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My Golf Journey in 2021 - Can I get to Scratch?

Tenputt

Tenputt

Well-known member
Albatross 2024 Club
Joined
Apr 15, 2017
Messages
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Location
Utah
Handicap
GHIN 5.4
Next month I turn 60. I came to this game late in life. I started playing at 28 years of age, right when I was embarking upon my career, after finishing grad school. I never had time to practice much, but at my best, I got down to around a 5 index. Then from 2008 until 2016, I never picked up a club. When I began playing again four and a half years ago, I felt like I had no chance to play as well as I once did, given my age. However, much to my surprise, I am now playing better than I ever have.

This past year, I had overcome some back issues that had plagued me and much to my surprise, I was able to go from a 5.6 index to a 2.6. It got me thinking as to whether I could attain the goal that I once thought was fanciful, getting to scratch. I know that there is a huge difference between where I am now and getting to scratch. I see how every little mistake affects the score, particularly when I am not a bomber. However, I have poured over the statistics that it appears one must achieve to play scratch and I think it could be in reach.

So, I am going to see if this 60 year old can attain what seems unattainable. I am going to do it through increasing my strength and flexibility through the winter, shedding about 15 lbs., working on the swing flaws I have identified and then seeing where I am at with my game coming into Spring. I need major improvement with my putting.

Anyway, if anybody is interested, I am going to turn this thread into my log to track my progress. It will be a great motivator, because it will create accountability. So, here we go...
 
I will enjoy following and be rooting for you to shave those last few strokes!
 
Wish you the best in this, sounds like you have the plan now you just need to execute. 👍
 
I 100% believe you can do it, and I'll be following while you do. (y)
 
Good luck, no reason why you can't achieve your goal
 
at your handicap and skill, i would think you know your game well. which areas do you think need to improve to get you there?
 
How do you plan to improve your putting?
 
McLovin said:
at your handicap and skill, i would think you know your game well. which areas do you think need to improve to get you there?
Click to expand...
I have done some research. Here is sort of the consensus that I see of what it takes to play scratch golf:

Driver distance: 255 yard average I am averaging about 280.
Fairways hit: 53%. For the year, I hit 54%.
GIR: 67%. For the year, I hit 60%, so I need some improvement.
Scrambling: 54%. For the year, I was at 54%
Putting: 30 putts per 18. For the year, I was at 33, so I need major improvement.
Sand saves: 59%. For the year, I was at 42%, so I need some significant improvement.

This all seems about right. If I can improve my putting by about 3 putts per round, improve my GIR a little and improve my bunker play, I think I would be about there. I honestly don’t know how to improve my putting, because I have been stuck about where I am for a couple of years, despite practice through the winter in my home. I am going to figure it out, though.
 
Good luck buddy, looking forward to watching the progress.
 
This will be a good follow and yes you can do it!
 
Tenputt said:
I have done some research. Here is sort of the consensus that I see of what it takes to play scratch golf:

Driver distance: 255 yard average I am averaging about 280.
Fairways hit: 53%. For the year, I hit 54%.
GIR: 67%. For the year, I hit 60%, so I need some improvement.
Scrambling: 54%. For the year, I was at 54%
Putting: 30 putts per 18. For the year, I was at 33, so I need major improvement.
Sand saves: 59%. For the year, I was at 42%, so I need some significant improvement.

This all seems about right. If I can improve my putting by about 3 putts per round, improve my GIR a little and improve my bunker play, I think I would be about there. I honestly don’t know how to improve my putting, because I have been stuck about where I am for a couple of years, despite practice through the winter in my home. I am going to figure it out, though.
Click to expand...


Those goals look right except for sand saves as I think the average on the PGA tour is around 50% and their bunkers are much more consistent. I’m guessing my sand save percentage is 35% but I don’t get in many green side bunkers.

You’ve correctly identified putting and GIR as areas to improve. With your length and fairways hit percentage I’d also recommend finding a 3 wood that you love. I’m much straighter with a 3 wood and use it off the tee on almost every par 4 under 390 yards and sometimes on par 5’s. I’m quite impressed that you can hit 53% of the fairways and 60% GIR and play to a a 2.6 index!
 
