Biggest factors that prevent golfers from reaching their true scoring potential

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Date: 23 Jan 2007 04:05:48
From:
Subject: Biggest factors that prevent golfers from reaching their true scoring potential

Here's a question for you to think about. What do you feel are the 3
biggest factors that prevent bogey golfers from reaching their true
scoring potential? This is the question that I asked over 200 golfers
after hearing the following information.
.There are roughly 27 million golfers in the world.
.Their average gross score: 107 shots.
.Eighty percent of the golfers do not achieve a handicap of less than
18.
Here is a brief sumy of what the people who responded told me:
Inconsistency --- 187 Golfers --- 94%
Slice --- 142 Golfers --- 71%
Distance --- 124 Golfers --- 62%
Needless to say, many golfers were experiencing the same problems.
http://golfbggb.blogspot.com/#

Date: 24 Jan 2007 21:49:47
From: Birdie Bill
Subject: Re: Biggest factors that prevent golfers from reaching their true scoring potential

On Jan 24, 12:05 pm, Howard Brazee <how...@brazee.net > wrote:
> On Wed, 24 Jan 2007 09:51:48 -0800, larry <l...@deldata.com>
> wrote:
>
> >As someone said, scoring low has nearly nothing to do with the full
> >swing-- except that they must learn NOT to hit it into trouble off the
> >tee.We must learn NOT to hit into trouble - from anywhere.
>
> Who here has had a pro give them a playing lesson? e.g. Pay 9 hole
> green fee + $100 and the pro goes around with you teaching on the
> course?

I've had several playing lessons from pros, but never had to pay $100
for them. I got two that came as part of a bundled lesson deal
sponsored by Nike. That was an incredible deal, too bad they
stopped doing it. I also got one from another pro, but he just
charged me $40.

I think they were all helpful, but if you have ever read anything
on course management it is all the same stuff. The problem
is, you can learn this stuff over and over, but still fall into the
temptation of trying to hit a green from 250 yds through a chute
of trees over a lake with OB on both sides and behind the hole.
It just feels so good when you pull the shot off.

Date: 25 Jan 2007 03:10:47
From: Joe
Subject: Re: Biggest factors that prevent golfers from reaching their true

Birdie Bill wrote:
>
> On Jan 24, 12:05 pm, Howard Brazee <how...@brazee.net> wrote:
>
>>On Wed, 24 Jan 2007 09:51:48 -0800, larry <l...@deldata.com>
>>wrote:
>>
>>
>>>As someone said, scoring low has nearly nothing to do with the full
>>>swing-- except that they must learn NOT to hit it into trouble off the
>>>tee.We must learn NOT to hit into trouble - from anywhere.
>>
>>Who here has had a pro give them a playing lesson? e.g. Pay 9 hole
>>green fee + $100 and the pro goes around with you teaching on the
>>course?
>
>
> I've had several playing lessons from pros, but never had to pay $100
> for them. I got two that came as part of a bundled lesson deal
> sponsored by Nike. That was an incredible deal, too bad they
> stopped doing it. I also got one from another pro, but he just
> charged me $40.
>
> I think they were all helpful, but if you have ever read anything
> on course management it is all the same stuff. The problem
> is, you can learn this stuff over and over, but still fall into the
> temptation of trying to hit a green from 250 yds through a chute
> of trees over a lake with OB on both sides and behind the hole.
> It just feels so good when you pull the shot off.
>

Your last paragraph got a laugh from, because it all too true. I know I
do it all the time, no matter how strong a promise I make to myself, one
of those opportunities will come where by some fluke of nature I made
the shot, so I just have to try again. With the outcome that was to be
expected.

To Howards question, I have had a number of them, an assistant Pro (she
played off scratch) and the Head Pro at my old club. No charge, but I
tipped them well.

I also had an interesting experience late in this past season playing at
a local executive course as a single. Mid afternoon and the place was
empty so I was just moving the ball around the practice green when the
starter came over and asked if I would mind someone joining me which I
readily accepted. He had a pretty good short game and we had been
exchanging views on the best way to play this or that shot with mutual
compliments and all that kind of thing.

Around the 8th hole I finally asked him what he did when he wasn't
hanging around at a golf course in the middle of the week. He ducked the
question the first time but I pressed a little and he told me that he
was a teaching Pro at one of our local courses, I haven't played there
in years so I didn't know him. I checked afterwards and he was there.
Not really a "lesson" but I had great time just exchanging ideas and
learned a fair bit from him. We were both there for the same reasons,
shot game and course management. This course is short, very tight, well
contoured running through a hilly forest and is all about putting the
ball in the right place.

