Everybody who plays this game does so with the aim of improving. Much is made in and around the professional game about the distance the ball is struck, with 300 yards regarded as the norm.
Surprisingly, despite the huge advances in technology in terms of both clubs and golf balls, there has been little improvement in overall handicaps. It is a fact that if you play off 18 or less then you are, at the very least, better than average.
So why is it that so many of us get down on ourselves about the standard at which we play? And what is it that proves you might actually be better than you think you are?
Do You Hit Most Fairways?
Rory McIlroy is widely regarded as being the best driver of a golf ball in the business. He certainly sends it out there, averaging 328.5 yards. That is impressive, to say the least. But he only hits 56.85% of fairways. So, if you find most fairways you could argue that you are actually a better driver of the golf ball than McIlroy. Remember that the rough on most of the courses he plays is almost non-existent - the rough at your course is almost certainly more penal. It is a fact that this is an easier game when played from the fairway.
Can You Always Escape From Bunkers?
Most club golfers complain about the quality of the sand in their bunkers. If you are a PGA Tour or DP World Tour pro then you know that the bunkers are going to be filled with white, fluffy sand. If you are a club golfer you have no idea what you are going to find when you walk into a fairway or greenside bunker - and if you can guarantee that you can escape every time then I would argue that puts you on a par with the best in the business.
There is Always a Shot That Brings You Back
(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)
No matter what your handicap, if you can get anywhere close to scoring 36 Stableford points every time you play that makes you a pretty competent golfer, regardless of what your handicap may be.
We have all experienced horror rounds when nothing goes right. That happens to the professionals as well. But always there will be at last one shot that you hit perfectly, one shot that does exactly what you want it to do, one shot that will bring you back.
How Many Balls Do You Lose Per Round?
The professionals have ball spotters and huge galleries who follow their every shot and that means they almost never lose a ball. If you lose a couple of balls in a round, please don’t beat yourself up about it. Just imagine how many golf balls the likes of Bryson DeChambeau would lose without ball spotters. I can guarantee that it would be more than two per round!
Are You Sharp Enough on The Greens?
Three putts are a killer and this is the area where the pros appear to be much better than the average golfer, averaging around 28 putts per round. But remember that many of these single putts come after they have missed a green and are consistently able to get up and down in two. If you practice your short game and master the art of chipping there is absolutely no reason why you can’t average around 30 putts per round. If you struggle on the greens, have you ever thought of being custom fitted for a putter? Last year I was struggling horribly on the greens. I couldn’t hole anything in the 6-10 feet range, so I went for a putter fitting. And guess what? It worked. The putter I had been using was all wrong for my stroke.
Some club golfers dread long putts. They struggle with the pace. The best players in the world don’t miss a beat when faced with a 50-foot putt. They expect to roll the ball up to the hole. And that is because they practice endlessly. We have all holed monstrous putts but the way to master long putts is to take a leaf from the professionals’ book and practice. Once you get the feel for long-distance putts you will be amazed at how many shots you can knock off your handicap.
Don't Be Too Hard on Yourself
I don’t care what your handicap is - we have all holed outrageous chips. It is a wonderful feeling.
No matter how poorly you have played, the chances are that you will make at least one birdie per round - believe it or not, the top players often have rounds where they don’t manage a single sub-par score.
Have you ever had a hole in one? Some of the best golfers in the world go through their entire careers without ever achieving such a feat.
The bottom line is simple - don’t be too hard on yourself. You are probably a far better golfer than you think you are!
