Scratch golfers

I scratch myself when I play golf. Does that count?

Is that similar to putt putt golfers?

Not everyone can be a Scratch, if you don't have the natural talent you will never get there. Try and get back to a 15 or lower and be happy with that. At a 10-15 , you'd be better than the majority of golfers.

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Take up tennis instead

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While I don't share this same sentiment, if you are a 15 handicap and are older than 20 years old the odds of you becoming scratch without winning the lottery to ensure unlimited practice time are not good. I started as a 9 when I was about 16. Closest I have ever been was a 3.2. Like you, I only play a couple of times a year now and am a 6.0. It's tough to improve that much without a ton of practice and playing (multiple times per week). I have enjoyed the game much more since realizing I am just not that good!

If you are serious about it, go get regular lessons from a very good PGA professional. The best players in the world all have coaches (except Bubba).

Good luck.

You started as a 9 handicap? Wtf? Lol still impressive for a 16 year old.

I'm 28. Played golf in high school and would occasionally shoot 80 or break 40 on a front or back nine, but never quite broke 80 on a full 18.

There is a course like 5 mins from work, was thinking going to the range 2-3 times a week and see how many strokes I can drop this season. I live in Virginia so probably 6-7 months

I started playing golf when I was 3 years old. Was a scratch handicap at age 14. Got as low as +5.2. It is very difficult to become a scratch golfer and as someone said earlier it cannot be achieved without some level of talent for the game.

My best advice is to practice a lot and to practice on the course. It is one thing to be a range jock, but to be able to take it to the course is another thing. Play a lot

I can't break 5.0

There is always going to be a hole or two that I lose concentration on or just make an unforced error

I've played golf since I was 14, and still have no idea what a scratch or handicap is. The best I've ever shot on 9 was a 39, and damn if I didn't miss an easy birdie on the 18th that gave me a 41 on the back and kept me from a 79. Weird thing is I shot that alone and after I hadn't played in a couple months

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My biggest jump in handicap was when I spent 75% Practicing from 100yds and in.. Especially chipping and working on lag putts to avoid 3 putts at all costs. I never was able to get into a legit single digit handicap, I was stuck hovering 9-11 during the summer months.

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I think this is good advice. Too many people spend too much time practicing with drivers instead of putters and wedges. Eliminate three putts and two chips and your score will go lower. Then again, I should not be giving asdvi e because I have never been scratch and NEVER will be.

Scratch means you'll shoot par on every hole.

A handicap is how many strokes you would need to subtract or add to get back to par. So if you bogey every hole you are a -18 handicap. Take 18 strokes away and you're at par, or you could be badass like AZ tiger and have +5.2 handicap meaning he regularly shoots 5 under per round.

Handicaps allow you to compete against someone better or worst then you and still be competitive. You're really just playing your handicap.