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.