get it sooner than us. Although 42 putts with 10 GIR with 7 three wacks would equal an 84 on a par 70, or an 86 on a par 72. I wish I could hit 10 GIR........

**thehillgolfer** · June 25, 2006

but have really worked on my game. Range or chipping every single day.

i got down to the 80s once i picked up golf fairly quickly...but for me it was my second summer...

so i guess this is my third year and i'm in the mid 70s....and my advice would be just to play play and play some more...and maybe get some golf books with putting advice, putting is about feel and you get feel from playing alot, theres no real way around that.

**RayG** · June 26, 2006

If those first putts are longish type putts, don't go for the tiny target of the hole. Try to imagine a 4/6 (adjust the size for the distance of the putt) foot diameter circle around the hole and try and stop the ball inside that circle. That will leave 2 or 3 footers for your next one. Easier to make a 2 footer than a 6 foot comebacker. I don't seriously consider any putt of 20' or more a real shot at birdie, and I'm a fairly decent putter. I just adjust the size of that circle for the length of the putt. If it goes in, great, if not I have a tap in. Usually will go 2/3 rounds without a 3 putt because I'm realistic about not making those 40 footers for birdie/par. Inside about 8-10 ft, that's when I can seriously consider hitting the hole.

**DDBowdoin** · June 30, 2006

being young and having natural ability does a lot... this is my 2nd year playing golf and I'm a 9.2handi, I broke 90 my first ever round of golf...

so its not impossible, especially since like this poster I chipp/putt every day

so you get out what you put in

**DDBowdoin** · June 30, 2006

his question is definately not bogus, this is my 2nd year playing and I am a 9 handi... some people are more athletic and gifted then others

I'm young... 21 and pretty strong, I broke 90 my 1st round of golf ever with someone else's clubs
so its not a joke...

**wachesawgolfer** · July 11, 2006

Its mainly about trusting the swing and that can come fairly quickly. It does with a lot of young kids. But for some of us, it can take longer a lifetime (or two)

Coyote · July 31, 2006

Thanks all who took the question seriously. I have been trying out a bunch of different putters over the last several weeks and I seemed to find the problem. I was using the wrong putter (at least for me). Using the Scotty Cameron flange putter was like night and day from what I am using now. The old Darby I found is my choice on the course now.
Wish I had 25 posts so I could put up my old Scotty for sale.

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