How did you break into single digit HCP?

[gwlee7]

Originally Posted by Deryck Griffith

I think you are underestimating how many people cannot make this statement.

Upon futher reflection, you (Erik too I suppose), are probably right.  I don't hit many fairways nor do I hit many greens but, I also have to remember that I play a course that has realitvely small greens.  I am ususally around the green in regualtion and that's why I have had to develop good chipping and putting to have as low a handicap as I do.  I will hit some ugly shots but at the same time, to me the real strategy to scoring in 70s is to never follow a bad shot with a worse shot.  I very rarely do that and usually can get the ball back in a position to where I'll have a putt for par.

[Splifton]

Thanks for all the great posts.  I'll be working on my ball striking for 2011 and let you know if I break into the single digit HCP realm!

[hoser]

I've read this thread with interest, because your story sounds similar to mine.  I've been pretty serious about my game for the last 3 years and my handicap has dropped as follows:

2008 - 19.0 -> 9.1
2009 - 9.0 -> 7.1
2010 - 7.1 -> 5.3

This past year I flirted with going low.  I broke par once and had several rounds with 4 or more birdies.  So, I'm really trying to get my handicap under 5 for this year.

For yourself, while I agree in principle with what the other have said, your statistics are indicating otherwise.

I will point to .... 38 putts!!!!

In your analysis, you attribute a +1 for missed putts, yet I count a total of 3 three putts.   You will need to get your 3 putts to an average < .75 per round to get consistently under a 10 handicap based on my experience.

Additionally, your Putts per Missed GIR is a staggering 2.0. I can infer from this, you didn't make an up and down nor, according to your account of the round, did you chip in, so I'm not sure how your scrambling percentage is 22%?  In any event, you aren't converting your short game shots into par savers.  This is a key skill.  So, unless you put yourself in jail 9 times during the round, I wouldn't think ball striking is going to help you very much.

The caveat, of course, is that you can't base a game improvement plan on one round.  So, some stats from the entire 2010 would be more useful.

I've been able to drive my handicap down by trying to improve the statistics that Scorecard keeps for me.  The trick was setting realistic goals.  To do this, I had to do extensive research in determining what the key stats for a given target handicap index might be.  For example, I know that a 3 - 5 handicap will hit an average of just under 10 fairways in reg per round.  I had several key articles that I used in the past, but now the website ShotByShot.com can give me this information for a fee.

For myself, my driving, iron play and short game are in the 3 - 5 index range statistically, but my putting is more like a 17 handicap.  So, I'm really putting in some extra time there.

My suggestion is to do some analysis for determining the weaknesses in your game instead of relying on general statements about how to lower your handicap.

[Golfhacker]

I'll throw my hat in the "ballstriking" ring also.  The really bad shots (OB, hazard, 40-yard wormburners) have a much greater impact on score than the occasional missed putt.  As those started to go away my handicap went down.  In fact, I'd say the remaining bad shots I have left are the reason I'm not sub-5 yet.  Over time my short game has been very consistent: consistently streaky, that is.

Obviously all parts of the game contribute to a good score, but better ballstriking will knock off more strokes in less time ... unless you have nothing but free time to play and practice everything.

[max power]

1 lucky round (76-19 months after playing my last round, 5 strokes clear of my previous best) got me into the 70's, but it also got me interested in golf again.  I started playing with relative frequency, and practicing a whole lot more.  I'd have to say improved ballstriking is what keeps me in single digits, at least 90% of the time.  I got a lot better with the driver/3 wood off the tee, and that seems to be the easiest way to break 80.  Putting every tee shot 235-270 from where I started, either in the fairway or at least somewhere playable, makes the rest of the round a whole lot easier.  Plus, confidence that I can put a 3, 4, or 5 iron shot relatively close to the target is a huge advantage on long par 4s and short par 5s.  So ballstriking is the key ingredient-but I started practicing everything.  I also got a lot more confident out of greenside bunkers.  I used to avoid sand traps at all cost, which is a safe and sometimes smart way to play, but catastrophic when I actually ended up in sand.  I started out playing on a tiny pitch 'n putt, so I've always enjoyed chipping (more importantly-practicing chipping), and I made myself start to enjoy putting, which I'd always detested.  Last but not least-play smart.  I try out hero shots at the range or during a practice round, if I'm playing against somebody or trying to shoot a low score I play the smart shot-which is the confident shot (no doubts in my mind standing over the ball).

