Rearden

As a relatively new golfer this is an interesting topic, as the 3-4 regular golf buddies I have all drive the ball over 275yds with roll. This has skewed my perception of what an average distance is for driver, so this thread is kind of surprising to me - I get avg. 250 yds of carry with my 3W, and generally roll out between 260-265. I have driven the ball over 350 yards at least 6 - 7 times during rounds (yes, in the fairway), which would hardly count as the "I hit it 280 once" These distances verified with GPS both hand held on on cart. On the monitor my avg swing speed is 113 - 115, with a high of 119 when I rip it. Been playing around 9 months now, live in Houston and would meet with any seasoned players from the board who live in this area for a round if you would like to validate my claims. Nancy Ballard is an instructor at Memorial Park Golf Course, and is who I have been workign with since picking up the game. Do some exagerate? Sure, but don't discredit those who do not have the limitations that some here have. Swing speed is a gift, much like the ability to run a 4.2 40 sprint. You might go from a 4.35 to a 4.2, but never from a 4.6 to a 4.2 regardless of training, lifting, practice, etc. Not that swing speed = actual golf talent mind you, but it does determine how far, genetically, you can hit the ball. There are many VERY gifted golfers on this board that will never drive a ball 275 yards regardless of how flexible, or strong they get. But the long ball is an intersting topic, and one that is all the more interesting for the simple fact that I can sharpen my short game and always make incremental improvement. you can focus on and lower puts per round throughout your career, having "softer hands" around the greens, or having a laser focused 120yd approach shot but you can only make small initial improvements to swing speed. As it were, you got what god gave you in that department... Some have distance, some don't. MJ

Thanks for all of the responses. It's interesting to hear the different perspectives about progress. I know its a nebulous question to ask "how long" I was just curious as to how quickly those on the board have made it. I would like to become a scratch golfer, but I am more intersted in testing my potential as a golfer, as I am with all things in life. This is a great board, and there a lot of very knowledgeable golfers on here. Thanks for your insight into the journey. cheers MJ

I believe that low 80's is possible after 6 months, as I shot an 87 last week and I have been playing for 4 months. Course was short, but I kept all balls in play and got up/down great all afternoon. I also didnt pull my drive out once, I teed off with my 3/4 irons all afternoon as I hit them very well. I practice a minimum of 2 hours a day 6 days a week, 30 min on tee shots, 1 hour on pitching/chipping, 30 min on putting. During these sessions I do as recommended by Rotella and practice mechanics for 30% of the time, and 70% of the time I go through my routine, target.pause.ball.pause.swing - trusting my golf swing and thinking only of the target. I use a lot of visualization in my preshot as well. I also play 18 at least once per week. I try to get in two rounds if possible. i have an instructor, and several of my collegues shoot in the 70s so I have a good support team and knowledge pool. I would have to say though that the reality is because I don't have a certain depth to my experience it is possible that I could go out tomorrow and shoot 30 over. my swing is mechanicly sound, but not fully grooved yet. This takes time and 1,000's of balls. This is the toughest sport I have ever played, and I love it. I have a ton of respect for those who have put in the hours, and have the committment/focus/resilience that it takes to excel at this game. I am interested in hearing the fastest that anyone on the board has made it to or close to scratch? When I started everyone told me it could take up to a year to shoot in the 90s when in reality it took me a little over 3 months. I shoot in the 90's consistently now, and tend to shoot low 90's. It would seem that with golf being such a mental game, its best not to tell yourself that you "can't shoot in the 80's" because it should take "x" time. We should be confident and aggressive, believing that if we train in the right way, and stay focused anything is possible? I dont like the negativity associated with putting those types of restrictions on what people can do. People can accomplish amazing things when they believe in themselves and stay positive. Glad to be on the board and look forward to getting to know some of you. Especially those in the Houston area, as it would be great to have some more golf buddies. cheers MJ