Too Old ?

[Shindig]

I am thrilled to see you're able to play and are continuing to enjoy, despite the difficulties you described at the beginning. 

2 hours ago, RetiredOldMan said:

One more thing, I have a bad slice if I try and push the driver to try and get a little more yardage.  Staying in the fairway is essiential to playing good golf. 

Another thing I do, is keep track of my putts. You will find that your putts can account for as much as 40% of your score. 

I agree you don't want to push the driver if it's going to result in a situation where you can't advance the ball as meaningfully on the next shot.  However, it isn't so much that the fairway is important as the ability to advance the ball.  If the first cut is just a slight propping up of the ball, you might even find that preferable in some situations.  It's the trees, water, sand, and deep grass I want to stay out of.   I hit only one fairway in my last round, but I still managed 10 GIR -- in part because most of my fairway misses were in the first cut. 

So don't beat yourself up over missing the fairway.  If you can advance the ball, you're in good shape, especially as you're trying to get back to the mid-80s.   I don't know if you've read Broadie's book Every Shot Counts, but his research shows us that someone shooting low 80s typically has their putter in hand (on the green or on the fringe of the green) for their par attempt in 14-16 holes per round.   Either way, I'd track this (he calls the stat "GIRP") -- I find it encouraging, and even if I'm putting poorly, I do love seeing a good number of these.  

While I agree that putting is 40% of the score, I'm less certain the number of putts on its own is the key to count.  Strokes gained/lost putting, compared to some reasonable handicap benchmark for yourself, is far more reasonable.  I should know:  in 2025 (I've played far more in 2025 than the 28 months previous to it), I have been putting at about the level of a 25 handicap player, despite being a 15 handicap overall.  The good news is, focused putting practice can bring down a score faster, even though (as you know, as I see you have read LSW) the full swing is better for long-term scoring improvement. 

[RetiredOldMan]

Believe it or Not!

I am so excited. 

Yesterday, on a hot and windy day, I played a 9 hole course in Claflin. Kansas.

1st 9 = 54

2nd 9 = 43

 

I am going to try and go back out late this afternoon and play 18 holes at Hays, Kansas. 

My 3 hybrid came in yesterday and I am really anxious to try it out. 

WooHoo 🥳 🙌 👏 

Retired Old Man, Terry 

[Shindig]

Enjoy the new hybrid!