How I got to Scratch with a totally average swing

[@cluman1]

I started breaking 80 a few years go and it was my short game and focus on accepting a bogey when I was in trouble. Keeping doubles or worse off the card is huge. 1 hour of putting practice 3 to 5 days a week was the game changer for me. Throw in some up and down drills was also important. May never get to scratch but I love my game where it is. Some days I may never get a birdie, some days I might get 2 or 3 and those are always fun but I'm very happy with par and bogey. Practice with a plan and purpose. I see a lot of players just getting a jumbo bucket and hitting terrible shots while not working on a drill or knowing what a golf drill is.

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

Love this.

[@jimmystrudel]

Excellent advice. All my friends who just started playing golf just wanna go to the range and rip driver. I keep telling em to work on the short game if they wanna shave strokes the fastest. No one listens to me. Hitting fairways off the tee is nice but short game will always reign supreme.

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

Oh well, you can't help some people! 😂 Thanks for watching and getting in touch.

[@TheViewer3009]

I always shake my head when a playing partner makes a snarky comment after I hit less than driver off the tee, then he proceeds to pull out his driver and plunk one in the hazard I was avoiding. He makes an 8 and I make a 5. But he got to hit his driver so he's apparently having more fun than me 😂

[@GrewieGolf]

Good advice Jon. When I got back into golf I was a member of a course for 3 years and only played that course thinking my game was coming along nicely until I played other courses and was hitting 10+ shots more a round. Now I rarely play the same course twice in a year and my game has improved but still a long way to go to get to scratch which is the goal.

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

Great input, thanks. Definitely easy to get too comfortable on just one course.

[@daveg4014]

Finally got to plus handicap this year and this is all cracking advice. I'd emphasise the short game, I'm makes up 70% of my practice at least. I'd also add to keep swing thoughts simple and to an absolute minimum. You can work on loads of stuff in range sessions but on the course it's time to play. Example, my driver swing thought is to clear the lower body

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

Congrats on making the promised land - awesome achievement and thanks for the input!

[@steveschwab922]

Solid advice. Play smart. Play your game. Accept bad shots. Have fun along the way.

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

That's it! 👍

[@Tang.Nguyen]

The last tip is eye opening 👌

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

Hope the perspective helps

[@braincramp1000]

Great video for the masses.

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

Great to hear!

[@johnwelford1355]

Jon thanks for this video it was very informative, I'm a 12 handicapper and would love to get down to single figures (maybe next year?) my lowest scores always seem to be when I have (what I call) a boring game with no dramas, the percentage game. Keep the videos coming so we can all learn from each other and enjoy your golf thanks again, John Welford.

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

Thanks John, much appreciated. I agree, there's something to be said for those "boring" rounds! Good luck getting the handicap down.

[@gregorahellus7230]

Excellent advice, thanks a lot! Cheers from Germany

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

Hope it helps!

[@Pepper_brooks]

Great video mate! Excellent info Your on the money about people no caring, I use to worry about what people would think about my golf game etc, I then realised, people really don’t care about anyones golf game Except their own, once you realise that playing golf is much more fun, you see pros hit bad shots and most of them can shrug it off and move on Since I’ve spent 90 percent of my time on short game and putting the handicap is coming down (9.8) and I can more often than not hit the distances I am looking for, I went to 3 iron distances for all my short irons from 60,56,52,pw,9,8 to 7, first is hip high, then chest high then full, I keep a little note pad of all the carry distances for those irons and shots ( because I have a bad memory haha) and it’s a game changer knowing I’ve got multiple carry distances for each iron Hoping to keep improving and get down to scratch and who knows a plus handicap maybe

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

Awesome to hear and good luck mate!!

