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19th August 2021 10:09 PM
#1
Anyone else not really get better by much over the years, despite loads of practice?
Hey peeps,
Have remained an average golfer for decades despite getting an array of lessons from an array of instructors (some quality teachers actually) and hitting gazillions of balls, trillions of slo mo work, drills etc. I’ve taken on the variety of ways to practice in modern day thinking in an attempt to ingrain things and I’m essentially swinging it just as inconsistent as always. Never really like what I see in my swing and rarely get it looking good. I’m fairly coordinated and have played all sports all my life in a Jack of all master of none type manner.
But I’m starting to think it’s pointless keeping lessons up and drilling and mirror work and pounding balls with a goal of hitting it good.
And I’m not after perfection, just something semi reliable and repeatable. I hit it like a champ then a 32 handicapper one after the other. The disparity between good and bad is great and often.
Anyway a great big rant for no reason but hoping some wise heads can agree or make comment.
Stay safe in the lockdown!
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8th September 2021 10:44 AM
#51
Site Owner
Golf Hall of Fame Inductee
I hope my game hasn't plateaued, but it might have. I did get down to a handicap of 6, but I can't say that I worked at it. I just played on a regular basis at that time.
I've got the golf bug again, and now I'm going to be targeted in improvement and practice with the initial aim of getting back to 6 in the first place from the 8 that I'm currently on, then lower after that. Maybe I'll find out that I can't get any better, but I don't believe that at this stage.
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8th September 2021 10:46 AM
#52
Senior Member
Major Winner

Originally Posted by
LeftyHoges
I did. I completely agree with it.
I'm just completely incapable of that.
And rightly so.
All that work you put in should be rewarded.
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8th September 2021 01:04 PM
#53
Senior Member
Golf Hall of Fame Inductee

Originally Posted by
Grunt
The key for me is fun and the most fun I have had playing golf is without doubt the times that I travelled this place called Oz to play golf with OzGolfer's.
They way you play it has to be fun otherwise [unimaginable] I cant get that excellent swing photo taken of you at one of the champs out of my head
wild thing!
Golf is actually a lonely game, but What you have said here is a sentiment shared by many, though a lot may not have thought about it. I was with a group of 20 guys from all over the world in a Uk pub. I asked everyonento share their best time in golf. Every single story was about an experience with other people. Not one was about their best shot or individual result.
When Seth Waugh became CEO of PGA in 2019 he said this in his speech. ""This game has introduced me to more people, more adventures, more places, more relationships than I could have ever imagined." Same as what you said.
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9th September 2021 11:07 AM
#54
Senior Member
Major Winner

Originally Posted by
4Puttpete
And rightly so.
All that work you put in should be rewarded.
I know, right?
The world is so unfair.
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10th September 2021 09:31 AM
#55
Senior Member
Touring Pro (PGA)
When I played my first OzGolf Champs in 2006 I was off 22 and now I'm off 9.
There's been a couple of revisions of the handicap system in that time so no 100% apple to apples but that seems like a decent amount of improvement.
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10th September 2021 09:36 AM
#56
Senior Member
Major Winner
Same, I had a shot a hole for my first Ozgolf event, now I am in the 6s. Biggest change was getting a 6 month lesson plan, and sticking to it. Also being home for for a couple of years helped...
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10th September 2021 09:40 AM
#57
Senior Member
Multiple Major Winner
I hit my lowest handicap ever this year, albeit briefly. Though that was more about better course management and short game than any swing improvements. My stats say I am not hitting it as far as I used to, but I am keeping it in play more often. I am 62 and I don't think I can change my swing at this late stage, but I can do better with what I have got and use it to better effect.
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10th September 2021 09:42 AM
#58
Senior Member
Major Winner
The game has never been easier, so if you are not currently at your peak, well, maybe golf isn't the game for you.
Bruce, 9 is an absolute luxury for someone of your ability.
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10th September 2021 09:51 AM
#59
Site Owner
Golf Hall of Fame Inductee

Originally Posted by
Webster
The game has never been easier, so if you are not currently at your peak, well, maybe golf isn't the game for you.
I can definitely attest to an updated driver making the game easier. I could have a wedge in my hand for an approach for nine of the holes at my short course now, when it was maybe a handful before.
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10th September 2021 11:42 AM
#60
Senior Member
Touring Pro (Japanese Tour)
I'll come back to this thread in a few months after I've gone further with my lessons and practice. So far I've only had one lesson, a few practice sessions and one round which was terrible but still had positives. I didn't expect any different while getting used to swing changes, however I am getting more used to those changes each time I hit balls, and hitting more decent shots each time. It'll be interesting to see if Sunday's round is improved over last week after a couple more practice sessions this week.
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10th September 2021 12:30 PM
#61
Senior Member
Touring Pro (European Tour)

