How good could you get if you....

[Lihu]

Just now, saevel25 said:

You are only suppose to beat your handicap 20% of the time, 

http://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/Handicapping/handicap-manual.html#!rule-14410

Look at it this way. Your game is good enough to overcome a slow start. Just as you can look at it negatively. I can say, your game is strong enough that most of the time you do well to finish strong such that your handicap is where it should be. 

That's kind of true, my later played holes are usually the best. Yet, if no one asks me my handicap, though, I don't volunteer it to them.

[JonMA1]

I don't think I could get to single digits with all the money, best coaching, and time in the world, but it would be a lot of fun to try.

[Osnola]

At age 67, retired, I could probably find a way to put the time in.  But, I like to do other things like fish...which I do maybe twice a week.  I will not play on weekends because the courses are crowded and the pace of play is to slow for me.  I play pretty regularly 1 time a week all year long and sometimes 2 times a week.  I shoot 90-96.  I would think that if I spent more time working on my game from 100 yards in, including extra time putting/reading greens, that I could probably consistently shoot in the 80's.  That would make me happy and keep me working at it.  About a year ago, I played twice a week and hit a bucket of balls once a week and I broke 90 for the first time...

[RandallT]

Speaking strictly for myself, I have found that scoring better is a lot harder than anticipated, once I hit my natural plateau. I think my swing has improved quite a bit since starting to play again (I'm 50), but the scores just don't show any progress. I looked back at my scorecards from a few years ago (before any lessons and starting to focus on improvement), and they're basically the same now- perhaps a tad worse now (but the season is early).

At the time, my swing was just my natural tendency for everything, and it worked to get me around the course, and I was able to play without thinking at all. 

Now I play more, take things more seriously, diligently practice, know a ton more about the swing and practice methodologies. But no improvement at all in any of the basic stats (FIR, GIR, score, etc). 

So that might sound disheartening, but it's not meant to be. I'm still optimistic. I just respect the game's difficulty a lot more now than I used to. I still think I'll drop a ton of strokes once I get past the next "thing" that is wrong with my swing, so it doesn't get me down.  But the road to glory in golf scores is littered with gravestones of people who think it'll be a cinch to watch scores drop after more practice. 

[Lihu]

7 minutes ago, RandallT said:

Speaking strictly for myself, I have found that scoring better is a lot harder than anticipated, once I hit my natural plateau. I think my swing has improved quite a bit since starting to play again (I'm 50), but the scores just don't show any progress. I looked back at my scorecards from a few years ago (before any lessons and starting to focus on improvement), and they're basically the same now- perhaps a tad worse now (but the season is early).

At the time, my swing was just my natural tendency for everything, and it worked to get me around the course, and I was able to play without thinking at all. 

Now I play more, take things more seriously, diligently practice, know a ton more about the swing and practice methodologies. But no improvement at all in any of the basic stats (FIR, GIR, score, etc). 

So that might sound disheartening, but it's not meant to be. I'm still optimistic. I just respect the game's difficulty a lot more now than I used to. I still think I'll drop a ton of strokes once I get past the next "thing" that is wrong with my swing, so it doesn't get me down.  But the road to glory in golf scores is littered with gravestones of people who think it'll be a cinch to watch scores drop after more practice. 

Well put. This is exactly what I wanted to state.

[DrvFrShow]

I think the biggest obstacle is winter. Even though our winters here are "mild" it's still too cold for me to swing a golf club with comfort. My joints ache and it takes me forever to warm up. My swing is abbreviated in the winter months even with overhead heaters at a driving range. If the temperature drops below 55 I find it not worth the effort to even bother going. My swing tempo gets quick and I start forming bad habits. 

I'd need another $2 million just for a home in Southern California + a country club membership down there.

Then there's the laundry list of injuries that I have to work around. So even with the best instruction and with dedicated practice, I think my game would plateau around 80 from the senior tees for about a year or two then start creeping back up, and eventually I'd have to hang up the clubs.

Would it be worth the investment? No. I'll take the money though and do some traveling.

[Lihu]

9 minutes ago, DrvFrShow said:

I think the biggest obstacle is winter. Even though our winters here are "mild" it's still too cold for me to swing a golf club with comfort. My joints ache and it takes me forever to warm up. My swing is abbreviated in the winter months even with overhead heaters at a driving range. If the temperature drops below 55 I find it not worth the effort to even bother going. My swing tempo gets quick and I start forming bad habits. 

I'd need another $2 million just for a home in Southern California + a country club membership down there.

Then there's the laundry list of injuries that I have to work around. So even with the best instruction and with dedicated practice, I think my game would plateau around 80 from the senior tees for about a year or two then start creeping back up, and eventually I'd have to hang up the clubs.

