What's Preventing You From Playing Scratch Golf?

[jerryleal]

you'd probably be right..if i were playing the same courses that the pros do, but with the large soft greens of 'an easy municipal course' as I stated..it's not Herculean or Woodsian to hit a green from 180....'sorry- but to assume that you know my game better than I do is.."    " take your pick of adjectives.

[Ringworld]

For me I did some math to prove to myself that I need to focus on certain areas.  I even wrote briefly about it on my blog but that is a different story.

Suffice it to say a bogey golfer (Which I tend to gravitate)  I loose it with my approach shot to short game.  The math proves it too.  Almost 69% of a golf round consists of approach shots, chips/pitches and putts.  If that isn't a strong indicator of where to focus your attentions I don't know what is.

Putts consist of almost 50% of your game.  So I would consider putts first then chips/pitches second with approach a very close third.

You can see me practicing my less than 100 yard shots hitting them high and low just to get a feel.  Then putting 3 foot in putts.  then longer but honestly if you break down your putting into two things -- pace and direction you can simplify how you approach your putting by focusing on one item at a time until you feel comfortable.

Your mileage may vary but that's what I have been doing lately, and my score has dropped almost 6 strokes.  (I was around 15 and now I am playing to around a 9.)  That's just been in the last .... 2-3 months :D

[iacas]

Ringworld, I'm on my phone, so others can fill in some more details and links… tap in putts consist of about 20% of our round, so does that mean we should spend 20% of our time working on those? Look up two threads: long game versus short game, and 65/25/10 practice ratios.

[cipher]

http://thesandtrap.com/t/14930/relative-importance-of-the-long-game-short-game-etc-mark-broadie-strokes-gained-etc

http://thesandtrap.com/t/58816/65-25-10-practice-ratios-where-to-devote-your-practice-time

[CaledonianGolf]

This is a superb post. The main issue in my game is time, or lack of! That and putting. Oh, and fairway woods. And alignment. I could be here all week

[RandomGolfer]

I'd have to say having a day job. Being a scratch golfer takes a lot of time and dedication.

[JKolya]

Time and money. I think it is that simple, but I do say that with a caveat. I am relatively new to the game, and the amount of time I have been playing is not enough to reach scratch. So even if the last year was spent playing/practicing intentionally daily, I would not be scratch. But, if I had the next 5 years to do this I think I could be there. The Dan Plan says the opposite, but I think everyone is different both in ability, but more so in methodology.

[Jakester23]

I wonder how long it would take for a guy like me if I was paid to play. Meaning had 8 hours a day to exercise and work on my game. Also having access to lessons and golf at no cost. Obviously my bills being paid would have to be included. I just wonder how many people could even get there?

[cipher]

I wonder how long it would take for a guy like me if I was paid to play. Meaning had 8 hours a day to exercise and work on my game. Also having access to lessons and golf at no cost. Obviously my bills being paid would have to be included. I just wonder how many people could even get there?

I would guess, less than we think.

I'd have to say having a day job. Being a scratch golfer takes a lot of time and dedication.

Are you saying that it is hard to do both?

[Golfingdad]

I would guess, less than we think.

Yeah, but you forgot a waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay there right before "less."

We are all delusional.

It's not time and money preventing most of us ... it's skills.

[cipher]

Yeah, but you forgot a waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay there right before "less."

We are all delusional.

It's not time and money preventing most of us ... it's skills.

I agree 100%.

[Jakester23]

I don't honestly think its as much skill as determination. I don't think people honestly realize how hard it is to be good at something. How long does it take to be good at your job? Most people just aren't patient enough to stick with a change long enough to see it work.

[Lihu]

I don't honestly think its as much skill as determination. I don't think people honestly realize how hard it is to be good at something. How long does it take to be good at your job? Most people just aren't patient enough to stick with a change long enough to see it work.

In some other threads, we estimated the number of scratch golfers to be somewhere in the vicinity of 6,000 to 10,000. If you include sub-2 handicappers closer to 10,000. There are 40,000,000 people who play golf, and 6,000,000 who are serious enough to have a handicap. Statistically, it is very hard to be a scratch golfer.

I'm agreeing that some of us with hard work and determination can get there, but it also takes talent which many of us do not possess.

Think of the consistency you need from hole to hole. Every hole is your par performance, possibly an occasional birdie and an Eagle every blue moon?

Seems like you need the talent and a lifetime commitment to play par golf.

[Jakester23]

So what's the percentage of golfers who can play more than 3 times a week? Not many of us have even the time let alone the $$$ to even try.

[David in FL]

Yeah, but you forgot a waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay there right before "less." We are all delusional. It's not time and money preventing most of us ... it's skills.

[quote name="cipher" url="/t/71758/whats-preventing-you-from-playing-scratch-golf/126#post_949164"]I agree 100%. [/quote] Yup!

[Jakester23]

Yup!

Maybe im a little to optimistic after my clay shooting days.

[David in FL]

Maybe im a little to optimistic after my clay shooting days.

I represented the Marine Corps shooting skeet at the U.S. Open only 2 years after first learning the sport. Compared to golf, skeet, trap, and sporting clays are EASY to learn, and even attain elite status. But by God, they make golf seem cheap though, don't they?! ;-)

[Jakester23]

Skeet is easy fitasc and sporting clays is a lot like golf. I don't think golf is much different more variables. Also in golf u can get back a missed shot in clays once its gone its gone.