Lowering my handicap, bettering my game...I've hit a brick wall.

[GTAdawg]

Guys I've been fortunate enough to spend more time on the golf course than I ever have before over the course of this Spring/Summer. Most weeks I get three days after work to play 9 holes, and at least one 18 hole round over the weekend most of the time. While this isn't official by any means(because I haven't sat down to do the math on my scorecards) I've successfully lowered my handicap from an 18(bogey golfer) to a 10-12. And I've broken 80 a few times, with my best round coming in at a 43+35=78 at State's course.

I've seen significant improvement but the truth is I actually haven't gotten any better since the end of June. I've achieved a better level of consistency overall, I hit it further than ever, I can draw the ball well(don't have a cut shot), I putt the ball OK, but my 100yd and in game is a C+ at best. I've tried everything. Different lofted clubs, different ball stances, swings, you name I've tried it with no consistent results. I'm sure there are others here that have faced the same issues. What were you able to do to take the next step? I really would like to breakthrough and shave a few more strokes off before October or so. And before someone says take lessons from a Pro...that's not going to happen, at least not this year anyway. I'm just trying to understand what fellow hackers have done to get better when their game hits a wall.

 

[goindhoo]

The difference in a 8 handi and a 4 is huge.

Not sure how long you have been playing but coming from someone that has played 27 years, at that level a lot is between the ears. Yes, your short game must improve which takes repetition to get feel. But once you start thinking about every shot (where you can't miss and where you can), that is when you can shave those last few strokes. You have to figure out how to take big numbers off the board and a lot of that has to do with missing in the right spots. I would also add that 18 holes a week is not nearly enough. If so, you need to be on range once or twice a week as well. It's a game of repetition. But the mental game will also save you a few strokes.

eta: sorry I mis read your playing schedule. You play enough.

 

[DAWG61]

It's all about

reducing the amount of strokes you take from 150 yards and in. The part that people don't enjoy practicing as much. Become great with your wedges and putter and you'll quickly drop strokes. Chipping, pitching and putting. A pro would slaughter all of us with only carrying a 7-iron, wedges and putter. Think about that for a bit and then get really really good with those clubs yourself.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

I agree and I used to have an 8 handicap when I played a lot. What got me from that 12-15 handicap down to 8 was repetition and mental focus. I really keyed in on being consistent with my shot and would go to the range to practice. And when I mean go to the range, I mean don't go there and just hit ball after ball as fast as you can, really key in on ranges and yardage. Sometimes it is hard to mentally focus when you're going to have a good time with your buddies. Some can juggle being focused and having a good time.

Also practice chipping as much as you putt. I don't know how many people I played with that would just practice putting and zero chipping and it showed in their game.

 

[Hammer Down]

I've always looked at it in the following stages (these are real scores, not the ******** I see from a bunch of footwedge happy weekend golfers - I mean, if you hit in OOB, you tee it up again and hit #3):

Break 100: You're not a crappy golfer anymore, but your practice should be more on the big swings/clubs
HC of 10-20: You're beginning to be a good golfer, so you need to concentrate on your short game
Single digits: Work on your putting, nerves and mind game
Scratch: All the stuff the pros work on, which I know nothing about

So for you, I'd spend my range time working on that 100 yd and in stuff.

 

[GTAdawg]

Interesting that you mention the dynamic of playing with friends and possible distraction. Throughout the week I usually play with the same group of 2 or 3 in various combinations. Many times I realize I'm not being very social because I'm trying to focus on the next shot or next hole. I guess a lot of that could be attributed to our competitive natures as well. That's been another benefit of playing with others...wanting to get better and kick their ***.

