I want a single digit! Please chime in with your opinion-club membership or range

[Wayne Hudler]

So JCP907 have you decided what you'll do?

I have a membership and play twice or more weekly. My club doesn't have a reduced rate for range balls unless you get a monthly package in addition to the regular fee.

I favor the practice rounds over the range balls. You must be able to repeatedly hit the same shot. By that I mean to get the value from the practice round, I will play by myself and hit 2 balls the whole round. Then if a shot doesn't go as I like I then will drop another and give it another try. This really helps when I working on particular tip or move. Have to be careful not to hold up play for those behind you, so practice when play is the lightest.

[Jcp907]

Wayne,

For the short term, yes. I am booking another lesson on the full swing, and will work on putting for 1 hour, short game for 1 hour, and full swing for 1-2 hours, 5 days a week, for a month. For the full swing, I will be working on the MEGSA at the Mike Bender Academy at Timacuan. They also have a short game range there with concrete squares at various distances. I figure it will cost me 300.00 or so for the month. This breaks down as Lesson: 80.00, the month on the MEGSA:155 (balls included when in the MEGSA), and range balls for the short game practice-the rest.

I need to determine what the purpose will be for each lesson.

For long term goals, it's improve my FIR and GIR, and reduce my penalty strokes. Any idea what a reasonable number of penalty strokes is for 20 rounds?

My short term goal for putting and chipping will likely be no peaking.
For pitching, my short term goal will be to hear the click (minimize or eliminate thin shots)
For the full swing-my instructor will work with me to identify the short term goal. It will likely have a lot to do with the transition and beginning of the downswing. I believe I know the proper backswing.

I will probably have to revisit this question in a couple of months though.

Thank you for the input!

[kleraudio]

JCP, your definitely on the right track, great that your thinking about all this stuff in advance!

How did you keep all these detailed stats by the way? Thats really nice to have!

[Jcp907]

JCP, your definitely on the right track, great that your thinking about all this stuff in advance!

Thanks! I like to learn from other's experiences. As for the stats, I took some of Iacas's ideas, if I recall correctly.

In the top box I draw an arrow left, right, or up for Fairway misses or hits. Then the club I used in the same box. In the next rows, I record a miss with an arrow, or a hit I leave blank. I do that for each shot until I am on the green. An asterisk for each stroke penalty or 2 asterisks for stroke and distance or an S if it's from the sand. In the next row I record the first putt distance and then the number of putts Then I record the score for the hole. It's not time consuming at all, and I do it between shots, then on the next tee after holing out. I play 18 in under 2 hours when solo. I then keep track of it on oobgolf dot com, although Iacas has his online scorecard software here. I believe he charges for it. The site I use is no charge for the basics that I use. Let me know if you want to get out. I can come over that way...world woods is a blast!

[Shorty]

It seems like your putting is pretty good, especially for your handicap (which i estimated at about 16ish given the score on par 3,4,5's). I think you're GIR and fairway are a little weak, but not all that bad.

I would say that his GIR stats are excellent. If he's hitting a third of greens in regulation, that's good. His putting is OK at 1.9 per hole, so he has to eliminate the odd big scores each round. If he has bogey on 9 of the holes he doesn't hit in regulation, and gets up and down on the other 3, there's your single figure handicap.

[Jcp907]

I would say that his GIR stats are excellent. If he's hitting a third of greens in regulation, that's good. His putting is OK at 1.9 per hole, so he has to eliminate the odd big scores each round. If he has bogey on 9 of the holes he doesn't hit in regulation, and gets up and down on the other 3, there's your single figure handicap.

Thank you for your opinion, Shorty. I do believe that working on my ball striking and pre-shot routine will help eliminate the double bogeys or worse-along with course management. I will re-read Rotella as well. It seems that I pick something new up, with each read.

[jamo]

I would say that his GIR stats are excellent. If he's hitting a third of greens in regulation, that's good. His putting is OK at 1.9 per hole, so he has to eliminate the odd big scores each round. If he has bogey on 9 of the holes he doesn't hit in regulation, and gets up and down on the other 3, there's your single figure handicap.

Well, he said he wants a single digit, trying to get up and down on 12/18 holes is not the answer, usually. Plus, you didn't count three putts. I think improving your ball striking sets up you short game and your putting, which will make those aspects of the game easier. For example, the closer you get to the hole, the more putts you make, the better you score, and the better your putting stats look. Also, if you don't miss the green as far, you have an easier chip, and a better chance to get up and down.

