I've played golf since I was 8. My grandfather taught the game to me and he was a serious scratch golfer. I never was able to play any course until I was in middle school.
I quickly fell out of love with the game because my grandfather was stringent and precise with everything I did.
I picked the game up again in my late 20's. It was something to do. Drink smoke whatever have a good time. After time though if you read this you realize you want to get better.
I finally broke down and I got lessons !! Yes LESSONS for all of you self taught players.
I took them seriously and I tried to perfect everything they told me.
After 6 months of lesson and practice I shot in the 70's.
I've read a few posts on this subject and most of them are right on. I can hit a driver 330 off of the tee but it's where you leave yourself. Getting yourself off of the tee on all 18 holes is critical and also being able to 2 putt.
You can shoot in the 70's with bogeys but any doubles need the same amount of birdies and you can never force birdies they just come.