For all you low handicappers

[Boeing777]

For you low handicappers, from 12 on down. What do you practice on to get that low. I'm only 1 1/2yr into this game and i'm just wondering how to get there? What do you work on, or do you even practice at all?

[Bump-n-MI]

I've posted this several times but my practice consists of an individual reverse scramble. I'll take the worst of the 4+ shots and play the hole to completion. It's easy to hit ball after ball from a perfectly flat lie on lush grass and get the results you want, but how often do you play from situations like that? I became a much better ball striker and scrambler when I decided to practice real-world situational shots. This method has worked great for me.

However, I think all mid to high cappers need to work with a pro to establish a fundamentally sound swing. Once you understand flight laws and proper swing techniques it is time to work on swing repetition and muscle memory. Many people have major swing flaws that just get perpetuated by practice.

[natp0wers]

150 yards and in.

[DavidFehertysBike]

Work with a pro on fundamentals (grip stance posture) and spend twice as much time on the practice green as you do the range. The better you get, the more important chipping and putting becomes. So as your ball-striking improves, you can take advantage of the extra scoring opportunities.

[sean_miller]

Work with a pro on fundamentals (grip stance posture) and spend twice as much time on the practice green as you do the range. The better you get, the more important chipping and putting becomes. So as your ball-striking improves, you can take advantage of the extra scoring opportunities.

That picture is distracting - like seeing Rosie O'Donnell eating a sundae - you don't want to look, but . . .

Anyway, I think the grip, set-up, posture, and positions at various points of the swing, etc, can all be captured in a mirror (better on video) and making comparisons to video and photos of professional golfers. The trick is to pick a pro for comparison who has strong fundamentals - some pros setup and swing look terrible but because of pure talent and consistency are actually awesome. It's obvious from watching him swing that Vijay Singh emulates a Tom Weiskopf swing sequence - he made a good choice for his body type and personality. An advantage of the self-taught method is you become aware of what you're doing and why mid-round and you can make swing fixes - or you might even be aware that something is far enough out of sync that it's time for professional intervention. An advantage of lessons over the self-taught method is that a newbie wouldn't need as strong knowledge of their swing and ball flight theory. They wouldn't have to filter out contradictory information spewed out by Golf Digest. A lot of their tips and swingthoughts are solid, but every couple months they seem to be leading high handicappers on a meandering path of bullshit. A subscription to Golf Digest has probably delayed the development of many new golfers.

[Jay-Bird]

I improved most the year I spent working on SHORT wedge shots. work on controlling the ball off the face; distance, trajectory and spin.

[DavidFehertysBike]

That picture is distracting - like seeing Rosie O'Donnell eating a sundae - you don't want to look, but . . .

Quite the situation isnt it?...

I agree with you in alot ways. I belive that you have to own your swing techniques if you are ever to become a player, as long as its built on solid fundementals. I also agree alot on peeping in on pros for stance and posture. I looked to trevor immelaman for advice with the fundementals. ( i still do) We are of similar size and build and IMO his grip, stance and posture are picture perfect. His set up has no compensations in it. Its a good base to begin from. Paul casey someone i look at at address, too.

[Grahaman]

I have to agree with all who have replied above. Work on the short game from 150 yds on in and don't forget the putting game. Being able to develop a consistent lag putt that would leave me with a gimme was essential to my scoring. I enter every round with the thought of no 3 putts. Never happened yet, but definitely improving.

[Fatphil]

Golf is like any sport and far more physical than most give it credit...to me frequency is key...I hit balls year round 5 days a week but only 35-40 at a time plus 10-15 min on the green during lunch...I can do the entire practice in 35 min. Finding a range convenient to work or on your way home that you can blast in and out without making a big deal is critical. If u think you're Tiger who hits 800 a day you will quickly lose interest (your wife and your job)....the learning curve may be a bit longer but the success rate is better.

Also if at all possible hit off grass...for beginners mats give no feedback to poor shots and fool you into believing your crappy shots are OK. If ya gotta drive an extra 10 min to get to grass...DO IT.

[iammpspeer]

I've posted this several times but my practice consists of an individual reverse scramble. I'll take the worst of the 4+ shots and play the hole to completion. It's easy to hit ball after ball from a perfectly flat lie on lush grass and get the results you want, but how often do you play from situations like that? I became a much better ball striker and scrambler when I decided to practice real-world situational shots. This method has worked great for me.

I like this idea, but don't people get really mad at your for playing 4 balls?

[David in FL]

Scoring.....putting, chipping, sand play.

Even relatively low handicappers don't hit all that many greens.....at least most of us don't. Learn how to save par and to avoid doubles and you'll get down there faster than just hitting it 300 yds off the tee.

[Bump-n-MI]

I like this idea, but don't people get really mad at your for playing 4 balls?

No. I only practice this way when my course is slow (which is almost every day

). I would never hold anyone or any group up.

[wolverine_man]

In the warmer months, I take one night a week - usually after work, during the week - and I spend 2-3 hours doing nothing but chipping and pitching. I learned the game by chipping and putting first, so i always spend ample time on my short game.

[OCdude12]

Also agree with what most people have said so far, focus more on the easier clubs to hit right now, PW, 9, 8 and the rest will come in time. Pick a target and hit to it. Don't just go to the range and start swinging away, make yourself set up properly and focus like you're hitting a real shot. Put a club on the ground aimed at your target and set up along that line to help with your body alignment.

One person mentioned distance control and I thought of my brother right away. He's about an 18 and so many times I'll see him taking a full swing from 40 or 50 yards after one of his mishits. Taking a full swing from that close brings just as many problems into play as if you were 150 out. Work on controlling the distance of your wedges, taking a shorter swing and following through. The ball will fly lower and you can control the distance much easier. For fun, get a friend on the range of similar skill and hit to the same green that is a smooth PW or SW distance, alternating shots, each one closest to the hole on the green worth $1. Puts a little pressure on each shot and is a fun way to get good practice in. Give tips to each other if you notice problems, golf is a gentleman's game after all right?

[OCdude12]

And yes, practice your short game as much as possible. Get a shag bag and hit the practice green for an hour or two whenever you get the chance.

[Boeing777]

Thank you guys so much for the help. I'm a member of a course 10min from my job. And I have taken lessons already, i guess i just need to practice. I get an hour for lunch so i can definitely make it happen. I will work on chipping and putting for sure. Thanks again.

[mrt10x]

I remember improvement coming in spurts. I would get stuck at certain levels as I moved my handicap down. Was stuck at 18 for year, then had a drastic improvement over a 3 or 4 month period that got me down to a 12. This coincided with a new commitment to hit balls on the range every night after work. I was also playing with two single digit players who really helped me along. Then I was stuck at 12 for a year or so, and then bam, dropped steadily from 12 to 8 over a year of solid playing in San Diego. This coincided with year round golf, some new equipment, an improved short game, and more confidence. The movement from 8 to 5 has been slow and steady over the last 5 years. I dont practice much these days, only when something seems to be going wrong. I suppose if I ever want to get truly good at this game, my next improvement will come with a great practice price.

[bman1313]

I would set some goals for yourself. Practice, play, do some drills, whatever you need to do to reach those goals. I lingered around a 14 -15 for a long while and desperately wanted to be a single digit. I realized setting obtainable realistic goals could help me along the way. e.g. breaking 80, eliminated double bogeys, no 3-putts, chipping to inside of 3' from the hole. Keep track of stats like fairways hit, G.I.R and putts and then decide where the practice is needed. Cutting your Handicap Index in half is a big task and won't happen over night. Good Luck and have fun.