Golf playing standards for a beginner
Discussion
Apologies if this has been posted or discussed before, sadly the PH search function isn't available so couldn't look.
I've been playing now for about 5 months (aged 25) and have no idea whether I'm playing at a standard which would be expected of me. The guys I play with have played for 20+ years and are of a decent standard so understandably thrash me whenever we play. I don't know anyone else who's only been playing for a short time so can't compare myself to them.
After how long would you expect to get round in under 100? How long did it take you when you first started?
Thanks!
I've been playing now for about 5 months (aged 25) and have no idea whether I'm playing at a standard which would be expected of me. The guys I play with have played for 20+ years and are of a decent standard so understandably thrash me whenever we play. I don't know anyone else who's only been playing for a short time so can't compare myself to them.
After how long would you expect to get round in under 100? How long did it take you when you first started?
Thanks!
Sounds like you still have some distance to go however many clubs would be happy to sign you up as a member on 28 if you can get round in 100.
Get yourself some lessons and plenty of practice. I suggest you leave the driver at home, short and steady as against longer and untidy is the quickest way to improve. Get yourself a course of lessons with the pro, no matter how good your mates are the pro is the best person to help. Also putt, putt and putt again, being handy with the putter is the easiest way of getting your scores down.
Finally, don't be shy at joining club comps, most clubs have roll up comps or whatever, you should find most members very accommodating, everyone has to start sometime.
Get yourself some lessons and plenty of practice. I suggest you leave the driver at home, short and steady as against longer and untidy is the quickest way to improve. Get yourself a course of lessons with the pro, no matter how good your mates are the pro is the best person to help. Also putt, putt and putt again, being handy with the putter is the easiest way of getting your scores down.
Finally, don't be shy at joining club comps, most clubs have roll up comps or whatever, you should find most members very accommodating, everyone has to start sometime.
Keep it stiff said:
Sounds like you still have some distance to go however many clubs would be happy to sign you up as a member on 28 if you can get round in 100.
Get yourself some lessons and plenty of practice. I suggest you leave the driver at home, short and steady as against longer and untidy is the quickest way to improve. Get yourself a course of lessons with the pro, no matter how good your mates are the pro is the best person to help. Also putt, putt and putt again, being handy with the putter is the easiest way of getting your scores down.
Finally, don't be shy at joining club comps, most clubs have roll up comps or whatever, you should find most members very accommodating, everyone has to start sometime.
Can I check what gives you the impression I have some distance to go? I'm regularly shooting between 105-115 on the various courses in my area so was just wondering if this sounds about right? Also, thanks for the advice regarding putting - it's something I seem to be reasonably ok at naturally (usually two-putt,rarely three). My driving is also pretty consistent, I can keep up with the guys I play with and only lose about 15-20yards to them. Thinking this might be to do with the driver, as I'm using a 12 degree.Get yourself some lessons and plenty of practice. I suggest you leave the driver at home, short and steady as against longer and untidy is the quickest way to improve. Get yourself a course of lessons with the pro, no matter how good your mates are the pro is the best person to help. Also putt, putt and putt again, being handy with the putter is the easiest way of getting your scores down.
Finally, don't be shy at joining club comps, most clubs have roll up comps or whatever, you should find most members very accommodating, everyone has to start sometime.
GPS M-Jet said:
Can I check what gives you the impression I have some distance to go? I'm regularly shooting between 105-115 on the various courses in my area so was just wondering if this sounds about right? Also, thanks for the advice regarding putting - it's something I seem to be reasonably ok at naturally (usually two-putt,rarely three). My driving is also pretty consistent, I can keep up with the guys I play with and only lose about 15-20yards to them. Thinking this might be to do with the driver, as I'm using a 12 degree.
If you are driving well, and it sounds like your are putting very well, you should find your scores coming down very quickly. In terms of distance to go, what I mean by this is playing to a handicap. Getting yourself along to a Pro would be very worthwhile. Stick with it!!Keep it stiff said:
If you are driving well, and it sounds like your are putting very well, you should find your scores coming down very quickly. In terms of distance to go, what I mean by this is playing to a handicap. Getting yourself along to a Pro would be very worthwhile. Stick with it!!
The lowest I've shot was 102 a couple of months ago but consistency is my main issue. Last Sunday I shot 63 on the front 9 but then 51 on the back 9 
Ill be getting some lessons booked ASAP, it's just difficult to know who is the best to choose for them. Also going to be signing up to a local course, they have an offer on for aged 25 and under for £320 for 13 months membership
If you are driving well and putting well then your next big things are course management and pitching.
Think about the holes where you score highly, is there a way you can approach them to make it an easier hole? Approach a tough par 4 like a par 5, laying up with your second shot to leave a nice length pitch. Also, if you get in some bother, take your medicine don't try the miracle recovery shot.
A mate of mine was struggling to improve his scores, I caddied for him for three rounds and told him each shot to hit, had a dramatic effect on his confidence and in turn his scores.
Think about the holes where you score highly, is there a way you can approach them to make it an easier hole? Approach a tough par 4 like a par 5, laying up with your second shot to leave a nice length pitch. Also, if you get in some bother, take your medicine don't try the miracle recovery shot.
A mate of mine was struggling to improve his scores, I caddied for him for three rounds and told him each shot to hit, had a dramatic effect on his confidence and in turn his scores.
SteveTusc said:
If you are driving well and putting well then your next big things are course management and pitching.
Think about the holes where you score highly, is there a way you can approach them to make it an easier hole? Approach a tough par 4 like a par 5, laying up with your second shot to leave a nice length pitch. Also, if you get in some bother, take your medicine don't try the miracle recovery shot.
A mate of mine was struggling to improve his scores, I caddied for him for three rounds and told him each shot to hit, had a dramatic effect on his confidence and in turn his scores.
This is VERY good advice. Course management is where any beginner/high handicap player can make up a hell of a lot of shots. Think about the holes where you score highly, is there a way you can approach them to make it an easier hole? Approach a tough par 4 like a par 5, laying up with your second shot to leave a nice length pitch. Also, if you get in some bother, take your medicine don't try the miracle recovery shot.
A mate of mine was struggling to improve his scores, I caddied for him for three rounds and told him each shot to hit, had a dramatic effect on his confidence and in turn his scores.
Play the percentage shot everywhere...so if you hit you're drive in the rough take out a sand iron choke down on it and just hit out sideways and get yourself back on the short stuff. So many players make an agressive shot/club selection and compound the problem.
The other thing is most people IF they practice go to a driving range and belt drivers or their favourite clubs. The latter is okay for your confidence but the short game is over 50% of your score card so practice that...learning to putt well is probably the easiest advance a beginner can make in terms of reducing your round.
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