As quick example, the first hole is a redan, 8 iron for me, two tiered
green with a severe shoulder fall off left of the green, right to left
slope. I try to play a little draw into the front right corner and let
the ball come up and roll left. I was just a bit long so the ball ended
on the top tier putting to a front left pin. He was pretty much in
the same place about 2 feet from me but away. From there the putt is up
the back of a transverse ridge which then falls sharply. He had just
the right touch leaving a 4 footer right of the hole. I was just a bit
firm and the ball slid by the hole, gathered speed, ran through the
fringe and down the six foot fall off and rolled out about eight feet
into the rough. He makes par, I double.

Joe

Date: 25 Jan 2007 08:15:12
From: Howard Brazee
Subject: Re: Biggest factors that prevent golfers from reaching their true scoring potential

On Thu, 25 Jan 2007 03:10:47 -0500, Joe <joeh@nospamwarwick.net >
wrote:

>>The problem
>> is, you can learn this stuff over and over, but still fall into the
>> temptation of trying to hit a green from 250 yds through a chute
>> of trees over a lake with OB on both sides and behind the hole.
>> It just feels so good when you pull the shot off.
>>
>
>Your last paragraph got a laugh from, because it all too true. I know I
>do it all the time, no matter how strong a promise I make to myself, one
>of those opportunities will come where by some fluke of nature I made
>the shot, so I just have to try again. With the outcome that was to be
>expected.

Yep. Another example is not using a bump and run enough. A perfect
lob feels so good.

...

>As quick example, the first hole is a redan, 8 iron for me, two tiered
>green with a severe shoulder fall off left of the green, right to left
>slope. I try to play a little draw into the front right corner and let
>the ball come up and roll left. I was just a bit long so the ball ended
> on the top tier putting to a front left pin. He was pretty much in
>the same place about 2 feet from me but away. From there the putt is up
>the back of a transverse ridge which then falls sharply. He had just
>the right touch leaving a 4 footer right of the hole. I was just a bit
>firm and the ball slid by the hole, gathered speed, ran through the
>fringe and down the six foot fall off and rolled out about eight feet
>into the rough. He makes par, I double.

Now that's the kind of post that makes this newgroup worthwhile.

Thanks

Date: 24 Jan 2007 21:06:59
From: Birdie Bill
Subject: Re: Biggest factors that prevent golfers from reaching their true scoring potential

On Jan 24, 11:51 am, larry <l...@deldata.com > wrote:
> On 24 Jan 2007 07:39:40 -0800, "Birdie Bill"
>
>
>
> <bighorn_b...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> >On Jan 24, 8:55 am, Howard Brazee <how...@brazee.net> wrote:
> >> On Tue, 23 Jan 2007 21:46:16 -0600, Mike Dalecki
>
> >> <m...@removeclubdoctor.com> wrote:
> >> >> Here is a brief sumy of what the people who responded told me:
> >> >> Inconsistency --- 187 Golfers --- 94%
> >> >> Slice --- 142 Golfers --- 71%
> >> >> Distance --- 124 Golfers --- 62%
> >> >> Needless to say, many golfers were experiencing the same problems.
>
> >> >How interesting. I wouldn't have said any of the above. I'd have said
> >> >things like "poor short game," "lack of course management," and "trying
> >> >to do too much."Players who think they are good, but whose scores don't match their
> >> self image find it easy to point to "inconsistency".
>
> >> Players can't lie to themselves that they don't slice.
>
> >> Lots of guys would rather hit longer than score better.
>
> >> But few people want to admit they play dumb, or are too lazy to
> >> practice st.
>
> >I think these are good points, Howard. But I suspect the
> >reality is that the large majority of golfers simply think
> >that the way to improve scores is by improving their
> >swing.
>
> >On the other hand, I personally understand it's only a
> >small part of improving scores. However, I've elected
> >to work almost exclusively on my swing the last 6
> >months mainly because of the challenge of trying to
> >fix something horribly broken. I'd just like to make
> >one swing that I can look at on video without gagging.
>
> >To me, lower scores are not all that important right
> >now. I get pleasure from hitting the ball pure. I
> >don't know if I'll ever learn how to putt.