 

[GTAdawg]

Two off the 1st tee, then it gets real after that*

 

[THE Bruce Dickinson]

make more birdies*

 

[mcdawg22]

Okay, I am going to be a dick. I have come to you for advice because of your sig. And what you have posted makes me feel like Rory getting advice from Joe Durant. I hit a plateau when I played a lot I was a 85-90 player forever then my 6-ow got really accurate, and when I was just off the green I noticed I was chipping and one putting more frequently. Your troubles seem very unique. My only suggestion would be if you have 10 comfortable clubs, carry 4 wedges from 48 to 60 degrees.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

It really depended on who I was playing with. Some of my friends it was all about having a good time and then others it was a serious, competitive round.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

I mean, if you hit in OOB, you tee it up again and hit #3

One of my biggest pet peeves. People who count penalties as basically mulligans.

 

[lowbird]

Knowing how far you fly your wedges on full shots is important. The tricky part is how you take off distance for the shorter approaches. Inside of 100yds is all "see and feel" to me. I used to always just treat it like a short pitch and take the club back shorter depending on the distance. That requires a lot of practice to get the feel.
Something I've started to do is take full swings while gripping down a little. Also taking shorter swings while gripping down seems to give you a lot more control.


That was probably a lot rambling but I like hitting wedge shots. You got to be thinking birdie when you're coming into a green with a wedge.

 

[GTAdawg]

I had to look back to jog my memory. You PM'ed me once asking me if you could ask something, and I replied with "don't know how much I can help, but what you got?". And you replied with "nevermind got it figured out". So I don't know where you're going with that.

As far as my sig goes? It's just funny(for me anyway), and I enjoy the sport more than any other because I get to play it whenever I want. Lighten up, McNancy.

 

[EAVdog]

You lower your score on shots from 100 yards or less. If you can't place the ball within 10 feet of the pin on a pitch/chip you are going to have a hard time lowering your score. That is the difference between birdies and pars/bogies. No need to buy new clubs or fancy swings. Take your 9 iron/P wedge to the range and keep hitting at the 100 yard market until you can drop the ball on top of it almost every time. Ball in the middle of your stance, weight evenly distributed, keep your head down, and swing through the ball. The club will do the work for you getting the ball in the air. It's not rocket science, over thinking is a common mistake.

 

[Jaqueax]

I completely agree. Practice at 100 yards (or whatever distance you can get on your driving range). Get to where you can very consistently hit the green (9 out of 10 times). This will becomre your money shot. And you will learn to lay up to this distance on the course. It will definitely help cut strokes.

You also won't wear yourself out on the range hittings long irons and drivers.

 

[DAWG61]

It's not rocket science, over thinking is a common mistake.

Read this again and then remind it to yourself 7 billion more times. Kinda the opposite of over-thinking but whatever. Each one of us has our own unique swings. Embrace that and spend more time learning the feel of your swing and when you hit it good than constantly trying to change it. I have so many good nuggets for you but what's the fun in sharing all of them. Those are for you to discover on the course by yourself. You want to get better so I suggest you stop playing with your buddies so much and play more by yourself. Nothing bothered me more than my friends just wanting to show up and immediately go straight to the first tee after dropping $50 to play. To get decent I had to play hundreds of hours on the course by myself and on the range, practice areas. This is the absolute best time on the golf course. There is something really magical about waking up at the crack of dawn with nobody on the course yet and going out by yourself and putting in 6 hours of practice before noon. Get to where you love this more than a simple round of golf on Sunday with your buddies and you can really start shaving strokes off your game quickly.

 

[Dawg1976]

As others have said, work on 100 yards on in. Wedge shots, chipping, sand shots and putting. That's where you shave strokes from your game. And just try to have fun. Play little games when you practice. Sometimes when you try so hard at getting better, it becomes almost like a job. Then it becomes no fun and the benefits of practice is lost.

 

[Desoto]

It's the "feel game". Putting,chipping the 70% wedge. Practice the feels shots. Work on different types of chips. Flop shots, pitches, and my fav: put the ball in the back of your stance, close the club face, and use almost a putting stroke. You can use your wedge. It's real hard to screw this shot up. Good luck

 

[Optimus Prime 4]

Strategy becomes important too, find your best approach distance and hit it there, always. Far too many people just hit it as close to the green or as far as they can, but like for me, 135 is a good distance because I hit my PW great, so I try to lay up either 135 out or 100 so I can hit a full 56. This saves me about four strokes a round because I'm not great with non-full swing wedges right now. I've also found putting the driver back in the bag more helps a lot, and just playing smart. Hit the four iron to 130 instead of trying to put the three wood on and ending up in a terrible lie on a bunker.

