Make or Break Par Blog

Fergus_Nash

Hi everyone,

This is my new blog about my 2015 golfing year, it'll act as my training log. I'll update it weekly, and update this post monthly/periodically/whenever anything cool happens.

https://makeorbreakpar.wordpress.com/

GCW

What handicap were you given by Coollattin after handing in a card where you were -2 after 12 holes and shot 79?

Norfolk Enchants_

Fergus_Nash wrote: »

Hi everyone,

This is my new blog about my 2015 golfing year, it'll act as my training log. I'll update it weekly, and update this post monthly/periodically/whenever anything cool happens.

https://makeorbreakpar.wordpress.com/

Given your past history of throwing in the towel when the going gets tough, I'd wager any amount you have zero chance of achieving this goal, perhaps reaching single figures first would be more realistic.

Fergus_Nash

GCW wrote: »

What handicap were you given by Coollattin after handing in a card where you were -2 after 12 holes and shot 79?

14.

Barnaboy

Good luck to you with this. Bizarrely you have the exact same handicap as me (12.9). I, however, have no intention of breaking par this year (or probably ever). And that is said by someone who is playing this game a long time, dedicated to it and fully planning on getting as low as possible.

I'm aiming to become a single handicapper this year and I know I am capable of it- played 16 holes in +4/+5 last Sunday, possibly best ever round. That was at the absolute limits of my ability. I'd love to play like that every week but you have to be realistic. If you put too much in it can backfire, you put too much pressure on yourself and lose focus.

By your own admission, you hardly ever play but seem to have some ability. By all means give this a go. But don't forget this is a game, it should be enjoyed and you'll play better if you just go out and enjoy and don't beat yourself up if you play a bad shot.

FixdePitchmark

Best of luck Fergus.

Your playing golf from a young age and a long time.

What is your lowest ever handicap - Am I reading it was 14 when younger - now (12.9) ?


Shooting a level par round is a different target to getting to a low handicap.


First point I would make is, it is an extremely ambitious target - so fair play , the reason I say that is, because you played golf as a younger person and only got to 14 (If I'm understanding this right).

I haven't had a level par round myself - but chasing one this year too. A good bit to go for me. I find the game very very hard to improve.

But I would suggest - unless you are naturally very gifted - you will have to put in between 15 to 20 hours a week into this project for the year. Of course - you can have guys that break the mould and make extraordinary strides - but I'm sticking that figure up there from observation of golfers that i have seen improve and my own experience.

Have you got that much time ?

SevesThreeIron

Best of luck with the plan. If you read the book 'Bounce' you'll realise that most things are possible if you put in the work. Talent is over rated. You seem to allude to that point yourself in the blog.

What you're doing practice wise at the moment obviously isn't enough. If you've played a bit of GAA a good comparison between a low handicapper, capable of shooting around level par, is with a senior club footballer or hurler. They are both probably working on their game two/three nights a week for 90 minutes or so and playing a game/comp at the weekends. For your challenge, I think you need to practice 9 holes or a couple of hours on the range maybe three times a week and then an 18 holer at the weekend.

As regards fitness training, if you're going to do that then get a golf specific work out plan. Check out Titleist's TPI mentors. There's lots of them all around Ireland and they'll give you a screening before drawing up an individual plan for you. It's not particularly costly. That, of course, is going to be another two or three sessions a week, maybe 45 minutes each.

Bottom line is if you put in the work you'll probably get there with the background you're coming from. Hope you do it!

Golfgorfield

Good luck, but 10mins a day short game practice will be your downfall.

To break par at your hcap, you will need a very sharp short game, and to achieve that you will need to do a monumental amount of specific practice.

Unless you focus on 80% short game you will struggle imho.

dar_cool

Agree with Gorfield, I shot a -2 off 7 last year in Kilcock, Was crazy, I did my best to **** it up on the last few holes but managed to scrape in, was -3 turning onto 10 and never felt nerves like it..haha:pac:

Dr_Colossus

dar_cool wrote: »

Agree with Gorfield, I shot a -2 off 7 last year in Kilcock, Was crazy, I did my best to **** it up on the last few holes but managed to scrape in, was -3 turning onto 10 and never felt nerves like it..haha:pac:

Nice shooting, good finishing hole too in Kilcock to test the nerves off the tee and tight up around the green, easy blow a score on that.
My best ever round was +1 last year in Headfort New also off 7. Aiming for that par or sub par round this year.

OffalyMedic

my best round last year was +7 around my home course birr. It was the end of August and I had played at least 3-4 times a week from 1st week in June. playing off 14.4 at the time got cut to 11.4 after it!! Goal this year is to take a few lessons and get to single figures but going to have to work hard. Golf isn't a game that u can play once every now and again and expect to be getting cut/ play consistently etc. well I don't think so!! takes commitment and dedication to get low and stay low imo

Rikand

Best of luck Fergus

Maybe follow the link in my sig and pop over to the handicap thread so we can monitor your progress there as well!

slave1

Best of luck dude, have hovered at 7 over as my best round three times, whenever I see a better score forming I just go for it, level par is quite a tall task, I wonder what percentage of golfers achieve it?

Barnseire

Best of luck with your plan. Highly ambitious, but it would be a fantastic achievement. Have a read of this. http://thedanplan.com/about/. It's about a guy who took up gold and reckons with 10,000 hours of practise will be able to play on the PGA tour. I think you'll find it interesting in how he approached it and the amount of practise he's put in.