Review Your Golfing Year 2025

Barnaboy · 28-12-2025 11:33PM #1

Starting this thread as I don't see one on the topic. Now we are at the year end, always a good time to reflect on the year past.

I have to say I'm very pleased with mine. My stats are as follows:

Member- Arklow

Handicap on Jan 1st: 16.9

Handicap today: 13.0

Competitive rounds played: 29 (all counting as I'm lucky to play on links)

Best round: 83

Best differential: 10.4

Highlights

Had a decent run at golfer of the year. Never seriously in contention to win but was third at one point and ultimately finished 8th.

Don't play nearly often enough, once a week usually, never practice. So stats are pretty amazing considering!

Despite the good numbers there are still significant issues with my game. Chipping is really poor, woods off the deck are dodgy. Putting from 3-5ft not great. Regularly miss very makeable putts.

The good stuff includes a steady driver, behaving itself for the most part. Bunker play very good, irons off the deck are very solid. Lag putting fairly decent as well.

So what does 2026 hold? No reason I can't get closer to single figures. First goal is to try and get below 12.2, my lowest ever. Anything else is a bonus.

Delighted with 2025, best year since 2022. Long may it continue.

big_drive · 31-12-2025 02:29PM

Starting handicap: 5.7

Finishing handicap: 2.8

Qualifying rounds: 34 (all in competitions)

Lowest score: 70 (level par)

Lowest differential: 0.5 ( this was a gross 2 over par round)

billy3sheets · 31-12-2025 06:30PM

Mine was very similar to yours but not going same direction @Barnaboy

Starting handicap: 11.3

Finishing handicap: 12.5

Qualifying rounds: 24 (mostly in club competitions but some society and casual)

Lowest score: 85 (12 over on par 73)

Lowest differential: 10.4

I played a load of golf in 2025. It was such a great year for it. I didn't record a lot of my rounds, either because they were very casual or I just plain forgot.

Overall I'm very happy with the year. There's much less variance in my scores. While I didn't break 85 (+12), I also had only 2 rounds barely over 100 on tough medal days.

I'll have plenty of time to play in 2026, so intend to set more ambitious goals and address a specific issue that nobbles my score regularly. That's a topic for the 2026 goals thread though 😁

paulos53 · 31-12-2025 07:25PM

Qualifying Rounds: 65
Made up of 38 home competitions, 15 Away competitions and 12 General Play (all away courses). 5 of the General Play rounds were in the Boards society so were definitely not in the casual category.
That must be the most qualifying rounds that I have submitted in a year. Not bad considering that my home course had qualifying conditions for just under 6 months.

Starting Handicap: 8.7
Current Handicap: 9.0
Low Handicap 7.7
Highest Handicap: 11.4

Lowest Gross Score: 77 twice
Lowest Score Differential: 6.0

A slump in form at the start of the year saw a big increase in my handicap. Fortunately I managed to turn it around over the summer and ended up close to where I started the year.

Overall I am happy with my 2025. I have developed a better ball flight with my driver and woods and have straightened out a big draw/hook. The negative has been my putting, especially from medium length. It feels like I have holed very little from 10-25 feet all year. Something to focus on next year.

Rikand · 01-01-2026 01:26AM

Starting Handicap : 5.5

Finishing Handicap : 6.1

Lowest handicap : 5.5

Qualifying rounds : 18 (12 in competition, 6 in Casual)

Lowest Gross Score : 76 (+4)

Lowest Differential : 4.5. But I did also shoot a level par 9 hole round which resulted in a higher differential.

It was definitely a year of what might have been on a number of fronts. I had set myself a target of playing 20 counting rounds and by the end of July, I had 15 rounds played and only managed another 3 counting rounds in the next 3 months. Busy life.

And as regards the actual golf itself, i had a lot of really good rounds going that I frittered away over the last 3 holes. Definitely a year where I should have finished on at least the same handicap if not better. Having said that, I didn't let it slip more than the 0.6 and the whole year my handicap was between 5.5 and 6.1, so a very consistent year. Happy Enough With That.

Seve OB · 01-01-2026 09:06PM

Started the year at 16.1 and went straight to 16.2 after the Boards outing in Portmarnock.

