I can’t tell you the number of times I have stood on the first tee of a pro-am or the practice tee at numerous clubs and gasped in amazement.
What’s usually led to my astonishment is this.
After exchanging pleasantries with golfers whom I have never met before, I will watch a few practice swings and then if we are on the first tee, the opening salvos and if it’s the practice tee, the first few looseners.
After taking this all in, I will casually ask what handicap a player is, or what their average scores are and 90% of the time the answer blows me away.
The player will reveal that they are a handicap at least five shots higher than where I would think they should be, given the practice swings and the swings I have just seen them make.
So, what’s the reason for this, why are so many golfers underperforming relative to their natural ability level?
Well in my very humble but very accurate opinion, it‘s this.
The chief reason why golfers, relative to their ability level, drop strokes. I.e. play above their handicap is choosing the wrong shot at the wrong time.
Noting to do with basic technique, that’s why you’re the handicap you are, the better the technique the better the player and the better the handicap and the lower the scores.
No sir, it’s because so many golfers are suckered into the wrong shot at the wrong time.
Maybe it’s hitting driver on a tight hole instead of a fairway wood or iron.
Maybe it’s using a lob wedge when a bump and run would be the play.
Maybe it’s chipping when you should be putting.
Maybe it’s shooting for the flag when you should aim for the middle of the green.
Maybe it’s going for it when you should lay up.
You get the picture.
Often this when it’s all added together is called playing above yourself, and it usually ends in tears. The best way to start dropping stroked off your score today, is to learn to play within yourself.
Not necessarily be conservative, there’s a big difference between being conservative and playing within yourself which is for another day.
Playing within yourself means playing comfortable, means playing a few levels below what you’re capable of.
And the surprising thing?
When you learn to do this, and really learn to do it well, your scores will tumble.
Jack Nicklaus was the master at it and he wasn’t too bad a player.
So learn to play comfortable, learn to play easy and learn to play well within yourself. You’ll find yourself hitting more of the right shots at the right time and your score card and handicap will thank you for it.
Bob James PGA