As of the writing of this blog post (January 2024), my handicap index sits at 16.1. While that’s probably about average for a guy my age (67), I’m not the least bit proud of it.
The truth is, according to my Golf Handicap Index (GHIN) app, my low Handicap Index on May 6 of last year was 13.6. And I believe it was even below the teens at one point in the past few years (possibly as low as 11.8—although I can’t retrieve that information).
So, what happened? Well, that’s a good question.
HOW THE HANDICAP SYSTEM WORKS
The way the new golf handicap calculation works (at least the way I understand it) is this: it takes the eight best of your most recent 20 (18 hole) scores and basically averages them out. It factors in the course (as well as the tee) slope and rating—which is determined by the USGA.
It is recommended that you post your scores regularly—namely every time you play. I don’t believe this is the case, however, in some northern climates, as posting scores is shelved in cold weather.
Nevertheless, the thinking behind the handicap system is that it levels the playing field. All golfers, regardless of their playing prowess, can compete with anyone else because strokes are essentially added—or subtracted—from players to level out the disparity among those who play.
It gets a lot more complicated than that—which is probably one of the reasons why many people avoid golf altogether (“too many rules and regulations”), but essentially it makes sense—IF (and this can be a big IF) people don’t try to game it. And there will always be a few scoundrels that make a mockery out of the honor system. And the honor system is largely what golf is based on.
HOW TO IMPROVE
Anyway, enough about that—how do I lower my scores? Well, pretty much the same way you get to Carnegie Hall. Practice. But, as my music instructor says, “I’d rather that you have 10 minutes of constructive practice than an hour of unproductive practice.”
So, the advice I’m going to impart here is this: work your way back from the hole to the tee. Am I saying you should play golf backwards? The game is hard enough—and now you’re asking me to play it in reverse? Well, sort of. I’m saying that most shots that are wasted by recreational golfers happen near the hole. Do I mean three-putts? Bad chips? Poor pitches into the green? Bunker play? Yes, all of the above.
The truth is that, as we get older, we’re not as limber as when we were younger. And it takes longer for our body to recover and recuperate after we’ve contorted it for hours on end.
MOVE THE NEEDLE
So, rather than beat balls on the range for hours at a time, I suggest that you move from station to station—like you’re moving the dials looking for a good radio program—if your course allows that. Practice putting games on the practice putting green (if you don’t know any—simply type “putting games” into a search engine. Here’s one).
Get to be a good chipper. If you develop the chipping yips (which I’m reluctant to admit I had last year), consider chipping cross handed. Yes, left hand low (if you’re right handed). It works for Matt Fitzpatrick, a major winner. Another idea is to use a chip putter or hybrid around the green to pop the ball over an obstacle. Or perhaps a seven iron is your go-to club around the moss. Experiment with bump and run shots. There are many ways to get the job done.
If your course has one, hit the short range. Dial in shots from 30, 40 and 50 yards. These are the money shots. And play in the practice bunker occasionally. You probably won’t have much company—as most people don’t want to get their shoes dirty. But then you’ll see them hit shot after shot from the sand while they’re out on the course.
The bottom line is “It’s now how, it’s how many.” If you get a chance, read the beginning of Dave Pelz’s Short Game Bible. He writes about how a light bulb went off for him when he was following a professional golfer by the name of Gay Brewer (who won 17 times on the PGA tour, including the ‘67 Masters). Pelz, a NASA engineer, was looking for swing perfection. Butter. And then he woke up to the fact that it really doesn’t matter what your swing looks like. As they say, “There are no pictures on the scorecard.”
These are just a few of the lessons I’ve learned about the great game of golf. It’s how I got my index down almost (sort of) to single digits. It’s how I intend to get after it again.
The Golden Bear himself, Jack Nicklaus, was asked what he does when he doesn’t have enough time to warm up. His reply: “I don’t play,” On the contrary, Jack also said, “Confidence is the most important factor in this game, and no matter how great your natural talent, there is only one way to acquire and maintain it: work.”
So, if you’re going to play golf—put the time and effort into practicing properly. And let’s get our handicaps down!
ABOUT: Special thanks to my wife, Pam, for her editorial expertise on this post. She just may know the handicap system better than me.
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