Would it be worth the investment? No. I'll take the money though and do some traveling.

And golf of course!

BTW, So. Cal. Isn't all roses either. We're overcrowded with 5-6 hour weekend round times. That along with water shortages, potential for earthquakes...

[DrvFrShow]

Just now, Lihu said:

And golf of course!

So. Cal. Isn't all roses either. We're overcrowded with 5-6 hour weekend round times.

Yeah, but I can play during the week and practice on the weekends.

[Buckeyebowman]

5 minutes ago, DrvFrShow said:

 

Would it be worth the investment? No. I'll take the money though and do some traveling.

Hopefully you'll travel to someplace warm with golf courses!

[Faksakes]

Some great replies and conversation from you all, I really appreciate the posts guys.

31 minutes ago, RandallT said:

Speaking strictly for myself, I have found that scoring better is a lot harder than anticipated, once I hit my natural plateau. I think my swing has improved quite a bit since starting to play again (I'm 50), but the scores just don't show any progress. I looked back at my scorecards from a few years ago (before any lessons and starting to focus on improvement), and they're basically the same now- perhaps a tad worse now (but the season is early).

At the time, my swing was just my natural tendency for everything, and it worked to get me around the course, and I was able to play without thinking at all. 

Now I play more, take things more seriously, diligently practice, know a ton more about the swing and practice methodologies. But no improvement at all in any of the basic stats (FIR, GIR, score, etc). 

So that might sound disheartening, but it's not meant to be. I'm still optimistic. I just respect the game's difficulty a lot more now than I used to. I still think I'll drop a ton of strokes once I get past the next "thing" that is wrong with my swing, so it doesn't get me down.  But the road to glory in golf scores is littered with gravestones of people who think it'll be a cinch to watch scores drop after more practice. 

Good post, I agree to a point but I can't go in thinking I won't improve. I have been a 9hc before so I'm fairly certain it's in my wheelhouse. 

[Lihu]

44 minutes ago, Faksakes said:

Some great replies and conversation from you all, I really appreciate the posts guys.

Good post, I agree to a point but I can't go in thinking I won't improve. I have been a 9hc before so I'm fairly certain it's in my wheelhouse. 

I think he's saying that you'll likely improve to where you want, but it just won't be easy.

6 or 7 should be reachable especially since you seem to going at it in a deliberate manner. You're still young enough not to worry about age effects on slowing you down. Probably 3 decades away from that...

[Faksakes]

3 minutes ago, Lihu said:

I think he's saying that you'll likely improve to where you want, but it just won't be easy.

6 or 7 should be reachable especially since you seem to going at it in a deliberate manner. You're still young enough not to worry about age effects on slowing you down. Probably 3 decades away from that...

Yeah fair enough, I'd be thrilled if I could get to a 7 or 6. We shall see.

[MacDutch]

On 7 mei 2016 at 1:52 AM, Faksakes said:

...had 20-30 hours a week to golf? That includes instruction, practice and playing time.

For me I'm a 11.5hc and play on average twice a week and practice (hit a bucket of balls, no short game or putting) twice a week. That is two more practice sessions than I normally do and I've been getting some online lessons as well as signed up for a trial at GGswingtips (George Gankas) site and there is some seriously great info on there imo.  I started the year at a 13 and down to an 11 after about a month of golf. My low ever has been a 9hc and that was only for a few weeks. For the last 10 years I can maintain a 13-15hc with almost no practice.

I've never had a lot of time or money to golf as much as I'd like. Usually get 30-35 rounds in per year. I am considering getting a membership and trying to get in 70+ rounds as I have the time this year and some extra cash. Normally I just pay to play as that's what all my golf buddies do. 

So anyone out there put that kind of time into golf that previously had never had the chance/inclination to?

 

I had the time last year, but I only played golf. Maybe 8 rounds played with my pro, no delibirate training. Season just starting up again and I think there is some space to go lower. So in that year (will end in july) I hope to get down from 9.7 to 7.9. Currently at 8.5.

How low you could get within a year? Lots of if's. Do you have the discipline to stick to your plan/training, no injuries, enough talent? I don't know. So I think hou could get from 11 to 9 for sure. Maybe to a 7..... And with enough talent to scratch (if no injuries and the right and delibirate amount of training).

So set your first goal for the next three months and keep us posted. Have fun! 

[dennyjones]

I just retired so I'm hoping to drop several strokes this year.   I purchased a membership and w/o kids and with the SO permission, the weather is my only enemy.   I really enjoy golf and don't mind playing rounds by myself but I'm not sure I have the potential to break par, even with living at the golf course.   I'm 59 and in good physical shape but still have glaring holes in my game.  It was easier to traverse from a higher handicap to my current and I'm sure the journey to a single digit will have it's ups and downs.   Playing from the white tees, I can reach each green in regulation (talking distance) but it will never happen from the tips.  