And as so some else said, go to the range with a plan, don't blast 75 balls, hit 40 like real golf shots. And spend half the time you're at the range chipping

 

[Optimus Prime 4]

Cheater!!!! I play with a group on the weekends that allows zero mulligans

Every shot counts, and only real short putts are gimmes. No moving the ball from behind the tree root, etc. my score quickly went up ten shots... But it sucks getting one drove on #1, last two rounds I've clipped a tree on the left and put it about thirty yards, where I have to punch out sideways. Awesome way to start a round.

 

[jethreauxdawg]

Quit playing as many rounds. If you take one of the afternoons you normally spend playing nine holes and work on short game (within 20 yards of the green) for 2 hours a week instead, your scores will drop. Like someone else said, find a way to make a game of it. Also, practice these shots from good/bad/terrible lies.

 

[mcdawg22]

I'm just busting balls man.

 

[coach66]

I agree with OP4, you probably are about where you are going to be

physically with the game. You can improve your game by playing smart golf more at this point than you can by practicing over and over. Use your head and don't make dumb plays that cost you a bunch of strokes.

 

[mstateglfr]

Guys I've been fortunate enough to spend more time on the golf course than I ever have before over the course of this Spring/Summer. Most weeks I get three days after work to play 9 holes, and at least one 18 hole round over the weekend most of the time. While this isn't official by any means(because I haven't sat down to do the math on my scorecards) I've successfully lowered my handicap from an 18(bogey golfer) to a 10-12. And I've broken 80 a few times, with my best round coming in at a 43+35=78 at State's course.

I've seen significant improvement but the truth is I actually haven't gotten any better since the end of June. I've achieved a better level of consistency overall, I hit it further than ever, I can draw the ball well(don't have a cut shot), I putt the ball OK, but my 100yd and in game is a C+ at best. I've tried everything. Different lofted clubs, different ball stances, swings, you name I've tried it with no consistent results. I'm sure there are others here that have faced the same issues. What were you able to do to take the next step? I really would like to breakthrough and shave a few more strokes off before October or so. And before someone says take lessons from a Pro...that's not going to happen, at least not this year anyway. I'm just trying to understand what fellow hackers have done to get better when their game hits a wall.

So you have become good enough to know a little about what you are doing, you seek help, but you refuse to consult someone who can watch you and knows what they are talking about and instead ask a random message board for help?

1- go set up 7 lessons with an established teacher in your area. If you play as much golf as you say, the cost will be a drop in the bucket. And if you are getting that golf for free, then you haven't spent much at all this season and about $350 hopefully wouldn't break the bank. A teacher will be able to record your swings from 125 and in, then show you options for ball position, club position, shaft position, etc that will improve impact and create consistent ball flight and shot making. 7 lessons will allow you to focus on your weak spots while also improving your stronger areas. multiple parts of a few sessions can be dedicated to putting mechanics. Chipping, pitching, flops, and sand play can all be worked on more than once. Knock down wedges, ball position, and flight adjustment can all be worked on more than once.

2- don't play 9 holes one of the three days per week and practice 90min at a short game area. Get 2dozen recycled balls and a shag bag and practice pitches from the rough, fairway, over bunkers, etc. Practice chipping from the fairway and rough. Practice 40yd wedges with pins in the front and back of the green. Then putt for 25min.
If you can genuinely put in 2 hours of practice each week from 40yds and in, you will improve your scoring(assuming the rest of your game stays the same). Playing 2 9hole rounds and an 18hole round each week is plenty of on course time and you will see the benefits of practice 3 times a week when you still hit the course.




