Becoming a good golfer....

[BOBG350]

Hi All,

I have joined here for a bit of advice and would appreciate your comments.

Basically, I started playing golf around 6 months ago and I'm currently a 20 handicap. I have only got my handicap recently since joining a club. My first few rounds which I handed my card in was terrible winter weather. Now the sun has come out I've been regulary shooting 86-88 for the past few weeks.

My aim is to get my handicap down to 0-4 in the long term. What I would like peoples advice on is the best way to get there. Should I spend all my practice time on the green constantly working on my short game?

I intend to have lessons but really want to know where I should start so I'm not wasting time.

Thanks All

[Mr3Wiggle]

If you are legitimately shooting 86-88 on a regular basis after only 6 months then, I'd keep on doing what you're doing.

[BOBG350]

Thanks for the compliment! I am in the UK so the sun has only come out in the last month after loads of rain.

I am really lacking in the short game department and know I need to work on that, I just wanted to know if there is anything specific to do when trying to get into new handicap brackets

[Mr3Wiggle]

Originally Posted by BOBG350

Thanks for the compliment! I am in the UK so the sun has only come out in the last month after loads of rain.

I am really lacking in the short game department and know I need to work on that, I just wanted to know if there is anything specific to do when trying to get into new handicap brackets

Practice, practice, practice.  If you're looking for a good book with some drills in it, check out "The Impact Zone".  It's very easy to follow and focuses on what is important in the golf swing.  If you're looking for videos you can download on the web check out Brian Manzella's collection.  "Confessions of a Former Flipper", "Never Hook Again", and "Never Slice Again" are good to watch.  When you go to the range work on something, don't just hit balls.  If you have a bucket of 100 balls, I'd use at least 80 of them for drills.

[BOBG350]

Thanks for the advice I'll look into them books. Im going on a putting green tonight to try Tiger's 'gate' drill.

Another questioned I have pondered is this:

I currently have a set of callaway Razr XF irons. Whilst playing with my friends (who are 3-7 handicap) they said to me that you should look to get different irons soon as they are too much of a game improver iron. I'm not changing already but how will I know when to make a change to a better player club?

I was looking at the titleist ap1 irons and I think those are nice but I have spent a bomb on my current irons.
Can my current irons only get me so far before I have to change?

Thanks

[Mr3Wiggle]

Originally Posted by BOBG350

Thanks for the advice I'll look into them books. Im going on a putting green tonight to try Tiger's 'gate' drill.

Another questioned I have pondered is this:

I currently have a set of callaway Razr XF irons. Whilst playing with my friends (who are 3-7 handicap) they said to me that you should look to get different irons soon as they are too much of a game improver iron. I'm not changing already but how will I know when to make a change to a better player club?

I was looking at the titleist ap1 irons and I think those are nice but I have spent a bomb on my current irons.

Can my current irons only get me so far before I have to change?

Thanks

Your irons will be fine for awhile.  When I started playing as a kid I got a set of cheap "bag in a box" alloy irons.  I played them till I snapped the heads off.  Obviously they were cheap.  Still was able to progress and shoot some decent scores.  Stick with your Callaway's.  Also, when you do decide to upgrade, go with something more like the AP2s or Ping i20s.  Those irons will require a consistent swing and you'll likely need solid swing dynamics to get optimum results with them.

[zipazoid]

Couple thoughts.

First off, shooting in the 80s only 6 months after starting is quite impressive! It sounds like you have a real knack for the game.

Second, your irons are fine. Don't mess with that. You will know when it's time to upgrade.

Re practicing, you can't go wrong with short-game practice. Not just putting, but chip shots, pitch shots, bunker shots. Get a shag bag & fill it with balls, find a place near you with a pitching green and try to go through your shag bag twice. Do that at least twice a week. Hone your feel. What that will do is translate back through the rest of your game. For example, if you're faced with a 150y approach shot, you won't feel the pressure to have to hit the green - if you miss it, your thought will be 'No sweat. I can make par from there.' If you're shooting upper 80s you're probably only hitting 4 or 5 greens in regulation, so you need to practice what's likely to happen on 13 or 14 holes.

[BuckeyeNut]

Originally Posted by BOBG350

Hi All,

I have joined here for a bit of advice and would appreciate your comments.

Basically, I started playing golf around 6 months ago and I'm currently a 20 handicap. I have only got my handicap recently since joining a club. My first few rounds which I handed my card in was terrible winter weather. Now the sun has come out I've been regulary shooting 86-88 for the past few weeks.

My aim is to get my handicap down to 0-4 in the long term. What I would like peoples advice on is the best way to get there. Should I spend all my practice time on the green constantly working on my short game?

I intend to have lessons but really want to know where I should start so I'm not wasting time.

Thanks All

You started playing 6 months ago and you are averaging in the high 80s??   That's impressive!......or is it an executive course?  LOL

It took me nearly a year to break 100 for the first time, so I'd say you're doing pretty well if it's a legit course.  Learn touch around the greens......(practice  the sand game, chipping, and putting)  Learn that and you will be on your way.   I haven't hit a bucket of balls in 17yrs, so I am not a range-rat advocate.  I'd prefer to play a lot on the course........