You vs. Your Year-Ago Self

[iacas]

This poll basically asks you to quantify how much you've gotten better. It might be that you have the same handicap but you're more consistent, too.

FWIW I voted 51-75% as winning a minimum of 76% of my matches is a pretty tall order when you get down to the +1 to 1 handicap range.

[Laws of Woo]

91%+ for me, I've improved drastically. Partially because, I've upgraded my entire set (which was about 9-10 years old at the time), and put a lot more hours into practice and played a lot more rounds. Prior to last summer, I'd only play once a month or so...and would rarely if ever practice. I'm out atleast once a week to play a round, and hit the range once or twice a week. Swing has dramatically improved with all my clubs.

[14ledo81]

80% for me. I hit my short irons a little shorter, but really everything else has improved.

[B-Con]

Really interesting poll. We should have this yearly. :-) I said 76-90%. I'm more consistent now and my average score has dropped a couple strokes. Last year at this time I was just recently thrilled to break 90, now it's my average score. I think my driving is less consistent, but I'm working on that. My putting is better, my chipping and pitching is better, and my irons are better. I can play bogey golf pretty easily now.

[jshots]

I was a 13.5 last summer at this time and now a 7.7 so I voted 91%+. I am pretty sure that is accurate. I just seem to be able to make way more pars now, and throw in the occasional birdie. I'm about to purchase an R11s and if it helps me start hitting fairways (the demo sure did :D), i'm confident I can get below 5 by the end of the summer and my goal is to shoot my first even par round by the end of the year. My ball striking is wonderful with my mid/short irons right now

A lot of the improvement I owe to the people on this forum!!

[Mattplusness]

Last year was my second season playing. I was shooting in the 90s, sometimes 100s struggling to break 90 (only did it once).

This year I am consistently below 90 or with a bad round (today) I might lose one in a blue moon, so 91-100%.

[Kapanda]

I don't know if this is or is not an annual poll, but it should be!

[JetFan1983]

Despite numerous injuries and mild carpel tunnel issues over the past year, I've still be able to practice golf fairly regularly, and I'm very thankful for that. So far in 2012, I've logged 220 hours of golf. That's about 1.13 hours per day of practice, even though I'm not playing everyday. That's really, really good for me. I've battled hooks for a long period there, wrist issues, hip flexor issues, elbow issues, neck issues, and left hand issues this year, but with lots of ice and daily stretching, I've been able to keep it going. This year, I've finally begun filming my swing every time I practice and I've sort of become a bit of a character at my local range. I'm the camera guy. Anyway, this has been my most productive last twelve months as I've had 16 golf lessons (14 stack and tilt, 2 aimpoint) plus having attended two S&T; clinics for free. I've had lessons from Steve Sieracki, Dave Quinn, Lainey Gunning, and Keith Handler. I've been fitted for an Edel putter. I've hit balls alongside Mike Bennett for an hour, watching him practice (he never made a single full swing. They were all half and quarter shots). Lifetime, I've only logged about 500 hours of golf. I started in 2008 and played here and there. In 2009 I didn't get to play once. And in 2010, I played about 100 hours. 2011 was my first experience with legitimate lessons and I consider that my golf beginning. As a golfer, I'm still very green, but I'm getting closer to controlling low point, curve and having consistent power to play any course. I still make a lot of stupid mistakes, but I'm continuing to learn every time I hit balls. Despite all the struggles, frustrations, and anger, I'm still here, hungry for more golf -- eager to continue learning and improving. I love the process of improving and practicing. This is a wonderful game and I look forward to every time I can get out and hit some balls. I want to learn more about what David Orr teaches, and I want to learn more about the science of golf. I'm really looking forward to the arrival of my Five Keys DVD, and will probably schedule a lesson with Mario Bevilacqua since I always play golf in Colts Neck, NJ. I know I still have so much to learn and that really excites me for continuing to play this game. No matter how difficult the road gets, this game is just too damn fun and addictive to ever quit or give up. And I would never have made it this far without this website, Erik, Mike, and all my favorite contributors to this forum. Thanks, guys! I voted for the bottom option.

[NuclearMike]

I've improved a LOT.  Fifteen months ago I was sitting at home in the midst of a 10 year layoff from golf.  Now, with consistent practice and work on my game I've gone from the 100-120 range to my last three rounds being in the 80s.  I'm still working on consistency with my irons and putting but I'm finally "getting it" when it comes to the irons.  Unfortunately I can't get to the course as often as I'd like and the range where I practice doesn't have a good putting green.  I need to spend some time at the course, even when I don't have time to play, just to work on my putting and chipping.

[saevel25]

Very good question, i would say 51-75% better than a year ago. My short game is better, i would be able to grind out a few better rounds.

[sean_miller]

I was sinking more putts last year. Plus I don't really have the killer instict this season. It might be close though since I'm hitting my long irons and wedges much more solid this season.

[jamo]

My year-ago self was playing really, really well despite a not-so-great swing. My swing right now is beginning to come together, but I haven't gotten to play as much as I'd like and my short game this year is a bit rusty. I think it would be close, but 2012 be would probably have fewer loose shots, and win. I went with 51-75%.

[Kapanda]

The good thing about starting anything up is that there is generally only one way to go!

[tristanhilton85]

91-100% for me. I've gotten so much better... On 7/15 last year I had a 18.6 index and when it updates tomorrow, I'll be a 13.3!!! I'm much improved and looking back on it, last year I sucked. Hopefully I can say the same next year.

[BeRich]

100 for me...Had never been on a course until a few months ago, so it's pretty easy to beat that...

[Jebent]

91-100 here, I didn't get a chance to play much last year. Think i played more in June this year then I did all of last year.

[gwlee7]

I put 51 to 75% better as I am one shot better in the handicap computer right now than I was a year ago.  I haven't been playing as well over the past couple of years as I was because I have been making a huge swing change.  However, I am at the end of that and things are starting to really improve.  I expect to see even greater improvement over the next year.

[mchepp]

Me and my year ago self would be pretty close. I might hit a few more greens now, but I putted better last year. So we'd likely tie alot.