Anyone Reach Scratch Past the Age of 30?

[Chris5573]

I am wondering if any of you who are scratch or better have reached this point in your 30's or older. Most of the guys I've met who have reached scratch have done so at a younger age. I am 35 and I've been playing for 8 years. In the last 3 years, I've gotten more "serious" about my game and I have brought my handicap down from a 16 to a 7.2. When I first started keeping track of my handicap, my goal was to get it into the single digits. Now that I have done that, I am shooting for scratch...but I don't know how realistic that is. I know there's no way for any of you to tell me whether I can make it or not since it depends on how often I play, natural ability, how dedicated I am to practicing, etc...just curious if any of you who started late, (after age 20), have made it to that level.

[MSDOGS1976]

If you have the time to devote to working on your game, no reason why you can't. Most don't have enough time to devote to it in their 30's-40's. Families, job, etc..... I retired last year at 53 and my handicap is dropping and I have been playing golf for 40 years. Doubt I will get to scratch but I think a 4 or 5 handicap is very possible.

[GaijinGolfer]

Theres plenty of pro golfers who are over the age of 30, so I see no reason why it isnt possible.
I think its more a matter of how much time you are willing to devote to working on your game.
Im 28 years old, played the game for a few years when I was in my early 20s and now Im just picking the game up again.
I see absolutely no reason why I wont eventually be a scratch golfer. Its just a matter of putting in the time practicing and having the mindset that you can do anything if you set your mind to it. Just keep a positive attitude and believe in yourself.

[Dent]

Im 16 and Aiming for that goal as well. I think it is very possible. I don't think I will reach it until im in the 30's. It all depends on your physical fitness as well. Its alot harder to get to scratch when you have to adapt your golf game to fit your health level.

[GaijinGolfer]

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/au...e_stewart.html

"I'm 42 now, what I would consider prime time." -Payne Stewart

[dirtydirty]

I sure hope so as i have 365 days left till 30..

[joseywales]

It's very possible. I am 36 and have been playing since I was 14. Self taught the entire way until 2 years ago when I decided to take it to the next level. I took my first lesson and saw immediate success so I decided to make myself stronger as well. In 2 years I went from a 6 to scratch and honestly the main reason was just convincing myself it could be done and consistently doing the things to get there. I truly believe that if you are committed enough, then you will get there. Good luck!

[cvlngineer]

I am working on it!

[rubbery]

My friend's dad didn't reach scratch until his mid-to-late 40's so I would say that it's definitely possible.

[MrSandman]

I played a tournament the other day against a guy who kicked my ass. He was awesome, had 7 birdies on the day. His index was in the 1-2 range (which is pretty close to scratch). He was late 40's, and never played golf until he was 27. 5 years ago he was an 8 hdcp.

I also know another guy who is in his late 30's and recently took a year off from work, and went from an 8 hdcp to a "scrath" (his words, he might be a 1 or 2 hdcp).

[LilGasPasser]

So, I'm 35 now, just starting to take the game seriously... Don't have too much time to practice, maybe 2-3 times per week, play weekly at most. Should I reconsider my retirement plan to compete on the Champions Tour?

Seriously, with a bit of natural ability, and funds/time to dedicate to golf, you could do it. Practice with a purpose to maximize your time.

[Chris5573]

It's good to hear that many of you have gotten to scratch after starting the game late, or know someone else who has done it. It gives me some hope. It's funny how your goals in golf never really end, everyone always wants to be better. When I first had a handicap established, I was excited to see that it was under 18, (better than bogey golf). Then I wanted to get to a single digit, and when I got there this year I was psyched. Now I am hoping for scratch someday, and we'll see what happens. I'm sure if I ever got there, I'd want to have a handicap with a "+" infront of it! I'm sure even the guys who are better than scratch still have goals for themselves, like high level amateur tournaments or even mini-tours.

[MrSandman]

I think once you get the + in front of your hdcp number, you start thinking about the senior tour or high end sr amateur events.

[MrKadash]

My friend's dad didn't reach scratch until his mid-to-late 40's so I would say that it's definitely possible.

Ditto that. My dad, while never a scratch golfer, hit his prime in golf when he was between 43-48, or so he says. He is 65 now, a 7-9 handicap, but was probably a 2-3 then. I am better now at age 38 than I ever was, and hope that within the next 10 years or so I can whittle the index down further. My only goal is to get better and have fun doing it.

[Dent]

Im 16 but already having severe doubts for scratch. I am starting off this season with a blast no doubt! (All rounds in the 70's except for 4.) I lack consistency and my handicap does not seem to be getting anywhere. I can't imagine working to get to scratch. This year due to lack of practise my handicap won't drop.

Next year I'm back to getting a membership and will be practising full throttle.

The book Paper Tiger gave me some real inspiration to get better.

[Chris5573]

Im 16 but already having severe doubts for scratch. I am starting off this season with a blast no doubt! (All rounds in the 70's except for 4.) I lack consistency and my handicap does not seem to be getting anywhere. I can't imagine working to get to scratch. This year due to lack of practise my handicap won't drop.

I think you'll have a very good chance at reaching scratch. You are only 16 and you're a 7 right now...you'll probably become more consistant when you get older, stronger and more mature. (That was not meant as an insult). Shooting in the 70's on a regular basis is a positive sign, I bet by the time you're 20 you'll be close. The book, "Paper Tiger" was great by the way.

[GaijinGolfer]

I agree. Just believe in yourself and be patient, Dent.

[Dent]

I agree. Just believe in yourself and be patient, Dent.

You guys are right, I always think about handicap as a number that should be going down dramatically from hearing all these stories. I keep thinking that it should go down 1 stroke every time I shoot well, although I dont expect that I keep thinking thats what the number means.

I guess thats why they make it so hard to go down, to make it a lifetime goal to bring it to the lowest possible. What would be the fun if the formula was so messed up you reached scratch in a year?