Lowering Handicap

[Everardo]

For my first year of competitive golf I started 2005 at just over a 20 handicap and just ended my season at a 14.5. For my 2006 goals I want to get my handicap below 12. Am I being realistic or too easy on myself with that goal?

I've heard that getting below a 20 is fairly easy provided you spend quality time practicing but that getting into single digits is where the real work and challenge lies.

[iacas]

For my first year of competitive golf I started 2005 at just over a 20 handicap and just ended my season at a 14.5. For my 2006 goals I want to get my handicap below 12. Am I being realistic or too easy on myself with that goal?

I think you have a realistic chance. A 2.5 drop when you're a 14.5 is only 17%. Anything over 20% when you get into the low teens or single digits is tough unless you have some massive issue like the yips or something that cost you a few strokes per round by themselves.

If I were you, heck, I'd set my goal at getting inside of 10.

[NCGolfer]

Heck yeah. I don't know your game at all Everardo, but I think that you could easily drop 2.5 shots. If I had any advice, it would be to spend 1 hour, 3 times a week working on nothing but putting. I've done this over the past 2 years and it has paid off big time.

I'm probably preaching to the choir though...

[Leftie_power]

I think it's very fessible goal Everardo, Just like Ncgolfer said, work on yur putting, i would even expand that to short game, as long as you keep the ball in play, the easiest way to reduce your handicap is short game. I work at a lil nine hole muni and before shotgun tourneys(or mens and ladies nites) i usually take 20 balls and drive out and just chip, pitch and putt on the first green. Make sure yur chipping and pitching and putting with yur own balls. You want to develop feel with your short shots, so don't use the range balls when practicing your short game, use your own balls, that way when you get out on the course, you know how your balls react. I also recommend a consteint pre-shot routine if you don't have one.

Keep it short the grass,
Adam

[Ben]

If I had any advice, it would be to spend 1 hour, 3 times a week working on nothing but putting. I've done this over the past 2 years and it has paid off big time.

Good advice there. I'd throw in the short game in general. You're bound to save strokes knowing that you have (and are comfortable using) a wide variety of up-and-down shots.

[Everardo]

Well I've made improving my short game my first priority for 2006. Of all stats and shots within 125 yards my worst stat is my up and down percentage, hovering right now around 26%. I've committed myself to spend more time at the chipping and putting greens than on the range also. While i still plan to use the range more I'm starting to think I'll get better results by just playing the course more.

[muskegman]

I've committed to just a few clubs in practice this year: 48°, 54°, 58° Vokey wedges and the putter. I want to improve GIR's this year and develop some much needed feel in the scoring zone. I hope to spend some quality time with those sticks on the range.

I think upgraded woods shafts will improve my driving and approach shots. Plus, I think my full swing is improving the last few months.

[Johnnyooze]

Im in the same boat. I want to go from shooting bogey golf to shooting around +9 on my rounds. What im working on mostly right now is my driving and irons. My putting and pitching are decent enough for now. But i havent been able to get it to, or close to, the green in reg and its been killing my scores. So for right now im putting the short game to the side until i have a reliable long game. Guess you have to realize where your falling short and concentrate on that.

[kennay92]

brought a 6 yeard old thread from the dead?

[clubchamp]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben

None

Good advice there. I'd throw in the short game in general. You're bound to save strokes knowing that you have (and are comfortable using) a wide variety of up-and-down shots.

I made my biggest handicap jump when I started working on my short game and now I actually think it is the strongest part of my game.

[saevel25]

You should be able to do it, alot of it is game management at that point.

[Double Bogey]

Damn this is a "back from the dead" for sure... but still good info

[Gerald]

Interesting ...... till I saw 2005 ....... I didn't even play golf then ........ I restarted last year and went from no handicap to 5.8 in one season ...... my target for 2011 is scratch or plus something ....... I know I can do it, but will I ?????

Today my longest drive went just over 300 yds (I don't mind if you believe it or not, my witnesses were very impressed), played 6 pars, 1 birdie and 2 boogies for a 37 (+1) - 9 holes (but I missed 3 birdie chances) .......

It is humid now and distances are relativelly "short" ...... so I don't complain !

[bkoguy07]

Originally Posted by Gerald

Interesting ...... till I saw 2005 ....... I didn't even play golf then ........ I restarted last year and went from no handicap to 5.8 in one season ...... my target for 2011 is scratch or plus something ....... I know I can do it, but will I ?????

Today my longest drive went just over 300 yds (I don't mind if you believe it or not, my witnesses were very impressed), played 6 pars, 1 birdie and 2 boogies for a 37 (+1) - 9 holes (but I missed 3 birdie chances) .......

It is humid now and distances are relativelly "short" ...... so I don't complain !

lol

[TourSpoon]

Glad to see someone using the search feature! I don't know how the OP did, but it is entirely possible for someone of athletic ability and coordination to get to get close to single digit as he described. I wonder how he did.

[Gerald]

hmmm, I would say that anyone (without physical problems) being able to hit about 200 yds. can reach single digit if they really want to....... at most courses one will get 1 or 2 strokes, based on sss, just play 7 or 8 pars, the rest in bogey and you play a single digit hc.

Getting below 5 is something different.......

[walk18]

Glad to see someone using the search feature! I don't know how the OP did, but it is entirely possible for someone of athletic ability and coordination to get to get close to single digit as he described. I wonder how he did.

The OP could have given up the game 4 years ago for all we know.