Apart from 2 brief spells at 16.3 over the last few years this is the highest I've been in a hell of a long time 15+ years.

Anyway, so qualifying kicked off for me in on 9th April and I had been practicing, (conveniently had a a bit of time off between jobs).

Almost shot the round of my life in the off season with 4 birdies and 5 bogeys to be +1 but only for 15 holes.

By the end of May I was at 9.6. (my best ever just before the change to WHS was 9.5.

Stayed there for a few rounds and then drifted out to 10.0 before I hit another purple patch and got down to 8.7.

Went back up to 10.5 by the end of September but I was able to sneak 2 more good rounds in early October and finished the year at 9.5

39 Qualifying rounds

My lowest SD was 6.3 (had a 6.6 also)

Broke 80 4 times in qualifying - easily the most times in a single year

My Garmin tells me I recorded 82 rounds of golf in the year.

Starting full time work next Monday so definitely won't get as much golf in 2026 but lucky my new job has a golf course on site so hopefully lots of practice

blue note · 02-01-2026 05:23PM

Started at 12.3, finished at 12.3. I'd 10 counting rounds and another 3 casual. 6 of my 8 counting rounds are from 2024, so the handicap staying the same is a bit misleading. I'll have to put in a few good scores for it not to creep up, but my scores weren't so bad that it'll balloon.

I'm hopeful I'll get a few more rounds in next year.

bobster453 · 03-01-2026 03:58PM

Started 16.9

Finished 19

Lowest round 80 gross

Lowest SD 9.4

49 Qualifying Rounds

Illness will curtail playing for next 3 to 4 months at least so not much expectations for 2026.

bakerbhoy · 03-01-2026 09:54PM

Started 12.0

Finish 11.4

Low 10.4

Low SD 8.4

Counting Rounds 68

Best Gross 80 Had a 77 (+5) but under lift/place conditions..

spacecoyote · 04-01-2026 10:48AM

Started 7.6

Finish 7.6

High 9.3

Low 7.1

Low SD 5.3

Best Gross +6

Counting Rounds 29

Felt like this year was probably my worst year of golf since I first got a handicap. Drove the ball poorly most of the year, so was working off a bad platform. Hit the soft cap in June, but managed to bounce back from there and finish the year in better form, so hopefully I carry that trend into next year.

Broke 80 twice (technically 3 times I guess if I include my last 18 holes of 2025, but that was with lift clean and place)

Played 7 new courses though, which was nice to tick off, and brought me beyond 100 different irish courses played

Seve OB · 04-01-2026 05:56PM

still remarkably consistent @spacecoyote

spacecoyote · 04-01-2026 09:09PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124117414#Comment_124117414

Cheers Seve, think I've gotten better at scoring ugly...not by choice

copacetic · 04-01-2026 11:00PM

Started 8.5

Finish 7.9

High 8.5

Low 7.7

Low SD 5

Counting Rounds 19

Having drifted out a couple of shots last couple of years, was hitting it a lot better this year and made a little bit back, but lack of enough counting rounds was an issue, usual few bad holes messed up some very good rounds and shorter season/bad weather and playing a lot of teams and match play meant a lot of counting weeks without a score in. Definitely need to start playing for no blow up holes a bit more early this year to get handicap moving properly in right direction. Hoping we get counting rounds in March this year and a proper season.

Seve OB · 05-01-2026 09:53AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124118092#Comment_124118092

That’s the key isn’t it. I’ve been playing off 5 for 12 holes lately and am struggling to break the 20 points, but still hovering around it so kinda in the same boat as you

token56 · 05-01-2026 03:22PM

Started 10.6

Finish 10.6

High 13.5

Low 9.9

Low SD 4.3

Counting Rounds 45

I've had a very mixed year as is the life of a mid handicapper. The year started very poorly with my handicap index climbing quickly with rounds consistently in the high 80s, low 90s in the first half of the year. I was also playing a lot of inter clubs over this period and found it very difficult to get into a good flow and any real consistency. Picked up in the second half the year and managed to get the index back down including two rounds in the 70s with a career low in my home course of a 74 (par 71), albeit with placing on fairways. I've also been going well in our winter league, much better than this time last year when my game fell off a cliff. So hoping it continues over the next few months and can start the year strong with the hope of getting into single digits quickly next year.

