how long have you played

[RC]

Been playing seriously for 52 years now -- started young. Best round was a 66 on a PGA tour course from the pro or back tees. Best round this past year was 68. I still prefer the tips. I've always considered myself a hacker because I've played and practiced with real golfers who are amazing. That does not mean each of us cannot have moments of feeling we are playing well -- that is the hook that keeps us in the game, and it is a great game for sure.

[Doctorfro]

Wow! this is tough. I played a little bit when I was 11-12. I then put down the sticks till I was a senior in high school. Played a couple years and put the sticks down again until I was about 29. I've been playing off and on ever since (though mostly on). My low round is 70 (with a bogey on the last hole that my son gave me a tongue thrashing over..."you could have shot in the sixties!!"). But with the swing changes I've made and the equipment changes coming soon and the fact that i'm playing almost year-round now I think this is the year that I start going low consistently. First round of the new year tomorrow. Woot!

[tonyq217]

I started when I was 17 and played for around 5 years and quit due to a bad temperament for about 8 years. Almost a year back and it's amazing how much fun this game can be when you have the right mindset.

[bogeyhitter25]

I've shot 3 over twice on nine holes, but on eighteen holes my personal best is 82. I've been playing for about a-year-and-a-half.

[Stuart]

When I shank it is AWFUL. Its just like you described, low but spinning off to my right like a boomerang. I think I've got it pretty much figured out. When I started I had a tendency to cup my left wrist and as a result my club shaft would cross the line at the top. I worked hard on fixing that, but went to the other extreme where my club would be too laid off at the top and then I'd drop it way inside from the top, and when I missed it would result in a shank. Basically i have to make sure to keep my hands quiet in my back swing and to hinge up and down with my wrist cock and make sure I dont' hinge inside. Once I do this i'm golden. I was puring my 3 iron all day yesterday and shot an even par round. :)

That's still some legit scoring. How bad did you shank? I'm so interested in this phenomenon. When I shanked, it went about 15 feet off the ground, and sometimes as much as 45*-50* off to the left of my target and slicing severely. GIGANTIC misses! Very very odd considering how I hit the ball now that I'm out of that and even how I would hit the ball back then in between shanks. Just couldn't stop hitting the ball with the hosel.

[whit53]

First took up the game when I was 38...... been playing for 17 years. Best single round ever is 63 (par 72), I've matched that four time since. It's never too late....... It's simply a matter of commitment.

[griecke]

I've been playing since late July 2008. My best is a 93 but if I could just put together 3 good shots in a row..........however for now I'm stuck in Nebraska and can't play or practice and that's just now right.

[andemw01]

It will be two full years this July. First round was 155, and last round score 100 even. Hoping to start consistently shooting below 100 this summer.

[Ben]

I've been at it for 21 years now. Low is 7 under, 63.

Been playing seriously for 52 years now -- started young. Best round was a 66 on a PGA tour course from the pro or back tees. Best round this past year was 68. I still prefer the tips. I've always considered myself a hacker because I've played and practiced with real golfers who are amazing. That does not mean each of us cannot have moments of feeling we are playing well -- that is the hook that keeps us in the game, and it is a great game for sure.

Wow 52 years! Dang.

[Razorhog]

Will be one year this spring. (come on spring!)

[TheWarHound]

I guess I played golf 6-7 times from age 22-38. Then, this July, my buddies and I went out, had a blast, then started playing 2-3 times a week since. Got rid of the el shitto clubs, bought some nice gear, and now I either play it, practice it, read about it, or watch it daily. I am totally hooked.

My best on 18 was a 94, and my best 9 was a 47.

Tomorrow, no rain, high of 48, and me and my buddies are going golfing!

Steve

[Stuart]

Hey Stevie, just wanted to touch base about the shanking. For me, it always occurs as a result of me dropping the club way too far inside coming through. So to make sure I don't do this, I have to keep my hands very quiet going back and only hinge my wrists when my club is parallel to the ground. What this does is give me a nice wide arc and ensures that i don't take the club back inside. Hope you've got rid of the shanks. :)

That's still some legit scoring. How bad did you shank? I'm so interested in this phenomenon. When I shanked, it went about 15 feet off the ground, and sometimes as much as 45*-50* off to the left of my target and slicing severely. GIGANTIC misses! Very very odd considering how I hit the ball now that I'm out of that and even how I would hit the ball back then in between shanks. Just couldn't stop hitting the ball with the hosel.

[lumpuckeroo]

Started when I was in high school, 35 years ago, quit during college and while starting a family, been playing now for 18+ years. Lowest score is 79.

[flap]

started in 1970 kinda quit in the 80's and restarted in the 90's.best round is 77

[loopy]

Been playing for about 4 yrs didn't start until I was about 34. My usual rounds consist of nine holes I score about 40-45. My lowest rounds were in a three week span during league play and I went 43,41,37 on a par 35, I was listed as a 12 handicap at the time, boy did I catch some grief for that. During that 37 round everything was clicking, except I wasn't real long so I decided man I was hittin' it pretty good now if I could just get a little longer; oops never saw anything around that 37 the rest of the season.

[JetFan1983]

I started on May 1st, 2008, and I remember the day because my 25th birthday bash was the day before and I remember being "not all there" at my 1st golf lesson. Anyway, I was hooked immediately. My best score is a 92 on this really forgiving 6,001 yard course. On a course longer than 7,000 my best score is 106.

Brutal game! Keeps me coming back though! Winter in the North East United States really sucks!!! I haven't gotten to play a round since early November!

[grandaddy510]

been playing for about 6 months, i try to get out almost every weekend, and going to the range about 3 times a week, just shot a 98 the other day with a few stupid shots i wish i had back...i think i can get to low 90's high 80's pretty soon here.

[localhawaii]

Been playing 9 months now and just started being able to keep it under 100. Cant seem to break 97 just yet, but if I can have one good day without a snowman and few lost balls and I should be able to taste the high 80's.