>It is very simple. More practice or play=lower scores. I know
> dozens of guys who were 20+ handicappers, then retired and now play
> nearly daily. Now their handicaps are single digits because they
> shoot very low 80s-- with that same ugly swing. Their short game
> becomes quite good just through repetition--then get tired of chunking
> and skulling and eventually learn to chip it close enough to one-putt.
> They are not interested in lessons-- and those who did try a lesson or
> two would not even consider the weeks of range work doing the drills
> to actually change their swing.
>
> As someone said, scoring low has nearly nothing to do with the full
> swing-- except that they must learn NOT to hit it into trouble off the
> tee. Some score quite well with just a simple short chop instead of
> a golf "swing." They play it down the middle and acknowledge they
> will make bogie on the long holes they can't reach. .

I thought I made it clear that I don't even CARE about my scores
right now. I played the way you advocate for, oh, I guess 12 years
or so. My goal is something else right now.

Date: 24 Jan 2007 10:23:23
From: Traincontrol
Subject: Re: Biggest factors that prevent golfers from reaching their true scoring potential

On Jan 23, 7:05 am, dhdticnuj...@yahoo.com wrote:
> Here's a question for you to think about. What do you feel are the 3
> biggest factors that prevent bogey golfers from reaching their true
> scoring potential? This is the question that I asked over 200 golfers
> after hearing the following information.
> .There are roughly 27 million golfers in the world.
> .Their average gross score: 107 shots.
> .Eighty percent of the golfers do not achieve a handicap of less than
> 18.
> Here is a brief sumy of what the people who responded told me:
> Inconsistency --- 187 Golfers --- 94%
> Slice --- 142 Golfers --- 71%
> Distance --- 124 Golfers --- 62%
> Needless to say, many golfers were experiencing the same problems.http://golfbggb.blogspot.com/#

What evidence do you have that they don't reach their full potential?

IMO most do reach their full potential.

Tom

Date: 24 Jan 2007 09:32:20
From: radix33@gmail.com
Subject: Re: Biggest factors that prevent golfers from reaching their true scoring potential

I agree there. Nothing can beat coaching to get someone to that "next"
level.

Unfortunately, that costs moolah. I suppose it beats practicing with
1000 balls a week by yourself without any coaching.

-RA

On Jan 23, 2:50 pm, "A Brick in the Wall" <NoS...@NoThanks.com > wrote:
> "Howard Brazee" <how...@brazee.net> wrote in messagenews:qi1cr2t8v8akq5q5lu1t5ko8httgoeh6mt@4ax.com...
>
> > On 23 Jan 2007 04:05:48 -0800, dhdticnuj...@yahoo.com wrote:
>
> >>Here is a brief sumy of what the people who responded told me:
> >>Inconsistency --- 187 Golfers --- 94%
> >>Slice --- 142 Golfers --- 71%
> >>Distance --- 124 Golfers --- 62%
>
> > It would be interesting to compare what we think is keeping us from
> > playing well with what our pros think is keeping us from playing well.The Pro would say "paid lessons". ;-))

Date: 24 Jan 2007 07:39:40
From: Birdie Bill
Subject: Re: Biggest factors that prevent golfers from reaching their true scoring potential

On Jan 24, 8:55 am, Howard Brazee <how...@brazee.net > wrote:
> On Tue, 23 Jan 2007 21:46:16 -0600, Mike Dalecki
>
> <m...@removeclubdoctor.com> wrote:
> >> Here is a brief sumy of what the people who responded told me:
> >> Inconsistency --- 187 Golfers --- 94%
> >> Slice --- 142 Golfers --- 71%
> >> Distance --- 124 Golfers --- 62%
> >> Needless to say, many golfers were experiencing the same problems.
>
> >How interesting. I wouldn't have said any of the above. I'd have said
> >things like "poor short game," "lack of course management," and "trying
> >to do too much."Players who think they are good, but whose scores don't match their
> self image find it easy to point to "inconsistency".
>
> Players can't lie to themselves that they don't slice.
>
> Lots of guys would rather hit longer than score better.
>
> But few people want to admit they play dumb, or are too lazy to
> practice st.

I think these are good points, Howard. But I suspect the
reality is that the large majority of golfers simply think
that the way to improve scores is by improving their
swing.

On the other hand, I personally understand it's only a
small part of improving scores. However, I've elected
to work almost exclusively on my swing the last 6
months mainly because of the challenge of trying to
fix something horribly broken. I'd just like to make
one swing that I can look at on video without gagging.

To me, lower scores are not all that important right
now. I get pleasure from hitting the ball pure. I
don't know if I'll ever learn how to putt.