I would love to know why taking lessons is out of the question. Even 2 lessons that focus on 100yds and in will benefit your game as you will have time for your swing to be recorded and you can see the biomechanics at play which affect the ball flight consistency.
You have no idea how to get better and you refuse the one outlet that is shown to work- individual time with a competent teacher.

You can eventually figure many things out with enough practice, if you pay enough attention to cause and effect, but that would require dropping a 9 hole round or two per week and dedicating that time to detailed practice.

Good luck- you are attempting to clear one of the most difficult hurdles in amateur golf- consistently breaking 80- without any professional guidance.

 

[johnson86-1]

And before someone says take lessons from a Pro...that's not going to happen, at least not this year anyway. I'm just trying to understand what fellow hackers have done to get better when their game hits a wall.

As much as you play, you can have some pretty awful swing problems and be at 10-12. Not saying that's you, but when I played, I got to almost that range but then I hit a wall where I was not going to get better without help. I probably could have easily shaved another two or three strokes with just putting, but if your swing limits you, your swing limits you. I was basically going through rounds with no penalty strokes and very few just bad shots, but there wasn't a way I was going to start making a lot of birdies without fixing some fundamental problems with my swing. And when I was no longer able to play once a week, I fairly quickly added about 10 strokes back onto my handicap, because all the flaws I was able to hide with good timing reappeared when I wasn't playing regularly.

I'll probably go back to golf when the kids are older and when I do, I'll probably start from scratch with a good pro. If you're getting to play that much now, I would do everything I could to learn things properly, so that you can ingrain the right swing habits.

 

[GTAdawg]

Taking lessons from a Pro isn't out of the question at all eventually. Hopefully at the beginning at the next golf season. But I made a commitment to myself I wasn't going to make any other large investments in the game for the rest of the year. Between a couple of additional clubs purchased, new shoes that I needed, range finder(best investment I ever made thus far), golf balls in bulk, and a few lavish greens fees for trips I've made(I have a home member course I play most my rounds at), I wanted to draw a line for the year.

I've centered the issues to taking the next step will come from improvement to the short game. I guess the proof is in the fact I feel more comfortable at a 130 yards than anything inside of 100yd. I guess as the old saying goes...practice practice practice.

 

[fishwater99]

This...

Quit playing as many rounds. If you take one of the afternoons you normally spend playing nine holes and work on short game (within 20 yards of the green) for 2 hours a week instead, your scores will drop. Like someone else said, find a way to make a game of it. Also, practice these shots from good/bad/terrible lies.

My short game is the best part of my golf game b/c when I was in college I would hang out at the CC and pitch and put with the older guys for $$.
You can even practice your chipping at home, get a net or even mow you a little green in your backyard.
Practice, practice and more practice. Too many golfers never hit the range or putting green, all they do is play rounds.
Just look at how many hours a day players on the PGA are on the range and you will be surprised.
Yes, I am talking about Practice...

 

[mstateglfr]

Taking lessons from a Pro isn't out of the question at all eventually. Hopefully at the beginning at the next golf season. But I made a commitment to myself I wasn't going to make any other large investments in the game for the rest of the year. Between a couple of additional clubs purchased, new shoes that I needed, range finder(best investment I ever made thus far), golf balls in bulk, and a few lavish greens fees for trips I've made(I have a home member course I play most my rounds at), I wanted to draw a line for the year.

I've centered the issues to taking the next step will come from improvement to the short game. I guess the proof is in the fact I feel more comfortable at a 130 yards than anything inside of 100yd. I guess as the old saying goes...practice practice practice.

Gotcha- and it all makes sense.

Grab a couple dozen practice balls, keep em in a bag, and use the hell out of them. Find a short game practice area at a course that is cool with you just practicing and repeat all sorts of shots. Get creative. Everything from 125 and in is feel based and a person who has a good feel for how the ball will react(high flight, low flight, spin, etc) will score better than someone who just hits somewhere on each green.

