Slowly nods head.....

[Makes a note to Google "ineradicably" at lunch]

Aggie369 said:

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Slowly nods head.....

[Makes a note to Google "ineradicably" at lunch]

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herpes.... athlete's foot... annoying humans around you...

Ineradicable: unable to be destroyed or removed

zgolfz85 said:

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as a 10-11, I'll just daydream about you guys casually discussing this

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I remember what it took for me to get from 20 down to 14….at some point some people are just going to be better than the rest of it bc of athletic ability and mental strength.

I doubt I'd ever get to below 5 no matter how much I worked at it.

agracer said:

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zgolfz85 said:

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as a 10-11, I'll just daydream about you guys casually discussing this

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I remember what it took for me to get from 20 down to 14….at some point some people are just going to be better than the rest of it bc of athletic ability and mental strength.

I doubt I'd ever get to below 5 no matter how much I worked at it.

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yeah, I'd be on top of the world if I could just consistently stay single digit. I've been as low as a 9, but very short-lived. In my case, my back is starting to catch up with me after years of too many sports and strenuous hobbies and I'm stuck somewhere between a really athletic 20s-30s swing and now needing to convert to more of a middle aged swing. At this point, my game round to round largely depends on what my back allows me to do that day n terms of getting a full turn or not. On some days, my hips just simply won't rotate and it has me early extending without realizing it until a buddy points it out. I almost need 2 swings...a healthy day swing and a shorter arm driven bad back day swing. Played with a guy last weekend in his mid 50s who had a back fusion and there was very little rotation, but he's dialed in his 80% arms driven swing and was just piping baby draws all day. He couldn't drive past 240, but who cares...dude was painting every fairway and I believe he was a 7 or so. Pretty impressive given the physical limitations.

But, like you said, I'm also content in saying I'll never get down to low or even mid single digits and I still love the game as much as I ever have.

That's your problem right there...already telling yourself you can't

Confidence needs to come first

If you can do it on the range then you can do it on the course

And if you can do it once you can do it every time

Here is jim furyk at the top of his back swing....almost no hip rotation

Aggie369 said:

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That's your problem right there...already telling yourself you can't

Confidence needs to come first

If you can do it on the range then you can do it on the course

And if you can do it once you can do it every time

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nah, just know that I don't want to put in that much work.

I started playing again in 2014 after a 10 year layoff. Was shooting in the 100's and said, this sucks. So got some lessons, bought some much better used clubs and went from over 100 to my first sub 90-round ever, 6-months after picking up clubs again.

2015-2016, went to the range multiple times a week, played 9-holes after work at least 1x per week and 18 on Saturday or Sunday mornings. Took a lesson or two in those seasons to keep from falling back into bad habits. Bought new irons in 2017, hit my best ever 9-holes that year on a weeknight (4-over, and was just about 10-feet left of hitting a green instead of the berm and going OB losing 2-strokes on one hole). Still practicing multiple times per week, putting, chipping. Got to course an hour early to warm up before a round. Shooting low 90's an breaking 90 a bunch. This was thru 2019.

But EVER DAMNED TIME I played 18, I'd have 3 holes where I would just explode and take 8-10 strokes. I'd seriously be 2 over after 7, then 11 over after 10 and finish +16 on the day. Just get so pissed off after stuff like that would happen. And it was always stupid stuff like 3 putts, blade/dipping a chip shot. I'd be 150-out and take 3-more to get on the green for those few holes.

In 2020 I stopped playing as much, decided to relax more and just enjoy being outside. My son likes to play so I go with him and just hit the ball and enjoy my time with my son.

I have no desire to go back to the 2015-2019 effort to be a 14 handicap. Getting to single digits would require at least as much work. I'm a good athlete, but not the the guy who can always repeat his swing time and time again and be good with irons, driver, and putter on the same day. One of those 3 is usually off.. Every now and then I'll put it together and shoot an 82 or something, but usually I shoot 42/50 or visa-versa.

