Who is the best Golfer here ?

richtree · April 13, 2010 1:11AM

Just wondering....since the season is here.

I consistenly shoot right around 90 and can get into the 80's.

I have never been able to take the next step.

Any advice from some that has a 10 handicap or less ?

thanks

rt

jeffcbay · April 13, 2010 1:15AM

When I go golfing, I get my money's worth. I take as many strokes as possible. When I hit my drive, it's similar to a boomerang toss.

Smuggo · April 13, 2010 1:24AM

I play about 40-45 rounds a year and have done so for about 20+ years. I now can routinely fire in the high 70s and low 80s depending on the course. I never picked up a club until my senior year of college. Al I can tell you is what helped me most was frequent trips to the range and not swinging as hard as I can. Also I suck with a driver and tee off all holes sans Par 3s with a 3 wood.

gameusedhoop · April 13, 2010 1:25AM

I'm a scratch golfer....that is I am often scratching when golfing.

Seriously, usually 85-90 range. All woods tend to fade-slice, all irons have a very nice draw. No lessons, self taught, playing backwards. I play hockey and baseball left handed, golf right handed. Had to, in high school my buddy only had right handed clubs and I got tired of looking for balls. Decided to hit some with him, just turned around and went from there. Tried the left hand swing a couple times over the years, definately wasn't happening. So I just kept playing righty.

fattymacs · April 13, 2010 1:26AM

Currently carry a 5 at my local course, difficult courses probably an 8. Before kids I was a 1, I'll never come close to that again. I used to work on my game alot and found it wasn't much fun. I never practice anymore, just play in a couple leagues and have a good time whether I score well or not.

To the OP, if you want to lower your score start with putting and chipping. Learning a proper swing plane and good tempo is a must as well.

richtree · April 13, 2010 1:46AM

I am pretty much an insanely good chipper and decent putter for someone that shoots around 90.

I can't consistly hit an approach shot to the green. 4-9 irons = problem.

I will pull them, and if its a really bad day I will take some huge divots losing about 25% of the shots power....

Then I go to the range and seem to hit them perfectly, lol....most frustrating....

fattymacs · April 13, 2010 2:00AM

Pulling the ball is very common, probably from coming "over the top" as opposed to staying behind the ball, swing plane issues.

burke23 · April 13, 2010 2:02AM

If you want to routinely shoot between 105 and 120, I'm your man.

leathtech · April 13, 2010 2:06AM

<< I am pretty much an insanely good chipper and decent putter for someone that shoots around 90.

I can't consistly hit an approach shot to the green. 4-9 irons = problem.

I will pull them, and if its a really bad day I will take some huge divots losing about 25% of the shots power....

Then I go to the range and seem to hit them perfectly, lol....most frustrating.... >>

I would suggest getting away from irons if they are your downfall... you can replace them with hybrids that for me I've found to be much easier to hit. I currently love my Coba Hybrids - I have 26 and 29 in my bag - these two clubs can cover for a 6,7,8 and sometimes 9.

billwaltonsbeard · April 13, 2010 2:34AM

One time I got the ball past the windmill on the first try. That darn yellow pipe though...it always took me at least 3-4 strokes.

Mickey71 · April 13, 2010 2:35AM

Me at the local put-put down the street. I shot a 31 in 18 holes.

kmnorton · April 13, 2010 2:41AM

I hit my wife's uncle in the "groin" region with a smash/pull 3 wood at Poppy Hills (he was to my left about 20 yards). Probably my hardest hit shot all day.

I am not the best golfer here.

cincyredlegs · April 13, 2010 2:42AM

I consistently shoot around 70-72.....................

on the front 9.

CrimsonTider · April 13, 2010 2:46AM

Single digit handicapper here, but getting a little rusty. Playing less golf than ever with a 16 month old in the house and a wife who is not working. Had to drop my country club membership for paternal obligations.

My lowest round is 2 under. I would be proud to break 80 right now, haven't played but 1 round since last fall.

I am a pretty good ball striker and can thumb my driver. I putt awful and chip worse. I have way to many 3-putts and the occasional 4 putt.

I am now 2 years into teaching my seven old step daughter how to play. Teaching a young person to play is a very rewarding process. I will be putting her in a local kids tour this summer in Birmingham. I can't wait. I get more thrilled watching her play than I do about myself playing.

CrimsonTider · April 13, 2010 2:48AM

My only advice is to keep your head still and transfer your weight during your swing. Weight transfer is where all your power comes from. When you finish your swing, you should have 90% of your wieght on your left foot, unless you are a lefty.

billwaltonsbeard · April 13, 2010 2:49AM

<< I hit my wife's uncle in the "groin" region with a smash/pull 3 wood at Poppy Hills (he was to my left about 20 yards). Probably my hardest hit shot all day.