Date: 24 Jan 2007 09:51:48
From: larry
Subject: Re: Biggest factors that prevent golfers from reaching their true scoring potential

On 24 Jan 2007 07:39:40 -0800, "Birdie Bill"
<bighorn_bill@hotmail.com > wrote:

>
>
>On Jan 24, 8:55 am, Howard Brazee <how...@brazee.net> wrote:
>> On Tue, 23 Jan 2007 21:46:16 -0600, Mike Dalecki
>>
>> <m...@removeclubdoctor.com> wrote:
>> >> Here is a brief sumy of what the people who responded told me:
>> >> Inconsistency --- 187 Golfers --- 94%
>> >> Slice --- 142 Golfers --- 71%
>> >> Distance --- 124 Golfers --- 62%
>> >> Needless to say, many golfers were experiencing the same problems.
>>
>> >How interesting. I wouldn't have said any of the above. I'd have said
>> >things like "poor short game," "lack of course management," and "trying
>> >to do too much."Players who think they are good, but whose scores don't match their
>> self image find it easy to point to "inconsistency".
>>
>> Players can't lie to themselves that they don't slice.
>>
>> Lots of guys would rather hit longer than score better.
>>
>> But few people want to admit they play dumb, or are too lazy to
>> practice st.
>
>I think these are good points, Howard. But I suspect the
>reality is that the large majority of golfers simply think
>that the way to improve scores is by improving their
>swing.
>
>On the other hand, I personally understand it's only a
>small part of improving scores. However, I've elected
>to work almost exclusively on my swing the last 6
>months mainly because of the challenge of trying to
>fix something horribly broken. I'd just like to make
>one swing that I can look at on video without gagging.
>
>To me, lower scores are not all that important right
>now. I get pleasure from hitting the ball pure. I
>don't know if I'll ever learn how to putt.

It is very simple. More practice or play=lower scores. I know
dozens of guys who were 20+ handicappers, then retired and now play
nearly daily. Now their handicaps are single digits because they
shoot very low 80s-- with that same ugly swing. Their short game
becomes quite good just through repetition--then get tired of chunking
and skulling and eventually learn to chip it close enough to one-putt.
They are not interested in lessons-- and those who did try a lesson or
two would not even consider the weeks of range work doing the drills
to actually change their swing.

As someone said, scoring low has nearly nothing to do with the full
swing-- except that they must learn NOT to hit it into trouble off the
tee. Some score quite well with just a simple short chop instead of
a golf "swing." They play it down the middle and acknowledge they
will make bogie on the long holes they can't reach. .

Larry

Larry

Date: 25 Jan 2007 14:02:49
From: A Brick in the Wall
Subject: Re: Biggest factors that prevent golfers from reaching their true scoring potential

"larry" <larry@deldata.com > wrote in message
news:ln6fr2ll7pommv08t4ravm350mffqh4m74@4ax.com...
> On 24 Jan 2007 07:39:40 -0800, "Birdie Bill"
> <bighorn_bill@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>>
>>
>>On Jan 24, 8:55 am, Howard Brazee <how...@brazee.net> wrote:
>>> On Tue, 23 Jan 2007 21:46:16 -0600, Mike Dalecki
>>>
>>> <m...@removeclubdoctor.com> wrote:
>>> >> Here is a brief sumy of what the people who responded told me:
>>> >> Inconsistency --- 187 Golfers --- 94%
>>> >> Slice --- 142 Golfers --- 71%
>>> >> Distance --- 124 Golfers --- 62%
>>> >> Needless to say, many golfers were experiencing the same problems.
>>>
>>> >How interesting. I wouldn't have said any of the above. I'd have said
>>> >things like "poor short game," "lack of course management," and "trying
>>> >to do too much."Players who think they are good, but whose scores don't
>>> >match their
>>> self image find it easy to point to "inconsistency".
>>>
>>> Players can't lie to themselves that they don't slice.
>>>
>>> Lots of guys would rather hit longer than score better.
>>>
>>> But few people want to admit they play dumb, or are too lazy to
>>> practice st.
>>
>>I think these are good points, Howard. But I suspect the
>>reality is that the large majority of golfers simply think
>>that the way to improve scores is by improving their
>>swing.
>>
>>On the other hand, I personally understand it's only a
>>small part of improving scores. However, I've elected
>>to work almost exclusively on my swing the last 6
>>months mainly because of the challenge of trying to
>>fix something horribly broken. I'd just like to make
>>one swing that I can look at on video without gagging.
>>
>>To me, lower scores are not all that important right
>>now. I get pleasure from hitting the ball pure. I
>>don't know if I'll ever learn how to putt.
>
> It is very simple.

Why did I know you would think golf is simple like everything else?

