Started at 47 - Can I get to low single digits handicap

[atanum]

I really started golf late at 47, before that a hacker playing once in a while. Have been playing and practicing for the since Nov. 2010 and into it for 9 months now.

While I would love to be a scratch sometime, I think given the late start and the age it is highly unlikely anytime.

However having said that, I think it is possible to get into low single digits in a reasonable timeframe.

Handicap progression

Nov       2010     21

Dec       2010     17

8th Dec 2010      Scored 79 in tournament round ( This I think was a freak case of breaking 80)

Jan       2011      16.1

Feb       2011      15.3

Mar       2011      14.5

Apr       2011       13.8

May      2011       12.5

Jun       2011        11.8

Jul        2011        11.4

In terms of my game. I am not a long hitter but fairly consistent and straight

1. Drives  - 250 yards average, 80% FIR

2. Approach shots - 5,6 iron game needs improvement/woods are fine - 25% GIR

3. Pars - about 9 per round

4. Short game - good, within 10 ft of pin from  60 yards in

5. Putts - 32 avg/round

90% of the time I blow-up one hole with a triple and sometimes quadruple bogey, which really gobbles up my score.

In terms of the club course I usually play - it's fairly tough, CR - 72, Slope - 137. Length from white - 6900 yards. Narrow fairways with trees and water hazards on sides on almost all fairways; small greens.

Playing routine - 14 hrs practice/wk - (50% short, 50% range of which 90% on mid irons and 5% on driver). 2 X 18 hole rounds a week. Coaching review once in three months.  Local club tournament once in 3 months.

Do you think it is possible to  get under 5 handicap if I continue the same way ? If so what would you think would be a reasonable time frame ?

Look forward to your comments.

[ggolokin]

on paper you have the skills to play scratch, within 10 feet of everything 60 yards in is pretty good,

you probably need to putt better, 32 putts per round isnt single handicap worthy with a GIR of only 25%...

work on your 5iron and 6irons to increase ur GIR, work on ur putting...

get over that mental hurdle.. it seems that one hole you blow up on, is a terrible hole... you need to keep your head in the game and only think of the shot you are taking.

[Stretch]

Don't think there's any particular reason why you can't get down to a five or so if you keep working hard. Basically you need to improve your iron game (GIRs are too low, you need to be routinely making eight or nine a round) and cut down on those blowout holes.

Something to consider is the effect your home course is having on your index. The PGA and USGA recommend that players who drive it 250ish play total yardages in the 6,200 - 6,400 range, so you're really up against it off the whites at 6,900 yards on a tough track. Guessing you're hitting quite a few hybrids or long irons into those small greens?

[atanum]

yup pretty much hybrids from 3 thru 5 or a choked down  5W.