How long does it take to be decent?

[golfnutt]

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.

[dcarlc]

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

[TheJokerIsWild]

[ 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

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This is encouraging! Thanks for the story.

[Proline Fiend]

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

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haha i love that statement.

[Shoot59]

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.

[supermangina]

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.

[Number7]

[ 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.

[rivaplaya03]

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