0 reactions
The reality of scratch golf is completely different than what you think it is
As a young golfer, I never thought I would be a scratch golfer but fast forward a pandemic later, I am presently a scratch golfer. I genuinely feel like I can relate to more golfers than the usual child prodigy because I was never really that good at golf (and I still don't feel that way). Before I was scratch, I could literally shoot 78 one day and then 98 the other. So I absolutely understand a lot of the struggles people go through.
However, after achieving this milestone, it dawned on me that my idea of what a scratch golfer was (back then), is completely wrong. I thought a round of golf would be effortless, I would shape shots left and right, my game would be steady as a rock, etc.
That's just the furthest thing from the truth. Here's my anecdotal evidence of what scratch golf is really is.
1. There will be games and many games that you will need to literally grind out the round. Like I'm talking about having to fight through every shot. The absolute key is to commit to every shot and not give up, even when you think you've blown up. It will be ugly but the scorecard only records your score and not how you did it.
2. A lot mistakes I see higher handicap golfers make is that they play golf swing and not golf. It's back to my first point about the number on the scorecard. When you are trying to score low, who gives a shit how pretty you try to make your swing. Just get the ball in the hole in the least number of strokes.
3. Don't obsess about distance. It always boggle my mind how many users here think hitting 300 yards with a driver is some elite feat like it's the Tour De France. Hitting 300 yards is honestly not that impressive nor is it actually some kind of indicator on the level of golfer you are. It tells me you can swing at a decent speed, but the game is about control. If you are trying to hit a long drive, one of the best tips I've gotten is to "swing as hard as you can without feeling like you are spraying it"
4. A 1 foot putt is the same number of strokes as a 400 yard Berkshire drive. Practice putting as much as you can if you want to score. Some of my best rounds, I actually hit the ball like shit but my putter just got hot and I was able to string multiple birides in a row despite hitting a poor approach shot.
5. My last tip (for now, I could write a book on this tbh), you need to start believing in yourself. It's easier said than done but so many golfers are defeated before they even tee up the shot. Like I understand if you are just a casual hacker (nothing wrong with that) and you want to just play for fun. However, if you actually want to get better, you have to stop with the negative talk and stop "bragging" about how shit you are. You are doing yourself a huge disservice. Golf is already hard enough as it is, why are you making it harder?
If you made it to the end, thanks for reading my long post. Even if it helps one person, I'm happy to have written it. If you have any questions, I'm more than happy to reply!
#sport
source
As a young golfer, I never thought I would be a scratch golfer but fast forward a pandemic later, I am presently a scratch golfer. I genuinely feel like I can relate to more golfers than the usual child prodigy because I was never really that good at golf (and I still don't feel that way). Before I was scratch, I could literally shoot 78 one day and then 98 the other. So I absolutely understand a lot of the struggles people go through.
However, after achieving this milestone, it dawned on me that my idea of what a scratch golfer was (back then), is completely wrong. I thought a round of golf would be effortless, I would shape shots left and right, my game would be steady as a rock, etc.
That's just the furthest thing from the truth. Here's my anecdotal evidence of what scratch golf is really is.
1. There will be games and many games that you will need to literally grind out the round. Like I'm talking about having to fight through every shot. The absolute key is to commit to every shot and not give up, even when you think you've blown up. It will be ugly but the scorecard only records your score and not how you did it.
2. A lot mistakes I see higher handicap golfers make is that they play golf swing and not golf. It's back to my first point about the number on the scorecard. When you are trying to score low, who gives a shit how pretty you try to make your swing. Just get the ball in the hole in the least number of strokes.
3. Don't obsess about distance. It always boggle my mind how many users here think hitting 300 yards with a driver is some elite feat like it's the Tour De France. Hitting 300 yards is honestly not that impressive nor is it actually some kind of indicator on the level of golfer you are. It tells me you can swing at a decent speed, but the game is about control. If you are trying to hit a long drive, one of the best tips I've gotten is to "swing as hard as you can without feeling like you are spraying it"
4. A 1 foot putt is the same number of strokes as a 400 yard Berkshire drive. Practice putting as much as you can if you want to score. Some of my best rounds, I actually hit the ball like shit but my putter just got hot and I was able to string multiple birides in a row despite hitting a poor approach shot.
5. My last tip (for now, I could write a book on this tbh), you need to start believing in yourself. It's easier said than done but so many golfers are defeated before they even tee up the shot. Like I understand if you are just a casual hacker (nothing wrong with that) and you want to just play for fun. However, if you actually want to get better, you have to stop with the negative talk and stop "bragging" about how shit you are. You are doing yourself a huge disservice. Golf is already hard enough as it is, why are you making it harder?
If you made it to the end, thanks for reading my long post. Even if it helps one person, I'm happy to have written it. If you have any questions, I'm more than happy to reply!
#sport
source
| 11,000 mlx | |
| 12 | |
| 0 |