I am not the best golfer here. >>

speaking of groin region....

footlong · April 13, 2010 2:53AM

the best advice i every heard when playing golf poorly, give it up for ten days to 2 weeks, then quit altogether.

Dboneesq · April 13, 2010 2:55AM

Bigjohn69 · April 13, 2010 2:55AM

all i wanna do is drive the cart, ,bj

larryallen73 · April 13, 2010 2:59AM

I was an avid golfer until my first child was born. Lived on a country club, had the membership, golfed a lot... and then child #1 arrived and golf got dropped. I will pick it up again one day but no interest right now. Just no time. To be good you really need to have some time to dedicate to hitting balls at the range, playing and even taking lessons. I took more lessons as time went on and developed a very nice swing. My scores didn't match how good my swing looked though. On the range I definitely looked like a sub 80 golfer but I carried a 14.4 index at my golf "retirement." Very intriguing sport for sure.

corvette1340 · April 13, 2010 3:16AM

I'm around a 4-5 handicap right now because I don't play as much as I want to. I basically play every Sunday throughout the summer, sometimes Saturday and Sunday in a few tourneys. I shut it down for the winter. I was a scratch golfer when I was 18 and played in high school and college. Made the cut at the Georgia Open a few times and cashed in a couple of mini-tour events. Club Champion at my local club a couple of times.

Now I'm really inconsistent. On our golf trip this past weekend I shot 84, 74, 36.

itzagoner · April 13, 2010 3:22AM

<< Now I'm really inconsistent. On our golf trip this past weekend I shot 84, 74, 36. >>

pleez post your scores for the other 15 holes.

divecchia · April 13, 2010 3:23AM

I don't golf, but as with most sports the more time you dedicate to practicing the shots you're not so good at the more you will improve. I know it just sounds like simple common sense, but it is. Most people analyze too much. Basically just work on your weaknesses and your game should improve.

Good luck...Donato

Reljac · April 13, 2010 3:26AM

Not me, but my younger brother can probably whip us all.... he spent a number of years as a Professional Golfer...

zep33 · April 13, 2010 3:29AM

I haven't advanced to the point of keeping score yet

Reljac · April 13, 2010 3:30AM

<< I haven't advanced to the point of keeping score yet >>

When I play, I feel like a groundskeeper... I spend the whole day replacing divots...

MBMiller25 · April 13, 2010 3:56AM

Sounds like Tommy and I are similar golfers. I dont have a home course anymore to carry a handicap, but I was scratch when I was younger in high school and college and shoot between 74-82 now depending on the course and the tees I am playing. The biggest thing(s) that helped me get from shooting 90's down into the 70's consistently was the following:

1. Trust your golf swing. So much of the game is mental, you can't be thinking about the mechanics of your swing and hope to shoot in the 70's consistently.
2. Work on your game from 100 yards and in. I took huge strokes off my game when I become deadly with a wedge from 100 yards and in. If I missed the green on an appraoch, I had complete faith that I would either chip the next shot in, or it would be close enough for a very makeable putt.
3. Practice properly. I watch so many people go to the range and whip out the driver and bash golf balls. I typically will only hit 3-5 drivers while on the range. Start with your wedge, and work slowly up through your irons, working on swing tempo and feel. Spend time on the putting green and around the green chipping to learn the feel of the greens.

If your serious about wanting to lower your score, practice, practice and more practice.

Hope that helps.

VitoCo1972 · April 13, 2010 3:56AM

I was a 9 when I was 19 and played in HS/D3 College. Only recently have I been able to score in the high 70's again. I think anyone who is a 10 or below will tell you there is only one way to get there...keeping doubles off your scorecard. Heck, if it's a par 72, you can make 7 bogeys and still break 80. Bogey isn't the worst score in the world. Don't let it get to you.

My theory is that if you're good enough to get to that par 5 in two over the water 230 yards out - you already know it. If you're chancing it, just lay up and hit a wedge from 90 yards. That way you're leaving birdie as a possibility but probably taking double out of the equation.

That's the one other piece of advice...if there is a birdieable hole - attack it. Remember, if you make one birdie, then you can make 8 bogeys and still break 80.

My best score ever is 77 but I shot two even par 9's in 2009.

alnavman · April 13, 2010 4:08AM

I used to shoot around 70-75 and then I'd go out for the back nine.....al.

ripkenintheminors · April 13, 2010 4:11AM

Took a year off last year after having membership at the local course the previous two. It's a 9 hole course. Back when I was playing several times a week I finally shot E for the round of 9. Considering the fact that I will probably never do that again I kept the card. Now it's more about using the cart to entertain the family.

