I had a humbling experience yesterday while playing the Walker course in Clemson, SC, with my son. It’s a beautiful course, but my day of golf was tragic! We were paired with two students from the golf club, one of whom was a scratch player. I started off strong with some great drives, but it quickly became clear we were playing two different games. I’ve been playing seriously for almost three years and have plenty of room for improvement, but I usually play with guys at a similar skill level or just a few strokes better. Yesterday, though? I just couldn’t strike the ball well at all. My slice came back, leading to frustration, which made my swing quicken. That just made things worse, and I ended up swinging even harder. The only decent shots I had were wedge shots from 100 yards or those carefree swings that just happened to be pure.
Meanwhile, this kid was effortlessly nailing every iron shot, often getting on in two on par fives. Just an absolute stick!
It made me realize how far I have to go and how much I need golf lessons. My head is so filled with YouTube and Instagram golf instruction that I can’t tell what I’m doing right or wrong anymore. With several missed shots in a row, I just unraveled.
For the first time in three years, I wasn’t enjoying the game. Maybe my expectations are too high for a 13 handicapper? I just wanted to vent and see if anyone else can relate.
Edit: Just to add some context, this guy was in a match with another player in his club/cart, while I was just along for the ride with my 10-year-old son. We were just enjoying ourselves and exchanging pleasantries. I had no delusions of competing with this kid. I just experienced a rough day on the course while watching him play with ease, which highlighted the disparity between our games. When I was hitting from 180-210 yards, I was using anywhere from a 5-iron to a 3-wood and getting similar results. That distance is my biggest weakness right now. Watching him hit an 8-iron from 200 yards was mind-blowing. Will I ever get there? Maybe not. Can I aspire to it? Absolutely. Why accept defeat?
I shot a 90, so it wasn’t my worst round ever, but it definitely wasn’t pretty. I adapted and managed an okay score. The divide between me and scratch players felt wide yesterday. That’s all. I’ll play again tomorrow!
Kingsley said:
You’re an adult who only started three years ago; of course, you’ll struggle compared to those who’ve played their whole lives.
Not necessarily. Plenty of people have played for years and still have high handicaps. It’s all about mindset, practice, and coaching. You can make great progress without having dedicated your whole life to it.
Kingsley said:
You’re an adult who only started three years ago; of course, you’ll struggle compared to those who’ve played their whole lives.
I’m 36 and started four years ago. I’ve shot a 72 twice and have many rounds in the 70s. Competing against former college golfers? Not a chance. But can I get to scratch or better before I get old? Maybe. If I’d started at 12, who knows what could’ve been.
If you’re a 13 after three years, that’s pretty good! I wouldn’t stress too much about it. Many people have played for 20 years and still struggle with their game. Scratch golfers need innate abilities and talents you might not have.
You need to find a coach, online or in-person, who can help you pinpoint what you need to fix. YouTube is great if you know what to look for, but for many, it’s just confusing.
After my second year back at the game, a coach helped me identify my issues with a launch monitor. It’s important to focus on your own game and not get discouraged comparing yourself to others.
Golf requires athletic ability and hand-eye coordination. Don’t compare yourself to young, talented players; focus on being the best version of yourself. It’s you vs. the course!
Mal said:
Golf requires athletic ability and hand-eye coordination. Don’t compare yourself to young, talented players; focus on being the best version of yourself. It’s you vs. the course!
It’s about beating yourself and improving, not just beating others!
Don’t stress over your playing partners’ scores. The pressure to compete can ruin your game. Focus on your own improvements, take a lesson or two, and find your own swing. Master it before trying to change it too much.
I had a similar experience this summer. Playing with a scratch player humbled me. The biggest difference is consistency—my good rounds happen occasionally, but they can do it every round.