Originally Posted by
Webster
Bruce, 9 is an absolute luxury for someone of your ability.
Hmm compliment or insult? Could be taken either way.
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10th September 2021 12:47 PM
#62
Senior Member
Touring Pro (European Tour)

Originally Posted by
Webster
The game has never been easier, so if you are not currently at your peak, well, maybe golf isn't the game for you.
In an attempt to earn some much needed golf cred, I'm carrying, playing with 6 clubs made prior WWII and just knocking some grass up to tee off. Never played worse.
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10th September 2021 02:39 PM
#63
Senior Member
Golf Hall of Fame Inductee

Originally Posted by
Webster
The game has never been easier, so if you are not currently at your peak, well, maybe golf isn't the game for you.
It helps a lot being in peak physical condition doesnt it.
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10th September 2021 02:40 PM
#64
Senior Member
Major Winner
It does. Golf fitness is a very important part of the game.
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10th October 2023 12:10 PM
#65
Senior Member
Multiple Major Winner
interesting thread. A few of you have alluded to everyone finding their natural level, and I think there's definitely something to that. For me that was around a 6 hcap, when playing once a week and not really practicing over about a 25 year period from high school to about 40yo. I'm back playing again now after 10 years off and have drifted out half a dozen shots. I can see that once I get some flexibility and compression back, I'll get back down to around 6 again and I'd be happy with that. I don't have the time or the inclination to put the time into practicing my short game enough to go any lower. And that's fine. Kudos to those who do. I really enjoy playing with mates and celebrating the occasional flushed shot, and laughing about the regular fk ups!
golflink WITB
TSR3 9deg |
TSR3 15deg |
TSR2 3H |
T100 4-GW |
Vokey 56 & 60 |
Newport 2.5
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19th October 2023 11:29 AM
#66
Senior Member
Touring Pro (PGA)
Interesting conversation....
So @dee cee, are you still combating this inconsistency?
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19th October 2023 02:22 PM
#67
Senior Member
Major Winner
My 2 cents,
I'm 50 and have spent a lot of time in the gym getting fit and staying fit as my back is eight levels of Fked. I do a lot of stability, core and a basic body workout with weights. Im 85Kg and play of between +1 and 2 depending on time spent practicing.
Fitness is what i see the big difference... you can be more explosive and more stable and deliver the club better.
Ignore the gimmicky swing aids.. said this before as well.. been to many tour events and no real players use them... and they do it for a living.
That's phase 1 done.
The second bit is tuition.
Golf is stupidly hard to play well. Dont kid yourself with all the BS about it being easy. I cannot begin to tell you how hard it was for me to go from a 2 handicap to +1. It took 18 months for 3 lousy shots.
I have had the same coach since 1995. The tuition hasn't changed, the message hasn't changed and he knows my swing. Sending him a video of my swing works, whereas sending a video to someone who has never pushed you into the right positions and motions is pointless, find someone local.
Your faults wont change. You will always go back to what you do wrong. Learn what you do wrong.
YOUTUBE does nothing for your golf swing. It just doesnt, it ruins more swings that it fixes because it is all generic nonsense based on 5 different swing patterns from people who have to create content. The second problem is that most of the golfers on YouTube are shit. Good 4-8 markers smashing it with Trackman setup badly doing videos in their backyard. There are some exceptions... but the majority are nonsense.
The last part is process.
You never see a low marker without a process. Same setup, same pre-shot, same process. I cant yell this loud enough. Golf is execution through repetition. You cant do the same thing if you dont do the same thing all the time.
Find the bit above you dont have and go and fix it. Then it just becomes a personal decision of how much time you want to dedicate and how much you want to get better. As i said in the first line.. the game is proper hard and gets harder the better you get at it.
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19th October 2023 03:29 PM
#68
Senior Member
Touring Pro (PGA)
Good stuff in ther virge
Thanks for sharing.
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19th October 2023 07:45 PM
#69
Senior Member
Golf Hall of Fame Inductee