[@markanderson8006]

Good video I’m off 1 got down to scratch for the first time last year after playing golf for 38 years! The new WHS system helped aswell. Having a bushnell certainly helps aswell I played 16 comps last year I don’t hand in supplementaries which I don’t think should be allowed for people off 5 or less. My average score was 5.5 over par but because only best 8 count my scores in the 80s don’t count. I only had 2 rounds under par but for some reason. I’m off 0.5 . I believe I can get down to +1 or even better but all my scores will be on my home course which I know best. I have shot under par before on other courses but not many times off the whites.

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

Great to hear about your journey. Good luck and enjoy!

[@jamesbdavidson4540]

Very clear & sound thoughts on being steady throughout your game, great advice 👍

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

Thanks for that and glad you enjoyed the video.

[@stove.d]

Excellent advice, quick and down to earth

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

Great - hope it helps!!

[@marklogue8254]

Very good points. I’ve just gotten to scratch this year. I’ve learned to accept I might make a bogey on some holes when I’m in trouble instead of the hero shot everytime. Try to just give myself a putt for par. If I miss accept bogey and keep a good mind set

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

With you on all of that. It's a tricky mindset change to make, but the bogeys will happen, it's the doubles that kill you. Glad you liked the video.

[@hazmat8770]

I’m from Sydney also. I like your approach to getting better. Also good quality vids.

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

Really appreciate that, thanks!

[@jpdst29]

My short game and putting is what keeps me at a level playing field with all the guys I golf with who are way better than me. I can't hit a driver to save my life but I can get the ball into the middle of the fairway with a 4 iron so that is what I use. Then usually a mid iron to get on or around the green and a chip or putt to get close and finally a putt in. All my friends just focus on hitting their driver as far as they can but fail to chip well or end up 3 putting.

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

Sounds like you've figured something out!! Enjoy

[@matthewwatt3650]

Good track at the Ridge.

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

Very solid (and good spot)

[@IbizabyAir]

It’s funny that all good ball strikers say practice the short game. But I’ve not lost a single ball from around the green, but I’ve added more than 10 shots in a round from drives/long game shots that have gone into the woods…

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

I guess focus on what works for you, but I do think to shoot low, you need a great short game.

[@sandramaier2781]

Solid advice. Thank you.

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

Hope it helps!

[@sandramaier2781]

@@JonPerkinsGolf Been focusing on learning strategy and content like this is extremely helpful when learning how to lower scores.

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

Great to hear@@sandramaier2781

[@bobperkins2474]

Sound advice Jon and well worth pursuing.

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

Thanks - hope it helps! 🏆

[@seanmarah6886]

wise words and great video.

[@MrWoodroe]

Excellent video.

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

Thank you, much appreciated

[@JonathanClaydonGolfer]

Great video, Jon

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

Really appreciate that, thanks.

[@scottgrant6549]

Awesome video Jon. Love your content. Keep them coming.

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

Really appreciate that, thanks!

[@geoffcohen613]

are we talking about maintaining a handicap index of 0.0 or paring the course, as its a big difference. suggestion for all golfers looking to break 90 80 or 70 play from forward tees on different courses, each position has its own challenges and presents the same hole differently. set a challenge to play to scratch (or your target score- 90, 80.70) from forward tees first, then move back a set, then when hit target score from those tees , then move back a set.. This is how we should be playing golf

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

That's a very interesting idea!

[@davehurley26]

Brilliant video again 👍👍

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

Thanks Dave!

[@stevemullin7472]

great tips

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

Thanks, hope they help!!

[@gregschulte2953]

simple but brilliant

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

Hope it helps!

[@justbobgolf]

Class video Jon! I’m really wanting to get to scratchy but I’m hitting a bit of a plateau at the moment. Not getting below 5

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

Thanks mate! It's funny how there are certain plateau's everyone hits. My opinion is if you can get to 5 you have the tools to get to scratch, it's down to the fine lines, scoring, shortage, mindset, strategy and all that. I'm sure you hit it more than good enough. Good luck

[@justbobgolf]

@@JonPerkinsGolf thanks Jon! Yeah I think it’s just a mental thing I’m struggling with. I know it’s very doable for me, but when I’m level par on the first 6-7 holes the thoughts start to creep in 😂

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

@@justbobgolf argh yeah, good luck with it. It's a bit cliche but all you can do is try to hit a series of individually good shots - one doesn't impact the other and you can't guarantee how it'll all pan out. All we can do is hit the individual shots as well as we can.

