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Message
Question for the golfers on here
Posted on 1/1/25 at 2:25 pm
Posted on 1/1/25 at 2:25 pm
If you are good, let’s say in the low 80s. Did you get lessons or just keep playing and figuring it out? I’ve been playing a lot since this summer when I got into golf..
I played a little par 3 course that I grew up by years ago. So full course(drivers etc) is what I’ve been doing.
I’ve gotten better, but played this morning and took a big step back..I’ll admit a little hungover but no excuse for how bad I played. I mean everything I did felt off, grip, stance, swing… everything..
What a frustrating but addictive game. I’m leaning into getting some lessons because the range probably will only help so far. What do you think?
I played a little par 3 course that I grew up by years ago. So full course(drivers etc) is what I’ve been doing.
I’ve gotten better, but played this morning and took a big step back..I’ll admit a little hungover but no excuse for how bad I played. I mean everything I did felt off, grip, stance, swing… everything..
What a frustrating but addictive game. I’m leaning into getting some lessons because the range probably will only help so far. What do you think?
21
Posted on 1/1/25 at 2:36 pm to Jiggy Moondust
Lessons and practice are important but I believe people see the most improvement when they start playing a bunch.
You see pros struggle to find consistency if they take a few weeks off here and there. It’s even worse for us amateurs. Gotta play a lot to find any level of consistency.
You see pros struggle to find consistency if they take a few weeks off here and there. It’s even worse for us amateurs. Gotta play a lot to find any level of consistency.
Posted on 1/1/25 at 3:08 pm to Jiggy Moondust
quote:I’ve had exactly one lesson since I started playing, and that was because my back hurt pretty badly after rounds. That’s was a couple years ago, and I’ve been playing for over 50 years now. I watched how they swing on TV and tried to mimic that as best I could. Tennis was my best sport when I was young and the mechanics are similar which helped.
If you are good, let’s say in the low 80s. Did you get lessons or just keep playing and figuring it out?
quote:Golf is the abusive relationship we willingly subject ourselves to over and over. But it’s a game you can play your whole life that only you can define what success means doing it.
What a frustrating but addictive game. I’m leaning into getting some lessons because the range probably will only help so far. What do you think?
Lessons no doubt help, my suggestion would be just get some and focus just on a nice smooth repetitive swing. Think Fred Couples kind of smooth. Your back will thank you when you’re my age.
Posted on 1/1/25 at 3:49 pm to Jiggy Moondust
I've had people give me swing advice when I first started, and got one lesson when the wheels came off a few years ago.
If you have a naturally good swing, getting better is a lot about having reps, imo. But if money isn't an issue, go get a lesson. You could be holding yourself back tremendously bc you are doing something stupid with your grip or setup that is easy to fix, but you just don't know it.
If you have a naturally good swing, getting better is a lot about having reps, imo. But if money isn't an issue, go get a lesson. You could be holding yourself back tremendously bc you are doing something stupid with your grip or setup that is easy to fix, but you just don't know it.
This post was edited on 1/1/25 at 3:51 pm
Posted on 1/1/25 at 4:55 pm to Jiggy Moondust
Drive for show, putt for dough is the most ignorant phrase ever uttered.
You’re not scoring if you’re taking drops or consistently hitting long irons into the green.
Learn to drive the ball long and straight. That should be the most consistent part of your game. Just don’t be horrific at the other ones and it ain’t hard to be a low 80s golfer.
You’re not scoring if you’re taking drops or consistently hitting long irons into the green.
Learn to drive the ball long and straight. That should be the most consistent part of your game. Just don’t be horrific at the other ones and it ain’t hard to be a low 80s golfer.
Posted on 1/1/25 at 5:06 pm to Jiggy Moondust
Get some good lessons and practice a lot.
Posted on 1/1/25 at 5:13 pm to Jiggy Moondust
Been playing for 30 years (started when I was 18). I’ve had exactly one lesson in my life. My swing is my swing and I’m too old to go changing it now. I hate the way it looks on video, but it is what it is. Currently a 4.5 handicap, but going through some struggles at the moment after playing some of the best golf of my life a month or so ago.
I’m a once or twice a week golfer and I don’t have time or desire to “practice.” The time I have for golf is best spent on the course. I do putt a good bit on a 12 foot mat on my patio, so my putting stroke has gotten better.
It’s rare for all facets of the game to come together at once. Just enjoy it when they do. I’m not playing this game to put a roof over my head. It’s supposed to be fun. Keep it that way.
I’m a once or twice a week golfer and I don’t have time or desire to “practice.” The time I have for golf is best spent on the course. I do putt a good bit on a 12 foot mat on my patio, so my putting stroke has gotten better.
It’s rare for all facets of the game to come together at once. Just enjoy it when they do. I’m not playing this game to put a roof over my head. It’s supposed to be fun. Keep it that way.
