How long does it take to be decent?
 

I'm wondering how long it will take to be a decent golfer, say a 12-15 handicap. Here is my background:

Have golfed off an on for 5 yrs, but never took lessons and always sucked.

I've been getting lessons (with video) for the past month and hitting balls on the range practically every day.

I have good equipment. Callaway X20 irons, Burner drivers, hybrids, etc.

I'm a pretty good athlete, but I don't believe my body type is ideal for golf (6'4, 200 lbs).

I can shoot about a 97 if I don't cheat and keep score accurately.

My short game and putting are horrible.


I plan on continuting to get lessons and really put the work in so that I can beat my Father In Law soon (he's about a 12 handicap).

When will I be good???

Re: How long does it take to be decent?
 

First of all, def don't cheat and be accurate.

Given the amount of time you're investing in this, it doesn't sound like it should be that difficult to shave shots. Esp given that your weaknesses are short game. The fastest way to shave shorts is within 100yds. Work on your pitching, chipping and putting.

Do you gamble? Putting for money is a good way to replicate real round pressure with practice IMO.

Re: How long does it take to be decent?
 

Of course I gamble! Yeah, I agree with you about the short game. My instuctor said that 75% of your score is 100 yards or less.

Now that I am hitting my longer shots somewhat well, I think I should focus way more of my time and energy into the short game.

Re: How long does it take to be decent?
 

1yr of relatively hard work (3 days/week of practice) can get you there.

Re: How long does it take to be decent?
 

It would be good for you to keep track of some basic stats.

-Greens hit per round
-Fairways hit per round
-Putts per round
-# of 3 putts per round
-Sand save percentage
-Up and down percentage

After about ~10 rounds or so it should become quite a bit more clear where your major holes are. (I'd be interested to see you stats so if you want to bump this after a few rounds that would be cool.)

As mentioned, it's most likely your short game. Practicing a 30 yard pitch for an hour straight can be a bit boring, but you just have to do it.

black knight,

awesome answer!

Re: How long does it take to be decent?
 

[ QUOTE ]
1yr of relatively hard work (3 days/week of practice) can get you there.

[/ QUOTE ]

i did it much faster

zero to hero in 6 months

Re: How long does it take to be decent?
 

I’m going to say about 18 months to 2 years is a reasonable goal for an average Joe.
How sporty you are has a huge effect on how quickly you can learn new physical skills. The sense of proprioception is more highly developed in some people then others.
Sports men tend to hold low handicaps if they play golf.

The five years of playing is probably going to hurt more then help you will have taught yourself a lot of things that will need to be unlearnt.
The horrible short game is probably going to help. As others have said most of your shots are taken inside 100 yards so if you can go from horrible to bad you can probably shave five strokes off your average round.

Re: How long does it take to be decent?
 

[ QUOTE ]
It would be good for you to keep track of some basic stats.

-Greens hit per round
-Fairways hit per round
-Putts per round
-# of 3 putts per round
-Sand save percentage
-Up and down percentage

After about ~10 rounds or so it should become quite a bit more clear where your major holes are. (I'd be interested to see you stats so if you want to bump this after a few rounds that would be cool.)

As mentioned, it's most likely your short game. Practicing a 30 yard pitch for an hour straight can be a bit boring, but you just have to do it.

black knight,

awesome answer!

[/ QUOTE ]

AT least I answered his actual question.

Re: How long does it take to be decent?
 

It is just impossible to set the time for.
It depends on talent and dertermination, so it is more relevant to give him tools to work with than shoot wild, when we know so little about him.

When cheating is actually in his mind, i guess he need to take it more serious, if he likes to become better.
The same problem with people always trying to blame the course, the ball, the wind or something else for there bad shots/results.
It is just not the way you improve.

Re: How long does it take to be decent?
 

[ QUOTE ]
It is just impossible to set the time for.
It depends on talent and dertermination, so it is more relevant to give him tools to work with than shoot wild, when we know so little about him.

When cheating is actually in his mind, i guess he need to take it more serious, if he likes to become better.
The same problem with people always trying to blame the course, the ball, the wind or something else for there bad shots/results.
It is just not the way you improve.