 

[MrKotter]

Not sure how long you have been playing but coming from someone that has played 27 years, at that level a lot is between the ears. Yes, your short game must improve which takes repetition to get feel. But once you start thinking about every shot (where you can't miss and where you can), that is when you can shave those last few strokes. You have to figure out how to take big numbers off the board and a lot of that has to do with missing in the right spots. I would also add that 18 holes a week is not nearly enough. If so, you need to be on range once or twice a week as well. It's a game of repetition. But the mental game will also save you a few strokes.

eta: sorry I mis read your playing schedule. You play enough.

You told yourself in your post how to lower your handicap. Short game practice. Beating balls mindlessly only takes you so far. Wedge play and putting is the most important part and most overlooked part in golf

 

[johnson86-1]

I've centered the issues to taking the next step will come from improvement to the short game. I guess the proof is in the fact I feel more comfortable at a 130 yards than anything inside of 100yd. I guess as the old saying goes...practice practice practice.

Best advice I've heard on the short game (I think it was somebody paraphrasing jack Niclaus) was basically: What separates a really good golfer from a truly great golfer may be how the great golfer performs when he has to pull off a difficult shot, but what separates a really good golfer from a good golfer is not the number of shots he has in his arsenal or how he performs on difficult shots, but on perfecting routine shots. So if you want to knock off strokes, you're better off having your bump and run down pat than you are being able to pull a difficult flop shot off.

Kind of obvious and maybe to a non-hacker that's not even relevant advice, but that was one thing I really practiced on when I played, and it didn't take a whole lot for me to be comfortable that if I was close in, had an ok lie, and had any green to work with, I pretty much knew I was going to get up and down. Felt better with that than I did with long puts. Basically took me from shooting in low 90's to mid 80's over a month. Of course I wasn't playing on courses with particularly difficult greens or a lot of hazards around the greens, so I ended up with a lot of very simple bump and run shots, but think it would still be helpful on most courses. It's also an area where feel matters as much as anything, so you probably won't be ingraining any terrible habits if you are trying to improve without any instruction.

 

[Seinfeld]

Let me preface this by saying that with my game, I'm in no position to be offering much advice. That said, I just wanted to take a minute to point out that I have taken pro lessons one time in life. Back in high school, I was hovering around the mid to upper 80s during an average round, and then my dad got me a 3-pack of lessons for my birthday. After those lessons, I can safely say that I played the best golf of my life for the next 6 months. I shaved about 5-6 strokes off my game, I didn't completely miss hit much at all, and if I did hit a bad shot, I knew exactly what I had done. Truthfully, if I had had any short game at all during that time, I think that I would have consistently broken 80.

I just bring this up to say that if you've never had lessons, I just don't think that their value can be overstated. Your instructor will probably spot things that you didn't have any idea you were doing and once you have a better understanding of exactly what makes the ball do certain things, you'll get much better at being able to correct things yourself in the future.

 

[DAWG61]

Let me preface this by saying that with my game, I'm in no position to be offering much advice. That said, I just wanted to take a minute to point out that I have taken pro lessons one time in life. Back in high school, I was hovering around the mid to upper 80s during an average round, and then my dad got me a 3-pack of lessons for my birthday. After those lessons, I can safely say that I played the best golf of my life for the next 6 months. I shaved about 5-6 strokes off my game, I didn't completely miss hit much at all, and if I did hit a bad shot, I knew exactly what I had done. Truthfully, if I had had any short game at all during that time, I think that I would have consistently broken 80.

I just bring this up to say that if you've never had lessons, I just don't think that their value can be overstated. Your instructor will probably spot things that you didn't have any idea you were doing and once you have a better understanding of exactly what makes the ball do certain things, you'll get much better at being able to correct things yourself in the future.

I get that some people are afraid to take lessons on full shots but you can also take lessons on the short game and these can really help to get a different perspective or learn a new trick or two with chipping, pitching and putting. One of the best lessons I ever took was on putting.

 

[tcdog70]

Putting --good Putting can make your ****** swing not as bad. The only shot you can't make up is a missed putt. Don't try to putt close try to make every putt-you will be surprised how many you make. from 100 yards in to the green letting the club do the work is very important. be still and trust your club. Then try to one putt.

