The Best of June and July
50/50 Putts, Bryson Can Do, Are You a #1 or #2 Golfer, Reducing 3-Putts, Realistic Optimism, Driver Distance, Scratch Golfers are Rare, and More
Today’s post is another monthly best-of summary to resurface some things you might have missed in June and July. Click on the link for the full post. Enjoy!
🔢 Stat(s) of the Week: 50/50 Putts 🔢
I like the way Jamie laid this out.
The 50/50 putting rule:
Basically, it’s the distance at which you have a 50% chance of making a putt based on your handicap.
Are you a 10 handicap? Then you have a 50% chance of making it from 5 feet.
Remember this rule on the course before you get mad that you missed an “easy 8-footer”.
Bryson on Can Do vs How Many Can You Do?
Link: Bryson Can Do vs How Many Can You Do?
I came across a Bryson Dechambeau video recently, and he made a great point that I’ve tried to articulate before but could never quite find the words to explain.
In the video, Bryson is doing a tape drill, but what caught my attention was his explanation of what most golfers miss when it comes to getting better and more consistent at golf.
To sum it up, Bryson says you need to be able to strike the ball 5, 10, or 20 times in a row, depending on the level of golfer you want to be. A 10 HI needs to hit it five times in a row, a scratch golfer should be able to hit it well ten times in a row, a pro twenty times, etc.
Bryson also talks about a fallacy I often see on the course and one I suffered from for a long time.
Bryson on what most golfers miss:
“I think that’s something a lot of people miss. They focus on, oh, I did it once. ‘That’s good enough. I know how to do it.’ Golf is not a game of I can do it once.”
He then hits us with this gem of a quote:
“It’s not about what you CAN DO; it’s about HOW MANY can you do?”
<CLICK THE LINK FOR THE FULL POST>
Are You a #1 or #2 Golfer?
Are You #1 or #2?
This tweet from Ross MacLeod is something I’ve been trying to articulate for a while.
So many golfers want to be #1. They want to get better. But the hard truth is, you're setting yourself up for failure by expecting #1 while being a #2.
Being #2 is totally fine. In fact, I’m jealous of someone who truly plays golf carefree with no expectations. Even more so if they are really good! (shout out Adam B)
The problem lies in mismanaging expectations. Playing once every few weeks (or even once a week) without practicing, learning, or taking lessons will make it hard to improve. (but not impossible!)
I see this a lot. Golfers who get SO mad at their game but haven’t been to the range to practice putting, chipping, or wedges.
This game is too hard to expect improvement or low scores without practice.
I’m not judging. I was this person 1000% for most of my life. Despite playing maybe 10 to 15 times a year and never going to the range I would get mad when I shot a 96. It wasn’t fun. But eventually I realized I either have to pick #1 or #2 and then approach golf accordingly.
I chose #1 once my kids were a bit older, and I had the time to practice and play more golf, which I really enjoy.
One more point. You can be a 1 or 2 at different stages of life or even different times of the year. For example, if I play a winter round on a random nice day, I go into it with the attitude of a #2. I know I haven’t been playing or practicing. It is what it is, and I go out to enjoy the round.
The bottom line, as Ross says, is:
Are your actions or behaviors in line with your choice?
🔢 Stat(s) of the Week: Scratch 🔢
Out of 3.3 million golfers, only 35k are scratch or better! That’s 1% of all golfers—truly rarefied air.
The Realistic Optimist
“Goals should be difficult to achieve because those achieved with little effort are seldom appreciated, give little personal satisfaction, and are often not very worthwhile. However, if you set goals that are so idealistic there’s no possibility of reaching them, you will eventually become discouraged and quit. They become counterproductive. Be a realistic optimist.”
-John Wooden, Hall of Fame Basketball Coach
Most golfers fall into the second category, sometimes biting off more than they can chew. So, if you are shooting a 95 on average, it’s probably not a good idea to make your goal to become a scratch golfer. Let’s break 90 first. And focus on how we’re going to get there.
I advise picking one overall goal for the season, whether it’s a handicap or breaking a certain score. Make it challenging but attainable.
Now, set up some smaller micro-goals to help you hit your main goal. It could be going to the range twice a week, increasing GIRs per round, 20 minutes of putting practice, practicing 50% and 75% wedge shots, 36 or fewer putts, etc.
Once you break through your goal, reassess and make a new one.
Note: I’ve been in a rough spot lately on the golf course, and I think this quote is perfect for someone in a similar situation.
With my game in flux, I’m focusing on getting off the tee, improving my pre-shot routine, and trying to think less and have more fun. I hope these process goals will lead me back to consistently shooting in the low 80s. Once I get back there, I’ll reassess and make a new goal.
TLDR: Step back. Pick a more attainable goal and two or three process goals to help you achieve it. Write it down! Then, reassess.
Reducing 3-Putts
I was texting with my dad after his most recent round, and he lamented about his poor putting—37 total putts, with a bunch of 3-putts sprinkled in.
My advice to him was simple: SPEED, SPEED, SPEED
Focusing On Speed
Speed control is #1.
Most of us are too focused on reading lines and our putting motion. We lose sight of what matters most… SPEED.
So, how can we get better at focusing on speed?
1) Focusing on the Target
Before putting, the LAST thing I do is take one last long look at the hole…
<CLICK THE LINK FOR THE FULL POST>
🔢 Stat(s) of the Week: Driver Distance
This is a crazy stat, but it's also a good one for amateurs to know. If you have already hit it 280+, you are in rarefied air and have plenty of length to be a scratch-level golfer.
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Have a great weekend!