[@boboffboard]

@@JonPerkinsGolf So true, each and every shot counts. Need to focus a bit more on the mental aspect as well.

[@AlastairBarker]

WRONG, 5 TO SCRATCH IS HARDER THAN 28 TO 5, THIS IS GOD AWFUL KZbin CLICKBAIT AGAIN, MOST FOLKS ARENT GOOD ENOUGH TO GET TO SINGLE FIGURES LET ALONE SCRATCH, THE WHS HAS MADE FOLKS AND THERES A LOAD WHO THINK THEY ARE ,ILES BETTER THAN THEY ARE... SORRY ITS BULLSHIT!@@JonPerkinsGolf

[@garysmith397]

Great content and great advice. Loving your videos on your progression, keep them coming. How long did it take you to progress from 28 to scratch? Would love also to see what strength techniques you adopted to help your progression.

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

That's bizarre...keep an eye on my channel this week!!

[@michaelgiammarino7313]

That is my biggest problem caring what other people are thinking of my swing! If I can conquer that I believe I can take 6-8 strokes off

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

Good luck!

[@twotonetedfromteddingtone4584]

good advice

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

Thanks!

[@ProYagu]

I think something that scratch golfers overlook when they say to focus on the short game is that a lot of 20+ handicaps aren't keeping the ball in play off of the tee. So while yes, short game is important, if you can't keep the ball in play off the tee, you'll never get your score down. Once you're there, yeah that's where your focus needs to be. But you gotta get tickets to the dance before you start to tango.

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

Don't disagree and love the analogy.

[@brianmoss9399]

Once I took driver out my bag, my scores got better. It’s amazing what can happen when your second isn’t out of the woods or your tee shot goes OB.

[@markanderson8006]

Great point. I’m a low handicapper my strength is long game I don’t hit it very far 7 iron 150. Driver 250 but in my best rounds I never hit it OB. I always work in my short game which can make the difference between 79 and 69. But you have to have a sound long game.

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

There's a lot to be said for a good and reliable short game@@markanderson8006

[@Blue_Dun]

ProYagu...I would add to that: put aside the ego and play the appropriate tees for your distance and handicap.

[@AsadKhan-lm6yr]

Great advice bro!!!

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

Awesome! Hope it helps.

[@roadtoscratchgolf3481]

I agree, playing the same course too often will not improve your game much, but playing different courses will. This is why I refuse to join a club, I want to play a variety of courses each year.

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

Yeah the different challenges definitely improve your game in the long run.

[@kc8923]

Would you recommend persevering with the driver which goes about 220 yds when i hit it well but only hits the fairway about 50% of the time or taking a shorter club off the tee and hitting more fairways?

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

Possibly depends how bad the misses are? If you're still in play and further down the hole, I'd probably stick. If your misses are out of bounds and in unplayable positions then I'd be more selective about when I play it.

[@Golftime123]

Dear Jon, as good as the first advice might be, the short game accounts for a very minor percentage in the score. Since Mark Broadie we know that the long Approach Game, followed by the Drive has the biggest effect on your score. Putting only accounts for 10% of your game, so there is no reason (for the average player with average putting skills) to invest to much time in that field. In time invested in in practice it should be: 1. long approach game 2. Tee shots 3. Wedge distances 4. Chipping 5. Putting I know some people will still complain and say “Drive for Show, Putt for dough”. But since strokes gained we do know this is not true. Millions of golf strokes of all levels do not lie! 😊

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

I love that you have a plan, I think that's half the battle.