Posted on 1/1/25 at 7:27 pm to Jiggy Moondust
It’s different for everyone, but I started tracking my stats intently this year and the two biggest factors that correlated to lower scores for me were
1. Double bogey + avoidance
2. GIR
Best way to lower your score is figure out how to make bogey your worst score on any hole. Bogeys are fine. The doubles or worse will keep you in high 80’s/low 90’s purgatory forever.
My GIR and strokes gained approach were both terrible. I am a good driver, a good putter, and a good short game and bunker player. For me I had to improve on hitting greens and eliminating big misses from 80-150 yards. I practice a lot of 50-100 yard wedge shots and 120-150 yard shots with PW and 9i. Most of my practice time is 9 iron or less. With some driver mixed in.
I got my HC to 7.3 this year, my lowest ever, and broke 80 5 times since May after never having done it. Shot 78 this past Sunday.
TLDR you have to figure out where you are losing the most shots and spend 90% of your practice on that until you have confidence on the course with it
ETA: also highly recommend listening to the audiobooks of Bob Rotella “Golf is not a game of perfect” and “The golfers mind” - both have helped immensely improve my strategy and attitude on the course
1. Double bogey + avoidance
2. GIR
Best way to lower your score is figure out how to make bogey your worst score on any hole. Bogeys are fine. The doubles or worse will keep you in high 80’s/low 90’s purgatory forever.
My GIR and strokes gained approach were both terrible. I am a good driver, a good putter, and a good short game and bunker player. For me I had to improve on hitting greens and eliminating big misses from 80-150 yards. I practice a lot of 50-100 yard wedge shots and 120-150 yard shots with PW and 9i. Most of my practice time is 9 iron or less. With some driver mixed in.
I got my HC to 7.3 this year, my lowest ever, and broke 80 5 times since May after never having done it. Shot 78 this past Sunday.
TLDR you have to figure out where you are losing the most shots and spend 90% of your practice on that until you have confidence on the course with it
ETA: also highly recommend listening to the audiobooks of Bob Rotella “Golf is not a game of perfect” and “The golfers mind” - both have helped immensely improve my strategy and attitude on the course
This post was edited on 1/1/25 at 7:35 pm
Posted on 1/1/25 at 8:38 pm to Jiggy Moondust
I’ve had a few lessons. The biggest thing they helped me with was understanding and owning my swing. If I pull hook it, I know why. If I lay sod, I know why. If I start going sideways, I can diagnose and fix.
I recommend them for everyone. The sense I get is some guys are too proud to be able handle the criticism they might get and/or are afraid that the pro will completely dismantle their game and they’ll suck for a long time before getting better. If you tell a good pro what you want to do, they should be able to work within that parameter
I recommend them for everyone. The sense I get is some guys are too proud to be able handle the criticism they might get and/or are afraid that the pro will completely dismantle their game and they’ll suck for a long time before getting better. If you tell a good pro what you want to do, they should be able to work within that parameter
Posted on 1/1/25 at 9:44 pm to Jiggy Moondust
73 yrs old. Never had a lesson. Never been fitted for clubs. Used to shoot mid 80s with a few rounds in the upper 70s if I played a lot. The past few years I haven’t played as often and expect 80s-low 90s on any given round.
The one thing I simply cannot stand to do is go to the driving range. I find it boring and a waste of my time. When I play, I drive up, go pay, get the cart, and head to the tee box.
Every now and then, I will hit 20-25 plastic balls in the backyard.
The one thing I simply cannot stand to do is go to the driving range. I find it boring and a waste of my time. When I play, I drive up, go pay, get the cart, and head to the tee box.
Every now and then, I will hit 20-25 plastic balls in the backyard.
Posted on 1/1/25 at 10:38 pm to Jiggy Moondust
I work on my 150 yards in more than anything. To me working on the control and consistency of these shots has helped drastically with my scoring.
Off the tee and long par 5s I try to give myself a good look in under 150 yards. I focus on the next shot and what makes most sense for my game.
I'm not gonna give you 300 of the tee, but I'm gonna have a look at par or birdie putt for most of the round.
When the putts are falling it's usually a round in the 70s, when they aren't mid to low 80s
I have taken lessons and practiced when I can, which isn't that often but learning to play my game and play to my strong points has helped me score better
Learn your game, play to your strong points, that will lower your scores. Get a lesson and then work on one thing at a time. Golf is about building good habits over time. You can't go from 90s to 70's in a couple lessons.
When you develope a consistent swing get fitted for proper equipment. That will help tremendously, especially for helping reduce the severity of mishits
Off the tee and long par 5s I try to give myself a good look in under 150 yards. I focus on the next shot and what makes most sense for my game.
I'm not gonna give you 300 of the tee, but I'm gonna have a look at par or birdie putt for most of the round.
When the putts are falling it's usually a round in the 70s, when they aren't mid to low 80s
I have taken lessons and practiced when I can, which isn't that often but learning to play my game and play to my strong points has helped me score better
Learn your game, play to your strong points, that will lower your scores. Get a lesson and then work on one thing at a time. Golf is about building good habits over time. You can't go from 90s to 70's in a couple lessons.
