Getting better at golf but NOT improving scores?! (Relatable)

[@timchamberlain5858]

I'm wondering if he was scoring himself easier and as he got better he started to keep a more accurate score, so he's still shooting a 95 but it's a true 95 instead of shooting a 95 with a breakfast ball and a mulligan here or there and a couple gimmes near the hole, etc.

[@michaelsklar5215]

100% agree. it is most likely this.

[@wozzaisme1108]

Yeah I am 100% guilty of this myself aswell so it is likely

[@mattfrench6393]

I've never understood why people give themselves Mulligan's and gimmies. You're just lying to yourself what's the point? You know you didn't actually shoot that score why try and fool yourself?

[@larryboybaldwin]

@@mattfrench6393 when you first start, you may not really know better.

[@bogey2phoenix]

That is so true man , i feel like i have improved even if I don’t shoot lower scores , they are quite consistent . Not like a few months ago where I could play « very good « for a round then get a complete nightmare on the second in the same day .oh btw I am not the guy asking in this podcast but I can really relate to your comment .

[@4wheelliving132]

I did almost exactly what this guy did, and in the last couple years I definitely have improved, but what really helped my score was to eliminate the 'train wreck' holes that I'd get a triple or quadruple bogie on, and what I did to do that is, if I hit a shot that got me in trouble, just take your medicine and get back in the fairway. Bad shots lead to more bad shots. Wasting a shot to get back into position is better than wasting 3 shots trying to get cute and trying a shot that has a low percentage of working. I went from being thrilled at shooting in the 80's to feeling like I shot a total suck game if I shot over 85, basically in one season.

[@michaellewin9339]

I think your improvement comes from how much you put in to the game. I've been playing off 16 for years and know full well that if I practised my short game 2-3 times a week in particular and invested in lessons I'd be likely to knock a few shots off my handicap. However I'm really content playing to the level I am as A) for me golf is very much a sociable thing and not super important and B) I just don't have the time to spend practising due to working full time.

[@golfrichardvc]

I'm 57 and became a hardcore golfer when I retired from rugby when I was 40 - I play comps/teams/county comps and am always striving to improve. What I've found is that whilst my handicap has always been between 8 - 11, I now have fewer shocking rounds. I'm savvy on the course, worked on my putting and short game and can score. Whilst I'd love to lower my handicap, I do revel in the fact that now my bad shots are better than they were.

[@gjwhite]

Absolutely. And having a tighter range of scores is a sign of improvement too. My scoring average is pretty steady from last year but my range is much tighter, and my mediocre scores are mostly from a day where putting wasn't quite there. Keeping stats has been helpful too, as it shows where I need to improve vs what's working pretty well.

[@wozzaisme1108]

The biggest things I started keeping track of when I hit a bump in the road like this is marking my tee shots that end up in the fairway and then greens in regulation because that’s what really makes the difference just because you get better doesn’t matter if you still hit the green in the same amount of shots aside from the fact it looks and feels prettier

[@cpat7065]

You can't make drastic changes without the proper time and attention but who has the time for that. To get a par on a par 4, you generally need a decent drive in the fairway, a good approach, a great chip or put to within 5 feet of the hole and to sink the put. There is a lot that has to go right in that. One thing off is mostly likely an automatic bogey, two things and its a double.

[@markk171]

Course management...I got a lesson years ago on course management. My ball striking was no different but my handicap went from a 12 -13 to 7 -8. Learn to think your way around a golf course...be aware of conditions and where you want to hit the shot and where you want to avoid. I carried a handicap around 7 for years and was quite satisfied with that. To get better was to start practicing more which I had NO time to do. Given the time I had for golf and my handicap...I was happy with it. I was always able to shoot about 80 with a goal of breaking 80.

[@mnrope]

I've been playing a year and I'm playing off 24. I'm much better than I was when I started, but you can really go wrong even if you are clearly better. Rather than topping the ball 70-80 yards, you can instead make great strikes but the risk for getting in trouble gets a lot higher. I.e. hit the ball 200 yards and get alignment wrong or slice etc, you're suddenly in big trouble. Rather than topping your way down the fair way!

[@ThD040]

I see something similar. Playing more (proper) pars then every, sometimes even birdies. But my misses are getting bigger due to the distance. Getting out of trouble is now the fun thing to learn, sometimes i need to get is simpler.

