Excelling in golf?

Question

I'm currently a freshman in high school. I started golfing last year and am taking private lessons with a local pro. I practice every day of the week. my routine is as follows: 1 hour short game, 1 hour irons and long shots like that. I can work the ball but for the first two holes or so, my score is messy.I shoot in the 80s but the first two holes always mess me up... i would get like double bogey or double par due to not warming up. I have only been in a few tournaments. Do you think I can excel in the sport and possibly join a college team? thanks - c.y.

Answer 1

If you keep your head in it and keep a high maturity level about things you'll be able to be successful. You'll get to a point where you'll have a double bogey and you'll come back with a birdie.  Don't let those first couple holes bother you.  I'm glad you're practicing.  When I was your age I didn't do that much.  I was shooting in the 80's as well, but I was just messing around.  I'm now 19 and I have been taking golf a little bit more seriously and I am currently a 5.4 handicap for 18 holes.  This would be lower but I have a nagging knee injury and I just had my 3rd knee surgery 2 days ago.  But look, if you stay on top of things, keep a cool head, and practice, practice, practice you'll become a good golfer.  Remember drive for show, putt for dough.  Putting is a must.  If you're a good putter, you'll always score well.  Putting may seem boring, but it's the difference between a mediocre golfer and a excellent golfer.  It's your choice.  Good luck.

Answer 2

You have a couple of years before you enter college. Get all the competitive experience you can by playing in as many tournaments where you will be competing with golfers your own age. See how you compare with the best of those competitors. That should give you a clue as to whether you have the game for competing at the college level.

Answer 3

Seeing that you already have a decent practice foundation there is nothing holding you back from excelling at the sport.  I'm a freshman in college and I was in your exact position a few years ago, but after getting a few D-1 offers, I decided against playing in college.  However, I do have several suggestions for the next year or two that will give you every opportunity to play in college.  First and foremost I recommend you enter national tournaments.  Look into the AJGA if you haven't already because that is the number 1 recruiting arena for college coaches.  Playing in at least a few of these tournaments a year is a must.  Next, I would look into either hiring a fitness coach or finding a golf fitness and flexibility regimine.  I don't know if you've noticed, but the young guns on the PGA are in great shape.  The last bit of advice I will give you is that if you really want it you're going to have to spend more than two hours a day at the course.  Golf is one of the few sports that extended breaks really aren't an option.  You started a bit late so this summer will be extremely important for you.  When I was working for a scholarship in high school my summer schedule was intense and demanding but every bit of it was absolutely necessary.  I be at the golf course around 10 am Tuesday through Friday.  I would spend around an hour working on chipping and pitching, 2 hours on the range, an hour putting, and then I would go play nine holes.  After I left the golf course I would hit the gym 5 days a week for between 1 and 2 hours to work on core strength and flexibility.  The weekends were a break and I would play 18 Saturday and Sunday with my dad.  I know this seems overwhelming, but it is the voice of experience telling you what it takes to get noticed by a college coach.  If you work hard there is absolutely no reason why you wont be going on recruiting trips in a few years, which by the way are an absolute blast.

Answer 4

hi cy,

you have the same problem as most, ie not warming up.

can suggest going on the driving range for 20 minutes before playing or simply club down off the tee for the first couple of holes..

good luck and stick with it as you wont improve over night, it takes hard work

Answer 5

double par?  You mean bogey.  It's eagle, birdie, par, bogey, double bogey, triple and so on.  Anyway, if you maintain your routine, you're bound to see some improvement.  That's interesting that you mess up the first two holes consistently.  Why don't you warm up?  You don't necessarily have to hit balls to warm up.  Just take warm up swings.  Develop a pre-shot routine and you should do fine on the first tee.