I suck, trying to get better

Hi everyone.  I'm terrible, but I'm also working hard at getting better.  I've just gotten to the point where I can shoot in the low 90's most of the time on real courses and the goal is to average in the mid 80's by the end of the year.

At that point, I will feel like my long game and short game are consistant enough for me to be satisifed with my game and comfortable enough to play with anyone.

If you can shoot in the 90s on decent courses you should already be comfortable enough to play with anyone.

I've just started playing again (4 months now) after not playing for 25 years. I live in a town with two courses (glorified cow pastures). Playing on a decent course is a real treat for me since the closest one is an hour drive away. The lowest I've shot in 4 months is 87, then I'll shoot a 93. I keep telling myself just keep practicing and playing, most of all to have a good time.

i shot (and still occasionally shoot) in the 100-120 range and had no problem playing with anyone. i'm a pretty quick player and i'll drop a ball or pick a ball up if i feel like i'm holding the group up, but it's rarely the case.

playing in the 90's you'll have no problem fitting in with a group and could wind up being one of the better players.

hey man, I've begun to shoot rounds of low 90's and high 80's quite often now. Don't worry about playing with others, I play with guys all the time that shoot 110+ and I'm totally cool with that, as long as they don't try and teach me golf (that gets me going). As long as you're having a good time it's great

When you say your short game is pretty good, may I ask on average how many putts you are making a round?

I bet a million bucks the answer is, on average, 18.

gotta go with 17.95% to allow for the occasional chip in.

I thought the same thing when I read that post

Certainly (well not %, but I know what you mean) ... but for the sake of sarcasm, I thought I'd just round up.

i gotcha, just wanted to make fun of the making fun. no harm intended.

I've never thought "being able to play with anyone" had much to do with score. I could play with anyone when I consistently shot in the high 90's. I knew where to stand, how to act, how to play fast, how to be a nice guy, and how to enjoy myself. I've also played with a coworker who shot in the mid 80's and bitched about every shot that wasn't perfect as if you expected to play like a golf pro. We never asked him to play with clients and I only played with him when it was a mixup. Score has little to do with "being able to play" with someone.

Great point.  Golf is meant to be fun and social.  Unless you're playing tournament golf, there's no need to be serious and get upset over bad shots.  It makes your playing partners feel uncomfortable and not enjoy their rounds.

#1 rule:  Figure out how to have fun, no matter what you "shoot".  That is the first order of business for playing with other folks.  Nobody else really cares that you're any good or not.  What they remember is that you kept up, were ready to play when it was your turn, took the flagstick when you could, helped your playing partners find their errant tee shots, and had enough of a sense of humor that you didn't lose your mind every time your game goes awry.

Don't be so hard on yourself.  The difference between "mid-80s" and "low 90s" is about nil.