So, kind of an obvious response (practice all facets of the game), but if you only have time or energy to devote to one thing-ballstriking, ballstriking, ballstriking.

[ScratchGolfer00]

Getting to that ever elusive single digit handicap takes a fair amount of skill and talent.  However, that is not the only aspect of the golf game that must be honed.  Golf management and scoring paying a huge role in being able to consistently break 80.  You should know your limitations and play within them.  Also you cannot be afraid to take calculated risks.  Phil Mickelson said that the difference between a great shot and a safe shot is having the balls to take the great shot after his amazing iron shot from the trees at the Masters last year.

[kilbyman]

Get the low point of your swing 4" in front of the ball with every club.

[Robato]

I think that better ball-striking is an ok answer, but from my experience, I dont think that is the hump that keeps players from single-digit handicap territory. I would say short-game and course management. I think through better course management, a player would allow themselves more chances at birdies, avoid less blow-up holes, and swing easier (better ball-striking).

And a better short game makes a world of difference. Like the previous message said, you can keep up with other players even on bad days. You dont have to hit everything well. Who was the pro that said after a championship winning round that they only hit three good shots all day? And whats that saying, you only need one good shot per hole to make par?

[snowman0157]

Solid Ballstriking can get you into the 70's  but you need to hone the short game and probably have adequate Power (shorter Approach shots, sets up more make-able birdie putts) to get into the low single digits....

My keys are  ball striking and course/game management....I'm a short, straight hitter and my short game is very average.   I have just enough distance that I can reach most greens in regulation, even though I will be playing longer irons/hybrids into the holes where players with more distance have mid or short irons.   I shoot in the 70's  on days when I hit lots of GIR  OR my short game shows up better than average... If both are mediocre I'm in the Mid 80's.  On  those happy days when I hit it good and get hot with the chipping/putting I can go into the low 70's.   In all cases,  it is important for me to keep myself in position (Around the green in regulation)  and avoid blow-up holes, so that is how I approach my game.     So, my keys for maintaining my Handicap are probably ballstriking and management,  To lower it,  I need improve my short game,

[mlf16507]

How do you get to Carnegie Hall? PRACTICE-PRACTICE-PRACTICE  !!!! Two things I tell my students to practice-1) What you do best  2) What you do worst.

[CyclistOK]

I definitely agree that ballstriking is the key to getting to single digits. Getting on the green was a big key for me and even now, probably 16 or 17 pars per round are the norm. I got alot better when I started trying to work the ball on the range. While I almost never play anything beside my natural slight fade on the course being able to move the ball was a great way for me to get used to the different feeling of differed shots so I know how a normal straight shot feels and can eliminate the other shots. In short, for me it was learning the other shots so I could exclude them (somewhat backwards i know). Now my biggest problems are missing those birdie putts or missing the long 2nd shot on par 5s. But I make sure to not exclude the range from my normal practice.

[pbailey]

Originally Posted by iacas

Again perhaps I'll be the first to point out that the "work on your short game" is rarely the cure. In the end, better ball striking is going to do more to take strokes off your game than the short game. The MoneyGolf article talked about this, and we all know that hitting greens in regulation is paramount.

But even if you don't hit a bunch more GIR, what's easier - a 40-yard bunker shot, a 40-yard flop shot over that bunker, or a chip from just off the fringe or just into the rough? The last one's the easiest, and your "short game" numbers will improve too because you're playing your "short game" shots from closer to the hole.

Generally speaking, ballstriking is the #1 determinant of handicap.

I would only add that being confident in ones short game goes a long way in taking the pressure off when hitting that shot to the green.

