Getting to a Single Digit

[sean_miller]

Average GIR in the pro's is 66%, thats 11-12 greens in a round. So they are missing. Scoring average is 71.1, given they are playing on tough courses. Your saying they are playing 1 stroke under par.

I agree with all that saevel - GIRs don't mean as much if you can't putt very well, and missed greens will kill you if you can't chip. You won't have any opportunities for GIRs if you can't get off the tee and you can't even tee the ball up if you can't organize your new carry bag properly. That is my summary of today's posts.

[Chief Broom]

To keep it low, you got to start having a complete game, you just can't say GIR's is everything.

Statistically speaking GIR is the best overall indicator of the level of your game. I've always been a pretty decent putter. Even as a 18 handicap my putts per hole stat was below 2 strokes. As my handicap has dropped that stat has remained pretty much static. It'll fluctuate, but not in tandem with my handicap. But my GIR stat does correlate with my handicap, and from what I've read this is very common among all levels of players. Putting is just one aspect of golf, GIR is all the rest. Having the ability to get on in regulation after a poor shot is an indicator of being able to do more than just hit the ball but being able to play the course. Everyone does that on occassion but when your GIR start to improve that also means your ability to scramble is improving right along with it. So too with sand play, wedge play, mid to long iron play, you name it as that stat rises you're doing everything that contributes to it better. It is correct to say that putting closes the deal and without it your scores won't improve, but being on in regulation means you're putting for birdie and you'll make more birdies with a putter than with any other club in your bag. I don't mean to get all chicken and egg here, but GIR are huge. And improving this stat helps you even when you miss because those misses will be better since your shot making is improving. Better misses mean better opportunites for salvaging your score on that particular hole. Your putting stats only matter after you get your ball on the green. Improving your putting is all important to be sure but doing so doesn't improve your chances for getting on the green or for leaving it close.

[sean_miller]

Statistically speaking GIR is the best overall indicator of the level of

Score is the best indicator of the level of

my game.

[Deryck Griffith]

Once I started to leave the ball in an area where that first putt is reasonably makeable consistent decent scoring was so much easier. Proximity to the hole is nice, but I'd rather have a 15 foot putt straight uphill than a total speed putt like a 4 footer with 2 feet of break that might still be a 15 footer straight uphill once it's done rolling.

I understand your point but not every 5 or 4 foot put is on the edge of a huge slope causing the ball to run past 15 feet; conversely, not every uphill 15 foot putt is dead straight. We both have valid points. All I am saying is that averaging under 30 putts means that 3 out of every 5 games should be around 26-28 putts and that is very hard to do for an amatuer who cannot chip consistently or even hit a green consistently. I am also saying that averaging 30-33 putts (basically averaging a 2 putt with a some one putts and one or two 3 putts) CAN keep you in the single digits which, was the question of the OP. I know because I average 30 putts per round and have been single for two years. That being said, any of us who can average under 30 would certainly guarante you as a VERY low single digit player as it also reflects other aspects of your game; the ability to chip close when you miss a green and the ability to average a good GIR percentage.

[double_j]

I understand your point but not every 5 or 4 foot put is on the edge of a huge slope causing the ball to run past 15 feet; conversely, not every uphill 15 foot putt is dead straight. We both have valid points. All I am saying is that averaging under 30 putts means that 3 out of every 5 games should be around 26-28 putts and that is very hard to do for an amatuer who cannot chip consistently or even hit a green consistently. I am also saying that averaging 30-33 putts (basically averaging a 2 putt with a some one putts and one or two 3 putts) CAN keep you in the single digits which, was the question of the OP. I know because I average 30 putts per round and have been single for two years. That being said, any of us who can average under 30 would certainly guarante you as a VERY low single digit player as it also reflects other aspects of your game; the ability to chip close when you miss a green and the ability to average a good GIR percentage.

Also remember that not every chip requires a deft touch the tour-quality skill. One of the keys to reducing the number of putts is being able to get up and down in two in the really easy situations (e.g., two feet off the green, etc.). To have a solid shot at getting to (and maintaining) a single digit, you've got to be able to treat these just as if they were putts. No need to hole them out, just get them close enough for a gimme (or easy) one putt.

For someone like me (a low-mid capper), a stoke here or a stroke there is all you need to get to (or lose) your single - and those 'gimme' chips tend to be where I (at least) tend to gain or lose the most.

[Chief Broom]

Score is the best indicator of the level of

Score as an indicator of where your specific strengths and weaknesses lie is practically useless.

[sean_miller]

Score as an indicator of where your specific strengths and weaknesses lie is practically useless.

Score is actually a very good indicator of scoring ability, which is a compilation of many things.

As scoring improves, likely several things are improving simultaneously. If you're looking for one single statistic, that may or may not improve your score relative to par, to indicate you're getting more awesome, go for it. I'll take scoring average. PS. GIR is an important stat, but it also doesn't say what specifically should be worked on - "accuracy" encompasses a lot of different elements, including where your approaches are hit from, distance control, and aim.