[@gjwhite]

When in doubt, keep it in play!

[@ndnd1671]

Yeah, I've been working a lot on my swing. It use to be my short game that saves my round but haven't practiced that as much and its gone to shit. Putting was always average but that's gotten worse been having more 2-3 puts which add up. I'm hitting better but not scoring better cause I'm focusing more on swing

[@robertcourt8593]

Short game, short game, short game! As a high handicap golfer you can completely hack it and get near the Green in 2 or 3 and then take 3 or 4 to get down. There's your 6's and 7's that lead to scores around 100. You can massively improve your ball striking, hit way better shots but not score any differently if you don't practice your chipping and putting.

[@davepinke]

Great point, that’s me right now. I’ve taken about 20 lessons on ballstriking over the past six months, and guess what, my ball striking is getting very good. But because I don’t get much of a chance to practice putting and chipping, still struggling to break 90. Need to start focusing more there.

[@brockkilligan3877]

Noone really practice short game which is ironic because that's what is killing most people.

[@jackcalder6561]

Sometimes hard to find anywhere to practice short game especially if you’re not a member anywhere

[@RankinEdbrgh]

I tried ricks tip of playing more stableford - especially if on my own - rather than always counting just score. It’s made a big difference to my game. Shifted from rarely breaking 100 to regularly breaking 90. Might not work for everyone but definitely helped me. Thanks Rick!

[@dreed18657]

I can relate to this big time this year. I'm in my 3rd year of playing as an adult. So far this year I have played the most golf at ever at this point in time for a year. I have been making improvements on my swing I have noticing that I'm making much better strikes on my ball. But the score is still staying roughly the same. I am able to identify a little bit where the problems are coming, Which can frustrate me because I know it's right there if I can get it all to click. But it is such a fun and challenging game

[@BatMan-oe2gh]

Great comment. One thing I do is if I hit say a bad drive, I switch the mind set from Birdie to Bogey. Get the ball back onto the fairway and then see what I am going to do. A lot of times, I have made the putt and snagged a par. But I do take my medicine. My mates have mulligans, and don't count all the shots and have gimmies, but that is on them, and I don't worry about them, I just worry about myself. Cheers

[@brown55061]

When I write the scores on my card I track GIR, fairways hit, how many puts etc. So at the end of several rounds of golf you can massively see your weakness.

[@djjazzyjeff1232]

Totally a real thing. I've said before, the card doesn't always tell the whole story with how well or how badly you played. I've noticed that before, I've had rounds where I feel like I'm shooting pretty well, I just cannot get some putts to drop or just general bad luck, like my approach was pretty good but it was like 1ft away from being amazing but because of a bad kick it ended up in a less than favorable position and then you have a tricky chip and a tricky 8-footer but you just can't get any of those to fall today. It's a real thing.

[@chriscerta9821]

I can relate to this 💯. This year I got back into golf after about a 2 year break. Started off 110s to 105. Now I’m consistently under 100 but not seeing more progress from there. 97-93 is a plateau I’m on. Breaking 90 would be great!! But I feel like I’m playing better but my scores aren’t getting better.

[@andygreen2765]

I think Rick nailed it on putting. I see a lot of golfers who drive and hit their irons better but still duff chips too often and 3 putt too often as they don't (or cant) practice these parts.

[@oatechaosincycles]

This really just goes to show that if you can make contact and advance the ball forward, shots outside of short game really don't hold as much weight. Until you put in the work, real work on short game and putting, your scores really will plateau.

[@MrTheStriker]

play for fun, play in medals, play some matchplay. medals are great to focus the mind, but dont worry if you score 100. variety is spice of life. Key thing is to enjoy it.

[@johnmiller7682]

I think what the person was talking about, in his games improvement, was literally hitting the ball better. What happens is whe people hit the ball better, they are now left with different shots. Lets say it's a par 4, If you hit two bad shots (lets say 150 yards), That leaves you a short chip then one put, that's a par. When you've improved your ball striking, your second shot will probably be longer out, with a harder shot at getting close to the hole. Another good ball strike could still leave you a 2 put. And the result is par. On a side note, the most important part of the game is putting! And it's probably the least practiced. Which also causes scores not to go down.

