Who doesn’t want to be a scratch golfer?
For a lot of golfers, that zero handicap is a lifetime goal. There is no question: if you’re able to shoot a round under par, you’re a member of a rarified group. You’ve entered a whole new level of the game and accomplished something most golfers never will.
If you’re close to the dream of becoming a scratch golfer but you haven’t quite made it to the finish line, I’ve got you covered. I’ve got some tips and concepts that will give you the final push you need to finish your next round with an enviable scorecard.
And if you are looking to finally break 80, break 90, or even just break 100, we can help there too.
But be aware: none of these tips are about your technique. Why?
Because most players who are close to becoming a scratch golfer already have a solid technique. If you’ve got a three or four handicap, probably don’t need swing tips. It’s far more likely that your strategy, course management, and mindset are what hold you back.
Let the following concepts reshape the way you approach your practice time and your time on the course. You’ll start closing in on that zero handicap in no time.
Chipping
I love to talk chipping. If you’ve been following our YouTube channel, you’ve probably caught a few of my videos on chipping. It’s one of my favorite skills to teach for two reasons.
First, people who practice chipping often see improvement in this skill very quickly.
Second, players who are great at chipping do really well over the course of a round. A solid chip shot often lands close enough to the hole for the player to convert it on the first putt. Over the course of an entire round, the number of strokes saved by excellent chipping really adds up.
If you want to be a scratch golfer, approach your chip shots by thinking in terms of what I call “the magic 7 feet.”
By this I mean that you want your chip shots to land within seven feet of the hole . . . on average. You may occasionally chip the ball to within 9 feet, sometimes within 3 feet, but overall, you want that average to be about 7 feet.
You see, a low handicap or scratch golfer typically converts 50-55% of their putts from 7 feet. So, if you consistently land your chip shots within that distance, you’re set up sink at least half of those putts.
On the other hand, if you have a three or four handicap and your chip shots are landing 10 or 12 feet from the cup, your odds of sinking that first putt drop significantly.
If you’re hoping to become a scratch golfer, you’ve got to focus your chip shots on achieving the magic 7 feet.
Distance
Okay, you already know distance is essential for shooting a round under par. But do you know how long your drives have to be in order to be a scratch golfer? And do you know when you can stop blaming your distance and start looking for other solutions?
I’m going to shed a little light on the subject of distance, but first, a heads-up:
The following numbers are generalities. Exact yardages vary depending on which tees and what type of course you play. Regardless, this should provide some helpful guidelines.
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