Getting below 5 handicap?

big_drive

I've reached a handicap of 5 recently. Only played a couple of rounds off it so far and can see its going to be a challenge. Having to finish within one shot of standard scratch just to avoid a .1 means a whole new way of thinking.

I'm hoping I could get down to 4 next year. But what I really want to avoid is a situation where my handicap rises.

I was wondering what advise would you guys on here who have moved on to low handicap give me in taking the next step? I know a lot will say focus on short game but what other factors should I focus on?

thegolfer

Work on your course management, always room for improvement. From the tee, 3 wood or irons for position first, big drives are nice, but sometimes you can be too close to the pin. Pick a distance say 100 yards and try to become very accurate from here.
Ultimately your consistency will improve, thus better scores.
Short game too, up and downs. From the fairway and better course management should mean that if you miss a green, miss on easy side, or else know when and where to go for pins, safe in the knoledge that you know you can get up and down as backup.
Attitude, never fear getting a .1, become a birdie hunter not a bogey avoider. Your last thought before a shot should be a positive thought, such as this will be a 10 footer for birdie, not don't hit it in the bunker.
I have tried these things myself and worked very well for me, got as low as +2, and have found that consistency is the key, and a good attitude.
It's only a game at times, not being flippant but once you can enjoy and let go, it will flow.

Myksyk

If your weekly club open singles regularly has high css's ... Avoid them! You'll likely have to shoot level to get in the buffer. Ask your club instead to make one open singles per month a stableford off the whites. We did this and it was often won by or featured low handicappers.

Alrite Chief

Excellent advice there. Nowhere near 5 but i think anyone should apply that to their game. We all are guilty of using the driver all day.

ForeRight

I will be taking that advice on board. I'm off 5 too and I am finding it tough to hit my handicap the last couple of official rounds. Funny thing is when I played two rounds casual I hit 37 and 38 points.

Is it just a matter of doing exactly what you suggest. Let go and let it flow???

Hopefully. Ill try it thanks poster above!

Dublin Spur

thegolfer wrote: »

Work on your course management, always room for improvement. From the tee, 3 wood or irons for position first, big drives are nice, but sometimes you can be too close to the pin. Pick a distance say 100 yards and try to become very accurate from here. Ultimately your consistency will improve, thus better scores. Short game too, up and downs. From the fairway and better course management should mean that if you miss a green, miss on easy side, or else know when and where to go for pins, safe in the knoledge that you know you can get up and down as backup.

Attitude, never fear getting a .1, become a birdie hunter not a bogey avoider. Your last thought before a shot should be a positive thought, such as this will be a 10 footer for birdie, not don't hit it in the bunker.
I have tried these things myself and worked very well for me, got as low as +2, and have found that consistency is the key, and a good attitude.
It's only a game at times, not being flippant but once you can enjoy and let go, it will flow.

top quality advice

Seves Three Iron

In the same situation myself. Off five for last three years and can't make that extra leap. Got to 4.6 at one stage last year. By a country mile the big difference with me is the short game. The really good scores always come when I have a good day with the putter, not when I drive well or nail the irons. Three good putts is the difference between two over and five over.

Got a bit obsessed with trying to hit the ball further in recent years but now realise it's all about the short game. Unless you're a top player you're going to miss more greens than you hit. But if you can get up and down most times you'll put together great scores. To this end, I bought Dave Stockton's putting book today. It's pricey but supposed to be decent. Looking forward to reading it.

alxmorgan

Seves Three Iron wrote: »

In the same situation myself. Off five for last three years and can't make that extra leap. Got to 4.6 at one stage last year. By a country mile the big difference with me is the short game. The really good scores always come when I have a good day with the putter, not when I drive well or nail the irons. Three good putts is the difference between two over and five over.

Got a bit obsessed with trying to hit the ball further in recent years but now realise it's all about the short game. Unless you're a top player you're going to miss more greens than you hit. But if you can get up and down most times you'll put together great scores. To this end, I bought Dave Stockton's putting book today. It's pricey but supposed to be decent. Looking forward to reading it.

Would be interested in your feedback on the book.

Seves Three Iron

alxmorgan wrote: »

Would be interested in your feedback on the book.

Interesting observation in the foreword from Phil Mickelson. He says Stockton taught him to consider the back of his hand (the left hand for us) to be the actual putter face, so you're feeling the putt more and getting away from technical thoughts.

Only the start of the book but food for thought no less. Looking forward to the main body of it.