Good luck your stats are really good and the putting is the way to go.
I look forward to watching your progress.
 
Absolutely you can. You’ve identified where you need to improve. Putting strokes will drop with improved approach shots as they hopefully get closer to the pin. Sand saves is also improbable and finding a comfortable technique for you could improve that quickly. You got this. ;)
 
Tenputt said:
I have done some research. Here is sort of the consensus that I see of what it takes to play scratch golf:

Driver distance: 255 yard average I am averaging about 280.
Fairways hit: 53%. For the year, I hit 54%.
GIR: 67%. For the year, I hit 60%, so I need some improvement.
Scrambling: 54%. For the year, I was at 54%
Putting: 30 putts per 18. For the year, I was at 33, so I need major improvement.
Sand saves: 59%. For the year, I was at 42%, so I need some significant improvement.

This all seems about right. If I can improve my putting by about 3 putts per round, improve my GIR a little and improve my bunker play, I think I would be about there. I honestly don’t know how to improve my putting, because I have been stuck about where I am for a couple of years, despite practice through the winter in my home. I am going to figure it out, though.
Click to expand...

Question for you around the GIR and Putting - wouldn’t proximity to hole/feet of putts made be be a better gauge than hit more greens and make more putts?
 
Look forward to following your quest. You got this.
 
Tenputt said:
I have done some research. Here is sort of the consensus that I see of what it takes to play scratch golf:

Driver distance: 255 yard average I am averaging about 280.
Fairways hit: 53%. For the year, I hit 54%.
GIR: 67%. For the year, I hit 60%, so I need some improvement.
Scrambling: 54%. For the year, I was at 54%
Putting: 30 putts per 18. For the year, I was at 33, so I need major improvement.
Sand saves: 59%. For the year, I was at 42%, so I need some significant improvement.

This all seems about right. If I can improve my putting by about 3 putts per round, improve my GIR a little and improve my bunker play, I think I would be about there. I honestly don’t know how to improve my putting, because I have been stuck about where I am for a couple of years, despite practice through the winter in my home. I am going to figure it out, though.
Click to expand...

Obviously if you can shave 3 putts per round you will get to scratch right there. In my past when I improved from a 2-4hc to a 0-2 there was no magic my game just tightened up overall. I hit one more fairway, one more green and my short game got better. I got up and down more often and I putted better.

Regarding putting I think the key is reading the green. Back then I improved mine by talking with the best putter I knew about what he did and how he read the green and made sure I gave it my full attention on each hole. I picked an exact spot to roll each putt no matter the length. At your level I would guess that you generally get the ball on the right line and your speed is decent but you don't pick the correct line.

I am not sure how to fix that for you. Frankly it is something that needs to improve for me right now. I have thought about investigating Aimpoint. I have played with a couple of Champions Tour guys that use it and frankly it makes some sense but it is an investment to figure out.

The other thing that sounds intuitive is improving your chipping/short game. If you hit 3 more chips a round closer to the hole you will shave putts off your game.
 
A couple of more thoughts on my above post:

GIR can be a couple of things. One is regarding your strategy on approach shots. I rarely go right after a flag unless it is in the middle of a green. I play to where my miss will be on the green and try to never short side myself. I also think about where the good miss is to leave the easiest chip.

If your iron play improves and your GIR goes up it may bring hitting more shots closer leading to more birdie opportunities.
 
OITW said:
Question for you around the GIR and Putting - wouldn’t proximity to hole/feet of putts made be be a better gauge than hit more greens and make more putts?
Click to expand...
Good points. I have never tried to measure feet of putts made, but I know that it isn’t a lot for me. I am usually a good two putter, but I don’t seem to drop many 20 plus footers. I have been generally very much more aware of proximity to the hole. Arccos tries to track this now. I will say that this entire idea came into my mind after I began using a player cavity iron and it became obvious to me that I was getting more real birdie looks. I don’t know if it was the player cavity profile or if all of a sudden my swing really kicked in, but it is obvious to me that proximity to the hole is much more important than GIR. Obviously, a combo of both is ideal.
 
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