Sorbet · 06-01-2026 11:30AM

One for the high handicappers…..

Started 24.4

Finish 22.6

High 24.4

Low 22.6

Low SD 19.8

Counting rounds 16

Was worthwhile putting this down as I hadn’t realised I had so few counting rounds during the year - played a lot more golf than that but must make an effort to improve that number this year. Lowest round was actually my first counting round of the year so disappointing to not improve on that. I’ve been out of action with some back trouble for the last few months but working hard to get ready for a return in the next few weeks and continue my assault on the lofty goal of getting to a sub 20 handicap - maybe this year 🥺

awec · 06-01-2026 11:37AM

Started: 23.7

Finish: 15.0

Lowest HI: 14.5

Lowest SD: 12.9

Counting rounds: 38

2025 was a great golfing year for me. At the start of the season I wanted to get under 20 so obviously surpassed that. I was actually disappointed not to finish lower, unfortunately I had a good score drop off just a few days before counting stopped. I kinda lost focus a bit at the very end of the season and put in a few poor scores, I do think if counting had gone on another month and I'd stayed focused I could have got another shot or two off my index.

big_drive · 06-01-2026 12:15PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124122351#Comment_124122351

Fabulous progress there

Concerned2 · 06-01-2026 12:42PM

Started 15.7

Finished 17.6

Best round was 81 in one of the club's cup competitions , even though I was only 3 over on the back 9 I got beaten into second on count back by a 4 handicapper (who says low handicappers cannot win under the WHS system ! )

Played pretty meh for the year. Driving was very suspect so I found it hard to actually make it around a course without loosing 1 or balls. I had only 3 rounds in the 80's , in 2024 I had 12 so I was marginally worse this year than last.

I'd be delighted if I could get down around 15 again this year.

boccy23 · 06-01-2026 12:49PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124122351#Comment_124122351

Great work @awec. Played with you a few times and the progress is clear. Well done.

boccy23 · 06-01-2026 01:00PM

Started 15.1

Finished 16.3

Lowest HI 15.1

Lowest round was a 78 at home in Clane.

I had a poor year overall with the only consistent thing being my inconsistency. But I would also say I put very little effort into practice for the first half of the year. That culminated in a 97 in the first round of the Captain's and was a turning point. That one had a score diff. of 31.0, so I knew it was now becoming a problem.

Started with more short game practice and after that I was far more consistent.

Funnily enough, the only place where I played okay was during the Boards outings. The win I had in Woodenbridge would have dropped my HI back to 15.3 if it had counted.

I also recognised a swing deficiency in my iron play towards the end of the counting year and my play during winter golf, ball striking wise, is much better. Bloody typical! But it also raises the excitement level for the new year of Golf and I hope to play to somewhere close to my lowest HI of 12.7. That's my goal for next year to get back below 13 and play to it more often.

bobster453 · 06-01-2026 02:49PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124122351#Comment_124122351

Good man

I wouldnt play ya for a fiver😄

thewobbler · 06-01-2026 04:32PM

Started: 20.6

Finish: 18.9

High: 24.3

Low: 18.9

Best 13.3 / 11 over

Counting rounds: 41

—An oddball year for me where I tried to rebuild my swing, saw immediate improvements, then a long, almost never ending decline.
By season end I’d reverted to largely my old swing, but with improved alignment and a much better putting stroke.
I played a lot of golf this year and I’m not sure it’s the recipe for improvement.s. Things improved once my season slowed down!

Kiith · 09-01-2026 10:40AM

Not a particularly good year, scoring wise for me, in 2025. Handicap went out quite a bit, as i played some awful shite for 75% of the year. Just couldn't get any sort of consistency. When my driving worked, my long irons killed me. When my long irons worked, my drives killed me. Every round i'd be scratching at least 3 holes. More over 100 stroke rounds this year then any of the last 5 years. Didn't come even close to breaking 80, which i'd hoped to do this year (only done it once before).

