Anyone of you out there became a scratch golfer without any professional help?

Question

If so.. how did you do it?

...How long did it tke you?

Answer 1

Molly -

I never got to a true 'scratch' level. But I did pass the PGA Playing Abilities Test and at one point I was able to shoot around par on a consistent basis. I've never seen a tried and true 'scratch' amateur golfer, the best player at the private course I worked at had a GHIN handicap index in the 2 range.....even factoring in course rating, a player still has to shoot near par on the vast majority of their rounds to carry a zero handicap.

Most golfers take liberty with calling themselves or other people 'scratch' players however. I've been referred to as a 'scratch' player many times and I've never carried a true zero handicap, the lowest I ever got was in the 3 range.

So to answer your question, I've never taken a lesson from a pro, and I didn't reach the scratch level, although I was a PGA professional and I did get close to scratch at one point.

Basically my formula for improvement was hard work, dedication, lots of practice, and absorbing every piece of golf literature I could get my hands on.

It tooks me from the time I was 16 until the time I was 23, so 7 years to get to the point where I thought I was good enough to pass the playing abilities test.

Good Luck!!

Answer 2

I've been scratch since about age 14.  I'm now 32. I have never taken a lesson but I guess I did get advice from time to time. I  did pick up on it fast but more importantly I worked my butt off.  I played on average 10-15 rounds a week for many years. Hard work is the only secret to this silly ol' game.