Joe,
A golfer must really have to be good to get a single digit handicap. I have some buddies who all hit the ball pretty well, but their handicaps vary greatly. Where is this fine line that separates them?
Steven
Hi Steven,
Let’s say on every hole, golfer A and golfer B hit the same number of fairways and the same number of greens. They each chip and pitch the ball the same also. On each hole they are both faced with par putts in the range of 6 to 10 feet. Golfer A is a scratch player because she makes almost every putt in that range. Golfer B is an 18 handicap because he misses almost every putt in that range. There is your fine line. Nobody will ever be a scratch player unless they can get up and down from anywhere near the green. Even the best pros do not hit every green in regulation, so they must have fantastic short games to survive. Yet most golfers think the way to get better is to spend all their practice time banging balls on the range. Many golfers already hit the ball well enough to just get near the green in regulation, but that’s where the real scoring begins. If you cannot make putts consistently in the 6 to 10 foot range, you have simply got to get your chip shots closer to the hole. Scoring is all about the short game. And as Baretta used to say for emphasis, THAT’s the name of THAT tune.
Joe
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Joe,
I am 77 years old. My score usually is hi 90's or low 100/s.My swing speed with a driver is between 74 and 78. Is it possible for someone my age to lower my handicap?
Sincerely
Florian
Hi Florian,
It is always possible to lower your handicap, just how much depends on what your current handicap is. It is harder for lower handicap players and easier for higher handicappers. It has nothing to do with swing speed. At your age that is not a bad swing speed, I hope I can do that when I am 77. Ask yourself these questions:
Do you make every short putt? Do you lag every long putt close to the hole? Do you get your chips and pitches close enough to the hole to give yourself a chance to one-putt? Are you aiming properly? Do you have trouble with sand shots? Are you sure you are using the right grip? Are you sure you are using the best possible setup, stance, posture, ball position? Are you satisfied with your mechanics, backswing, downswing, follow-thru? Are you making the best decisions on club selection depending on the situation? Are you getting the most out of your practice sessions? I can give you answers to all these questions and more, just order the book “30 Ways To Lower Your Golf Scores”, available from the Products link at thinkandreachpar.com.
Joe
I am 77 years old. My score usually is hi 90's or low 100/s.My swing speed with a driver is between 74 and 78. Is it possible for someone my age to lower my handicap?
Sincerely
Florian
Hi Florian,
It is always possible to lower your handicap, just how much depends on what your current handicap is. It is harder for lower handicap players and easier for higher handicappers. It has nothing to do with swing speed. At your age that is not a bad swing speed, I hope I can do that when I am 77. Ask yourself these questions:
Do you make every short putt? Do you lag every long putt close to the hole? Do you get your chips and pitches close enough to the hole to give yourself a chance to one-putt? Are you aiming properly? Do you have trouble with sand shots? Are you sure you are using the right grip? Are you sure you are using the best possible setup, stance, posture, ball position? Are you satisfied with your mechanics, backswing, downswing, follow-thru? Are you making the best decisions on club selection depending on the situation? Are you getting the most out of your practice sessions? I can give you answers to all these questions and more, just order the book “30 Ways To Lower Your Golf Scores”, available from the Products link at thinkandreachpar.com.
Joe
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Joe,
I'm an older golfer having just taken up golf at 52 about a year and a half ago. I have some flexibility limitations in the shoulder and arms (e.g., can't lift arms above head without a lot of pull on the back). I seem to have a problem I've been unable to fix with regards to stability and maintaining the spine angle. Almost every time I do a back swing, when I try to bring the club around and up, my body lifts up and back in response to this motion. It's almost like falling away, so I lose all leverage in returning the club to the ball. I have begun stretching exercises, but it hasn't really helped yet. I've tried to manufacture tons of different backswings, but with not success.
Larry
Hi Larry,
I do not know if you always had these limitations, or are they due to a recent injury, so for the sake of discussion I will assume you have always had these limitations. I would recommend the next time you go to a practice range, try this drill. Take your setup at a mat with a permanent rubber tee, otherwise just place a tee in the ground. Instead of concentrating on how you do the backswing, just assume a comfortable position at the top and take a downswing. Adjust your position at the top until you find one that results in better balance and consistently strikes the tee every time. Once you can do that, all you have to do is find a backswing that gets you to that same position at the top. Be careful not to overswing on the backswing or else you will have your original problem all over again. I hope this helps you.
Joe
I'm an older golfer having just taken up golf at 52 about a year and a half ago. I have some flexibility limitations in the shoulder and arms (e.g., can't lift arms above head without a lot of pull on the back). I seem to have a problem I've been unable to fix with regards to stability and maintaining the spine angle. Almost every time I do a back swing, when I try to bring the club around and up, my body lifts up and back in response to this motion. It's almost like falling away, so I lose all leverage in returning the club to the ball. I have begun stretching exercises, but it hasn't really helped yet. I've tried to manufacture tons of different backswings, but with not success.
Larry
Hi Larry,
I do not know if you always had these limitations, or are they due to a recent injury, so for the sake of discussion I will assume you have always had these limitations. I would recommend the next time you go to a practice range, try this drill. Take your setup at a mat with a permanent rubber tee, otherwise just place a tee in the ground. Instead of concentrating on how you do the backswing, just assume a comfortable position at the top and take a downswing. Adjust your position at the top until you find one that results in better balance and consistently strikes the tee every time. Once you can do that, all you have to do is find a backswing that gets you to that same position at the top. Be careful not to overswing on the backswing or else you will have your original problem all over again. I hope this helps you.
Joe