[70sSanO]

19 hours ago, MizunoPez said:

I maintain my 3 handicap by mostly playing once a week every Saturday, sometimes once every two weeks. I rarely have time to practice but if i do it will be 100 balls down the range every now and then. I do get a few weeks off during the summer and a week here and there during the year (teacher) though and I will try to play at least twice a week.

Not trying to sound pessimistic, but this is who you need to be before you start.

I'm not saying you won't improve some, but in my many years of life, whether golf or some other sport, there are just those that are born with a physical and mental ability.  I almost equate golf to being a virtuoso musician.

John

[Lugowskins]

This is a tough question for me as I am pretty close to that much time invested anyway. I play probably 3 nights during the week 2-9 hole rounds and one 18 after work then 18 sometimes more on sat and sunday. I generally spend about a half hour around the practice green before playing and it takes me about an hour and a half to walk 9 so about 7 hours of play during the week and another 7 or so on the weekends. On days I don't play ill generally hit into my net in my back yard for an hour or so, so I'd say I'm already investing 15+ hours a week to the game (some weeks I don't get to play as much obviously but the majority of the time that's how much I play). I just took up the game about the middle of last summer and I finished out the year mostly shooting around 110+ and just being generally awful never broke 100. This year I've put a lot of time in with no instruction aside from a little youtube just watching guys swings I like and the Mickelson short game DVD which actually helped a lot. I've gotten down to shooting high 80s and my best 9 hole score is a 1 over 37 I think with how fast and drastic the improvement has been I could possibly get down to pushing single digits this year. Being in a cold weather state though with a long layoff for the winter my window to improve isn't that great. I'm not in that good of shape I'm a 26 years old former college baseball player and am 6 foot about 210 pounds could stand to get back down to 195 or so would be a good weight for me I think a draw back is that I am not very flexible even when I was 175 and in the best shape of my life I wasn't very flexible so now with some pudge getting in the way its not helping at all lol I love the game and am slightly obsessed right now I know the ability is there just finding the consistency is going to be the journey.

[Faksakes]

1 hour ago, Lugowskins said:

This is a tough question for me as I am pretty close to that much time invested anyway. I play probably 3 nights during the week 2-9 hole rounds and one 18 after work then 18 sometimes more on sat and sunday. I generally spend about a half hour around the practice green before playing and it takes me about an hour and a half to walk 9 so about 7 hours of play during the week and another 7 or so on the weekends. On days I don't play ill generally hit into my net in my back yard for an hour or so, so I'd say I'm already investing 15+ hours a week to the game (some weeks I don't get to play as much obviously but the majority of the time that's how much I play). I just took up the game about the middle of last summer and I finished out the year mostly shooting around 110+ and just being generally awful never broke 100. This year I've put a lot of time in with no instruction aside from a little youtube just watching guys swings I like and the Mickelson short game DVD which actually helped a lot. I've gotten down to shooting high 80s and my best 9 hole score is a 1 over 37 I think with how fast and drastic the improvement has been I could possibly get down to pushing single digits this year. Being in a cold weather state though with a long layoff for the winter my window to improve isn't that great. I'm not in that good of shape I'm a 26 years old former college baseball player and am 6 foot about 210 pounds could stand to get back down to 195 or so would be a good weight for me I think a draw back is that I am not very flexible even when I was 175 and in the best shape of my life I wasn't very flexible so now with some pudge getting in the way its not helping at all lol I love the game and am slightly obsessed right now I know the ability is there just finding the consistency is going to be the journey.

Good luck man, I hope you get there. Sounds like you have a lot of potential with a 1 over for 9 holes.

2 hours ago, 70sSanO said:

Not trying to sound pessimistic, but this is who you need to be before you start.

I'm not saying you won't improve some, but in my many years of life, whether golf or some other sport, there are just those that are born with a physical and mental ability.  I almost equate golf to being a virtuoso musician.

John

Not at all John, I know how hard the game is too. I may have reached my potential or close to it, I don't really know. That's what this is about. I have a buddy that was scratch at 15 years old and went on to play 10 years on the mini tours. At 15 I was a 30 cap. He just "has it". This would really be about finding out my personal potential. Maybe it's a 9 or 10 or maybe it's a little lower than that. The question is so damn intriguing.....

James

[Lugowskins]

Just now, Faksakes said:

Good luck man, I hope you get there. Sounds like you have a lot of potential with a 1 over for 9 holes.

 

Thanks, its a pretty short 9 to be fair though lol