I am a 26 handicap and i would like to lower that to about 12 by the end of the year is that realistic?

Question

I am a 26 handicap and i would like to lower that to about 12 by the end of the year is that realistic?

Answer 1

Yes, this can be done. As a 26 handicap means to me you don't have the basic fundamentals down. Once you get them down good enough your game will improve a heck of a lot.

First of all I would suggest that you take at lease 5 lessons from a PGA pro and not from your friends (sorry, but your friends can't see what the Pro instructor is train to see in your swing). When you take your lesson make sure you spread them apart prior going back to your instructor. Work on what your instructor show you about 10 days before you set up your next lesson.

Then get a set of clubs fitted for you and your swing, this will help a lot. If you don't have a band name in mind (you don't have to go broke on a set of clubs..I would suggest about $650.00 is a good price for a set of good to decent set of club) also check out the golf show/demo.

Practice whenever possible and keep a good mind set about it as you practice. If you find yourself having some problem make a note of it and share it with your instructor at then lesson.

Don't lose your cool when you hit bad shots! this will eat up your game in a heart beat! Also ask your instructor how to recover mental from hitting a bad shot. And just have fun while doing it, remember this is a game for you.

Good luck and have fun

Answer 2

Unless you're unemployed and can play and practice regularly, i'd bet you good money that it wasn't possible.

Someone answered on the short game and i'd second that but the big picture on that is to minimise strokes taken by maximising your course management.

By that I'd say be reliable off the tee. If you're not great at using a driver, a 3 wood and a decent iron should get you on or around the green on most courses, then your short game comes into play. An excellent short game and putting will win out - it's what separates the winners on the Pro tours.

Answer 3

This was me several years ago and regardless of how much I tried, I couldn't. Finally I went and got 3 lessons of the local pro and kaboom, I now play well off 9. It was just a matter of patience and actually knowing some tricks.

Answer 4

Yes, it is very realistic.

If your mind believes it, so can your body.

Answer 5

no

Answer 6

Sure it's realistic.

Just work on your short game a lot.

Most of the strokes high handicappers waste are within 50 yards of the green.

Answer 7

The higher your handicap, the easier it is to improve. Going from a 26 to a 12 is much easier than going from a 8 to a 2.  practice and get some lessons. You have to put a lot into it but it is definitely possible.

Answer 8

Hi,

Practice makes perfect - however a few lessons from a teaching pro will work wonders. There are a few things you can do with your clubs however - such as regrooving your wedges - this will allow you to stop the ball on the greens and will rapidly improve your short game. You should also spine your golf shafts - by aligning the shafts you will see a marked difference in the length of your shots.

I bought a regroover and spinefinder here:-

http://www.golfersmate.net

Hope these tips help !

Answer 9

If you really work hard at it, it is very realistic. It will be a lot easier to move from a 26 handicap to a 12 as compared to, say, a 12 handicap to 5.  Get a couple of lessons, and practice a lot (couple times a week). I would recommend emphasizing short game and putting over everything else.

Remember to have fun too.

Answer 10

That's a big drop for one season unless you can really spend a lot of time playing and practicing.  Set your goal at getting down to an 18 this year and then go for the 12 in another year or two.  The lower you get the harder it is to improve.  You have a better chance of shaving 14 off going from 26 to 12 than a 14 does trying to get to scratch.

Answer 11

You may check out his web site. Others have used it and have improved their game. The main thing is practice, practice, practice.

Answer 12

I went from a 20 to an 8 in one year. 26 to 12 should actually be easier than that.

Lessons are a must. You probably will not be able to create a good swing without someone there to guide you. And don't limit yourself to a few lessons if you're serious about this. You need to plan on going every week until you reach your goal.

Fitted clubs are a must. Playing with poorly fitted clubs will hinder your progress immensely, and will hinder your improvement, no matter what kind of timetable you put on it.

You need to have a club in your hand EVERY DAY, not just "as much as you can." You need be putting, chipping, and taking full swings every freakin' day, even if it means chipping in the back yard and swinging the club and putting in your living room. Get to the range and course as much as possible, but you still need to be practicing even if you can't get there.

Good luck and have fun.

Answer 13

I started out a couple years ago at a 23 and finished the year at a 10. I never took a lesson, just practiced and worked on the short game. This year, I maintained a 12 all year, playing once a week. Yes it is realistic. Best of luck!

Answer 14

Yes it's realistic, it's gonna be hard work though.

I would recommened the following steps:

1: Buy yourself a decent set of clubs, not only do they give you a better strike and feel on the course but the financial commitment will mean you are more likely to keep it up even when you are struggling or when the weather is bad.

2: Get yourself a couple of lessons to sort out the fundimentals, the fact you are a 26 handicapper means (Usually!!) that you can be a decent player on your day but you are just very hit and miss.

3: Practice whenever possible, and I mean WHENEVER.

Practice putting in the lounge.

Practice Chipping in garden

Buy some Airflow Golf Balls and practice your longer clubs in the garden as well.

Visit the range as often as possible.

4: Find a local course that doesn't cost the earth and actually PLAY as much golf as possible.

5: Learn to control you emotions, or at least harness them. I can't stress this point to you enough. I play off 12.2 and the biggest reason I dropped from around a 16 to around a 12 (And trust me there's hardly any difference in ability) was being able to concentrate better, being able to forget bad shots quicker and being able to rescue a hole if I make a mistake.

Good Luck and Enjoy it,

Post again in Dec 2008 and tell us how you got on.