[Jcp907]

It's settled! Earlier this evening, I opened my Valentines Day card from my wife and she just hooked me up with 6 months on the MEGSA and 3 prepaid lessons! I am excited!

[spitz20]

work on that short game, being able to scramble for par is an asset, i cant tell you how many times ive missed greens and been able to up/down for par in a round....kinda sickening :D

[Ben]

I can understand that. Please help me understand a little better though, if you don't mind. in keeping with practice with a purpose, if you are swinging well, and you go to the range, what will be the purpose of that range session?

I fall into that trap too. Then I start playing bad. I don't believe in spending hours on the range with bucket after bucket. A bucket a day or every other day. It can't hurt. Stay sharp. That's what it takes to become, then stay single digit.

[Shorty]

Well, he said he wants a single digit, trying to get up and down on 12/18 holes is not the answer, usually. Plus, you didn't count three putts. I think improving your ball striking sets up you short game and your putting, which will make those aspects of the game easier. For example, the closer you get to the hole, the more putts you make,

That's not what I said. I said 3 out of 12!

He said he hits a third of greens in regulation. So, as things stand 6 pars, assuming two putts. If he has bogeys on 9 other holes, that's 9 over. If he then gets up and down on 3 holes that's 3 more pars. 9 over par for the round. One or two extra up and downs to compensate for a couple of 3 putts or the odd double bogey (or less if he one putts a couple of GIRs.) Noone should expect to have any 3 putts in a round. Obviously, you will have some, but I'd like to think that maybe 2 over three rounds is more than too many if you aren't putting on extra tricky greens.

[canes113]

This brings me to my question:

Yeah no doubt you'll lower your handicap playing 5-8 rounds per week, but from a financial perspective you're looking at $100 - $160 per week ($20 cart fee with membership) in addition to monthly membership dues. Is a single digit handicap really worth that much? Just another way to look at it.

[Jcp907]

Yeah no doubt you'll lower your handicap playing 5-8 rounds per week, but from a financial perspective you're looking at $100 - $160 per week ($20 cart fee with membership) in addition to monthly membership dues. Is a single digit handicap really worth that much? Just another way to look at it.

Thank you for the perspective. I did learn that this was the case when looking at different courses. There are two courses nearby that offer memeberships for under 300 per month that include the cart. The issue for me would be: would I get board on one course? For now, this qiestion is going on the back burner though. I have the MEGSA memebrship at Timacuan and will be taking more lessons. The plan is to build confidence in my ballstriking, putting, and short game more. I will still get 1-2 rounds per week in as well.

[kleraudio]

JCP, I think that is a GREAT decision!

PS. When I had the membership, it was cool, but I did get tired of playing the same course over and over....

Jim

[Gioguy21]

If it's possible, why not do a weekday membership? or weekend membership? some courses/clubs allow for these memberships as 'fillers' for their other full blown, any day of the week memberships. I found a great deal at a course by me that is for a weekday membership which includes cart/green fees for the year at a staggering (yes i'm saying it) $350 bucks for the year. I can play any weekday, any time. (mon-thur) and can still participate in the club championship. just an idea if there are those kinda things near you...doesn't hurt to ask either.

[Jcp907]

I wanted to post this up there so that if anyone searches for lessons vs membership etc. they can find it, with follow up results.

I joined the Megsa membership at Mike Bender Golf at Timacuan for six months, beginning March 1, and have taken two lessons, and have been practicing about 3-4 days a week, and playing 1-2 days a week. I broke 80 for the first time today! Shot a 74 at Deltona Club. It was from the III Tees which are 69.8/121, so not too tough, but I still shot a 74! More importantly, I realized I was playing well on about 12, and went 3 under on the back nine (started the day on 10, so it was actually the front). I went through my routine that I have been practicing with, and focused, and executed fairly well. I did get into trouble a couple of times, but made forward progress and relied on focus with my short game.

28 putts, 10 on the last 9, 18 on the first (best putting day ever!)
5 birdies, 7 pars, 5 bogies, 1 double bogey
I hit 9 fairways and 9 greens
I had one lost ball and 2 bunker shots

[alomar123]

Dang you guys really need to find better deals. I pay $44 a month for unlimited 9 hole and range on a top 20 Course in Ohio(according to GolfDigest,it was designed by Pete Dye).

[rexicon]

Have you looked into the Central FL Paradise Golf membership (it may look like I'm a spammer from my lack of posts but in reality it's because I don't yet have any other useful info to bring to the forum :D). Seems like it would give you the freedom to not get bored with your courses.

Nice work on the progress.