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. 

[birdman03]

In response to the first question, yes - I have reduced my average score in 9-hole league rounds by about 3 strokes.  As the attached plot chart shows, my high scores decreased and my low scores also deceased.  So I am scoring in an overall lower range.

For the second question, I expect to make some improvement next year based on the results I am seeing in my recent practice rounds.  However, I have noticed that "plateaus" in scoring (and many stats) can persist for long time periods and can be permanent.  With advancing age and decreasing swing speed I may be mostly just working to maintain my current skill level.  I do expect a more consistent range of scoring as the result of frequent practice and overall playing experience.

Edited December 29, 2024 by birdman03

[bkuehn1952]

On 12/14/2024 at 9:22 PM, Walker said:

 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. 

That is quite an improvement rate but likely not a record.

Here are my tips:

1. Enter and win, or at least place in the top 4, at the Mississippi Golf Association Men’s Golf Championship in June, 2025. Also check out their sanctioned events and enter some of those. This should give you a good idea where your game stands compared to very good players.

2. Make a 4th post. You have been absent since December 14.

[abeli545]

Unfortunately, not because of my health. This year, I was dealing with ankylosing spondylitis, which had a huge impact on my performance—and not in a good way. But with my new treatment, I hope to get in better shape