Domain: tiger-web1.srvr.media3.us Could I ever become a scratch golfer? | Golf
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Could I ever become a scratch golfer?

Posted on 4/7/21 at 7:04 pm
Posted by BayouBengal23
BR
Member since Mar 2019
632 posts
Posted on 4/7/21 at 7:04 pm
So talking to one of my buddies yesterday, he said I’d never get to the point to be able to shoot par or below par regularly.
Kinda got me thinking, in lots of sports it’s God given ability or athleticism. From throwing a 100mph fast ball to being a D1 football recruit. But can you work on your golf game enough to get to that point from pure work?
This post was edited on 4/7/21 at 7:35 pm
Posted by Scottforeverlsu
Louisiana
Member since Nov 2016
1162 posts
Posted on 4/7/21 at 7:09 pm to
What is your best score ever?? What is your hcp? How old are you? Would you be willing to invest in a good teacher??

Then I'll give an answer.
Posted by Scottforeverlsu
Louisiana
Member since Nov 2016
1162 posts
Posted on 4/7/21 at 7:12 pm to
And are your initials BC??
Posted by wish i was tebow
The Golf Board
Member since Feb 2009
46124 posts
Posted on 4/7/21 at 7:17 pm to
know nothing about you but if you put in the work it’s for sure possible. if you are just going to go play with buddies once or twice a month with buddies on the weekend probably wouldn’t get there.
Posted by GeauxTigers777
Member since Oct 2007
1591 posts
Posted on 4/7/21 at 7:32 pm to
Just an fyi amateur just means non professional. You are an amateur golfer.
Posted by KillTheGophers
Member since Jan 2016
6756 posts
Posted on 4/7/21 at 7:45 pm to
I doubt it

Even many former D1 players (that don’t turn pro) have trouble maintaining scratch or better handicaps once their daily golf grind is over. There are exceptions of course, but they are rare.

As unsolicited counsel, I will tell you to simply enjoy the game and don’t let it consume you. It is amateur golf for a reason.



Posted by Lambchops11
Member since Jul 2013
615 posts
Posted on 4/7/21 at 8:07 pm to
My friends told me the same thing. I’m a 0.0 on GHIN. Get new friends.

I was shooting in the 90s in college... I’m 31. If you really want to you will.
This post was edited on 4/7/21 at 8:13 pm
Posted by BeaverPRO
Tampa
Member since Aug 2009
16264 posts
Posted on 4/7/21 at 8:08 pm to
quote:

But can you work on your golf game enough to get to that point from pure work?


Depends on the quality of work. You can work on your game all day every day & if you are practicing the wrong thing, you will see minimal improvement.

You cannot practice situations dealing with yourself, you have to experience them first hand. Like shooting a sub-par round for the first time, being one stroke up with one to play in a match play format. Your practice cannot teach you how to feel or how your body will react.

But just as every D1 baseball/football/basketball recruit does, a coach can help you get there.

Can you become a scratch golfer, sure! Marathon runners don’t run a full marathon their first time out the gate!
Posted by dpd901
South Louisiana
Member since Apr 2011
7891 posts
Posted on 4/7/21 at 8:09 pm to
What’s your current handicap and age? How many hours/wk are you willing to invest in the process? It can definitely be done. It’s highly unlikely
Posted by LSU5508
New Orleans
Member since Nov 2007
3761 posts
Posted on 4/7/21 at 8:14 pm to
My teacher swears he can get me to a 5 or 6 with just a few lessons. Im highly skeptical but I've shot in the 80's a handful of times so I'm not just starting out. I think your short game will be the biggest determining factor. I would say most good teachers can get you to a straight drive and a decent iron shot but the short game is more of a feels and even with instruction there will be a lot you have to judge mentally that just can't be taught. I excel in that area and its the only reason i shoot below 100 because my long game is subpar.
Posted by ell_13
Member since Apr 2013
87343 posts
Posted on 4/7/21 at 8:21 pm to
You definitely can. The swing can be taught. The chipping can be taught. Learning to read a putt and getting speed takes time. You got this.
Posted by Brodeur
Member since Feb 2012
4681 posts
Posted on 4/7/21 at 8:30 pm to
99% no
1% yes - you play 5 days/wk with lessons
Posted by go ta hell ole miss
Member since Jan 2007
14587 posts
Posted on 4/7/21 at 8:32 pm to
quote:

Even many former D1 players (that don’t turn pro) have trouble maintaining scratch or better handicaps once their daily golf grind is over. There are exceptions of course, but they are rare.


Almost every former D1 player I know is still scratch or better. They usually have jobs that allow them to play lots of golf, but they are still at least scratch.

To the OP, you’d have to be willing to spend a ton of time to get to that level. I dropped several strokes off my handicap years ago trying hard dropping my typical rounds into the 70s, but never got there.. I’ll never be scratch. As I am older now shooting 75 should be more impressive than it was 15 years ago, but for some reason I still think I should be shooting even par. Crazy that as my physical skills diminish I still expect to one day be shooting three strokes better than I could as a youngster.
Posted by SECSolomonGrundy
Slaughter Swamp
Member since Jun 2012
18162 posts
Posted on 4/7/21 at 9:44 pm to
If you get a good instructor or two, and you spend enough time practicing, you can do it or get pretty close.

If you watch YouTube videos and do your own thing, you will never get close.

Just go find a guy that knows what he's doing and get an individual lesson. Most players are up tight to get their first lesson. One of the best quotes a club pro told me one time is, "don't be nervous about getting a lesson, all the pros spend tons of time and money getting lessons."


More than any other I've ever tried, golf is a sport where you have to practice to be any good. But, like another poster said, you have to spend time practicing the right things.
Posted by KillTheGophers
Member since Jan 2016
6756 posts
Posted on 4/8/21 at 5:07 pm to
I am most likely a couple decades or more older than you - the D1 guys back in the 80s and early 90s are no longer scratch from tips and have not been so for some time.


quote:

Almost every former D1 player I know is still scratch or better. They usually have jobs that allow them to play lots of golf, but they are still at least scratch
Posted by Burt Reynolds
Monterey, CA
Member since Jul 2008
24214 posts
Posted on 4/10/21 at 9:09 am to
Only 1.85% of golfers are scratch or better. That would be elite. If you put enough time and money in you will get there. Would take a lot of time...
This post was edited on 4/10/21 at 9:10 am
Posted by Gulf Coast Tiger
Ms Gulf Coast
Member since Jan 2004
20697 posts
Posted on 4/10/21 at 2:27 pm to
My goal right now is to be a 10 Handicap. I’m at 17.8 right now. Lots of work to do
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