More practice or play=lower scores. I know
> dozens of guys who were 20+ handicappers, then retired and now play
> nearly daily. Now their handicaps are single digits because they
> shoot very low 80s-- with that same ugly swing. Their short game
> becomes quite good just through repetition--then get tired of chunking
> and skulling and eventually learn to chip it close enough to one-putt.
> They are not interested in lessons-- and those who did try a lesson or
> two would not even consider the weeks of range work doing the drills
> to actually change their swing.
>
> As someone said, scoring low has nearly nothing to do with the full
> swing-- except that they must learn NOT to hit it into trouble off the
> tee. Some score quite well with just a simple short chop instead of
> a golf "swing." They play it down the middle and acknowledge they
> will make bogie on the long holes they can't reach. .
>
> Larry
>
>
> Larry

Date: 24 Jan 2007 11:05:29
From: Howard Brazee
Subject: Re: Biggest factors that prevent golfers from reaching their true scoring potential

On Wed, 24 Jan 2007 09:51:48 -0800, larry <larry@deldata.com >
wrote:

>As someone said, scoring low has nearly nothing to do with the full
>swing-- except that they must learn NOT to hit it into trouble off the
>tee.

We must learn NOT to hit into trouble - from anywhere.

Who here has had a pro give them a playing lesson? e.g. Pay 9 hole
green fee + $100 and the pro goes around with you teaching on the
course?

Date: 24 Jan 2007 05:10:21
From: oconnell@slr.orl.lmco.com
Subject: Re: Biggest factors that prevent golfers from reaching their true scoring potential

On Jan 24, 7:46 am, David <dgold1...@yahoo.de > wrote:
> On Tue, 23 Jan 2007 12:56:50 GMT, Howard Brazee <how...@brazee.net>
> wrote:
>
> >On 23 Jan 2007 04:05:48 -0800, dhdticnuj...@yahoo.com wrote:
>
> >>Here is a brief sumy of what the people who responded told me:
> >>Inconsistency --- 187 Golfers --- 94%
> >>Slice --- 142 Golfers --- 71%
> >>Distance --- 124 Golfers --- 62%
>
> >It would be interesting to compare what we think is keeping us from
> >playing well with what our pros think is keeping us from playing well.
>
>The main reason that players cannot improve their games is due to
> the fact that they concentrate their practice on the wrong areas.
> Distance will always be a factor for the very large majority of
> players. Knowing this, the area to concentrate on the most is the
> game from 100 yards and in.
>
> Players simply need to spend more time working on the part of the
> game that requires the least amount of strength. The pros score what
> they do because they have spent so much time on the short game.

The context of the post was "reaching their true scoring potential ".
I took this to mean within the context of the game they already had.
An awful lot of us are practicing just about as much as we can.
We've got a finite amount of time to spend on it and although we can
vary it a bit, probably not enough to particularly "focus" on any
one part. The #1 item that was expressed here was "consistency"
and maintaining a relatively consistent swing is the first thing
most of us are going to work on. After that it's going to be a
bit of chipping and putting and we're done.

I suspect that most of us don't "manage" our games within our
skills nearly as much as we should or could. One standard
discussion around here is whether mid to high handicappers
should have a driver at all. Another is how many wedges
they should try to use. TGC often has some segment about
what shots various players should and shouldn't try to make,
including occasionally advising folks to chip sideways out of
bunkers. Heck, when you get right down to it, we could have
a long discussion about which tees to play from. A bit
like the Wie discussions, one can make a case that playing
from the wrong tees is just setting one up for playing a game for
which they have no skills. But in the end, shot selection could
be the single worst thing most of us do as part of managing
our games. We "go for it" when we have little chance of
succeeding. We try huge flop shots when a chip well past
the hole is probably a better choice. And honestly, we
probably don't pay attention to whether we want to be
"below or above" the hole when we chip. We just think "close".

Date: 23 Jan 2007 21:46:16
From: Mike Dalecki
Subject: Re: Biggest factors that prevent golfers from reaching their true

dhdticnujvji@yahoo.com wrote:
> Here's a question for you to think about. What do you feel are the 3
> biggest factors that prevent bogey golfers from reaching their true
> scoring potential? This is the question that I asked over 200 golfers
> after hearing the following information.
> .There are roughly 27 million golfers in the world.
> .Their average gross score: 107 shots.
> .Eighty percent of the golfers do not achieve a handicap of less than
> 18.
> Here is a brief sumy of what the people who responded told me:
> Inconsistency --- 187 Golfers --- 94%
> Slice --- 142 Golfers --- 71%
> Distance --- 124 Golfers --- 62%
> Needless to say, many golfers were experiencing the same problems.