[TourSpoon]

Originally Posted by pbailey

Quote:

Originally Posted by iacas

Again perhaps I'll be the first to point out that the "work on your short game" is rarely the cure. In the end, better ball striking is going to do more to take strokes off your game than the short game. The MoneyGolf article talked about this, and we all know that hitting greens in regulation is paramount.

But even if you don't hit a bunch more GIR, what's easier - a 40-yard bunker shot, a 40-yard flop shot over that bunker, or a chip from just off the fringe or just into the rough? The last one's the easiest, and your "short game" numbers will improve too because you're playing your "short game" shots from closer to the hole.

Generally speaking, ballstriking is the #1 determinant of handicap.

I would only add that being confident in ones short game goes a long way in taking the pressure off when hitting that shot to the green.

Good point...having confidence is a huge factor in making the leap to the next level.

[johnthejoiner]

Having gone from 12.4 to 8.4 last year myself, i can only tell you that this worked for me. I was "at the start of the year" a mediocre to poor putter and the same could be said for when i was close to the green, so the first thing i done was purchased a couple of top of the range wedges "i already had a very good putter" and practiced my chipping and putting. After a short space of time i started to improve my short game,  what i did notice was the dramatic change in my mid to long irons, this was a knock on effect of being confident of getting up and down from around the green thus taking away the pressure of hitting it close with my approach shot allowing me to relax more over the shot and commit to it

[bunkerputt]

Ballstriking.  Period.  Hit the middle of the face every time with the right trajectory, spin, and face angle.  If you can do that, you automatically get a short game with just a few days worth of practice.  If you are hitting it all over the face, I don't care how much you practice your short game, you are feeding your brain a lot of confusing information about distances and trajectories.  You will always struggle to develop a feel for how hard to swing.  Get that all under control, i.e. STRIKE THE BALL PURELY, and you'll find that every other question like "How far do I hit my such and such club?", "Where should I land this so it will roll out to the hole?", etc. will all fall into place very naturally.  Then, work on striking the ball purely with the putter to produce excellent roll on the intended line.  A good striker doesn't have to practice for very long to develop feel in every are of the game.  Bad strikers practice hours a day and still struggle.

[tm22721]

I was plateaued at low 80s for years until last spring Marty Ayers showed me that I only need to engrain one feeling - that of a flat left wrist at impact. It sounded like snake oil but after 5-6 weeks of practice my subconscious trained itself to fill in the rest. Now I practice that feel of a flat wrist at impact before every shot.

[The Recreational Golfer]

When I slip into a period of single-digit performance, two things are always clicking: ball-striking and approach putting. I don't hit shots that are any better, just that I hit my good shots much more often and don't hit any clinkers. After I hit an approach putt, there isn't much left to clean up.

A friend of mine who is an 8 says the same thing about his game.

[BDMplayer910]

I found that my biggest improvement was from within 100 yards, and also, eliminating 3 putts.

The 100 yards and in helped me hit more greens, which in turn leads to more pars and when you get lucky, a birdie. I play a majority of my golf on an old Parkland course with very small greens, so my focus was to make sure I hit them as much as possible. A few years ago, when I was about a 10 handicap myself, I would hit 5 greens consistently. I do feel like I have a good short game, so that helps. The more you practice this the better your ballstriking gets, and the more confidence you will have standing there with a wedge in your hand. Confidence is KEY.

Putting is where the scoring is at, we should all know that. Eliminating three putts was my biggest focus on the greens when I broke into single digits. I practiced lag putts often from long distances to put more confidence in knowing I can get it close enough to ensure a 2 putt. Don't phase out those 5 and 6 footers though, because they can be the most hellish ones, at least to me, I am more nervous over a 6 footer straight line than a 12 foot bender.

If you're straight off the tee and you are a decent ball striker, it will come in time, practicing your wedges may be the best, practicing putting may help more. You have to pin-point where you feel you lose your most strokes and give it your best. It's a hard game, I feel your pain!