 

[Tin Cup Cowboy]

I agree with everything mstateglfr said about lessons. I still take a few throughout the year. Inside 100 yards is something you cant practice too much.

And one other one i'll add, i personally believe the tee shot is the most important shot in all of golf. It sets everything else up.

 

[drt7891]

I'm the opposite, I play much better by myself than with others. I can relax and focus that way.

I'm with the others, though... Going from good to great in golf is honing in your short game to an exact science. I like the posters comments that a pro could kick our *** with a 7I, wedge, and putter. I'd suggest learning those ranges with those clubs like the back of your hand.

But I'm throwing out advice like candy... I've never been able to break 90, so you are doing way better than I am.

 

[RebelAlumnus]

Biggest thing that helped me cut a few strokes was mental. I would beat ,myself up about previous missed shots and it would ruin several holes. Always think about the next shot, and forget any previous shots.

 

[DAWG61]

One common error that a lot of golfers commit and I include myself in this is the mistake of always using the yardage you hit when you hit your club perfectly. What do I mean? Say 1 out of 10 times you hit your 8 iron 165 yards, well that becomes the yardage that you then start automatically using your 8-iron from then on. Big mistake. Use the 7-iron and don't swing out of your shoes. Take a relaxed swing and you'll hit the green more often than you will swing as hard as you can with the 8-iron. Another fun game within a game to challenge yourself to is to reduce every hole into a par-3. Forget using your driver off the tee and instead use the club that will set you up to have the easiest converted par-3 you can make out of the hole. For example if the hole is 350 yards, then hit a 3-4 iron off the tee into as close to the center of the fairway that you can get and you've then left yourself a converted par-3 that's only 150-160 yards. From there follow the previous tip I just gave and pull a club one more than usual and just take a nice easy swing aiming for the front of the green not the hole. Do this strategy 18 times and you'll start making a ton more pars than you're used to. Get to where par is just that, par or average for you on every hole and you'll be seeing scores in the 70's very soon. One last thing. To be a 70's player it's not about how many birdies you make (don't get me wrong those help a ton) but more about NEVER having double and triple bogey holes. Learn to take the blowup hole completely out of the equation.

 

[karlchilders.sixpack]

I could write a book on this, but I won't

Just always keep in mind:

Golf is a target sport...& you really are not Tiger, or Rory, just hit to a target spot.

Like many have said, work on the short game, around the greens, and putting.

__________________________________

With all of that said, lowest I've been was a card carrying 7.
What I would be today can't be described, but I can still smash it.(which don't mean much).
It's a target game.

 

[jacksonreb]

Most amatuers do not hit a high % of greens in regulation. Therefore chipping and putting but especially chipping is the key to scoring. IF .you can get up and down consistently from 35-40 yds in you will drop shots like a rock

 

[Wether]

Taking lessons from a Pro isn't out of the question at all eventually. Hopefully at the beginning at the next golf season. But I made a commitment to myself I wasn't going to make any other large investments in the game for the rest of the year. Between a couple of additional clubs purchased, new shoes that I needed, range finder(best investment I ever made thus far), golf balls in bulk, and a few lavish greens fees for trips I've made(I have a home member course I play most my rounds at), I wanted to draw a line for the year.

I've centered the issues to taking the next step will come from improvement to the short game. I guess the proof is in the fact I feel more comfortable at a 130 yards than anything inside of 100yd. I guess as the old saying goes...practice practice practice.

Mill give you some advice that works for me regarding playing from 100 yards and in. Hopefully I can explain clearly. First of all, no shots from 100 in are 'full' shots. I prefer to spend significant time chipping the ball (getting good at that) and expanding my chip swing into a pitch swing and then expanding my pitch swing into a long pitch swing. I find it easier to scale my short game using, basically,chipping as the baseline--as opposed to trying to scale back my full swings to make shots go a shorter distance. Make sense?