Jump to content
IGNORED

Hero to Zero (Please don't flame)


kiahughesy
Note: This thread is 4076 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

0  

  1. 1. Is there any chance for a 38 year old to go from 12 to +3 handicap?

    • Yes - I have done it.
      1
    • Yes - but the practice is going to kill you.
      8
    • Yes - however you need to be better than +3 to go to qualifying school
      4
    • No - Just no you are not going to make it Give up
      3
    • No - Just not physically possible at 38
      0
    • Maybe - if you set your sights for senior tour and practice from now until then!
      3


Recommended Posts

Hello All

I am an avid golfer who is not averse to a challenge. I have set myself a big one here as i am going to do anything in my power to improve my standing in the game.

Here is the problem! My age is not affording me much scope to hit my challenges - I am 38. I do however have a couple of plus points, i have always excelled at sport, i will practice the required amount of time, i have a nice swing (much better than my current handicap) etc etc.

I want very much to get down to the + figures and have a crack at qualifying school (not to be the worlds greatest golfer or earn millions) its just an ambition of mine to say i have tried and done well in my attempts.

My current handicap is 12 and my faults are not good i will list them here so you have an idea of my challenges!

  • I am not the biggest driver (Sunday best around 290y).
  • I don't hit the fairways too regularly at the moment.
  • I'm Old
  • I have poor course management.
  • I am not a good putter in comparison to my mates who play off 1 and 3
  • I am ultra ultra competitive.
  • I don't practice enough at present (around 100 balls a day when motivated).

Can some people who are not just going to flame and take the mick give me some real advice on how to get started and if anyone who is a very good golfer wants to let me know some of their exercise routines to build up golfing stamina and twitch muscles i would be eternally grateful.

PS this is not "i am going to be a pro, i am the best. i am better than all you" it is a genuine and attainable target which i require to achieve.

Kind Regards

Andrew

Link to comment
Share on other sites


I think "Yes" you can get to a +3 without killing yourself in the process.

One question:  Have you ever been at that level of play in the past?

I'm 44 and share many of your current standings.  My driver distance is about the same as yours.  I can occasionally eek out a 300, mostly 270 - 290.  I also do not practice much nor play a ton anymore.  That seems to help me more than practicing a ton.  I will go to the practice green and chip and putt twice per week for about 30 - 45 minutes.  Go to the range and work on ball striking once per week and play once per week.  That's not a lot.

The differences for me are I hit a fair number of fairways.  I also pitch and chip really well and putt a little better than average.  I also have good course management skills as far as strategically working my way around a course playing to my strengths and not taking crazy risks.

My stats show I struggle more with GIR when using mid irons than anything else, but my short game consistency keeps me able to shoot low 70s rounds.

I'll shoot 72 - 75 70% of the time, 76-78 20% of the time, and 79-82 10% of the time when nothing seems to be clicking at all.

One big difference for me is I used to be a 1.2 Handicap over a period of 10-15 years ago.  I played 4 times a week and practiced more than that.  I slowed down and even stoped playing for a period of a couple years because of job, kids, and a series of health problems (knee and foot).

I got back into the swing of things a couple years ago and really started working on it the last year.  My current handicap is 5 and steadily coming down.  For me, I can shave 2 more strokes off of my handicap by playing a little more and practicing just a little more.  I think having played at that level before certainly helps getting back to that point.

The most difficult distance in golf is the six inches between your ears.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Good luck.

It's good that you can practice and play 6 hours per day and have the money for a swing coach, short game coach, Aimpoint, custom built clubs, mental coach, etc.

With all of that and talent, you have a chance.

Ping G400 Max 9/TPT Shaft, TEE EX10 Beta 4, 5 wd, PXG 22 HY, Mizuno JPX919F 5-GW, TItleist SM7 Raw 55-09, 59-11, Bettinardi BB39

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

At age 38, trying to improve by 15 strokes from that point is going to be nearly impossible.  I don't care how good an athlete you might be.  You are near the point now where most professional golfers start to decline.  You will be 40 in 2 years, and that is the typical dividing line for most pros.  They start to slip both physically and mentally.  To think that you can start now and reach that level of excellence at an age where the very best are in decline is unrealistic.  You have to be a lot more focused than you seem to be as far as practicing is concerned.  100 balls in a session?  That's barely a warm up for a player who aspires to be a plus handicap.  You have to become the best putter you know if you expect to even get to scratch.  Those two guys you mention are still miles away from your goal.

I wish you the best of luck, but don't get your hopes too high.

Rick

"He who has the fastest cart will never have a bad lie."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

I think you could to scratch with the right coaching easily in a few years. +3, probably not, if I'm being honest.