How interesting. I wouldn't have said any of the above. I'd have said
things like "poor short game," "lack of course management," and "trying
to do too much."

Let me guess--you didn't just ask people to supply the answers, you
supplied them the categories, didn't you? Further, I bet you also
provided them only a limited number of choices.

As a result, if you prompt people with choices that don't include all
the choices, you lead them to answers that they might not have otherwise
offered.

And therefore--if I'm right--your information is of little or no value.

Mike

--
Mike Dalecki GCA Accredited Clubmaker http://clubdoctor.com
RSG-Wisconsin 2006 Report http://dalecki.net/rsgwis2006/pics/
RSG-Wisconsin 2007: June 22-24----Lawsonia!

Date: 24 Jan 2007 07:55:21
From: Howard Brazee
Subject: Re: Biggest factors that prevent golfers from reaching their true scoring potential

On Tue, 23 Jan 2007 21:46:16 -0600, Mike Dalecki
<mike@removeclubdoctor.com > wrote:

>> Here is a brief sumy of what the people who responded told me:
>> Inconsistency --- 187 Golfers --- 94%
>> Slice --- 142 Golfers --- 71%
>> Distance --- 124 Golfers --- 62%
>> Needless to say, many golfers were experiencing the same problems.
>
>How interesting. I wouldn't have said any of the above. I'd have said
>things like "poor short game," "lack of course management," and "trying
>to do too much."

Players who think they are good, but whose scores don't match their
self image find it easy to point to "inconsistency".

Players can't lie to themselves that they don't slice.

Lots of guys would rather hit longer than score better.

But few people want to admit they play dumb, or are too lazy to
practice st.

Date: 23 Jan 2007 18:06:31
From: gpsman
Subject: Re: Biggest factors that prevent golfers from reaching their true scoring potential

On Jan 23, 7:05 am, dhdticnuj...@yahoo.com wrote: <brevity snip >
> What do you feel are the 3
> biggest factors that prevent bogey golfers from reaching their true
> scoring potential? This is the question that I asked over 200 golfers
> after hearing the following information.
> .There are roughly 27 million golfers in the world.
> .Their average gross score: 107 shots.
> .Eighty percent of the golfers do not achieve a handicap of less than
> 18.
> Here is a brief sumy of what the people who responded told me:
> Inconsistency --- 187 Golfers --- 94%
> Slice --- 142 Golfers --- 71%
> Distance --- 124 Golfers --- 62%
> Needless to say, many golfers were experiencing the same problems.http://golfbggb.blogspot.com/#

Them must be some semi-stupid respondents. Inconsistency, slicing and
distance (I presume a lack of) are symptoms, not "factors".

Duffer's number one problem is that they almost always swing beyond
their control, which leads to their inconsistency, slicing and lack of
distance.

Acquiring a half-decent golf game is within reach of most who are
willing (and able) to study, they just don't. Lots o' guys -say- they
want to play better, but only if it doesn't require any more effort
than stroking a check. They're often repeatedly willing to pay umpteen
dollars for the latest gizmo and take it to the course with the exact
same shitty swing they had the week before, presumably, expecting to
improve their game.

That behavior suggests insanity.

But, the great thing about golf is, you don't have to be good at it to
enjoy it.
-----

- gpsman

Date: 24 Jan 2007 01:47:04
From: Big Clobby Bobber
Subject: Re: Biggest factors that prevent golfers from reaching their true scoring potential

Stupid question.

The answer is skill and talent. and the discipline to develop whatever level
of those you may have.
The same thing that separates the over, under, and average achievers in any
endeavor.

<dhdticnujvji@yahoo.com > wrote in message
news:1169553948.596355.17750@s48g2000cws.googlegroups.com...
> Here's a question for you to think about. What do you feel are the 3
> biggest factors that prevent bogey golfers from reaching their true
> scoring potential?

Date: 23 Jan 2007 18:56:53
From: Joe
Subject: Re: Biggest factors that prevent golfers from reaching their true

Date: 23 Jan 2007 09:01:32
From: Miss Anne Thrope
Subject: Re: Biggest factors that prevent golfers from reaching their true

1.) intellect
2.) physical ability
3.) sperm count

Date: 23 Jan 2007 18:37:24
From: water
Subject: Re: Biggest factors that prevent golfers from reaching their trues...

