How long to improve

tbayers

So, I'm started golf around 2month ago, joined local club around 2weeks ago. I've managed to scrape a couple lucky birdies and several pars here and there. Obviously I get quite frustrated in between.

So just wondering how long does it take to improve to a point of maybe a 12/13 handicap? I'm aware your handicap shouldn't be be all and end all but just curious. I'm also aware it's a pretty open ended question but would really love to know people past experiences when starting it all off.

Giacomo McGubbin

Depends entirely on two things :

(1) Your natural ability at Golf which differs for everyone
(2) The amount of time, effort and correct practice you put in.

I've been playing golf 20 years and I still haven't managed to get down to 12.

Mantis Toboggan

tbayers wrote: »

So, I'm started golf around 2month ago, joined local club around 2weeks ago. I've managed to scrape a couple lucky birdies and several pars here and there. Obviously I get quite frustrated in between.

So just wondering how long does it take to improve to a point of maybe a 12/13 handicap? I'm aware your handicap shouldn't be be all and end all but just curious. I'm also aware it's a pretty open ended question but would really love to know people past experiences when starting it all off.

I'm off 14 having started golf properly 2 years ago, only got my handicap 6 months ago. First year I only played 3 or 4 rounds of golf but I spent a lot of time in a driving range, got a couple of lessons and hit 4000 balls at the range. Then joined as a beginner member and I've played a nice bit of golf since.

My advice would be to get lessons, play as much as possible, don't be afraid to try new things to improve. Try not to get frustrated by the game, don't worry about your score for a while. Try play with good players and learn as much as possible from them.

dan_ep82

I'm playing 3 years now i think with 2 of those with a lot of golf. I'm a better golfer but still not a good golfer. I can shoot to a 10 one day and the next (most days really) a 25hcp

Paulzx

It doesn't matter what your handicap is or how low you'll go. You'll always be striving for more. Golfers are never content. It's the most frustrating, annoying, head wrecking sport you'll ever play.



But it's brilliant..............

tbayers

Yup gone down the lesson route had one already and had two rounds since, make a huge difference. So hoping more and more lessons and more and more rounds will help.

And I right in saying that even if handicap is 18, not necessarily expected to be able to go around even par nett score ie if above happened would that lower handicap?

And yes frustrating as, but super enjoyable, the bug has been got!

Jawgap

Practice and practice with a purpose - maybe get the pro who is giving you lessons to give you some drills?

I've started to knock some shots off my handicap this year, having resumed playing last year after a very long break, and the big difference, imo, is that this year I've been out practicing to a plan rather than aimlessly hitting balls at the range or smashing it around the course for a few hours.

It may be a tired old adage but what Gary Player said is true..."the more you practice, the luckier you get."

alxmorgan

tbayers wrote: »

Yup gone down the lesson route had one already and had two rounds since, make a huge difference. So hoping more and more lessons and more and more rounds will help.

And I right in saying that even if handicap is 18, not necessarily expected to be able to go around even par nett score ie if above happened would that lower handicap?

And yes frustrating as, but super enjoyable, the bug has been got!

I would recommend the book referenced in this thread

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057515324

will help you get the most from your practice time

mikepajero182

I started off 22 3 years ago. Lessons with a pga pro are the way to go.
I have just got to 12 and am aiming for 11 this year.
For me a few lessons every couple months are key.
If I can do it anyone can, believe me I was horrendous when I started.

Another note, its a great game but you will never be happy. There is always room for improvement. I have gone from saying I would be happy to get to 19, then 15, then 12, now aiming for 11 but i know i'll be thinking about 9 if i do.

Letree

I enjoy the process of improving. At your stage if you can come down 1 or 2 shots a year then enjoy that, don't be in a rush to 12. Because when you get to 12 you will want single figures then you will want to get to 7 them 5 etc you'll never be content at any handicap.

Mantis Toboggan

Yeah might be a good idea to look at scorecards as opposed to handicap eg. try to beat 100 then 95 and 90 etc.

galwaylad14

Will echo what others have said:

Lessons with a PGA pro, practice what you've learned and try to improve steadily.

The joy in golf in my opinion comes from improving. I started as a teenager off 26 or 28 or something like that, I play off 3 now but still constantly trying to get better. I wouldn't say I enjoy the game any more now than I did when I played off a higher handicap, my goal is still the same, trying to beat my handicap every day I go out and trying to get cut. That never changes. Now obviously I'm much better now than I was then but the standards and targets I set for myself are much higher too so I still get frustrated sometimes.

Everyone can improve at this game if they put in the effort and the time, and in my opinion the most efficient use of time is through golf lessons, that way you know you're practicing the right things.

Sean_pop

Paulzx wrote: »

It doesn't matter what your handicap is or how low you'll go. You'll always be striving for more. Golfers are never content. It's the most frustrating, annoying, head wrecking sport you'll ever play.



But it's brilliant..............

That's pretty much it in a nutshell!!!