Difference between low and high h'cap

derra

Shot my best score the other day since i started back playing which was a 84 in Charlesland off 12.
Like every round, could of been worse and could of been better but feck, it was tough mentally trying to be consistent throughout.
Goal now is to go up another level and break 80, so found this thread which is a great read for anyone looking for advice and tips etc to get their handicaps down.
Some of it is obvious like improving the short game etc, but ya might read something that clicks and help ya improve.
http://thesandtrap.com/forum/threads/25495-Tell-me-why-I-m-a-12-handicap

Personally i have a good idea on my distances but struggle with club selection alot, therefore not fuly commiting to shot unless i'm sure of having right club in my hand.
Pitching from 40-70 yards, i strike a ball well but alignment is all wrong or not keeping left arm straight or something on the shorter swings for better direction.
Tell ya the truth, i be writing all night with eveything i'm doing wrong
The above link is a good read though.
Add your own thoughts if something was not mentioned in the thread.

sweetswing

A very good read, thanks.
I know I leave a couple of shots out there per round because of bad decisions, over aggressive play and such, something I must work on from now on.

DamienOB

sweetswing wrote: »

A very good read, thanks.
I know I leave a couple of shots out there per round because of bad decisions, over aggressive play and such, something I must work on from now on.

Exact same as me, and i know i shouldn't do it, but still try...

Just gotta start using the head alot more, and taking my medicine when i have to

Tomhoganie

yeah - i think pure concentration and the ability to walk away from a shot when it doesnt feel right are two of the main reasons for dropping shots - dont know how many times ive walked up to a ball, felt something not right and still swung - its soul destroying.....

Anto12

Oh I know the feeling only too well - playing off 11 at the moment - not a great 11 mind you .. My problem is the short game 120 yards in .. always manage to leave it short .. maybe not commiting .. or sometimes trying to kill 9 iron when an easy 8 may be the correct choice .. hope to get lesson in March befroe we start off the season again .. I played with very low handicapper during the summer and his distance yardage was bang on every time .. never really more than 10 feet away from the pin .. was enjoyable to watch !!

derra

Anto12 wrote: »

Oh I know the feeling only too well - playing off 11 at the moment - not a great 11 mind you .. My problem is the short game 120 yards in .. always manage to leave it short .. maybe not commiting .. or sometimes trying to kill 9 iron when an easy 8 may be the correct choice .. hope to get lesson in March befroe we start off the season again .. I played with very low handicapper during the summer and his distance yardage was bang on every time .. never really more than 10 feet away from the pin .. was enjoyable to watch !!

Yeah it's great to get a few rounds in with lads off low handicaps alright, raises your game as well as getting tips off them and just watching them go about their business on the course.

DamienOB

derra wrote: »

Yeah it's great to get a few rounds in with lads off low handicaps alright, raises your game as well as getting tips off them and just watching them go about their business on the course.

My 2 friends who got me into golf, are both 2.4 and 2.5 handicappers, if i say 2 and 3, one will moan

Played today with them, 13 holes, and its unreal how little effort they actually put in when playing... Still won €5 off them, 21 handicap, 22 points, scratching 3

derra

DamienOB wrote: »

My 2 friends who got me into golf, are both 2.4 and 2.5 handicappers, if i say 2 and 3, one will moan

Played today with them, 13 holes, and its unreal how little effort they actually put in when playing... Still won €5 off them, 21 handicap, 22 points, scratching 3

Bandit ya are :D
Good shooting !

DamienOB

derra wrote: »

Bandit ya are :D
Good shooting !

Not going to lie, back 8 holes, bar 1, was the best golf i've ever played.... 5 Pars, 1 bogey, 1 scratch and my very first eagle....

On holes 15, and 16 i had 0 putts... (Chipped in twice , one for the eagle)

Kace

derra wrote: »

Shot my best score the other day since i started back playing which was a 84 in Charlesland off 12.
Like every round, could of been worse and could of been better but feck, it was tough mentally trying to be consistent throughout.
Goal now is to go up another level and break 80, so found this thread which is a great read for anyone looking for advice and tips etc to get their handicaps down.
Some of it is obvious like improving the short game etc, but ya might read something that clicks and help ya improve.
http://thesandtrap.com/forum/threads/25495-Tell-me-why-I-m-a-12-handicap

Personally i have a good idea on my distances but struggle with club selection alot, therefore not fuly commiting to shot unless i'm sure of having right club in my hand.
Pitching from 40-70 yards, i strike a ball well but alignment is all wrong or not keeping left arm straight or something on the shorter swings for better direction.
Tell ya the truth, i be writing all night with eveything i'm doing wrong
The above link is a good read though.
Add your own thoughts if something was not mentioned in the thread.

Easiest way to get your game down to the next level and break 80 - practice short game 2-3 times per week. Chips / putts / pitches. This is the primary difference between a 12 and a 6/7 handicap player.

derra

Kace wrote: »

Easiest way to get your game down to the next level and break 80 - practice short game 2-3 times per week. Chips / putts / pitches. This is the primary difference between a 12 and a 6/7 handicap player.

Bringing just a couple clubs in the car lately to do just that when i find the time to practice.
Think alot of golfers get caught up in trying to get a buzz in smashing long drives and irons when getting up and down is the real buzz !

stockdam

Practicing your short game so that you are a wizard from 50 yards is one way to get down to single figures. Cut back on the length off the tee and make sure you hit the fairway - you'll be short but on the fairway. Then dunt it up close to the green and use your short game. You won't get that many birdies but you'll score quite well. I know some people who rarely get up to the long par 4s but they scramble very well.

However the big difference between the really good players and the high handicap players is ball striking. They can hit the fairway and not spray the ball off the tee. Too many articles and books try to imply that course management is the secret.....that only goes part of the way.

plon

stockdam wrote: »

Practicing your short game so that you are a wizard from 50 yards is one way to get down to single figures. Cut back on the length off the tee and make sure you hit the fairway - you'll be short but on the fairway. Then dunt it up close to the green and use your short game. You won't get that many birdies but you'll score quite well. I know some people who rarely get up to the long par 4s but they scramble very well.

Good advice that. Dont get sucked into the mentality of trying to be long off the tee. Work on the short game. Get a lesson in chipping i.e whether to go for a flop shot or a chip and run. Also read the green to decide on what iron to chip with.
I carved a couple of shots off my handicap following a couple of lesson from the club professional ..
... my tuppencehalpenny worth :)

MasterKZG

Had a look at this and i thought "gosh he made it soo simple" especially the short game tips.
Tried a couple thing yesterday at Wicklow GC and i shot an 82 (40/42) and the best thing about it was i let a good few shots out there.

The golf fix by michael breed...top bloke.

http://www.thegolfchannel.com/the-golf-fix/videos/