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The Scratch Golfer Awakens

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Johan185

Johan185

SoCal, KiteSurfer, Golf Enthusiasts
Joined
Oct 10, 2014
Messages
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Location
SoCal, Camarillo
Handicap
9.9
If someone wanted to become a scratch golfer, what would be a reasonable 10 wks plan.

Time and hard work included.

Best areas to focus. Type of instruction and information. Training aids.

The skies the limit

All opinions welcomed from any and all handicaps.

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To go from a 20 handicap to scratch in 10 weeks?
The best plan would be prayer.
Get the most forgiving equipment out there. Learn to make every putt inside of 15 feet.
 
No chance from 20 to scratch in 10 weeks. I don't see it being remotely possible
 
I'm going to say it's impossible in 10 weeks.
 
JB said:
To go from a 20 handicap to scratch in 10 weeks?
The best plan would be prayer.
Get the most forgiving equipment out there. Learn to make every putt inside of 15 feet.
Click to expand...
Just for organizing and planning I was considering 10 week cycles to be optimal. Then goals and objectives could be adjusted.

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Savant like skill and capabilities.


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tequila4kapp said:
Savant like skill and capabilities.


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Click to expand...
I tried prayer. So far God is not listening

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I think that's a lot asking in a 10 week period. There could be a swing change alone that could take several months.

Without a swing change, get forgiving equipment, understand your misses & be deadly with wedges and putter.
 
ddec said:
I'm going to say it's impossible in 10 weeks.
Click to expand...
I guess I should have used the word cycles. Like Body Building. You start with a goal and stick to your plan.

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A 2-4 year plan would likely be more realistic, unless you're just eaten up with natural athletic talent.

Getting from a 20 to a 15 is relatively easy. Getting from a 15-to-10 is probably doubly as hard. Getting from 10-to-6 is probably doubly hard again. And then it continues to get exponentially harder to get from there to scratch.

My advice (for whatever advice from a high-handicapper is worth):

1) Work with a pro. While it's possible to get their by yourself, you're likely reducing your chances by a HUGE margin if you're not working with a qualified teaching pro.

2) Spend the majority of your time practicing short game and putting.

3) Play probably 60% and practice 40%. (Of course some of your playing can be turned into practice too, hitting shots from multiple locations, etc, if the course is slow)

4) If you plan to play any kind of tournament golf, follow every rule as much as possible even in casual rounds. This will improve your chances of playing well in tournaments.
 
Johan185 said:
Did not read the entire blog, but how long did it take him to get to a 3.3 handicap

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Click to expand...

Pretty much since he started until now (5 years). There are also those that have serious doubts about his handicap.
 
Johan185 said:
I guess I should have used the word cycles. Like Body Building. You start with a goal and stick to your plan.

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Click to expand...

that would make more sense. Still a long road, but I get what you are saying now.
 
mikeg_74 said:
I think that's a lot asking in a 10 week period. There could be a swing change alone that could take several months.

Without a swing change, get forgiving equipment, understand your misses & be deadly with wedges and putter.
Click to expand...
I was recently reading Ben Hogan's Five Lessons. He believed everyone could play in the 70's.

I won't mind even playing from the Forward tee's if distance was the only factor holding me back.

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Your best bet would be realistic goals, shave off 5-7 1st season, 4-5 next, the farther down you go the harder it is to shave the strokes off, take your age into consideration, if your 40+ target a 10 since distance is going to dwindle
 
wadesworld said:
A 2-4 year plan would likely be more realistic, unless you're just eaten up with natural athletic talent.

Getting from a 20 to a 15 is relatively easy. Getting from a 15-to-10 is probably doubly as hard. Getting from 10-to-6 is probably doubly hard again. And then it continues to get exponentially harder to get from there to scratch.

My advice (for whatever advice from a high-handicapper is worth):

1) Work with a pro. While it's possible to get their by yourself, you're likely reducing your chances by a HUGE margin if you're not working with a qualified teaching pro.

2) Spend the majority of your time practicing short game and putting.

3) Play probably 60% and practice 40%. (Of course some of your playing can be turned into practice too, hitting shots from multiple locations, etc, if the course is slow)

4) If you plan to play any kind of tournament golf, follow every rule as much as possible even in casual rounds. This will improve your chances of playing well in tournaments.
Click to expand...
Okay let's just say below 10.0 handicap. And let's agree to work with a teaching Pro. Likewise let's agree that it may be a 24-48 month time period.

So what would a 10 week cycle look like to start the journey.

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gizmo3putt said:
Your best bet would be realistic goals, shave off 5-7 1st season, 4-5 next, the farther down you go the harder it is to shave the strokes off, take your age into consideration, if your 40+ target a 10 since distance is going to dwindle
Click to expand...
Okay but exactly how do you shave 4-6 strokes a year.

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Johan185 said:
Okay let's just say below 10.0 handicap. And let's agree to work with a teaching Pro. Likewise let's agree that it may be a 24-48 month time period.

So what would a 10 week cycle look like to start the journey.

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Click to expand...

I'm not qualified to advise you on specific drills or a practice plan. I'll let Freddie handle that.
 
gizmo3putt said:
Your best bet would be realistic goals, shave off 5-7 1st season, 4-5 next, the farther down you go the harder it is to shave the strokes off, take your age into consideration, if your 40+ target a 10 since distance is going to dwindle
Click to expand...
Try over 50+

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Took me the entire 2015 season to get from a 5 to a 3, and the difference in scoring between those two hcaps was pretty huge. Seriously, If you figure it out, I will be your apprentice. I will do anything you ask.
 
EaglevsFalcon said:
Took me the entire 2015 season to get from a 5 to a 3, and the difference in scoring between those two hcaps was pretty huge. Seriously, If you figure it out, I will be your apprentice. I will do anything you ask.
Click to expand...
Lol. Master Yoda I'm stuck at 20. Lol

But maybe there's a way.

Seek and ye shall find

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Johan185 said:
Okay let's just say below 10.0 handicap. And let's agree to work with a teaching Pro. Likewise let's agree that it may be a 24-48 month time period.

So what would a 10 week cycle look like to start the journey.

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Click to expand...

Nothing really changes much. It's hard work and the right instruction. It's all about putting the time in to become consistent and accurate. Putting and wedge game can take you a long way. Putt and chip every day for a couple of hours. The first 10 weeks wouldn't really change much from the next 10. It's just time and practice. A good pro can put you on the right track as to what to practice when, but golf is about the ability to consistently bring the club where it needs to be. Muscle memory and hand eye coordination are huge. If those aren't extremely natural for you, you'll need to put a lot of time in to make it natural.

But IMO it's not something like first 10 weeks driver, next 10 irons and so on.
 
Johan185 said:
I was recently reading Ben Hogan's Five Lessons. He believed everyone could play in the 70's.

I won't mind even playing from the Forward tee's if distance was the only factor holding me back.

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I have not read the book, but would imagine a certain level of golf proficiency would be needed to play in the 70's regardless of tees.

I started 2014 somewhere around an 18 hcap. I worked with a pro to get my swing in order and that year I only got down to a 13. In 2015 I continued a dim currently ending at a 10.8 this year.

I post this to give you perspective on my journey and what it took. Could I have done it quicker, sure, but golf is fun and I didn't want to get burnt out chasing a number or a vanity hcap (not saying you are)
 
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