I'm honestly enjoying not trying as hard and just being outside and enjoying when the weather is nice, getting some exercise and spending time with a friend or my son.

Well said and pretty much aligns with where I'm at. I'm actually confident I could get to mid single digits, but I'm not willing to do 3 range sessions a week on top of a couple rounds, putting practice and the like. When my back is semi loose, I have a very athletic swing. The problem with golf is that the more athletic it feels, the worse the outcome. My best swing feels very tight and corkscrewed and painful, but can't argue with the results. We all know it's not an intuitively athletic sport, it's really anything but. That's what makes it so hard. If it was simply athleticism, the pros would look like a soccer or football team. I'm not saying it doesn't take athleticism, but it's not natural athleticism like swinging a bat or throwing or shooting a ball, etc.

Ive had rounds where I'd have shot a 74 easily minus 2 awful holes. Like you, my best rounds are so close to incredible and always just a couple or three holes where I got lazy with my swing or lost focus. What a ***** of a game

I feel there's too much focus on golfswing and equipment, especially on social media today. It wasn't any different 10 to 40 years ago. Golf instruction books focused on golfswing and golf magazines focused on golfswing instruction and golf equipment (pays the bills).

Sure, many golfers tweak their swings but the only golfer to successfully completely rebuilt his swing was Nick Faldo and it took him 2 years full time hitting balls. Sure, Tiger did many things with many different instructors but ultimately his swing wasn't a complete overhaul but an evolutions to fit his body.

Often I hear people say "I'm working on a new swing" but we all know the new swing will work for about 3 holes and under pressure, you'll go back to your old swing. My point is, there's not enough emphasis on how to play golf rather how to swing a club. Well, it would be nice to be able to watch the videos of top golfers and try to swing like them but that's just not going to happen.

Once you own your swing and the ball flight even if you don't hit the sweet spot every time, getting the ball into the hole is the objective of the game and not how to swing perfect with the latest shiny clubs. I would like to see more discussions on shot selection for a 105 yard shot to a pin tucked behind the bunker front right with the ball 6 inches above your feet with 45 degree head wind at 5 mph at altitude of 1500 feet and temperature of 60 degrees. I'd hit a 115 yard shot and if I mi**** it, it will be a 100 yard shot to the fringe short left that will allow me to putt at it. It would be a choke down PW half swing and if I flush it, it will be a long putt. But most likely, I'll mi**** it 6 to 7 out 10 times and I'll still be putting uphill from the fringe.

TLDR: You'll never swing like a pro. quit watching youtube instruction videos.

AggieDruggist89 said:

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I feel there's too much focus on golfswing and equipment, especially on social media today. It wasn't any different 10 to 40 years ago. Golf instruction books focused on golfswing and golf magazines focused on golfswing instruction and golf equipment (pays the bills).

Sure, many golfers tweak their swings but the only golfer to successfully completely rebuilt his swing was Nick Faldo and it took him 2 years full time hitting balls. Sure, Tiger did many things with many different instructors but ultimately his swing wasn't a complete overhaul but an evolutions to fit his body.

Often I hear people say "I'm working on a new swing" but we all know the new swing will work for about 3 holes and under pressure, you'll go back to your old swing. My point is, there's not enough emphasis on how to play golf rather how to swing a club. Well, it would be nice to be able to watch the videos of top golfers and try to swing like them but that's just not going to happen.

Once you own your swing and the ball flight even if you don't hit the sweet spot every time, getting the ball into the hole is the objective of the game and not how to swing perfect with the latest shiny clubs. I would like to see more discussions on shot selection for a 105 yard shot to a pin tucked behind the bunker front right with the ball 6 inches above your feet with 45 degree head wind at 5 mph at altitude of 1500 feet and temperature of 60 degrees. I'd hit a 115 yard shot and if I mi**** it, it will be a 100 yard shot to the fringe short left that will allow me to putt at it. It would be a choke down PW half swing and if I flush it, it will be a long putt. But most likely, I'll mi**** it 6 to 7 out 10 times and I'll still be putting uphill from the fringe.