[/ QUOTE ]


The only reason I mentioned cheating is because I notice that a lot of guys do it. The most common is when they miss like a 6 footer and the ball rolls 5 feet past the hole, they get all pissed off, and pick the ball up and assume they would have made the 5 footer.

I've never cheated, but just assumed it was fairly common. That's why I mentioned it.

Re: How long does it take to be decent?
 

[ QUOTE ]
It is just impossible to set the time for.
It depends on talent and dertermination

[/ QUOTE ]

That pretty much sums things up here. And there is a big diference in shooting numbers under pressure than just winging it with the guys.

Re: How long does it take to be decent?
 

How much time you got?

Re: How long does it take to be decent?
 

I think your age also matters. Younger you are is easier.

Highly recommend lessons. Practice does not make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect.

My dad hits 8x as many balls as I do, yet will never be able to beat me. He just grooves a mediocre swing.

Re: How long does it take to be decent?
 

I first started taking lessons 8 years ago at age 36 and at that time I was a 20 Hdcp. I had been that for life. I live in Minnesota so I started in the winter in a dome. In 3 months of lessons (took 8) and hit a lot of balls (about 9,200). That got me down to 10-11. If you want to get to 10-12 you can get there working on your swing. I am not saying don't practice chipping and putting but if you hit it in play and hit the smart shot you should get there. I learned my swing and how it worked before I ever practiced chipping or puting (for more than 5 minutes at a time). I started the short game practice when I got to 6-8 range.



Dave

Re: How long does it take to be decent?
 

[ QUOTE ]
I first started taking lessons 8 years ago at age 36 and at that time I was a 20 Hdcp. I had been that for life. I live in Minnesota so I started in the winter in a dome. In 3 months of lessons (took 8) and hit a lot of balls (about 9,200). That got me down to 10-11. If you want to get to 10-12 you can get there working on your swing. I am not saying don't practice chipping and putting but if you hit it in play and hit the smart shot you should get there. I learned my swing and how it worked before I ever practiced chipping or puting (for more than 5 minutes at a time). I started the short game practice when I got to 6-8 range.



Dave

[/ QUOTE ]


This is encouraging! Thanks for the story.

Re: How long does it take to be decent?
 

[ QUOTE ]
Of course I gamble! Yeah, I agree with you about the short game. My instuctor said that 75% of your score is 100 yards or less.

Now that I am hitting my longer shots somewhat well, I think I should focus way more of my time and energy into the short game.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is what I would work on. Some friends and I just started up during the summer. We all are pretty bad, even 1 friend who has played for a few years off and on.

I did nothing but work on my short game (chips, pitch, and puts) for 2 weeks before one of our rounds. It didn't matter how I hit any shot over 80 yards, because I got back and gained so many strokes on/around the green. Now I feel if I never 3 put I can beat them on any given day. Put for 50% of all your practice, IMO.

Re: How long does it take to be decent?
 

[ QUOTE ]
I can shoot about a 97 if I don't cheat and keep score accurately.

[/ QUOTE ]

haha i love that statement.

Re: How long does it take to be decent?
 

Make sure you have a good instructor...find out who the good players, top amateurs, college players, other club pros, etc in your area work with. It can make a huge difference.

Re: How long does it take to be decent?
 

Another idea besides working on your short game and playing for cash is to play different course as much as possible. This will help your mental side of the game by not replicating the same shot over and over at your home course. Each hole will require more thought and effort.

Re: How long does it take to be decent?
 

[ QUOTE ]
Another idea besides working on your short game and playing for cash is to play different course as much as possible. This will help your mental side of the game by not replicating the same shot over and over at your home course. Each hole will require more thought and effort.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is a good point/good tip, but obv need the players will to actually think about the hole/shot risk-reward in the course management, cause there are still many players who will just tee up, and let the big dog bark despite it sometimes being the worst solution.

I think this gives most, to those who have managed to obtain a somehow solid game, and a medium handicap (hdc<30), or again, a person with determination, who is able to take his game serious.

Re: How long does it take to be decent?
 

my golf instructor once told me this, practice makes permanent, not perfect, and that was 4 years ago, i still shoot in the 90-100 range if i haven't been playing lately, so its probably hopeless.....so basically, either you got it, or you don't