In my bag:

Driver: Titleist TSi3 | 15º 3-Wood: Ping G410 | 17º 2-Hybrid: Ping G410 | 19º 3-Iron: TaylorMade GAPR Lo |4-PW Irons: Nike VR Pro Combo | 54º SW, 60º LW: Titleist Vokey SM8 | Putter: Odyssey Toulon Las Vegas H7

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

I think it is possible, but going to be very difficult.  My game has gone from 24.3 to currently 20.1, the next revision it will be probably 19.4.  Mine has dropped 5 in the last 4 months.  I am fully aware that since my hdcp is so high that it is easier to drop it, and that the lower you go the harder it is to get it to go down. But for me it's just a matter of playing time and practice time.  I am going to start taking lessons again in the near future which should help.  My goal is to get down into the single digits someday.  I wasn't blessed with a golfers ability and I am fine with that but it doesn't mean I'm not gonna try and get it as low as possible.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Originally Posted by jamo

I think you could to scratch with the right coaching easily in a few years. +3, probably not, if I'm being honest.

This...

It'll be a lot easer for you to go from your current 12 to a 0 than from 0 to +3... Even that is going to be a lot of work.

I'm not saying it can't happen, just that the odds say that it probably wont happen.

Tristan Hilton

My Equipment: 
PXG 0211 Driver (Diamana S+ 60; 10.5°) · PXG 0211 FWs (Diamana S+ 60; 15° and 21°) · PXG 0211 Hybrids (MMT 80; 22°, 25°, and 28°) · PXG 0311P Gen 2 Irons (SteelFiber i95; 7-PW) · Edel Wedges (KBS Hi-Rev; 50°, 55°, 60°) · Edel Classic Blade Putter (32") · Vice Pro or Maxfli Tour · Pinned Prism Rangefinder · Star Grips · Flightscope Mevo · TRUE Linkswear Shoes · Sun Mountain C130S Bag

On my MacBook Pro:
Analyzr Pro

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

Originally Posted by chilepepper

You may consider revising your definition of "old" and go from there

LOL, no doubt. Effin' whippersnapper

Yours in earnest, Jason.
Call me Ernest, or EJ or Ernie.

PSA - "If you find yourself in a hole, STOP DIGGING!"

My Whackin' Sticks: :cleveland: 330cc 2003 Launcher 10.5*  :tmade: RBZ HL 3w  :nickent: 3DX DC 3H, 3DX RC 4H  :callaway: X-22 5-AW  :nike:SV tour 56* SW :mizuno: MP-T11 60* LW :bridgestone: customized TD-03 putter :tmade:Penta TP3   :aimpoint:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

If you played to a 4 as a kid then I think you have a very good shot at getting to scratch, maybe a bit better. Getting below 5 takes a lot of work and the progress is a lot slower.

“You don't have the game you played last year or last week. You only have today's game. It may be far from your best, but that's all you've got. Harden your heart and make the best of it.”

~ Walter Hagen

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Originally Posted by chilepepper

You may consider revising your definition of "old" and go from there

Originally Posted by Ernest Jones

LOL, no doubt. Effin' whippersnapper

LOL ... that's the exact thing that stuck out to me in the OP as well.  If you don't want us to "flame" you, then don't be calling us old!!!

Seriously though, to answer the OP's question, I am all for ambition and dreams, and my simple answer is yes, it's possible.  Likely?  Not even remotely.  But possible.

Here's what I don't understand though.  If your goal isn't to become rich and famous, then why are you asking the question at all?  I mean, if you aren't doing it just for money, then you must really like the game.  Therefore, why wouldn't you still do all of the things you need to do and just become as good as you can be?  If that happens to be pro level then great, but if not so what?  I could easily come out and say my goal is to become pro and I wouldn't be doing anything different than I am right now (except practicing every day instead of 3 or 4 days)

Either way, good luck!  But more importantly ... have fun!!!

PS ... 38 ain't frickin' old!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

Q school for what, the Champions tour? Where you'd be competing as a rookie along with Tiger Woods, or thereabouts? :-\ No. Sorry.

In David's bag....

Driver: Titleist 910 D-3;  9.5* Diamana Kai'li
3-Wood: Titleist 910F;  15* Diamana Kai'li
Hybrids: Titleist 910H 19* and 21* Diamana Kai'li
Irons: Titleist 695cb 5-Pw

Wedges: Scratch 51-11 TNC grind, Vokey SM-5's;  56-14 F grind and 60-11 K grind
Putter: Scotty Cameron Kombi S
Ball: ProV1

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

  • Moderator

The best thing I can advise is to go out and play and TAKE YOUR TIME. Find days that the course is empty, even if its raining.  Go a round and play as you would but drop a ball here and there if you think you could make the shot better. This will not only help course management but help mentally.  I dropped 5 strokes this summer in my handicap and I attribute it to knowing my swing down to knowing where the ball will go once i hit it, all because i would go play by myself and just hit balls.

FIR in my opinion is overrated for most courses, because the rough is really not bad (especially since I have a high swing speed and can chop down nicely when I need to).  Being able to hit the GIR is key, and not just doing that but having half of the holes you do get in regulation being ones you have a good chance for birdie.  Getting to scratch is hard, but going to +3 is much harder!  That still may not be enough to make it.  But if you really want it, go for it!