[@Golftime123]

@@JonPerkinsGolf Sadly not mine but the Strokes Gained one :)

[@buddhatbay9041]

I just found this video. Agree with everything that's been said, but I don't know that anyone would say that a 280 yard drive is an average swing. 😁

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

Thanks and welcome! No, 280 isn't my norm, I think that was a downwind type hole... Hope you liked it.

[@donaldmcronald3543]

I kind of disagree with playing different courses, you should get verity for sure but it's best to have a course you know first to have a reference point. Getting comfortable with any speed of greens first is better than constantly changing speeds in my opinion. I went from mid to high 90's to my best was 79 in one summer at the same course.

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

Good feedback. I think when you're pushing to low single figures and scratch, you need a game that can travel though.

[@davidt510]

How did you develop a consistent repeatable swing? That's my biggest issue atm. I can play good golf (currently 11 handicap), but my biggest problem is that I don't feel like my swing is consistent.

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

I'm not sure I have anything more scientific than practice and lessons... I try to keep what I do very simple, so I have a chance to know if it's in the right spots or not. Sorry, probably not all that helpful.

[@Omnis2]

Totally average swing = totally awesome swing.

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

🤣 very kind, thanks.

[@deanlowdon8381]

I’d like to play different courses more often, but it would quickly get rather expensive…

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

Yes, it can become expensive. I'm happy playing the budget courses as well though. Love a hidden gem!

[@deanlowdon8381]

@@JonPerkinsGolf Even avoiding the more expensive courses it wouldn’t take long before I’d spent more than the cost of my yearly membership.

[@GTBMuckface]

A wise teacher once told me a good short game keeps golf fun, and boy was he correct.

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

Wise words

[@adl9705]

i truly believe that golf is 80% mental. one bad thought can really ruin your entire round.

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

Agree, mindset is huge.

[@jimgellein1072]

Congratulations! Keep playing new courses where there is a new thought for every shot.

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

True!

[@GenNowClient]

Hmm. I’ve been playing 3 years and just got to a 27 hcp. Sound advice. More work on the short game and play different courses. Good vid, thanks.

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

Glad you enjoyed it! Good luck with your progress.

[@Yak1312]

U can make a huge difference with all these changes. Still this guys swing is well above average, not below.

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

I'll take the compliment, thanks!

[@anomad6314]

good

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

Thanks!

[@wdiddy1]

PGA tour players only make 70% of 6 foot putts?? I watch too many highlight reels lol, I thought they were 70% from 20 feet and 95% from 6 feet.

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

Feels like it sometimes.

[@jasonkelley6185]

Says he has an average swing. Hits an iron 189 and a driver 280 in the video.

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

Someone else mentioned that drive as well. It's not my average by any means. Wind, hard fairways etc all playing a factor. Thanks for watching along.

[@harperphillips5115]

280 is not hard if u make solid contact

[@user_1664]

Scratch is not hard if you can hit driver 280 and irons 190 . Its possible to get into single figures with 200 and 150 ( average players ) but not very likely .

[@garyrae5413]

Good,sound advice…

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

Hope it helps!

[@michaelashworth7294]

What has swing got to with anything? Jim Furyk made millions. Good advice though

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

Very true!

[@rshah989]

Did I just see you drive it almost 300 yards?! That's not an average swing.

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

No but it was downwind.. Hopefully the rest holds true and helps

[@Mihigo26]

Not a big hitter but hits drive 280 😂😂😂😂😂

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

I'll take it if I did, don't remember that from this video.

[@Mihigo26]

That drive around 1:20? @@JonPerkinsGolf

[@JonPerkinsGolf]

​@@Mihigo26 argh yes, you're 100% right! That's not a common distance for me, from memory the clip came from a firm course and downwind hole. But I'd take it everyday 🤣 Thanks for watching!

[@8acun]

started at 28? come on bras