I've heard several times........

[Jaywun]

that almost all golfers reach their full potential within their 1st 3 yrs of golfing. That even scratch golfers reach this point within the same 3 yrs. I sure hope this isn't true. But I'm starting to wonder. My very best summer was 5 yrs ago. I shot under 80 4 times. 74 being my best. And haven't been back in the 70's since. It's at the point now where I don't even know how I shot those rounds. My index got under 10 for a very short stint and has settled in the 11's ever since. What do you guys think? Are any of you still improving after 15 or 20 yrs. of golf? If so, what are your keys?

[CPT]

Not true at all.

No matter how good, anyone's game will certainly go through ups and downs over period of time. It's the amount of practices you put in the game that determines your confidence and your overall performances during a certain period. The more you put into it, the more you will likely get out of it. There is no time frame to conclude that your best years have passed.

If you stopped playing after 3 full years and came back practicing harder than ever, you will be better.

[motteler621]

Doesnt make sense really. I could play for 3 years without any lessons then start lessons and improve alot

[CrazyXGolfer]

I don't think this is true at all.

My case, I started with a 26 hc and got to 0.0 in about 8 months. But, i no alot of people who were stuck on around 13-15 and now play off 4 and 5 a few years later

[motteler621]

I don't think this is true at all.

Thats sweet you got that low so fast. How did you do it?

[max power]

Technically I first played full-length championship level golf my senior year of high school, which was over a decade ago. But after that I didn't play again until college was over, then I only played sporadically until April of last year. I've been playing seriously now for about a year and a half, and I have been steadily improving, but I realistically expect that I will plateau relatively soon. If my last 2 rounds are any indication I may have already. There's always room for improvement, but I think 3 years is reasonable given relatively consistent play and practice. Without a significant influx of time, money, and lessons it's become exponentially harder to improve the better I get-and this probably applies to most people after they reach a certain level of time invested and skill.

But...my Dad has been playing for 30 years and is better than ever, so there's always hope.

[wrx_junki]

I think that statement is true if you are playing golf full time. Definitely not true for most and especially not true for weekend warriors.

[Zeph]

For some people it is probably true, but there is no rule. I believe that as long as you play golf, you will slowly improve. I've seen this among people of all ages. Even those 70+ years of age can make progress after the first 3 years.

I think that statement is true if you are playing golf full time. Definitely not true for most and especially not true for weekend warriors.

What? So the best players in the world does not improve after 3 years?

[max power]

Thats sweet you got that low so fast. How did you do it?

Gotta meet a man at the Crossroads.

[TourSpoon]

I don't buy it...you can always improve...but if you are talking about a person who takes the game up as a hobby and just kind of plays without practicing and lessons, then you are probably as good as you will get.

My best golf was played in the early to mid 90s and then I just recently got serious again and have posted more consistent rounds than ever. I am getting to the point that I close to playing the best golf of my life, 15 years since peaking.

[Danattherock]

that almost all golfers reach their full potential within their 1st 3 yrs of golfing.

Complete BS, give it no further thought. I have been playing for 20 years and have improved more in the last 8 months than the first 19 years. -Dan

[Ignorant]

I started in -93 (at the age of 33) and in 3 years got hcp appr 15. Then it took me 3 years until I got the idea of chipping close to the hole and started scrambling way better. Dropped my hcp from 15 to 9.6 in two months.

Next plateu was around hcp 7 where I stayed a few years. Then around 5.5 - 6.0 again a few years. This year I have played my best golf ever after changing my swing during two winters and it has finally paid off. Also I have concentrated on putting for a few years and that has improved my game as well.

At the same time my shot distances have decreased so I need to use longer irons in approaching and YET my scores have been much better this year than during previous years. Next year I will play even better!

[NCSU_MSE]

that almost all golfers reach their full potential within their 1st 3 yrs of golfing. That even scratch golfers reach this point within the same 3 yrs. I sure hope this isn't true. But I'm starting to wonder. My very best summer was 5 yrs ago. I shot under 80 4 times. 74 being my best. And haven't been back in the 70's since. It's at the point now where I don't even know how I shot those rounds. My index got under 10 for a very short stint and has settled in the 11's ever since. What do you guys think? Are any of you still improving after 15 or 20 yrs. of golf? If so, what are your keys?

Definitely not true. I've been playing on-and-off since the age of 5, and now at 28 I'm playing my best golf. I couldn't legitimately break 100 for the majority of my life, and now I'm flirting with mid to lower 80's scores. To top it all off, I'm managing to do this without regular range time or playing time: I get out for 9 holes once a week during my work's league (my job & my 2-year-old take priority over my golf). How and why am I getting better? The few balls I do hit on the range are with a purpose, I took one lesson this year (which helped and hurt my game until I figured out what was most important), and I putt for at least 15 minutes prior to my league round. The point of all of this isn't to brag, it's to point out that you get better the more focused time & effort you put in. If you hit the range with a purpose, putt with a purpose, and take your lessons seriously, you'll improve until you hit whatever ceiling your physical attributes impose.

[kpaulhus]

I am at exactly the end of my 3rd year of my golfing career. I have improved more in the last 6 months than I did in the first 30 months. With that being said, if I dont get to the range or practice at least once during the week, my handicap will rise a little bit. As soon as I get back to practicing its scary what I can do on the weekends. I only see my game improving from here on as I learn more and more about my swing and the proper techniques.

[enis750]

I don't buy it...you can always improve...but if you are talking about a person who takes the game up as a hobby and just kind of plays without practicing and lessons, then you are probably as good as you will get.

agreed

i was a 4 in H/S, but am playing better more consistent golf than i ever have...and playing less than i did in school career round this year was a 66, before that was a 69 in 1996 been playing since 1993 roughly

[TheGeekGolfer]

that almost all golfers reach their full potential within their 1st 3 yrs of golfing.

Common sense and experience both tell me that this is completely false! I started playing golf about 15 years ago, in my mid to late 20's. I'd shoot in the 120's for 18. I started playing on a regular basis (ie - more than 10 times a year) about 10 years ago (right after my divorce)

. First I broke 100, then shot in the 90's, then broke 90 and shot in the 80's on occasion. Wow...then I broke 80 and shot in the mid-80's consistently, with only the occasional 91 popping into view. This year I've broken 80 at least a half-dozen times and shot my lowest round ever (+1, 73) just a few weeks ago. This has been a steady progression over 10 years of golf, driving range practice, a few lessons, short game practice, putting, etc. I've been improving bit, by bit and look forward to getting even better next year. This year has been a true breakthrough (thanks to this website and videos online, etc) in beginning to fully understand the swing mechanics, ball-flight paths, and how to correct and make adjustments in my swing. I'm sure I'll have a few more 'ups and downs' over the next few years as I further understand the game of golf and my swing. Have I reached my full potential...nope, not even close.

[jamo]

I think that statement is true if you are playing golf full time. Definitely not true for most and especially not true for weekend warriors.

I think, if anything, it's the other way around. Most "weekend warriors" get good enough to be able to whack the ball around without being laughed at. Whether or not they are the majority I don't know, but I doubt that it's "almost all".

[Stretch]

Gotta meet a man at the Crossroads.

Wings inhibit swings.