Are you getting better?

[Gary L]

Have you improved this year?  If so, why? What did you do different that made you better?  If not, why not?   No practice?  Fewer rounds played?  Attitude?  Swing flaw?  What's your story?

[9424tm]

I have made a huge amount of progress this year. My handicap has dropped about 4+ strokes. The big difference was a lesson that I took at the beginning of the year. The first 15 minutes was dialing in my irons. I have always hit my irons fairly long and have had a decent short game. But my big struggle was off the tee. I got to the point last year where I was teeing of with a hybrid. But, by the end of my lesson I was crushing my driver consistently for the first time ever. Sure makes it easier to get greens in regulation when your longest approach into a par 4 is a 9 iron. Or occasionally having eagle putts on par 5's. It's also a whole lot more fun

[Shorty]

  9424tm said:

Sure makes it easier to get greens in regulation when your longest approach into a par 4 is a 9 iron. Or occasionally having eagle putts on par 5's. It's also a whole lot more fun

In the race of life, always back self-interest. At least you know it's trying.

 

 

[9424tm]

  Shorty said:

Sure makes it easier playing super short courses too. :roll:

Correct. I am definitely not playing championship courses. 5900 - 6200 yards.

[MacDutch]

Getting better every year I play. Started 5 years ago: - after one year at 24.9 - after two 16.9 -after three 13.9 -after four 11.2 - after five 9.7 (current) Changed sets 5 times. Found a pro that was able to teach me. This last point is very important, to find someone that recognize how you learn and is able to adapt. No drivingrange sessions for me. I play a lot, like 3-4 times a week. Play with better players! Give a lot a of attention to coursemanagement.

[Lihu]

Still lots of work. It seems like the better I get the more I feel there is to learn and practice.

[18rounds]

Yes i am happy with my progress this year. I don't keep an official handicap still scoreing in the 105-115 range. So how can I be happy with my progress? This was the first year that I comitted to getting better. For the past 10 years I played 1 or 2 rounds per year. This year I finally took a few lessons, went to the range at least once a week and played about 20 rounds. So much room to improve but loving the journey. This year I went from duffing most of my shots to having relatively clean hits on the majority of my shots. I am still hoping to break 100 this year.

[jballard388]

Considering I started playing golf in may of this year I am extremely happy with my progress.Started off with a 156 and after 5 months I shot a 99 I don't think I could be happier. Granted I credit all my progress to all the older gentlemen I always get paired up with who give me on the course coaching and tips. But hopefully after this winter next year I can hit it harder and break into the 80s. But being able to drive 300 yards helps out alot considering my iron game sucks. Taking some lessons when next years season starts and hopefully that will help out alot.

[David in FL]

Nope. I play a lot, but practice little.....and yes, my entire swing is deeply flawed. :8)

[MacDutch]

  David in FL said:

Nope.

I play a lot, but practice little.....and yes, my entire swing is deeply flawed.

Let's shake hands. Ditto, but I have a new wizzard-club a wooden 9!

[David in FL]

  MacDutch said:

Let's shake hands. Ditto, but I have a new wizzard-club a wooden 9!

Crap. That's ALL I need! ;-)

[mcanadiens]

Yeah, I'm improved. Everything is still pretty short, but I'm hitting them straighter. My putting is still dodgy but I'm getting a much better feel for the speeds to hit various putts at. Added a SW to my bag this year and it's made a real difference with my short game.

Numerically, since I don't have a handicap yet, I've cracked the 80s five times this year after doing it for the first time in late December 2013. The all-time low round was an 85 a couple of weeks ago. Plus, I've started eschewing all the usual cheats my buddies use. That means I've been playing at a 3- to-5 stroke deficit when I've played them.

[14ledo81]

I have improved this year.  The scores are not really showing it, at least not consistently.  I have put up a few decent rounds though.  Mainly my ball striking has improved.  I gained distance with my shorter clubs (wedges - 8 iron).  I still am struggling with the longer ones, but they are starting to get a little better.

The reason for my improvement is simple.  I started a my swing thread, and received some quality advice.

[lumpuckeroo]

No, I wouldn't say I'm getting better, but I'm not really losing ground, at least I don't feel like I am.  I'm sure for the biggest population here on TST, that would seem unacceptable, but once you reach 50 and get close to 60, you might understand.  I will never hit the ball as far as I once use to, but I've become a better "golfer" as I have gotten older.  I've broken 80 more times since reaching 50 they I did in all of my 20's, 30's and 40's combined, and this summer shot my all time low of 73.  Full disclosure, it was from the White tees that play about 5700 yards.  Not that yardage is everything, every year we play from the Red tees (4900 yards) to spice things up and I haven't broke 80 from them yet!

I will never become a single digit handicapper, I can live with that, I can still play a decent round of golf and that's what makes me keep coming back for more.

[iacas]

Yep. Swing gets better all the time.

[inthehole]

Nope - every round somewhere between 83 and 90.    Granted, I just enjoy playing (alot) - don't practice much unless I'm trying to fix a dramatic hook or some other issue.    My driving accuracy / distance and lag putting have made the best gains this year by far.     I struggle with recovery shots and mostly accuracy with short irons / full wedges into greens.

The not improving thing is a bit discouraging considering the amount that I play (2-3x a week).

In my defense, it seems like I play a different course every time I play (I play wherever I can get the cheapest deal - at least 20 courses in my territory), so it's tough to really get to know a golf course ... I know, no excuse.

[David in FL]

  lumpuckeroo said:

No, I wouldn't say I'm getting better, but I'm not really losing ground, at least I don't feel like I am.  I'm sure for the biggest population here on TST, that would seem unacceptable, but once you reach 50 and get close to 60, you might understand.  I will never hit the ball as far as I once use to, but I've become a better "golfer" as I have gotten older.  I've broken 80 more times since reaching 50 they I did in all of my 20's, 30's and 40's combined, and this summer shot my all time low of 73.  Full disclosure, it was from the White tees that play about 5700 yards.  Not that yardage is everything, every year we play from the Red tees (4900 yards) to spice things up and I haven't broke 80 from them yet!

I will never become a single digit handicapper, I can live with that, I can still play a decent round of golf and that's what makes me keep coming back for more.

Don't give up on that......I'm 56 and know exactly how those aches, pains, and stiff joints feel.  I'm also losing some strength and length, but that doesn't mean that you can't get around the course pretty well.  Certainly into the mid-single digits.....as you prove every time you break 80!

Keep at it!

[Jeremie Boop]

No, I've not improved this year, but it's my fault for getting lax in my practice habits. I intend to rectify that over the winter but at this point I'm not even interested in hitting a golf ball.