[@BatMan-oe2gh]

Playing competition improved my game. Taught me to manage the course and really knuckle down on each shot, but have a laugh between shots, even if I am going to look for the ball. I only concentrate hard when playing the shot. Before joining a club I never broke a 100. After 2 years I played of 9. I am 61, and did not start golf till I was 37 and joined the club when I was 40, when I felt confident enough to at least stand on the tee and actually get the ball forward. My current handicap is 16, but that is due to a bad back injury which restricts my long game. But I have a decent short game, plus I enjoy the walk and the people.

[@trogdor21997]

Sometimes it comes down to time. Best I ever played was a 6 or 7 handicap. I was hitting the range 1-2 times a week and playing once a week. I couldn’t commit any more time than that to the game and the lower your score, the more effort it takes to get better. So that was my limitation there

[@jimmylegs06]

This is me. Perfectly described. Job, wife, kid. 2x range and maybe a round a week

[@predictingthefuture1]

I’ve been playing for a year and a half and felt the same with my score not improving much. I really put more thought into my course management and now my scores are improving.

[@CorekBleedingHollow]

Going on 29 and still can't break 80. It's like hitting a brick wall. I want to get better but it just won't happen.

[@oatechaosincycles]

Just keep a few stats on your card. I keep GIR, fairways, number of putts, and the length of the birdie putts made. This helps me analyze quickly what is good and what needs work. That said the bulk of my work is pitching, chipping, and putting. I dont know my handicap index. I score mid 70's to low 80's. A big change mentally for me is seeing the positive in a shot which didn't do as expected.

[@ronswansonsalterego8533]

I was going to post something very similar. Back before children, when I "got serious" about golf (got to a single digit handicap), I started keeping those stats on my card. It really pointed out weaknesses (that changed from round to round). I found that while I could stand in the fairway and hit an 5-6-7 into the green pretty well, standing on the tee of a par 3 with the same club, much less so. So I started working on my mid irons more. It got to a point where 4-iron was my best club for a while. Then, chipping and putting around the green is always the scoring zone. If you miss a green, duff a chip and the 3-putt; that is 2 extra strokes from chipping it close and making a putt for par.

[@imCurveee]

Minimize 3-putts, no chunked/bladed chips over the green (i.e. hit the green in 1 chip/pitch), and no lost balls off the tee. Do those things and the scores will improve. Something tells me the "massive improvements" have more to do with the full swing, which tells me the short game may have been neglected. If you're double chipping and ending the round with 40+ putts, an improvement in ball striking wont do much for your score.

[@JonathanYen3]

After watching a lot of golf from Rick and also quality golfers like Matt, Peter and Andy. I've learnt to play golf to a standard I'm very happy with. My last official handicap before I stopped was 30+ 4 years ago and having picked up the game again during covid with my friends. I go to the range and hit 100 balls once a week or chip around the greens. I'll play 9 holes once a week. I watch basically all your content and developed my game using gps and stats. I use two apps, TheGrint to track stats and Golf Fix for swing analysis. I have three golf training aids, alignment rods, puttout set and a voicecaddie hitting mat that I use to see bottom of my swing. I played a stableford competition with a lot of nerves and scored one of my best rounds of 84 with 48 points off a provisional handicap 24. I'd estimate if I was eligible for a handicap it would be around 17 now. However I have not played many full 18 hole rounds, only 4 times this year and my friends do not have handicaps. I hope I do keep improving and playing that first competition I learnt a lot from my group. Highly recommend it 👌

[@nickmullins9094]

Something I've experienced recently after buying new clubs, the pro who fitted me, taught me how to draw the ball to gain a little distance has tweeked my swing to a point where I'm always drawing or even hooking the ball. I can't seem to get rid of it. Golf is so frustrating

[@shaunjordan9396]

Handicap is always interesting, a lot of golfers misunderstand the aim of a handicap and submit only their best scores rather than an average for a fair reflection of their standard. Agree that ball striking can seem an improvement but as mentioned there are so many layers to decent scores, course management/shot selection is massive. Also think a lot comes down to personality, Guy mentions people reaching a standard they peak at, believe there are a lot of golfers who can reach a reasonable handicap self/online taught but don’t progress further as they don’t feel lessons are for them, perhaps lack confidence, shy away from being watched, perhaps don’t think they’re ‘good enough’ for lessons in the first place.