[Chief Broom]

Score is actually a very good indicator of scoring ability, which is a compilation of many things.

Scoring is a compilation of your game on that particular day. I've scored poorly on days where I've putted less than 30 times in my round. I've scored well on days where I hit 5 greens. To understand your game on any single day you need to break it down beyond your raw score. This goes without saying. The point I'm attempting to make is that there is something to be learned by watching trends in your game. That's where GIR over the course of a year, or your current index (or some other arbitrary grouping) can be illustrative of how your game is progressing. The question I pose to you now is at those times where your handicap is dropping are you seeing an improvement overall in your putts per round (or putts per GIR or putts per hole) or are you seeing an improvement in your GIR per round. I maintain that when your game is improving you'll see the strongest corollary with GIR per round.

[Harmonious]

Ten years ago, I was around a 12 handicap. I didn't strike the ball very well, but good enough. I probably hit about 6 gir. If I were to list the things that got me where I'm at today, in order, they would be:
1. Hit the fairway off the tee, whether with a driver or an iron. Once you miss the fairway, your change of parring the hole drop dramatically.
2. Get your short game in top shape. That doesn't mean you can hole out every bunker shot, but make sure you never take more than 3 shots to get in the hole from around the green, and get up and down close to 50%.
3. Never, ever 3 putt from inside 40 feet or so. The really long ones are tough, but getting inside 3-4 feet from 40 feet is doable.
4. Work on sinking putts inside 6 feet. The 15-20 footers are as much luck as anything else, and you won't make more than 10%, but the 6 footers can save your round when you miss the green.
5. Mentally, remember that par is a great score.

Good luck.

[montru]

Describe the 7th hole? Did you loose a golf ball, or just struggle with your swing? curious because if you were doing really well up to that point, with a single digit handicap, it would be hard to say your swing just went to crap...........

OK, My tee shot found the right rough, not too bad a lie but the ball was on a slight down hill lie with the ball below my feet. I tried to take a 4i to leave myself about 100yds in, I caught it really fat and only hit it about 25yds, I then took 6i and hit it perfect left myself 95yds, I then bladed a SW over the back of the green and the ball ended up under the edge of a bush, at best all I could do was to thump it out with a 9i and to be honest I caught more of the ball than I thought I could. The ball eneded up down on the front of the green and the hole was at the back of a long green with a hump in the middle sloping left to right, my first putt came up about six feet short, then two putted from there.

The next hole par three, I came up short in the right bunker, long bunker shot out off the back of the green chipped back on and two putted for double bogey. I think maybe that once the wheels started to fall off as they say, each bad shot or decision compounds against the next.

[montru]

Thanks for all your imput, I do appreciate it, my putting has improved quite a bit lately, sinking 6-8 footers more regularly and I rarely three putt now apart from when I get in a situation like the other day.
What I have noticed though is my getting up and down has improved dramatically after adopting the Phil Michelson "hinge and Hold" method of chipping from his DVD.
Also what has helped with my ball striking and more GIR is the new shafts I had fitted in my irons after having my club fitting, every iron in my bag feels the same swing giving me a more consistant feel which in turn boosts confidence.

I am playing again tomorrow at a different course, I am told it is tougher that my home course, same four ball so will see what happens!

[double_j]

OK, My tee shot found the right rough, not too bad a lie but the ball was on a slight down hill lie with the ball below my feet. I tried to take a 4i to leave myself about 100yds in, I caught it really fat and only hit it about 25yds, I then took 6i and hit it perfect left myself 95yds, I then bladed a SW over the back of the green and the ball ended up under the edge of a bush, at best all I could do was to thump it out with a 9i and to be honest I caught more of the ball than I thought I could. The ball eneded up down on the front of the green and the hole was at the back of a long green with a hump in the middle sloping left to right, my first putt came up about six feet short, then two putted from there.

Ouch - I feel your pain on those holes.

That's the hard thing about being a mid capper - you really didn't make any bad decisions on those holes, you just couldn't execute the shots you wanted to play. The only exception being possibly hitting a shorter iron out of the hairy lie. Maybe accept that you'll be hitting an 8 iron instead of an SW (which isn't that big a stretch).

[cody west]

Ouch - I feel your pain on those holes.

i wouldnt go all the way to an 8 iron but when i became a single didget i lost 30 yards with each club. i went from being all about hitting my 6 iron from 210 to hitting my 6 iron 180 but not missing greens. just yesterday i had 180 left on a par 5 slightly into the wind and over a marsh into an green surrounded by bunkers on 3 sides then a a yard tall drop off on the other, i hit the green but i know if i took out a 7 i would have over swung and missed. i guess the key here is to play for accuracy, take a more club and take a shorter more relaxed swing. in all seriousness once you get used to the smaller smoother swing your distance should come back because you will be hitting the ball so much more pure than you ever have.