Philip Kohnken, PGA
Director of Instruction, Lake Padden GC, Bellingham, WA

Srixon/Cleveland Club Fitter; PGA Modern Coach; Certified in Dr Kwon’s Golf Biomechanics Levels 1 & 2; Certified in SAM Putting; Certified in TPI
 
Team :srixon:!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

Originally Posted by Golfingdad

LOL ... that's the exact thing that stuck out to me in the OP as well.  If you don't want us to "flame" you, then don't be calling us old!!!

Seriously though, to answer the OP's question, I am all for ambition and dreams, and my simple answer is yes, it's possible.  Likely?  Not even remotely.  But possible.

Here's what I don't understand though.  If your goal isn't to become rich and famous, then why are you asking the question at all?  I mean, if you aren't doing it just for money, then you must really like the game.  Therefore, why wouldn't you still do all of the things you need to do and just become as good as you can be?  If that happens to be pro level then great, but if not so what?  I could easily come out and say my goal is to become pro and I wouldn't be doing anything different than I am right now (except practicing every day instead of 3 or 4 days)

Either way, good luck!  But more importantly ... have fun!!!

PS ... 38 ain't frickin' old!!!


Erm didn't mean to cause offense lol I mean 38 is old to start realising my golfing dreams!

I know i am setting my sights high but i like to set targets and try and make them. Scratch is achievable however i want to push myself hence not an easy target.

I know 38 isnt old just in what i want to do and where i am starting it can be "classed" as old

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Originally Posted by kiahughesy

Erm didn't mean to cause offense lol I mean 38 is old to start realising my golfing dreams!

I know i am setting my sights high but i like to set targets and try and make them. Scratch is achievable however i want to push myself hence not an easy target.

I know 38 isnt old just in what i want to do and where i am starting it can be "classed" as old

I wasn't really serious ... just messing with you.

But, seriously, you're not going to do anything differently regardless of what anybody on here thinks.  You love golf, you're going to try and become as good as you can be, so go do it!

And good luck.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

You may consider revising your definition of "old" and go from there

AMEN! That's the only thing I see worth flamin'!

:tmade: R15 14* Matrix Black Tie 7m3

:adams: Speedline Super S 3w & 5w Matrix Radix HD S VI

:callaway: X-12 4-PW Memphis 10

IONNOVEX  Type S GDT 50*, 54* & 62* Mitsubishi Rayon Kuro Kage Black 80ir

:odyssey: Tri-Ball SRT

-Landon

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Note: This thread is 4076 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


  • Want to join this community?

    We'd love to have you!

    Sign Up
  • TST Partners

    TourStriker PlaneMate
    Golfer's Journal
    ShotScope
    The Stack System
    FlightScope Mevo
    Direct: Mevo, Mevo+, and Pro Package.

    Coupon Codes (save 10-15%): "IACAS" for Mevo/Stack, "IACASPLUS" for Mevo+/Pro Package, and "THESANDTRAP" for ShotScope.
  • Posts

    • If it's not broken don't fix it. If you want to add grooves to it just because of looks that's your choice of course. Grooves are cut into putter faces to reduce skid, the roll faced putter is designed to do the same thing. I'm no expert but it seems counter productive to add grooves to the roll face. Maybe you can have it sand-blasted or something to clean up the face. Take a look at Tigers putter, its beat to hell but he still uses it.     
    • I get trying to limit relief to the fairway, but how many roots do you typically find in the fairway? Our local rule allows for relief from roots & rocks anywhere on the course (that is in play). My home course has quite a few 100 year old oaks that separate the fairways. Lift and move the ball no closer to the hole. None of us want to damage clubs.
    • Hello, I've been playing a Teardrop td17 F.C. putter for many years and love it. It still putts and feels as good or  better than any of the new putters I've tried and it's in excellent condition except the face has dings in it ever since I bought it used that kind of bother me. I was just wondering if it's possible to have some really shallow horizontal grooves milled into the face on a "roll face" putter. I think I would rather spend some money on it instead of trying to get used to a new putter.  Thanks
    • I agree with @klineka & @DaveP043 above.  When a new member first joins the club they cold be told that they are not eligible for tournaments until they have an established HCP.  As you said, it only takes a few rounds.  If they do not to post HCP that was their choice and choices have consequences.  If playing in the tournament is important to them then they should step up and establish an HCP.  Maybe they miss the 1st tournament, is that a real big deal?  And if it is a "Big Deal" to them then they had the opportunity to establish the HCP. As for not knowing how to report for HCP I assume your club has a pro and they should be able to assist in getting the scores reported and I suspect out of state courses may also have staff that can assist if asked.
    • Wordle 1,013 2/6 🟨⬜⬜🟨🟨 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Thought I was gonna be a big shot today...  🙂    Nice Job!
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Welcome to TST! Signing up is free, and you'll see fewer ads and can talk with fellow golf enthusiasts! By using TST, you agree to our Terms of Use, our Privacy Policy, and our Guidelines.

The popup will be closed in 10 seconds...