[@javierbenerofe4649]

I am a junior golfer who has been working really hard with a coach recently. I will regularly have 8-10 pars in eighteen holes, but I struggle to break 80 or even 85 sometimes. I think keeping focus and concentration - the mental side of golf, will make a huge difference. The other thing is, no matter what level you are at, working on short game will make the biggest difference in score.

[@ndnd1671]

I can do the same thing. Too many blow up holes... try limit damage if you get into trouble and nock it back into play

[@Bufferman09]

100% once you get to the level you’re at right now and I am as well. It seems like losing focus and making a couple of mental errors a round can turn that 75 to an 85 and it’s frustrating. Because you can’t really fix that on the range but just with taking your time and making the right decisions.

[@benjaminwalker8454]

'Keep up with the speed off play!!! '... Literally the most frustrating thing about playing tournaments... The crazily slow pace!

[@jackcalder6561]

Catch 22 with me, I’m 58 but pretty athletic still hitting a few 300 yard drives. I don’t enjoy golf if I’m not playing decently. I now rarely can play 18 holes without a blob. Once played to 4 now about 12, my 100 yards in game and putting are awful whereas used to be pretty good, never great. I’m starting to question whether I actually enjoy my once every 1-2 week torture and frustration and am considering playing even less. Obviously to improve you need to play at least twice a week but don’t think I could handle it lol

[@tristanmurphy9826]

With regards to scores I find it more uplifting to myself to see how many over par I am through 9 or 18. So like seeing if I'm 2 over instead of seeing it as being a 38 on a par 36 off nine

[@hd98fxstc1973]

I always have 2 to 3 bad holes, 3 and 4 overs shooting in the high 80's. What can I do, mentally to reduce those to a bogey or even a double bogey? Most of these holes if I would have just shot par, that would get me in the 70's for the first time!

[@sfwplant]

I got better by playing competition golf AND playing with better golfers. Not much insight there but that was what did it for me. I'm a 15 handicapper (thanks to Guy for saying I'm not a bad golfer!) and have been around that mark for a decade or more. I suspect my golf would improve if I played more than 18 on a Saturday and 9 in the week, but life gets in the way!

[@terryd8109]

Same for me go round between 92 and 101 more consistent with pars and the odd birdie but my putting and short game need improving if I’m to do any better can get near the green in 2/3 but getting it in the hole takes another 4 sometimes 🤯

[@joshtaylor8209]

What helps me is to either keep an app or do it on my scorecard where I evaluate the hole after I’m done. So I noted not just that I bogeyed the hole, but that I three putted or shanked my drive. It helps put the bogey into context.

[@eileencornell625]

There are, I believe, many golfers care more about good ball striking than scoring.

[@xarevok]

I feel the same, but in my case, my putting is so shocking is unreal. I don't practice it, nowhere near as much as the rest.

[@jimhowell4282]

Rick, Wouldn't a Great video or a series of video's be, a short game lesson from your good friends Pete, Matt and Andy. I am PGA teaching pro from Hemet CA. The yips on chipping is something that i am familiar with but am overcoming it. I would believe that they would be willing to give you each a something special to help you get through this. Your confidence will come back quickly. Good Luck and Routing for you

[@honkerh8r564]

I definitely play better when I'm playing in a tournament or with better players who I don't want to look like a hack around. Plus, those topped fairway woods and thinned shots still roll toward the hole, and don't always equate to an extra stroke. So a flushed 5 iron won't always mean a stroke gained over a thinned 5 iron. But I totally agree that he may be shooting a true 95 versus playing a "scramble" with himself.

[@charlesbarry7479]

Golf is really fun and I love playing. I will play as much as possible with friends or as a single. But golf isn't life, there is way more to it than your handicap.