EAsports · April 13, 2010 4:30AM

Imagine if the Special Olympics had golf.

Now imagine a blind, mentally challenged, amputee Special Olympian teeing off.

That's what my golf game looks like.

richtree · April 13, 2010 4:32AM

thanks for responses, didn't realize how popular of a thread I had...lol

detroitfan2 · April 13, 2010 4:57AM

My average golf score, bowling average, and softball batting average are all the same: 117.

bsidegrve · April 13, 2010 5:18AM

Was never very good but I loved being out there playing. I haven't played golf since I had back surgery 6-7 years ago... the last thing I wanna do now is go play golf and get a injury that would keep me out of work. I do miss the hell out of it though and wish I could go out and play anytime the weather gets nice around here which isn't often.

I loved finding golf balls in the woods when I was in there looking for my last shot, I'de go in looking for 1 and come out with 5-6

RonBurgundy · April 13, 2010 5:22AM

Was a 5 in high school despite playing with a heart condition. Played less in college, then dropped the game altogether for tennis. Today, I live on a golf course yet still play only 2-4 times per year. Last year, I played 3 times........all in Hawaii on vacation. I got the urge to play, felt good about it and dropped an 85 on Mauna Lani and was pretty happy about it. Next up was Kapalua 2 days later, was again eager to play, started off well then fell off to an 89. Still not bad, I told myself, for never playing. So then I go to Wailea and blow up to a 53 on the front nine, lol. Told myself, THAT's why I don't play anymore. Got it together and threw out a 42 on the back side.

To the OP's questions:

1) You have to practice this game to become good and stay good at it. Especially the short game. When you don't play, feel around the greens is the first thing to leave. That feel is what saves you strokes.

2) Yep, practice from 100 yards and in makes all the difference. Watch the pros - they don't give away shots around the green. Unless you're Tiger on 14 at Augusta the other day.

3) The game is indeed mental. Whatever level you're at, when you get ready to hit a shot, COMMIT TO THE SHOT. If there's doubt, back away until you're all in to hit the shot. That kind of approach will save you 5 shots a round whatever level you are.

I wish I had time to play more, I think I could get back into the mid to high 70's with a lot of work, but it's either golf or tennis and I'd rather beat someone's brains in on the court than have a golf course work me over.

PhilG · April 13, 2010 5:43AM

I use to average 110 on a par 3 course. Only played a full size course one time. Hit a groundskeeper on a drive. Was never invited back.

Phil

relaxed · April 13, 2010 6:05AM

I think with any sport you need pratice, patience and good instruction to become better. When I was first introduced to golf they switch me from left to right handed and I could never hit the woods. After I hit someone with one of my shots I decided that golf was not my game and decided I was going to stick with my real interest in sports and that was bowling.

bigjaco · April 13, 2010 8:36AM

most of my golfing experiences is spent reviewing my card going "if i could only remove that X on X" ...

I'm always 2-3 holes from a "good round"

I typically shoot 85-90. Never broke 85 yet. 80 seems like a fantasy.

Thou i don't golf as much as i'd like either, so i blame it purely on that.

EDIT: and not that i'm in the position to give advise but Matt's advise seems to hold true. I have a goto club / range happens to be my 8 iron and 130-100 yards I'm very deadly. I love absolutely love that club and range. Anything more anything less I'm subject to "thinking" my way into a bad shot. Having clubs you have faith in and just "know" you hit well and accuratly is a big thing... having more than one would be ideal.

corvette1340 · April 13, 2010 8:52AM

I forgot to answer the op's question in my first post.

Answer: I am.

BPorter26 · April 13, 2010 8:54AM

I shoot in the mid to upper 90's. In other words I'm a hacker. I played golf many times with MBMiller25 and he is damn good. Matt has a pretty swing and can drive the crap out of the ball.

corvette1340 · April 13, 2010 9:01AM

I officially challenge Matt to a duel (on the golf course). We play at the club of my choosing, I pay for the golf, and we each put up a PSA card of at least $200 in value. Other board members are welcome to play. Afterwards, drinks and debauchery.

hammered · April 13, 2010 9:02AM

<< Imagine if the Special Olympics had golf.

Now imagine a blind, mentally challenged, amputee Special Olympian teeing off.