[martytilma]

Ten years ago, I was around a 12 handicap. I didn't strike the ball very well, but good enough. I probably hit about 6 gir. If I were to list the things that got me where I'm at today, in order, they would be:

1. To me that really depends on the course you are playing. Tight courses, definitely! 2. Good short game is a must! 3. Totally agree! 4. Practice, practice, and more practice! 5. Excellent point! (unless you 3 jack a eagle attempt) lol!!

[double_j]

i wouldnt go all the way to an 8 iron but when i became a single didget i lost 30 yards with each club. i went from being all about hitting my 6 iron from 210 to hitting my 6 iron 180 but not missing greens. just yesterday i had 180 left on a par 5 slightly into the wind and over a marsh into an green surrounded by bunkers on 3 sides then a a yard tall drop off on the other, i hit the green but i know if i took out a 7 i would have over swung and missed. i guess the key here is to play for accuracy, take a more club and take a shorter more relaxed swing. in all seriousness once you get used to the smaller smoother swing your distance should come back because you will be hitting the ball so much more pure than you ever have.

Oh, no. I meant that instead of hitting a 4 iron out of a hairy lie to leave himself a clean 95 approach, he could have hit a 6 iron out of the hairy lie to guarantee getting out of trouble and accepted the fact that his approach was going to be more like 115 to 125 instead (and the difference between 95 and 125 really isn't that significant in terms of execution).

For the mathematically inclined (here comes a blazing display of geekiness!): 4 iron out of hairy lie = 60% chance of an acceptable result SW from 95 yards = 85% chance of an acceptable result Combined probability of an acceptable result = 42.5% As opposed to: 6 iron out of hairy rough = 80% chance of an acceptable result 9 iron from 125 yards = 75% chance of an acceptable result Combined probability of acceptable execution = 60%

[fr0sty]

Oh, no. I meant that instead of hitting a 4 iron out of a hairy lie to leave himself a clean 95 approach, he could have hit a 6 iron out of the hairy lie to guarantee getting out of trouble and accepted the fact that his approach was going to be more like 115 to 125 instead (and the difference between 95 and 125 really isn't that significant in terms of execution).

I agree with this 100% Too many players (me included) try to reach out for the amazing shot (carry the bunker, cut the corner, fire at the flag) in the hopes of saving a stroke (reaching the par-5 in 2, or getting close enough to one-putt) that we are blinded to the very large possibility that we will end up costing ourselves one or more strokes in the effort by hitting into trouble.

There is also an unhealthy fixation among golfers about being as close as possible to the green. I would prefer almost universally to hit from 90-110 than 30-90 because the full swing is a higher percentage shot but I catch myself trying to reach with the driver to get closer when it in fact works against my interests for the next shot and increases the likelihood of getting myself in trouble off the tee. Remember what they say about the "6-inch course between your ears".

[montru]

Yeh point taken about maybe taking the 6 iron first instead of trying the 4 iron, they always say that hindsight is 20-20.

I went out to play today but got through six holes and came off the course due to lightning and then the rain started, in some way I think it was a blessing because both my wife and had chinese last night and my wife was sick at around 3:30 this morning, I felt a little rough but not too bad, I goes out but I just did not feel right, and still don't, so in a way I'm glad we didn't play the whole course.

[cody west]

Yeh point taken about maybe taking the 6 iron first instead of trying the 4 iron, they always say that hindsight is 20-20.

ya i know that was the biggest thing. i took one lesson and the instructor shorted my swing and i immediately dropped from a 4 to a 0.7 and now im going back up because i only play about once every two weeks. here are what i consider the key point

1. putting inside 10 feet. you should make more than 90% inside 5 feet on the practice green and about half from 10 feet 2. you should hit 80-90 percent of greens with your wedges, i dont care what wedge it is just hit the green from inside about 125 literally every time with maybe one or two exceptions. 3. shorter swings=more control, more control=more gir's, more gir's=more birdie putts, more birdie putts=lower scores. through the transitive property shorter swings=lower scores 4. play the course not your friends. play the course right, play the percentage shots and hit for the middle of the green and take a 2 putt par. no one ever got yelled at for making 18 strait 2 putt pars. also dont be tempted to fly the hazards, laying up will give you a lower score then dropping and lying 3 or whatever from the fairway. 5. dont be afraid of bunkers. i have a friend who is a scratch golfer who cant get out of a bunker in 3 shots and its completely a mental block. bunker shots are one of the easiest shots in golf, just take a flop shot swing and it will come out, just make sure your aimed at the green. also if your not avoiding them you most likely wont be in them because everyone knows if your trying to avoid something its going to happen. 6. have fun. as much as people dont want to believe it golf is a game and if your not having fun you might as well quit because no one ever broke 80 for their first time when they were all tense and shakey so just relax and swing freely. tense swings lead to slices and hooks.