[@hennies999]

Hey, I'm a 10 handicapper in Belgium. I tend to do around 10-12 pars per round at my home course on a good day. What I notice when I play with slightly higher handicappers, let's say 10 to 20 handicappers, is there's a huge skill gap. It takes much more skill for me to do pars than for them to do bogeys. Or sometimes I get a par just like they did, but mine is a tap-in par from 5-10cm and theirs is a long-ish putt to get par. The scorecard doesn't tell the whole story. Like how many really good birdie chances did I have? I'd say on average I get a look at 6 or 7 birdie chances from under 10 feet per round. Or sometimes I lose a ball and then still manage to do a heroic bogey. I think there's a huge difference between 'improving' and improving scores. Most of the time when I feel like I have played a great round, the scores just don't reflect it, so I totally relate to this video. Keep up the interesting content Rick!

[@waynecalvert206]

Think with me 1st started comps 5 yrs ago handicap 17 got it down to 10.5 now which I think is where I am good n bad days as always but only practice before rounds as dont get time due to work so I feel I'm ok at that love to get to single figures been there but distance not got never really have but happy with 10.5 handicap from where I started comps

[@stratovani]

I'm looking to improve in my game. I drive the ball well, my iron game is good, but my short game sucks, which is where I need to improve. With me it's not about tournaments, handicaps, or turning pro, it's only about one thing, improvement. I'm getting there, but it's a long hard slog.

[@rudigersimpson]

I am a big fan of stablefords. Nice mid ground between medals and casual rounds. You can always NR - it just means you score zero points but playing a comp will encourage you to focus a bit more.

[@timothybevis6095]

I just want to play well enough to win some money off my friends once in a while. I find that is more enjoyable and fun. I don't have the physical attributes to improve more than I have. I think Rick hit it on the head. Good conversation guys. Thanks

[@jerryb5631]

I've always shot my best when I play alone in late afternoons.

[@ReggyRay289]

I don't play good golf to feel bad, I play bad golf to feel good!

[@ndnd1671]

Never really did good in tournaments or playing for money. Lately, at my course I've been shooting around 80'ish average. If I go in tournament or play Saturday games I probably shoot 85-90ish. I think a lot of that is tournaments are usually slower and not use to that pace of play. Waiting around on the teebox or a shot for extra 5 minutes you get out of it and feels like you haven't hit a shot in forever

[@jackcalder6561]

Nothing worse than slow golf being held up every shot, not worth it

[@DavidSmith-lo7wf]

This sounds all too familiar. I have been playing casual golf for close to 30 years since I was 10/11. I reached my "peak" probably 20 odd years ago when I scored in low 90s consistently. I have been in the same range since then. Started getting lessons last year for the first time and my swing is completely transformed now. I see promise, but when I play, I still end up with similar scores in the end. I am still hopeful that with the lessons it will continue to improve, but for now it's still a bit of a frustration.

[@phidip2328]

I'm in the same situation - I have improved my golf game over the years, but my scores haven't gotten much better. It's really frustrating. I think this is caused by *overconfidence*, which causes me to take risky shots for which I have a low probability of success. This often causes me to hit balls out of bounds, in the water, in the bunker, etc.

[@BatMan-oe2gh]

Mates do the same, take pin the hero shots and end up with triples + scores on a hole. I am 61 and they are younger, 30+ and hit drives much further than me, but I win most times due to keeping the short drives on the fairway. I might be shorter, but I hit most fairways. And hit an extra Iron every time to have an easy swing. Cheers

[@davideangelocarnovale1595]

Just won, on Tuesday my first midweek monthly medal, very proud of myself, with also the lowest score off the white (longest tee). Note, we have 3 division connected to handicap index, i was 25.4 and scored 95, par 72.

[@ironsideeve2955]

Top job man

[@johanjofo]

Recently read that in general a pro’s game is 43% putting and chipping. For us amateurs its probably even more. That says alot where to lay our training 👍🏼

[@cailein6195]

The better I play, the worse I score. When I’m not hitting so well I think I manage the course better. As soon as I feel I’m hitting better I think I’m Rory and start going at every pin and dropping shots everywhere. I had a 5 year break due to injury and came back to golf and made it to 5 handicap in 4 months because I wasn’t as good and my expectations dropped. I’ve went back up to 8 now I’m hitting better. It’s a funny game…. Never underestimate course management. ☹️

[@rgiordano8224]

Exactly what happens to me . Hitting better but barely improving my scores.

