Great thread Ladies and Gents:)
My first post so here goes . . .
I've played golf for years on and off but only in a very casual way. Being English I grew up with football, no one in my family played or really cared about golf, but it was something I enjoyed and really wanted to play more. Got into martial arts in my 20's and that basically took up all my time and energy sports wise. Didn't touch a golf club for over a decade . . .
Anyways, long story short, in August last year (2014) I was fortunate to be able to play lots of golf due to teaching holidays and having moved to a new city and close to a golf course! I got the bug big time and have played at least once (usually twice) a week since then and made 1 - 2 trips to the range/practice area. I joined the club in October and got my first official handicap of 18 in November, which I was extremely pleased with.
My lowest score to that point had been 90 (par 72) when I was still in school!
I broke 90 for the first time in September 2014 (an 84, and yes, I was beaming for weeks!!)
At the start of August I was happy if I broke 100 (on a reasonably challenging course) now I get a bit sulky if I don't break 90
I've won a few 'Sunday League' games (and pocketed some cash!! - Bandit has been a term thrown at me;) I won my first 'proper' club competition a few weeks ago, scoring 44 points using stable-ford rules. My total number of shots was 82. As a result my handicap went down to 16:)
I had my first lesson last week which seems to have set me back a bit, which I expected, but feel that I need this input now as I have basically stalled over the last few months having average scores of 87.
FWIW - I would put my progress down to honestly evaluating my rounds and identifying my weaker areas. Yes, putting and chipping!! And then focusing my practice on these. Also, as others have mentioned, I played a more 'percentage' game and aimed for the 'safer' shot rather than trying to blast every par 5 in 2 or lay up instead of trying to make a 200 yard approach to a well protected pin. I also used to have a 'Sha . . . .k' as a bad shot that would pop out every now and then (it still can, mind!!) so I spent lots of my range time working out why this was happening and then trying to adjust for it. Mirrors really helped! You tube teachers like Mark Crossfield, MTI and Me and my Golf I also found to have lots of useful drills and good explanations on swing fundamentals in the absence of a personal PGA pro instructor . . .
I feel ecstatic with my progress to be honest. I would say I have gone from a +26 HC to a 16 HC in about 6 months. The reason I looked at this thread though was because it seems a general consensus that getting from around 16 to single figures (which is my aim currently and to break 80) will take a lot more perseverance.
How did people find reducing from a 16 down to single figures, how long did it take and how did you do it?
Sorry for the long post but I hope you fellow golfers can sense the buzz and excitement i have for this game at the moment! Cheers:)