That's what my golf game looks like. >>

Does it look anything like Charles Barkley's?

macboube · April 13, 2010 9:36AM

I just returned from Monterey and got to play the one course in the world I have wanted to tee it up at for 35 years - Cypress Point. Played well with 9 pars on a picture perfect day (only a one club wind). Shot 88 from the tips with one triple and and a few doubles - including my only adjust - on the greatest hole in the world - no. 16. I nutted a driver into the wind and the caddy said it almost carried and hit the rocks about two feet below the top. Nobody in our foursome could carried it and we were all hdcps of 7 thru 11. Played Monterey Peninsula CC Shore course the next day and carded 84 - with back to back birdies on 9 & 10 - that was a thrill. Both tracks better than Pebble IMO, and Cypress better than Pine Valley, et al. Hands down.

Can't wait to get down under and play with HOF rookie collector Vince B. The Melbourne area is likely just about as good Monterey for golf. New South Wales, Kingston Heath, Royal Melbourne await - just to name a few.

If any AA collectors get to socal and want to tee it up and play some world class golf - let me know.

Brick · April 13, 2010 9:42AM

20 handicap. Member of a golf club since 94. Never was any good never will be any good, but I love to play. Good exercise, beautiful scenery, nice people, cold beer.

My club is a very difficult course. Last year I played an easy tract from senior tees, started birdie, birdie, birdie, par, par. Came bact to reality and shot 3 over for 18 holes.

PROMETHIUS88 · April 13, 2010 12:27PM

I used to be an awesome Golden Tee golfer. Back in the day I was in the silver division often taking home checks up to $250/month on the tournaments. Best on 9 hole was -16 best on 28 was -26. Pretty much quit playing about 5 years ago. Still have my Golden Tee card! If you are talking about real golf, I suck until I get about 6 beers in me.... then I still suck, just not as bad. If I break 100, I'm crankin one off on 18!! Guess I should play more than 2x per year!

fattymacs · April 13, 2010 1:16PM

Brick, I live pretty close to you (about 55 miles from Cols., Oh) If you would like to make the trip to my course, I'll pick up your fees (with cart) and we can play a round together.

thenavarro · April 13, 2010 1:19PM

I haven't played in a couple years. When I used to play every week, I usually scored around an 85 or so on my home course, playing away from home course I usually scored around 90. On my home course, I did manage to shoot a 77 one time and a 79 one time. Those are the only times I remember breaking 80. I rush too much to become any better. I can't stand playing with people who go through all the drama like on TV, trying to read the green, backing away, etc, just step up and hit the ball, it's not really that important unless your getting paid.

One interesting thing I found out is I could play with one club literally and still shoot around the same score of 85. My friend and I used to play with just one club about every 10 rounds just to change things up a bit. I'd use a double slded chipper (picked up from Wal-Mart for about $10) for my weapon of choice. I was pretty good with that stick from 150 yards in or so and it was easy to putt with as you could hit it on the edge and have relatively good control with it. Yes, I'd hit a chipper 150, but sadly, my drives with a driver probably average only 230 or so due to a big fade/slice that I could control, but it took a lot of distance off.

When playing a regular round, many times I'd use my driver on par 3's from 175 to 225 yards. You should have seen the looks on peoples faces if they were new to our group when I'd pull out the driver. They'd laugh and I would step up and hit a controlled fade onto the green. The driver was my goto stick with the exception of my chipper.

I even won my family a new Buick Rendezvous one day by using a driver on a par 3 in a tournament and sinking a hole in one. Pure luck but a helluva fun day.

My Texas House resolution for my once in a lifetime shot

I lost my amateur status that day when I accepted the car so it's the closest I've ever come to pro athletics!!

Mike

nam812 · April 13, 2010 1:40PM

I play in the 80s, but if it gets any hotter than that I go home.

melvin289 · April 13, 2010 4:23PM

Haven't been able to play for the last 5 years due to a botched carpal tunel surgery. The doctor cut a nerve in my right hand. I have in my lifetime shot a below par round at my favorite club. Best advice I can give and what helped me the most is buy a decent set of clubs. I bought a set of Pings and my score dropped 3 to 5 strokes a round within a month or so. Like my baseball cards I still have the clubs and maybe can or will be able to play again some day.

Ron

ArchStanton · April 13, 2010 10:26PM

I bet I am the worst golfer here. My house is pretty much on a golf course. I used to have a driving range in my back yard. Yet I have still only made par on ONE hole in my entire life. No kidding.

123Slider · April 13, 2010 10:27PM

I am about a 6 handicap. I love the game and have started playing a little more regularly since my oldest son has started playing. Some great advice so far. I would concentrate on staying away from those big numbers at all costs. Accepting a 25 footer for par and a likely bogey is much better than running the risk of making a triple or worse. You can't make enough birdies to offset the 8's.

Who is the best Golfer here ?

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