[@adl9705]

my ball striking has improved tremendously but my scores are still low 80. I think its course management and stop trying to hit that "miracle shot" i usually get about 10-14 pars per round ands its 2-3 holes where i get double and triple and couple of bogeys and it destroys my score. i really want to change that :(

[@fraserweir538]

Under the new system your handicap is basically your playing average not your best. Under the previous system it was closer to your potential best. I play in comps now knowing that even if I get 36 or 37 points I know it wont be enough to win. All my top 8 scores are in the last 2 months but there's plenty out there who still have a best score from over a year ago. The new system would only work if higher handicappers took the avarage of fewer of their best rounds (5 out of 20 rather than 8 out of 20) and handed in cards more regularly.

[@jamesharrison5004]

Take a second card out and mark down each shot type play per hole. You'll see where you are weak. Ie, drive, approach, chip, chip, 3 putts

[@theindooroutdoorsman]

It only takes two bad holes to completely ruin your score. I usually have those on the first two holes.

[@davidlargen31]

For when I started playing better scores I had to identify my limitations and play to my strengths. Examples: par 5 you have 300 yards into the green 2nd shot. layup shot of 150 = 150 yards to green layup shot of 175 = 125 yards to green layup shot of 200 = 100 yards to green Let ur lie dictate what club you play not ur ego. For me when the pin was in the front I layed back for full shot to be able to stop the ball close if I tried to knock it up by the green and left it say 30 yards short the next shot always ran out to the middle or back of green because no spin. If the pin was in the back 30 yards short was ok I could land it on the front or middle of green and it would run to the back pin. If in trouble off of tee GET the ball back in play at all costs. Learn how to play low punch shots. Get shot to have in ur bag. Main key for me is always try to be pin high with my scoring clubs. Less likely to 3 putt... If you have a real difficult pitch shot don't get cute and leave it short in the rough put it of the green and make a par or bogey at worse. Limit ur mistakes. Best lesson my Dad told me. We were playing a par 71 course and I had never shot under 90. He said bogey every hole and you shoot 89. I thought cool that sounded alot easier took the pressure off. I did shoot my first round in the eighties that day... An 89 lol...

[@kencsurilla6886]

Some people say they are practicing a lot. Getting better. Buying new clubs. Watching your videos. They are not actually training, practicing the proper way, understand the dynamics of the swing and cause and effect of what their body is doing. I play with people who swear they are 7 hcp and really good. But their swing and body dynamics legit can not produce those scores. It’s hard to judge how good you are, and how consistent. And you also don’t understand what playing well is, until you spend time around seriously skilled people. That’s where the playing in club comps could work for some people. Gives you a better idea on where your at

[@davidbowser5534]

Might be a course management issue. Taking on unrealistic recovery shots after a poor shot. May benefit from a gapping session?

[@kenbrown2808]

I know I want to improve my technical skills, and get the slice ironed out, get more consistent striking and all that, but seriously, I enjoy the game but I know I'm probably never going to be able to invest the time to be a competition level player, and that's okay with me. I golf to remember the good shots and laugh about the bad shots.

[@ron27ish]

Rick you just can't putt my guy !!

[@thegolfingmusician6345]

Average golfers spend WAY too much time busting drivers on the range thinking this will make them score better. Once you become an okay ball striker, The biggest difference between average golfers and good golfers is all short game. Want to score better? Less range time and MUCH more time chipping and putting practice. Get a chipping lesson! Guarantee it’s a game/scoring changer! Scores will drop a lot!

[@jamesnewland3195]

Play blades improves your game a lot

[@tomhurst3860]

I mean I thought about the in club competitions I’ve been playing for about 5 months I’ve hit 104 with 103 then 95 96 etc but been under 96 for last 2 rounds. I thought about doing a roll up which they do each week which I think my game could get on a bit better hopefully. the coarse I joined was extra tight which I think helped me a lot I hope you could help with this lads 👍

[@NickMart1985]

Each swing has a sort of upper limit on scoring.

[@stooch66]

Practice your short game! Find a practice area where you can hit hundreds of balls from the sand, from the rough around the green, from 50 yards in, and take a ton of putts, especially from 10 feet in. Then, practice getting out of trouble. Put the ball on hard pan or in the straw and practice hitting it 50 yards or less. I know so many people who refuse to practice from 50 yds in…and they never improve their scores.

