Bored/Content with being a scratch golf?

[golfaddict101]

Quick background...I moved to Texas after graduating college and picked up golf as a hobby. Always watched it growing up but was a basketball and tennis player. Golf replaced those sports for me when I moved; it became a passion. When I started, my goal was to break 100 -- after right around 18 months of practicing and playing nearly every day and learning everything on YouTube and message forums, I became a scratch golfer which I never thought would happen. After that, I stopped practicing as much because I had reached what I thought was an impossible goal. Then I tried to push myself and was able to reach a +1.2, but could not get passed that. That was around 3 years ago and since then I have bounced around anywhere from scratch to 2.8 HDCP. I got a bit burnt out and never practice anymore (other than putt at my house), never hit range balls before rounds. I just play  with the same group of guys around 3x a week. I typically shoot anywhere from a 70-76 now with a few outliers either way. 

 

I am getting eager to try and get back into the +'s on my HDCP again. My question is any advice on how to do that and work on my game without burning myself out? I am really enjoying playing at the moment, but fear that if I dive back into practicing too much and not seeing any real improvements that I will become burnt out again. NOTE: still in my 20's with no real commitments 

 

Strengths: off the tee, decent length, wedge play (anything inside 125 yds), putting

Weaknesses: mid to long irons (average at best), chipping (used to be good), can't work it both directions (can force a draw but not comfortable)

[dmecca2]

Tournament golf is key for me. It keeps me competitive and makes me better. Without tournaments to prepare for I find myself getting bored unless I'm working on something. 

 

Look up your local golf association and figure out how to get involved in their tournaments. Then work your way up to state events and then usga events. 

Edited October 21, 2020 by dmecca2

[TLUBulldogGolf]

I would echo the first reply. Some of my friends have recently gotten the bug so that has helped but I want to start competing again (covid made this year a challenge) and am looking to play several events next year. The goal alone and wanting to be ready to play well has really helped motivate me to work on changes I sort of gave up on a while ago, along with getting my overall game back in shape. 

Edited October 21, 2020 by TLUBulldogGolf

[MrHateCoffee]

There's always a higher level.  Why not aim to be the best amateur in your region?  If that gets boring, why not go pro?

 

I'm a former basketball player too.  Out of curiosity... what was most helpful to you during your 18 month journey that improved your game to a scratch handicap?

[cardoustie]

hit your irons that you are worst with for 30 mins one day a week

 

Work on around the greens 1x a week for 1hr

 

Better means cleaning up your weaknesses even though all of us love to pound drivers on the range

 

+2 in no time

 

Get out of the rut of playing with same guys 3x a week.  Find some guys at your level and play money games and then find local tournaments to play 

 

Look at State Am and Mid-Am as well

 

 

[cardoustie]

you can always get into equipment and fittings and try to find clubs and shafts that maximize your action, it's a fun rabbit hole to dive down

 

FOR EXAMPLE. Maybe a 7w or a 4h (OR BOTH) would dramatically improve your scoring from 200 - 240 yards .. which is where Richie Hunt says biggest improvements lie for top players

 

Get a fitting on trackman and see what your gapping is across the whole bag

 

Let's see what's in your bag

[Obee]

Well done! Sounds like you have "it" when it comes to golf. Have you competed at all? Any local or regional tournaments yet? If not, that's a whole separate world. For most good players, it takes longer to be able to shoot the same scores in tournaments as you normally would in as casual round as it takes to get down to scratch. In other words, lots and lots of 77's and 78's before you are breaking par in legit tournaments on legit courses -- and even longer still until you are getting top 5's in a region as tough as Texas.

 

What part of Texas are you in?

[Nickc]

Get some vintage hickory clubs😁

[getitdaily]

Tournament golf. Playing with buddies is fun but playing tournaments is where you test your mettle. 

 

Keep stats on fwys hit, greens hit, putts, up and downs, etc so you can identify where your game trends. 

 

You're past the law of diminishing returns from an ability standpoint, unless you want to try to make something of golf. 

 

Tournament play, and especially getting wins, is a great motivator. Texas has a sharp state golf association. Get in those big events. Play golfweek or golfchannel am tours.