Hitting as opposed to Swinging

"Miss Anne Thrope" <High_Colonic@webtv.net > wrote in message
news:4173-45B6153C-843@storefull-3157.bay.webtv.net...
> 1.) intellect
> 2.) physical ability
> 3.) sperm count
>

Date: 23 Jan 2007 05:44:40
From: oconnell@slr.orl.lmco.com
Subject: Re: Biggest factors that prevent golfers from reaching their true scoring potential

sfb wrote:
> <oconnell@slr.orl.lmco.com> wrote in message
> news:1169557596.925770.231600@s48g2000cws.googlegroups.com...
> >
> > Howard Brazee wrote:
> >> On 23 Jan 2007 04:05:48 -0800, dhdticnujvji@yahoo.com wrote:
> >>
> >> >Here is a brief sumy of what the people who responded told me:
> >> >Inconsistency --- 187 Golfers --- 94%
> >> >Slice --- 142 Golfers --- 71%
> >> >Distance --- 124 Golfers --- 62%
> >>
> >> It would be interesting to compare what we think is keeping us from
> >> playing well with what our pros think is keeping us from playing well.
> >
> > Or even just trying to match actual results to these impressions.
> > i.e. measure fairways hit, GIR, putts per round, etc and see if what
> > they fuss about is the "real" problem.
>
> Doesn't "inconsistent pretty much cover hitting fairways, GIRs, and putts
> per round?

That first category made me laugh. It's like an inventory that
lists the
majority of items under "miscellaneous". The original article was
about
bogey golfers trying to get the "most out of their game". A bogey
golfer
can only expect to be so consistent. Getting the most out of their
game is going to be a case of managing their game within that level
of consistency. It's a case of picking the club that keeps the trap
out
of play, instead of hoping to pick the one that slips it in between the
trap and the pin.

What I suspect is that many of us would find a "better game" by
knowing what particular trouble we should avoid, because we don't
have the skills to get out of it. Like many bogey golfers, sand play
is probably my worst skill. Of course practice might help this.
But in terms of "getting the most out of my game", the answer right
now is to be careful about putting traps into play.

Classic example was last saturday. Choices were 1) 9 iron with
danger of overflying the green, PW over DEEP bunker to land near pin on
narrow section of green or 3) either club, to left of pin and bunker,
but well left of pin on deeper section of green.

Chose the PW, feeling good, aimed at the pin. Wind gust
came up on a slightly thin contact and I dump it in the bunker.
2 shots later out of that bunker, I'm on the same fat distant
part of the green I should have aimed for in the first place.
Was inconsistency my problem? Poor bunker play? Or
was it bad decision making?

Date: 24 Jan 2007 03:54:20
From: Howard Brazee
Subject: Re: Biggest factors that prevent golfers from reaching their true scoring potential

On 23 Jan 2007 05:44:40 -0800, "oconnell@slr.orl.lmco.com"
<oconnell@slr.orl.lmco.com > wrote:

>Like many bogey golfers, sand play
>is probably my worst skill.

The sand around here isn't that bad for me (kind of hard) - it is
getting out of the native grass which is my worst skill.

Date: 23 Jan 2007 05:06:36
From: oconnell@slr.orl.lmco.com
Subject: Re: Biggest factors that prevent golfers from reaching their true scoring potential

Howard Brazee wrote:
> On 23 Jan 2007 04:05:48 -0800, dhdticnujvji@yahoo.com wrote:
>
> >Here is a brief sumy of what the people who responded told me:
> >Inconsistency --- 187 Golfers --- 94%
> >Slice --- 142 Golfers --- 71%
> >Distance --- 124 Golfers --- 62%
>
> It would be interesting to compare what we think is keeping us from
> playing well with what our pros think is keeping us from playing well.

Or even just trying to match actual results to these impressions.
i.e. measure fairways hit, GIR, putts per round, etc and see if what
they
fuss about is the "real" problem.

Date: 23 Jan 2007 08:13:33
From: sfb
Subject: Re: Biggest factors that prevent golfers from reaching their true scoring potential

Doesn't "inconsistent pretty much cover hitting fairways, GIRs, and putts
per round?