Started - 13.5
Finish - 16.3
Best Round - 88 in the Curragh in August.

Hard to get much time to practise, never mind play, between the kids and real life commitments. Don't expect it'll get much better this year with the 3rd kid on the way, but i'm building a net out the back and will get some artificial grass to at least be able to try and work on my swing.

almostover · 09-01-2026 11:31AM

Decent year for me although I didn't get to play as much golf away from home as I would have done in previous years. Mt. Juliet was ticked off the list with the work golf society though and I really enjoyed it.

Started 2025 - 7.9

Finished 2025 - 6.9

Highest index in 2025: 7.9

Lowest index in 2025: 6.9

Lowest round: 75 (+4)

Lowest Differential: 4.2 (same round as the lowest)

Counting rounds: 22

Can't be too displeased with a 1 shot reduction. I started at 7.9 and went back out there after an initial reduction. Hit 6.9 mid-season too and drifted out a little after that. Played on the Bruen team for the 2nd year in a row this year and really enjoyed it.

I've never shot lower than 75, that's my main goal for this year. Have had three 75's in past 2 seasons but it's been a scoring barrier for me. That's the goal for this year, to break that barrier.

Have taken a break from golf with the last 3 months, arrival of first child saw to that. I play at a parkland course anyway and winter golf does little for me. Going to hit the range this weekend and text my pro to book a lesson and get started on project break 75!

copacetic · 10-01-2026 02:10PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124122652#Comment_124122652

striking it better in winter and spring and craving counting golf then seeing the same old one or two bad holes ruining rounds happens me every year! It’s killer but I’ve always put it down to placing and 9 hole rounds. I’ve had a lot of level par 9 hole rounds, probably a least double the amount of times I’ve broken 80. I’ve also broken par for 9 a few times but best ever full round was 75 (with a 3 under front 9)

It seems to be either starting badly then recovering when relaxed or starting well then getting tight and nervy on last few holes with water and OB looming. Either way it’s mental more than anything.

RoadRunner · 14-01-2026 01:28PM

Starting handicap: 7

Finishing handicap: 7.2

Lowest HC: 4.9

Highest HC: 7.2

Qualifying rounds: 22 (a quarter of my full years golf was played in one single week in Donegal!)

Lowest score: 74 (+2)

Lowest differential: 2.6

My first round of the year was a good one at PM Links and I played quite well at Rosapenna in May. Otherwise a bit of a year to forget in terms of golf.

Considering allowing my club membership to lapse this year 🙄

benny79 · 05-02-2026 09:06AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124146711#Comment_124146711

Seriously? other interests? or just life getting in the way?

charlieIRL · 07-02-2026 09:04AM

Started 20.4

Finish 18.2

High 21.2

Low 18.0

Counting Rounds 21- 9 of them are with boards and only 5 at home course

I sometimes wonder why I’m a member of a club I play so little at my home club, don’t think the frequency will change this year either. I’ve talked about changing clubs for a few years now but it’s hard to leave Tullamore. The course was very convenient when I was working beside it but it’s a 50 minute commute to it from home, adding to the day.

I had great hopes for 2025 for a while, wanted to get down below my previous best of 16 but am still happy enough to knock 3 shots off my handicap during the end of the year and stay there. Who know what it would be like if I didn’t play counting rounds at new courses or played home course more!!

Let’s see what 2026 brings starting next week in Portmarnock, my first full 18 holes since August!

big_drive · 07-02-2026 09:42AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124214081#Comment_124214081

50 mins is a long drive from your course, probably reduces the amount you'll play there. Have you other good options closer to you now that you can join?

charlieIRL · 09-02-2026 09:16PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124214135#Comment_124214135

Athlone GC is 14 minute’s away from me and I’ve a good few friends who play there, while i like playing a few rounds with them during the year, I’m not sure I could play it every week again. The 13th drives me nuts it’s such a stupid hole.
Next is Mount Temple or Moate. Other side of me is ballinasloe, all about 25 minutes. While nice courses, they are not a patch on Tullamore.

Review Your Golfing Year 2025

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