Which Category of Golfer Best Describes You

Unlike touring professionals, who seemingly have every element of their game in check, amateur golfers typically shine in a single area. That’s not to say they're incompetent at other parts of the game, they just usually have a strong skill that they can rely on.

We all watch the likes of Rory McIlroy or Jon Rahm bomb their driver, hit their approach to 10-feet and then sink the putt. That simply isn’t possible for a large majority of golfers, and it also highlights the enviable skill that professionals possess.

With that in mind, what best describes you as a golfer?

The Bomber

The age-old saying of ‘driving for show and putting for dough,’ holds relevance, but when you see your drive sail 280+ down the middle of the fairway, the sense of joy that overcomes you is sensational.

You may even question someone’s handicap from their opening drive, thinking to yourself: “how can they possibly be off 18?” You soon have answers when they take five from 90 yards, but being able to hit the ball a long way off the tee is an advantage, nonetheless.

Unfortunately, if you don’t tighten up your precision with the irons or even your short game, you’ll seriously struggle to lower your handicap. Moreover, for bombers, a poor drive can easily rack up strokes - and it is no fun completing a hole with a triple or worse!

The Finesser

Okay, you carry your drive 150 yards but you’re continuously in play. Despite what the ego might tell you, this is a very good start. Of course, a shorter drive results in a longer approach and you may just miss the green - is this the time to panic?

For a lot of amateur golfers, absolutely. Getting up-and-down is no easy feat and even the professionals struggle with this task at times. However, you are the finesser; someone who prioritises the art of chipping the ball and leaning on soft hands.

Your playing partners know what’s coming when you whip out the trusty 8-iron for a bump and run, watch your ball finish just a few feet from the cup and you stroll towards it confidently, knowing your silky short game has resulted in yet another par. The finesser finesses, yet again.

The Putter

Chipping and putting comprises of the short game and if you have both going for you, welcome to a single digit handicap. However, there are a few occasions of golfers showcasing the yips with their chips but heroics with the putter.

This must be highly infuriating for the golfer who suffers with this, but in match play scenarios, they must feel like a million dollars. We all know at least one golfer who seemingly holes everything, but that putt is usually for their bogey or worse.

If you’re someone who has complete trust in the flat stick, please do share your secret - there’s a lot of us who would do anything to be comfortable over a six-footer, let alone anything longer!

The Plodder

The plodder is consistently underrated as they don’t truly excel at anything. On the other hand, they have enough skill in each component of their golf game to produce good scores consistently - and we’re always on the hunt for lower scores!

Whilst the plodder may not bomb it 250+, hit every green or even sink every putt, they produce enough consistency to get the ball around the course in a respectable manner. The plodder can chip, drive and putt to a decent standard without setting the world alight, but they’re not a member of the PGA Tour so why would he need to be the best of the very best?

When you encounter golfers like this, you’ll quickly realise how approachable and friendly they are too. Furthermore, they don’t take themselves or the game too seriously, which improves the enjoyment for you and the group.

The Tech Guru

After missing the fairway by a few yards for the third consecutive time, your playing partner exclaims: “it’s time for a new driver!” Of course, there are occasions when that statement may be true, but this person in particular is gaming last year’s latest release from TaylorMade.

Some golfers will blame everything bar their ability for mistakes. Seemingly, every golf club has at least one member who cycles through equipment frequently throughout the season, still wondering why they’ve failed to lower their handicap.

Changing equipment will never fast-track golfing ability, but there are moments where you should upgrade. The general rule of thumb is that you should update your equipment every five or so years, anything sooner and you won’t really benefit from the microscopic improvements that are made annually. Allow the manufacturers to introduce major changes before deciding to splash out on another £500.

The Self-Confessed Maestro

We all hit bad shots from time to time. Even the very best golfers in the world are susceptible to the occasional howler. However, there is nothing more infuriating than hearing your playing partner break down why your effort was so poor, seemingly making things up as they go along.

The self-confessed maestro often wonders why he didn’t enter the professional ranks, usually settling on the fact they can’t smash their driver 300+ yards as the sole reason why they are not making a living from golf.

The irony typically lies in their handicap. We all appreciate advice if it’s coming from a trusted source, but when you have mid-handicappers telling scratch golfers that their angle of attack was a mere 0.3 degree wrong, then the anger will swiftly follow.

The beautiful thing about recreational golf is the types of character you’ll come across. We watch in awe as the bomber almost drives the green, only for shock to follow as they card a bogey. Everyone is envious of the finesser, as their silky short game is a reliable tool for avoiding further damage.

The putter simply isn’t going to miss and if you’ve been drawn against one in the match play championship, you may as well concede on the first green. The plodder is a brilliant golfer who will surprise many of their playing partners as they prove that consistency is the single greatest tool an amateur golfer can have.

The tech guru will spend the whole round talking about the latest equipment, explaining how gaining five yards off the tee has completely revolutionised their game. Finally we have the self-confessed maestro - the less said about them the better!

What type of golfer do you consider yourself to be?

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