Originally Posted by
virge666
My 2 cents,
I'm 50 and have spent a lot of time in the gym getting fit and staying fit as my back is eight levels of Fked. I do a lot of stability, core and a basic body workout with weights. Im 85Kg and play of between +1 and 2 depending on time spent practicing.
Fitness is what i see the big difference... you can be more explosive and more stable and deliver the club better.
Ignore the gimmicky swing aids.. said this before as well.. been to many tour events and no real players use them... and they do it for a living.
That's phase 1 done.
The second bit is tuition.
Golf is stupidly hard to play well. Dont kid yourself with all the BS about it being easy. I cannot begin to tell you how hard it was for me to go from a 2 handicap to +1. It took 18 months for 3 lousy shots.
I have had the same coach since 1995. The tuition hasn't changed, the message hasn't changed and he knows my swing. Sending him a video of my swing works, whereas sending a video to someone who has never pushed you into the right positions and motions is pointless, find someone local.
Your faults wont change. You will always go back to what you do wrong. Learn what you do wrong.
YOUTUBE does nothing for your golf swing. It just doesnt, it ruins more swings that it fixes because it is all generic nonsense based on 5 different swing patterns from people who have to create content. The second problem is that most of the golfers on YouTube are shit. Good 4-8 markers smashing it with Trackman setup badly doing videos in their backyard. There are some exceptions... but the majority are nonsense.
The last part is process.
You never see a low marker without a process. Same setup, same pre-shot, same process. I cant yell this loud enough. Golf is execution through repetition. You cant do the same thing if you dont do the same thing all the time.
Find the bit above you dont have and go and fix it. Then it just becomes a personal decision of how much time you want to dedicate and how much you want to get better. As i said in the first line.. the game is proper hard and gets harder the better you get at it.
TL;DR... I'll just go buy a new driver. That'll fix it.
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21st October 2023 08:00 AM
#70
Senior Member
Touring Pro (Japanese Tour)
Played with a Pro last week who is now a golf brand rep. He said something pretty interesting, apparently PGA say a "good golfer" is someone who shoots 100.....
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21st October 2023 02:48 PM
#71
Senior Member
Major Winner

Originally Posted by
rowey
Played with a Pro last week who is now a golf brand rep. He said something pretty interesting, apparently PGA say a "good golfer" is someone who shoots 100.....
I've played with those people that shoot 100.
Your Pro friend is wrong. Very, Very Wrong.
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12th February 2024 12:38 AM
#72
Hi guys.
I am 52 and would like to let you all know that golf can improve as you get older. It's not about having a perfect swing. I broke my neck twice and broke my lower back. Broke both hands and they don't work properly anymore. I started playing at 21 and was a 5 handicap at age 25 but then had the injury drama's. Finally started playing badly again at age 40. Since then i am so much better than i was at 25 and recently held 3.1 handicap. I still suffer from the injuries and can't really practice much and 18 holes even in a buggy is a hard day, age is catching up with me but the ability is there.. I shot 31 twice last year on the front 9, A few rounds of 4 under recently. Today i minted a 149m 8 iron in for eagle. I am also pretty bad and can lose the plot like everyone does but i am still improving and getting better at 52. I honestly believe my best rounds are still ahead of me.
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13th February 2024 11:58 AM
#73
Senior Member
Touring Pro (PGA)
https://twitter.com/hutch_golf/statu...SIAliekgYftWhw
A thread that shows how a subest of Arccos users got from Mid/high single digits down to scratch.
Of the 4 major categories the improvement came from:
1 Approach shots 41%
2 Driving 32%
3 Short game 17%
4 Putting 10%
The journey took 100s of rounds for each of these subjects.
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13th February 2024 12:35 PM
#74
Senior Member
Major Winner

Originally Posted by
Bruce
https://twitter.com/hutch_golf/statu...SIAliekgYftWhw
A thread that shows how a subest of Arccos users got from Mid/high single digits down to scratch.
Of the 4 major categories the improvement came from:
1 Approach shots 41%
2 Driving 32%
3 Short game 17%
4 Putting 10%
The journey took 100s of rounds for each of these subjects.
As much as people bang on about the short game, both the Arcoss bloke and the fella who invented strokes gained are pretty consistent about fairways and greens.
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13th February 2024 01:26 PM
#75
Senior Member
Major Winner

Originally Posted by
3Puttpete
As much as people bang on about the short game, both the Arcoss bloke and the fella who invented strokes gained are pretty consistent about fairways and greens.
This.
It's a hell of a lot easier to two-putt from 40 feet than it is trying to get up and down from 60.
And it's a hell of a lot easier to be 40 foot away than 60 if you're attempting it from centre fairway.
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