[@jimmyr8124]

You can actually get better without lowering your handicap. A good way to measure that is the anti handicap. Take a look and see if your worst 8 of last 20 scores are getting better even if your best is not better.

[@iTzBluexD]

This is me!!!!!😅😅😅

[@GaryMackman]

I use Arccos for this, it shows me, statistically what is happening, it takes my ego and only playing golf for two years point of view out of the equation.

[@richikraut9400]

Golf progress is not linear. You may change to a fundamentally better grip or swing and it will take over a year to see score improvements. Golf is really really hard.

[@sandersson2813]

Course management, taking your medicine and strategy.

[@dalerichardson8247]

Best thing I did was leaving my ego at home (driver) haven’t lost a ball since

[@sadderdays5613]

I feel the same way

[@TheBigBananaaa]

👍✅🤓✅👍

[@gocardinals1985]

It could be that he is just going off his better scores. If I did that then technically I have not improved much but if I look at the bad end of my scorecards for the year its a different story.

[@TheCr8ivity]

Course Management.

[@swk1610]

Bottom line is this just because your striking the ball better doesn’t mean you are going to score better.

[@jragl4943]

Course management could be the problem

[@Callofthegame247]

Short game. I mean, if you're honest, if you shoot 97-105 your short game sucks. Yes, you can work on ball striking, but a high level short game can usually get you breaking 85 every time, even with minor inconsistencies in full swing.

[@jonlamontagne]

Is that improvement I find that question is said when a player practices everything but putting, So he might have a GIR of 10 now but always 2 putt, will sometimes 3 putt, but he never gets that 1 putt. I found that to be my biggest problem a few years ago. So I would go to my local course and just go and use their practice green to work on chipping, mostly I worked on putting from 3ft-7ft. I would spend about 3 or 4 hours doing this. It is so easy to practice it not to mention you are not hitting 200 balls getting tired halfway through and start hitting the last 100 like wanted to fix. The proof is in club sales too! A used Scotty is say 400 that new driver you get every 3 or so years is 500 why is it you will replace every club in your bag that you think you hit bad but except the one you hit the worst.

[@brockkilligan3877]

I would guess the short game is shit. Ball striking improved leading to more 2 putt pars and thinking your playing better but when the swing isn't clicking you blow up. Work on having a consistent chip game and that will drop scores forsure.

[@GregCoconut]

He might have improved his swing, but his strategy may not have.

[@hamishmcintyre150]

Rick do you do giveaways on telegram? I've had someone pretending to be you saying I have won a giveaway? I've told them to give it to charity but they keep on messaging me

[@jacobjones7451]

It’s obviously a scam u donut

[@Simeon-the-Magnificent]

It's legit, I'm waiting for a delivery of a new stealth driver

[@hamishmcintyre150]

@@Simeon-the-Magnificent I can confirm my one was a scam, because I said are convo was getting put on ricks real Twitter account and he blocked me instantly, so I'd watch out man

[@eoinsweeney8092]

I believe if you are a 15 handicapper and you play with other 15 handicaps every week you will all plateu. If that 15 handicap starts playing with a 5 he will get better 100%. Even if he only learns course management he will massively improve. Want to get better? Play with better players

[@andreassandgren5506]

If he's taking golf more seriously, is he also taking scoring more seriously? There's seems to be a fair few people out there who boast certain scores that don't really take into account mulligans, free drops, 4 feet gimmes etc.

[@matthewoberson2440]

That's what I was thinking. I'm in that situation now. It doesn't look as if my scores are improving much, but I'm actually keeping an accurate score now. I was probably lying to myself by 5-10 strokes a round

[@the_golfing_hack8927]

There’s where I was at this year. Been playing 6 years now but this year it’s been 100% by the rule book with no mulligans and putting out on anything outside a foot. Early scores suffered but I have progressed back into my previous scoring range and know I’m hitting it better and posting fairly legit scores

[@chrismurr1390]

Too many people worry about h cap just play enjoy who really cares what you shoot being too bothered will always hinder your game I can shoot 75 or 95 one week to the next hay ho I just thank my lucky stars ime out there x much love .

[@alanbrown6613]

It’s a shame guy can’t improve at hosting a podcast 😩 so hard to listen to