TLDR: You'll never swing like a pro. quit watching youtube instruction videos.

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Oh, my swing was crap when I started taking lessons again. I was just all over the place b/c I hadn't played in 10 years and just forgot everything.

My instructor didn't rebuild my swing as much as he just calmed it down and got rid of a lot of unnecessary movement, gyrations, whatever. Calmed it down. Less moving parts = easier to duplicate. When I hit it wrong I almost instantly know why.

And my clubs were 30-year old Sam's Club specials. They were crap. I spent $150 on a 3yr old set of Taylor Made Burner+ 4-GW, bought a used $100 3-wood and kept my old putter. Found a new stand bag on sale for $75. After using those for 3-years, I gave them to my son and bought the 216AP2's, which again noticeably better than the TM - I could definitely feel the difference. And I was working towards that single digit HC

Probably the biggest thing I learned was don't try to make shots you can't make. Hit is out of the trees on the least obstructed path back to the fairway, even if it's backwards a little bit. You're not going to thread that needle. You're not going to hit a buried ball with your 3W out of thick rough 200-yards over a creek onto the green.

But I do agree, I know people who buy a new driver every 2-years or so and it really doesn't improve their game at all. The only new thing I've bought are golf balls and tee's in the last 3 years. And a divot repair tool b/c I kept losing mine!

agracer said:

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And a divot repair tool b/c I kept losing mine!

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WTF.... how!!

agracer said:

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AggieDruggist89 said:

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You're not going to hit a buried ball with your 3W out of thick rough 200-yards over a creek onto the green.

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True story!












......I'd use a 5-iron.

Quote:

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Sure, many golfers tweak their swings but the only golfer to successfully completely rebuilt his swing was Nick Faldo and it took him 2 years full time hitting balls. Sure, Tiger did many things with many different instructors but ultimately his swing wasn't a complete overhaul but an evolutions to fit his body.

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huh?

AggieDruggist89 said:

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agracer said:

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And a divot repair tool b/c I kept losing mine!

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WTF.... how!!

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somewhere between the last hole and car trunk...it just jumps out of my pocket and next time I go play...WTF is my divot tool!!!!

All you need is a tee to repair a divot.

DargelSkout said:

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All you need is a tee to repair a divot.

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or for munis just a couple of taps with the bottom of your putter

sad but true

Chipping and lag putting for me personally. I've always been a good driver of the golf ball, and the expectation to average 15-20' on approach shot as a non pga tour pro was not gonna happen I had a realistic idea. That personally helped me, get up and down and stop the 3 putts.

DD, I've been playing the 3 shots in on my approach. I really do like that more than the range.
Walked 9 this evening and hit 67% greens and had 3 of 6 inside of 12 feet. Only made 1 of the 3 short putts though. Shot a 1 over, so getting there.

sleepliving said:

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DD, I've been playing the 3 shots in on my approach. I really do like that more than the range.
Walked 9 this evening and hit 67% greens and had 3 of 6 inside of 12 feet. Only made 1 of the 3 short putts though. Shot a 1 over, so getting there.

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You'd be a +1 shooting 1 over at my club and tees. What's the course rating?

Lowest I got was in the low 2s. My problem was making putts. I could chip decent and good iron play but just couldn't make anything outside 10ft-15ft. I drove the ball really well which put me in good positions to make good iron shots in. My playing partner was the opposite. He was always scrambling off the tee, but he could putt like no other. Our handicaps were about the same. Basically you just have to complete your game like others said.

