Why Do I Always Get This?

[Opaca]

Hey all,

i have a question for you today (obviously). I am a freshman in high school, 14, and maintain a handicap of around 6. This is not a low handicap, it's from scores posted during tournaments. I drive he ball about 300 yards each go, depending on the layout of each hole, and have juiced it to a par 4's green at 330 before. My question is his: Wh is everyone surprised that someone like me, 5'6'' and 150 pounds, can drive he ball and hit it solidly? Just today, I had someone ask what club I hit on my 165 yard approach shot, and look astonished when I replied, "My 8 iron". No, I'm not making these numbers up(and my handicap would be lower if I had a better short game, which is my current project). Have we, as a society, become accustomed to people who golf only on the weekends and hack around the course with their kid giving them misinformation? I've been playing for 11 years, but my grandpa had me tee off from the 200 yard marker at first and go me lessons with a kid friendly pro. Is this out of the norm, so much so that people are disgusted when they see a 14 year old will be playing in their group until I tee off. I'm not sure if this is just me, or if anyone else has experienced or seen this before.

Thank you,

Opaca

[MEfree]

Nothing new...most golfers didn`t take up the game at 3, drive it shorter and score higher than you so they are impressed and/or surprised by your ability.

[Kapanda]

at 14, it's understandable, but still not a good look, to go around smelling your own farts.

Of course it's awesome that you're a great golfer - but humility always bodes well in a person too.

[DocWu1948]

It's your starter's fault. Every time I played with a kid from the local HS team that was good, we were told something like ..."So and so is on the XYZ high school squad. He's hitting from the blacks. Make sure he putts out everything or I'll get the Coach on his butt."

[CraiginKSA]

I worked with a guy in New Jersey.  He was a pipefitter/welder and had a big, bushy beard.  He looked like Grizzy Adams.  He wore jeans, a plaid shirt and a leather belt with a Harley belt buckle.  The guy was scratch.  He could really swing it.  He owned a driving range.  The only tip off that he could play was the $500 alligator golf shoes.

Let your game speak for itself.  There are a lot of old-timers who look like they may not make it to the second tee.  Then they end up shooting par.  You're the reverse of the guy with the tour-sized golf bag, the $1,200 set of irons, $600 driver, wearing ridiculous gear who can't break 100.

Or you might want to top your tee shot, shank your approach and putt it off the green for the first couple of holes.  Then suggest a little action.  You may get your round paid for.

[Shorty]

It's not unusual for people who claim to hit the ball a mile to have a crap short game. You need to balance your game.

A person who plays off 6 and hits it 300 yards each hole is obviously going to be laughed at because of their shocking iron play. Don't worry about it. Don't let it upset you.

If you think that the're laughing at your short game, you need to work on it, that's all.

Also, when you play on courses with softer fairways and accurate measurements, you'll find that the 300 yards you hit "each go" are probably more like 230, and for someone your size, that's not too bad.

Don't get frustrated, just work harder .

[Mr3Wiggle]

Originally Posted by Opaca

Hey all,

i have a question for you today (obviously). I am a freshman in high school, 14, and maintain a handicap of around 6. This is not a low handicap, it's from scores posted during tournaments. I drive he ball about 300 yards each go, depending on the layout of each hole, and have juiced it to a par 4's green at 330 before. My question is his: Wh is everyone surprised that someone like me, 5'6'' and 150 pounds, can drive he ball and hit it solidly? Just today, I had someone ask what club I hit on my 165 yard approach shot, and look astonished when I replied, "My 8 iron". No, I'm not making these numbers up(and my handicap would be lower if I had a better short game, which is my current project). Have we, as a society, become accustomed to people who golf only on the weekends and hack around the course with their kid giving them misinformation? I've been playing for 11 years, but my grandpa had me tee off from the 200 yard marker at first and go me lessons with a kid friendly pro. Is this out of the norm, so much so that people are disgusted when they see a 14 year old will be playing in their group until I tee off. I'm not sure if this is just me, or if anyone else has experienced or seen this before.

Thank you,

Opaca

So you've been playing golf for 11 years, have a 6 handicap, and you are seriously asking these questions???

[zipazoid]

Ignore them. Let your game do the talking.

When I was your age, I was playing off a 6 hc too. I'm left-handed. This was in the mid-70s & the sight of a lefty moving it out there around 250y (with a persimmon wood) was a bit of an anomaly - the only lefty pro on tour was Bob Charles. I can't tell you how many times people would tell me to switch to playing right-handed. I thought it was the stupidest thing in the world to say.

Still do.

[rossvanwyk]

Meh, seems like a post fishing for compliments. 14 hitting 300+ most of the time. Sorry but I just find that highly highly unlikely. Not impossible, but unlikely.

Just stick to your game. If you're a great player, people will see that within the first 4 holes of play and you'll get your fair share of praise and compliments.

[DocPangloss]

Originally Posted by rossvanwyk

Meh, seems like a post fishing for compliments. 14 hitting 300+ most of the time. Sorry but I just find that highly highly unlikely. Not impossible, but unlikely.

Just stick to your game. If you're a great player, people will see that within the first 4 holes of play and you'll get your fair share of praise and compliments.

I agree that he's likely just fishing for compliments. But if he is living at high altitude (5000+ft), 300+ most of the time is just not that difficult. I was doing the same when I was 13, even though I wasn't close to a 6 handicap, nor was I 5'6". But I saw kids with his build doing the same, on ocassion.

[Harmonious]

Originally Posted by Opaca

My question is his: Wh is everyone surprised that someone like me, 5'6'' and 150 pounds, can drive he ball and hit it solidly?

Who is surprised?  After all, Ricky Fowler can almost hit it as long as you.

[Mr3Wiggle]

Originally Posted by Harmonious

Who is surprised?  After all, Ricky Fowler can almost hit it as long as you.

LOL!  When I was 14 I thought I hit it 300 yards too.

[dak4n6]

Sounds like you are boasting rather than asking a question.  Is your question really why people are astonished that a 14 yr old 150 lb kid can hit 300 yd drives?  The answer is that most 14 yr old 150 lb kids can't hit 300 yd drives.

So, yes, you are great and awesome. Enjoy!

[zipazoid]

Originally Posted by Mr3Wiggle

LOL!  When I was 14 I thought I hit it 300 yards too.

LOL yup. Like Chi Chi says - 'The older I get the longer my drives used to be.'

[Sandy Trap]

I'm not sure that anyone should be taking this thread seriously.

[Opaca]

First off, I'm not trying to get compliments. I live about an hour from Denver, at a higher altitude, so none of these are anything unusual. The fairways are firm as its been cold recently without a ton of water, and my golf team is much better than me. I was on the if team this year, but none of our varsity team players seem to get any of this when they routinely drive is 330 and shoot par or under, even at courses with a 140 and higher slope. Just seems a little odd to me. On an unrelated note, does anyone know any good drills/practice ideas for chipping and putting?

[Opaca]

JV, not if. Sorry for the autocorrect.

[colin007]

why is my spidey sense tingling? ...