When you develope a consistent swing get fitted for proper equipment. That will help tremendously, especially for helping reduce the severity of mishits
This post was edited on 1/1/25 at 10:41 pm
Posted on 1/2/25 at 2:15 am to Jiggy Moondust
I don’t get to play but a handful of times a year now but I was probably my best in my mid to late 20s. I broke 80 more than I didn’t back then. I have never had a lesson in my life. I learned the most playing with guys who played in college. I got to my best golf game playing a few times a week and going to the range a lot. I’m not saying lessons are bad, but i don’t think they’re absolutely necessary to shoot in the low 80s either
Posted on 1/2/25 at 6:31 am to Jiggy Moondust
quote:
I’m leaning into getting some lessons because the range probably will only help so far. What do you think?
I take a few lessons each year, but I look at them as a tuneup or a trouble shooting session. I don’t take more than one lesson a month and I try to work on whatever we uncover together.
The pros I’ve worked with are not trying to make me swing like anybody else. They watch me swing and discuss what might help. I adjust setup to what they suggest and we see if it works. For me it usually falls into a setup flaw that has crept into my game. Often it’s posture.
Grip, aim, stance, posture, IF I can get those oriented properly, the swing just flows.
Posted on 1/2/25 at 8:34 am to Jiggy Moondust
You are doing yourself a disservice by never having a lesson if you really want to take your game to the next level. At your current level any teaching pro will be able to help you. Start asking around for local recs and take a lesson and spend 2-3 weeks practicing on only a couple of swing thoughts.
Posted on 1/2/25 at 8:55 am to makersmark1
quote:
Grip, aim, stance, posture, IF I can get those oriented properly, the swing just flows.
This is so true. I watched the Scottie Scheffler year in review on the Golf Channel last night and he said that after the 1st round of the Masters his golf swing felt off and that he couldn't go on and win if it felt the way it did. He went to the range with his coach and all it was, was his grip. He changed where his thumb was by 1/4 of an inch, and he said it made everything feel right and he went on to win. When all else fails, go back to the basics.
This post was edited on 1/2/25 at 9:01 am
Posted on 1/2/25 at 9:09 am to Jiggy Moondust
I've had one lesson in my life and got good enough for a college scholarship. I still play now probably around 15-20 times a year at 41. It just took a lot of practice and knowing what your body was doing when you were off. To me anyway, playing and practice trumps everything.
Posted on 1/2/25 at 9:20 am to dek81572
quote:
This is so true. I watched the Scottie Scheffler year in review on the Golf Channel last night and he said that after the 1st round of the Masters his golf swing felt off and that he couldn't go on and win if it felt the way it did. He went to the range with his coach and all it was, was his grip. He changed where his thumb was by 1/4 of an inch, and he said it made everything feel right and he went on to win. When all else fails, go back to the basics.
Grip and ball position are the 2 things that seem to affect my ballstriking more than anything else. It's easy to get both of those off over the course of a round or multiple rounds. If I'm not cognizant of both, I can really start to hit it poorly and/or offline.
Posted on 1/2/25 at 9:37 am to Jiggy Moondust
quote:
Question for the golfers on here
I'm listening here to help
quote:
If you are good, let’s say in the low 80s
I'm out
Posted on 1/2/25 at 10:06 am to Jiggy Moondust
I’m a low 80’s golfer. I had lessons when I first started in 1974. Have only taken two or three other lessons since then. Two were specifically to address fairway woods, my kryptonite.
I do not practice well. Pounding balls at a driving range just doesn’t do it for me. Would rather play. I was always told to start at the green and work out from there: putting, then chipping, then pitching, then short irons, etc.
SOME YouTube influencers can give good pointers. I like Danny Maude. Scott Ballard is also one that I follow. Golf SideKick is a clown, but beside his corny schtick, he has a decent philosophy about golf.
One of the best tips I have ever found I still use today. If my game goes wonky, Choke down and Slow down. Club up and take 3/4 swings until you start making solid contact. Because of my lack of flexibility, I get out-of-sync easily. Hip turn can’t catch up with shoulder turn. Slowing down is my go-to.
Finding a short course was big for me. Just 150 and in, helps me.
I do not practice well. Pounding balls at a driving range just doesn’t do it for me. Would rather play. I was always told to start at the green and work out from there: putting, then chipping, then pitching, then short irons, etc.
SOME YouTube influencers can give good pointers. I like Danny Maude. Scott Ballard is also one that I follow. Golf SideKick is a clown, but beside his corny schtick, he has a decent philosophy about golf.
One of the best tips I have ever found I still use today. If my game goes wonky, Choke down and Slow down. Club up and take 3/4 swings until you start making solid contact. Because of my lack of flexibility, I get out-of-sync easily. Hip turn can’t catch up with shoulder turn. Slowing down is my go-to.
Finding a short course was big for me. Just 150 and in, helps me.
Posted on 1/2/25 at 1:49 pm to Jiggy Moondust
I've had three separate sets of lessons. The only one that did me any good was the one including video. Nothing like seeing what I did not realize I was doing.
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