Rating is 71.0 with a slope of 137.

aggolfer, agree with putting. I joined the online Phil Kenyon putting academy who coaches a lot of the European PGA players. It's pricey for a subscription ($250/yr), but they've done video assessments of my swing and recommended 4 changes which I've made. Putting better than I ever have, but still losing a stroke or two in putting strokes gained.

sleepliving said:

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Rating is 71.0 with a slope of 137.

aggolfer, agree with putting. I joined the online Phil Kenyon putting academy who coaches a lot of the European PGA players. It's pricey for a subscription ($250/yr), but they've done video assessments of my swing and recommended 4 changes which I've made. Putting better than I ever have, but still losing a stroke or two in putting strokes gained.

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Never mind. I'm an idiot. You'd be a .5 at my club/tees. At least for that one round.

Quote:

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I could chip decent and good iron play but just couldn't make anything outside 10ft-15ft. I drove the ball really well which put me in good positions to make good iron shots in.

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so you were in good positions to make good iron shots, but you are putting from 15+ feet all the time?

you were making putts inside 10-15'? Is this where your approach shots were landing, or you chips to get up and down? If your approach shots were landing inside 10-15', how many per round? If most all your irons are 15+ feet then putting isn't your concern, IMHO. Especially if you are driving it well and in "good positions" for your irons...

in an 18 hole round - how many approach shots from the fairway are you hitting inside 15'?

As Byron Nelson (and many others) have said, "if you want to make more putts, hit your approach closer"

PGA players don't make as many as it may seem. A 5 foot putt is not a long putt. They miss a quarter of them. 8 isn't long either and they miss half

I plotted the strokes gained / lost in a spreadsheet and charted the results. The steepest slope (4-12 feet) shows the most change in strokes gained and is where I spend the majority of the practice time. I notice that paying attention to strokes gained is a completely different game and helps my forget about what happened tee to green and creates focus on the putting.

Any of you guys late in life golfers that are single digit or lower?

clobby said:

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Any of you guys late in life golfers that are single digit or lower?

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What constitutes late in life ... I'm late 50s, but hopefully not too late in life.

50 with a +2 does that count? I only feel 60

clobby said:

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Any of you guys late in life golfers that are single digit or lower?

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I'm 55 (damn!, when did that happen!?!?!), and this summer I've gone from a 12-13 hcp to around 8.5, and over my last 7 rounds I'm actually playing around a 7.

After a disappointing season last year, I started working with a coach semi-regularly last fall and practiced my ass off. I only played one round in December before going back on the course in June. I immediately shot 95 and 89. Damn! No visible improvement.

Then the improvement suddenly arrived, almost 'overnight'. The next round I shot was was 79, breaking 80 for the first time in my life. I shot 79 again the next week, and only last week shot 78, with some 80-84s scattered in between.

Harvey Penick wrote that amateurs' handicaps tend to fall 5 strokes at a time, until they get to around 5, and after that each stroke is hard. In my case, the first rule held almost perfectly. We will see about the second one. I hope to cement in my improvement and then drop a few more strokes over time. Can I get to scratch? That top of the mountain seems pretty distant right now, if closer than before.

CapCity12thMan said:

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50 with a +2 does that count? I only feel 60

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I am appropriately jealous, in a good way.

I'm a 4 trapped in the life of a guy that can only play 4x/year and carries a 12.

Stat tracking...lol. I remember a time.

Good for y'all, tho!

Nom de Plume said:

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I'm a 4 trapped in the life of a guy that can only play 4x/year and carries a 12.

Stat tracking...lol. I remember a time.

Good for y'all, tho!

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I understand that to a great extent. I have about a two-month golf "season" in July and August when I'm in Texas. I get in maybe 8-10 rounds in that time. The rest of the year I might get in 3-4 rounds, but I can practice 1-2x per week, generally speaking.

I long felt I could get into the single digits from 12-13 if I could just play more often. Maybe that's the case, but the work I've done over the last 9 months significantly improved my fundamentals. Now "just playing more" might get me to a 5 or a bit better, I think.