akpklarson

I golfed with a guy in a scramble tourney last week. Our team found ourselves in a greenside bunker on a long par 5. We should've had something better, but 3 of the 4 failed on this hole and we didn't want to give up the yardage. Anyway, this guy, who happened to be a senior, putted out of the sand. There was a 3" or so lip, but he still went for it. Said a bunch of his senior buddies had been doing it. He took an aggressive swing, but not near as aggressive as you'd think with a putter, it hit the lip, caught a little air and rolled in tight to the pin! Seems like a bad thing to get used to, but if it works it works! I have yet to try it, and am not sure if I will.

I play 18's when I can. Typically scores are low 80s. I've broke 80 a few times, but again have been into the 90s. I'd say 83 is a good avg number, so +13 on my course My 9s are 37-44, but more often than not 40-41, so +4. Typically when I play 18, there is a bad hole or two that I don't always get when playing just 9. I get that. Thats why I think my "7" is low. I'm guess 10-12 is probably more accurate. I don't even know that I'm after an answer, but more of a discussion. Everyone wants to get better regardless of how good they are. I'd love to have the confidence that EVERY shot EVERY time was going to be good. Right now, most are.

Good responses so far. I wasn't necessarily after a score, but more of a mentality response. I really like the idea of limiting bad shots. Last year I made the choice to play within my game. If I can hit a 240 shot and stick it on the green, why go for it in two on a par 5? If I can hit 180 consistently, then play that next shot from 60, why not do that? This worked well and saves strokes. But the more shots you hit, the better you get and you want to put for eagle etc.. greed I guess! I typically play 9 hole rounds because of time constraints. I usually shoot 3-6 over, but have been as low as +1, or has high as +10. I have broke 80 playing 18, but again can still get into the 90s if things don't go right. Im sure it mental, because I can play, and I've scored low before and will again. Thats part of the game. Maybe I'm "good" now or getting close and like someone said great is for the elite. The tour guys. I keep track of all rounds on an app. It lists my handicap at 7. I think that is low. Still though each shot I take, I know it could be great and be just what I wanted, but it also could be a fat duffer or miss of some sorts.

I'm been golfing for a number of years, but really picked it up the last two. Previous years I may have played a dozen times or so. Last year and this year I'm closer to 80 outings per year. I live in a winter state, so season is limited. I certainly have watched my game improve drastically and would consider myself decent now, but wonder the following: What separates a great golfer vs an avg golfer? Seems like consistency is a big issue. If I could go out every time and hit a good shot every time, i'd shave tons of strokes. Kind of a "duh" thread, but trying to understand the game. Seems like it should be so easy.

I often find this true as well. I play quite a bit, and some days I feel like I hit the ball great, but the score didn't reflect it. Others are the opposite, I didn't hit it well, but scored really well. You can hit a great drive, and nice lofted iron / wedge shot in that appears to be on target, but it runs out, or maybe you miss left / right a few feet. Everything felt great, but you are left with a long put or an additional chip. Next day could be filled with drives that missed left / right, not much but just didn't feel good. You are left with a longer iron, or having to play out of the rough. You hit it fat or thin and somehow roll it close and then knock down a put for birdie. That is kinda of the extreme, but certainly happens. Great putting can equalize a score in a hurry, but is often overlooked when you analyze "how you played".

Is there a "find the right ball for you" type website? I just wonder if you could input a series of characteristics about your game, and they could give a list of balls that would best fit your needs? Example: I often hit a high tee shot costing myself distance. Sometimes a fade or draw, not a lot of distance. i hit my irons high as well. Not a lot of back spin, but I don't get much release either, probably due more to the height than the spin. I'm happy with my iron play, but would certainly like to have a better trajectory on my tee shot with some added distance. I understand my swing could certainly use work, but what is the best ball for my current situation? How does one find that info? Maybe Im using a ball that hinders me? I would have no idea.