Are you a Better Golfer than a Year Ago?

[Walker]

I’ve had a particularly wild golf journey, and I’m not sure anyone else has ever accomplished the feat I have. I don’t say that lightly. I just don’t know anyone who has gotten as good as I am in a shorter time frame.
 

I started playing golf a little over two and a half years ago (21 at the time). Never picked up a club before I got a job at course near my college. They were hiring, and I was broke. I had no intention to actually take up the sport, not until I met my coworker. He played d3 golf for another college near by, and he taught me everything I know. When we first started playing together, he would give me 20 strokes and play for lunch the next day. It took me almost a year to beat him. Two years later, he was only give me 4 strokes. And now, we are dead even. This week I am 24, and I am now a scratch golfer. By that, I mean my handicap index is 0.1. At my home course, I am a +2. I’ve shot 67 twice two weeks (-15 in 4 rounds, 67 70 69 & 67). Many of the guys I play with agree that I am the most improved golfer at the club, now and ever. Last week, I had the pleasure of playing with 4 golf professionals, all been golfing their entire lives, and I beat three and tied the fourth. 
 

Have any of y’all made that kind of improvement in such a small time span? Seriously, I want to know if it’s more common than I think. If I continue on this trajectory, I may try Q school. 
 

Any tips for how I might try to get to the next level? Never played high school and never played college. 

[ChetlovesMer]

9 hours ago, Walker said:

I’ve had a particularly wild golf journey, and I’m not sure anyone else has ever accomplished the feat I have. I don’t say that lightly. I just don’t know anyone who has gotten as good as I am in a shorter time frame.
 

I started playing golf a little over two and a half years ago (21 at the time). Never picked up a club before I got a job at course near my college. They were hiring, and I was broke. I had no intention to actually take up the sport, not until I met my coworker. He played d3 golf for another college near by, and he taught me everything I know. When we first started playing together, he would give me 20 strokes and play for lunch the next day. It took me almost a year to beat him. Two years later, he was only give me 4 strokes. And now, we are dead even. This week I am 24, and I am now a scratch golfer. By that, I mean my handicap index is 0.1. At my home course, I am a +2. I’ve shot 67 twice two weeks (-15 in 4 rounds, 67 70 69 & 67). Many of the guys I play with agree that I am the most improved golfer at the club, now and ever. Last week, I had the pleasure of playing with 4 golf professionals, all been golfing their entire lives, and I beat three and tied the fourth. 
 

Have any of y’all made that kind of improvement in such a small time span? Seriously, I want to know if it’s more common than I think. If I continue on this trajectory, I may try Q school. 
 

Any tips for how I might try to get to the next level? Never played high school and never played college. 

Lots of people are gifted in lots of different ways. I have no idea how long it should take anyone to achieve any particular milestones in golf. I struggle to pat my head a rub my belly at the same time. But, if you think you can do it, go for it. 

I think the easiest answer is to talk to one of the pros you play with. They can lay out a path for you. 

In terms of whether or not your rate of improvement is common. That I can't answer. I will say again, there are people who are gifted in lots of different areas. I knew a guy in college who started competing in bodybuilding after only 6 months of training and started winning events after only a year. 

I've known people who seem to be naturally good at golf. Seems like they are breaking 80 from day 1. You may be one of those people. So, again, I say go for it. 

My one word of caution, as with any sport, talent helps, hard work helps, dedication helps, but the true elite are likely dumping in a very high ratio of all three. 

Enjoy your journey and lets us know how things go.