<oconnell@slr.orl.lmco.com > wrote in message
news:1169557596.925770.231600@s48g2000cws.googlegroups.com...
>
> Howard Brazee wrote:
>> On 23 Jan 2007 04:05:48 -0800, dhdticnujvji@yahoo.com wrote:
>>
>> >Here is a brief sumy of what the people who responded told me:
>> >Inconsistency --- 187 Golfers --- 94%
>> >Slice --- 142 Golfers --- 71%
>> >Distance --- 124 Golfers --- 62%
>>
>> It would be interesting to compare what we think is keeping us from
>> playing well with what our pros think is keeping us from playing well.
>
> Or even just trying to match actual results to these impressions.
> i.e. measure fairways hit, GIR, putts per round, etc and see if what
> they
> fuss about is the "real" problem.
>

Date: 23 Jan 2007 12:56:50
From: Howard Brazee
Subject: Re: Biggest factors that prevent golfers from reaching their true scoring potential

On 23 Jan 2007 04:05:48 -0800, dhdticnujvji@yahoo.com wrote:

>Here is a brief sumy of what the people who responded told me:
>Inconsistency --- 187 Golfers --- 94%
>Slice --- 142 Golfers --- 71%
>Distance --- 124 Golfers --- 62%

It would be interesting to compare what we think is keeping us from
playing well with what our pros think is keeping us from playing well.

Date: 24 Jan 2007 13:46:36
From: David
Subject: Re: Biggest factors that prevent golfers from reaching their true scoring potential

On Tue, 23 Jan 2007 12:56:50 GMT, Howard Brazee <howard@brazee.net >
wrote:

>On 23 Jan 2007 04:05:48 -0800, dhdticnujvji@yahoo.com wrote:
>
>>Here is a brief sumy of what the people who responded told me:
>>Inconsistency --- 187 Golfers --- 94%
>>Slice --- 142 Golfers --- 71%
>>Distance --- 124 Golfers --- 62%
>
>It would be interesting to compare what we think is keeping us from
>playing well with what our pros think is keeping us from playing well.

The main reason that players cannot improve their games is due to
the fact that they concentrate their practice on the wrong areas.
Distance will always be a factor for the very large majority of
players. Knowing this, the area to concentrate on the most is the
game from 100 yards and in.

Players simply need to spend more time working on the part of the
game that requires the least amount of strength. The pros score what
they do because they have spent so much time on the short game.

Instead of going to the range and hitting 200 balls with the driver,
players should hit 200 balls with the club that gets them 100 yards
and work on being consistent with that club.

Players should then spend one hour working on chipping and putting
every time that they go practice. Learn how to effectively get out of
a greenside bunker. It does not have to be within 15 feet--just get
the ball on the green, instead of having to take 5 whacks at it.

If you can develop a confident putting stroke and learn how to
properly read greens, you will see great improvements in your
score--without trying to smash a driver 300 yards. Most players are n
ot honest with themselves anyway when it comes to distance. They hit
a 300 yard drive once a month and tell their partners that they can
drive a ball 300 yards.

Don't let your ego get in the way of your game. US Open's have been
won and lost due to players who have not thought out the situation at
hand :-) When my swing went south due to the dreaded s****nks, I was
able to compensate by not trying to play a shot that I knew I was not
going to be able to pull off. As a result, my HI went from 5 to 6,
when it easily could have gone double digits. Rather than force my
swing to come back, I spent even more time working on the short game,
since I knew that it where I could save the strokes I was bound to
lose. Eventually, the swing worked itself out again--after a very
long time, by the way.

It has been said time and time again--the short game is the most
important part of the game to work on. This should be accepted as
gospel by every one who plays golf.

David

Date: 24 Jan 2007 14:17:05
From: Alan Murphy
Subject: Re: Biggest factors that prevent golfers from reaching their true scoring potential

"David" <dgold1958@yahoo.de > wrote in message
news:2gker2trng6h32p4t71i3ocrr4ms0agbfn@4ax.com...
>
> It has been said time and time again--the short game is the most
> important part of the game to work on. This should be accepted as
> gospel by every one who plays golf.
>
> David
>
Not quite everyone, David. If you want to get
below 5 handicap or become a professional you
must be able to reach every hole comfortably in
two strokes as well as having a fantastic short
game. I do concede however that most people
could get down to single figures with a good short
game, concentration and course management skills.

Alan

Date: 23 Jan 2007 17:50:20
From: A Brick in the Wall
Subject: Re: Biggest factors that prevent golfers from reaching their true scoring potential

"Howard Brazee" <howard@brazee.net > wrote in message
news:qi1cr2t8v8akq5q5lu1t5ko8httgoeh6mt@4ax.com...
> On 23 Jan 2007 04:05:48 -0800, dhdticnujvji@yahoo.com wrote:
>
>>Here is a brief sumy of what the people who responded told me:
>>Inconsistency --- 187 Golfers --- 94%
>>Slice --- 142 Golfers --- 71%
>>Distance --- 124 Golfers --- 62%
>
> It would be interesting to compare what we think is keeping us from
> playing well with what our pros think is keeping us from playing well.

The Pro would say "paid lessons". ;-))