Reality of single digit handicap golf: - 240 yard drive piped down the middle - Approach shot next to the green - Chip shot to gimme range - Tap in par I think you're doing pretty good, Adam
Wanted to thank you for the awesome videos. I took your advice regarding walking the length of my putts to get a mental map of the weight, along with giving every putt a little bit more respect before going through and hitting them. Last round my putts were so much better, was able to sink a few 10 footers and leave almost all of the others within 5 feet to clean up. Amazing how good you feel on the course once you eliminate 3 putts! Keep up the great work
100% truth!! Zero 3 putts is almost impossible to do, I usually get one or 2 of those a round, but at the end I will have more 1 putts than 3 putts so it works out well enough ending up with less than 36 putts
Above all, keep the ball in play. As time goes on, you will get up and down more often. I get up and down 4 or 5 times a round now. Out of 18 holes, I get maybe 7 GIR's. Only using a driver when it's warranted by WIDE OPEN fairways and using irons off the tee really help avoiding those double and tripple bogeys. Been playing lije thus for about 2 weeks and have gone from high 80's (low 90's when the cart girl won't leave us alone 😂😂) to very low 80's and high 70's. Ill take shorter and in play over OB and a guarenteed double/tripple. Best
Hey Adam, new subscriber here. I've been watching a ton of your videos recently and I love your story! I really like how you talk about having a positive mindset. You've also given me a ton of pointers and advice about how to navigate a course better. I'm going on a golf trip in a few days to southern Utah, and I can't wait to put all the things I've learned from you into practice on the course! Cheers!
I've never taken tips from online channels involving hitting the ball. I played Golf 40 years ago but decided to take it back up last year. what I did do however was watch said channels infinitum to glean the information of how different aspects of the setup grip and swing effect how you hit the ball. from this (as we are no longer living in the dark ages) means one can go to their local trackman equipped driving range hit balls, and try things to see what makes them hit the ball better or not. As it happens I'm pretty short and pretty old too (yes I'm old enough to be classed as a senior could also play from the forward tees in I wanted to) my initial Shots with driver were going 180 yards and my club speed was maybe 75-80 mph After a few months I was hitting 210 carry with 230 overall and my ball speed was up to 125-130 with a club speed of around 88-90. Over the winter I bought a rhythm trainer ( basically an adjustable speed stick that clicks if you release the club in excess of the dialled in speed. As it happened I haven't been well this year and haven't played however I have been to the range. Just an easy/steady old man swing is 95-98 mph the ball speed is 140mph and carries 220 yards and goes 240yrd+ total Because its "Slow or feels slow" I now feel as if I have time to turn the club over during release to promote a draw or leave it more open to fade I can feel the delay in the wrist hinge before release. None of this was possible the way I used to swing a club. Once the club was taken away the only control I felt I had was when to start the downswing and then i was hitting the ball whether I wanted to or not.
6:40 Recently just stopped using my 56 and 60 degree wedges for greenside chips. My brother is a magician with a 56 but I noticed I wasn’t leaving them in that tight circle zone very often. For basic chips I’ve started using my 9 and 48 a little more and it really makes the chips a lot easier. Just easier to control. I find myself with much easier putts left over. Good tip!
Thank you for that reminder on the 9th hole! I’m guilty of grabbing my lob wedge but recently, switched to my gap and I’ve seen major improvement. Keep up the great videos Adam! 🫡
Man I wish I could hit fairways like you. Yesterday I shot a +3 75 with hitting 2 fairways but had a 65% GIR. Granted it's a pretty open course so the rough isn't as penalizing as other courses but man if I could dial in driver, I might break par (which I've never done in 20 years). Anyways, great video as always Adam!
Adam, I am currently an 8 handicap, and you and I would seem to go neck-and-neck over 18 holes. I admire your chip shots, just off the green, and I'm learning the PW or GW works much better than the 54 or 56 degree wedge. I seem to hit the ball so much better than most of my playing partners, but only to find my final score only slightly better than theirs. I need to avoid the double bogies (and a triple every once in a while). I get my long putts pretty close, but will miss my fair share of the 4 footers. I really enjoyed your video. It is "real", and I can really see that we share the same thoughts (and mistakes) on the golf course. Thanks for the video. I really enjoyed it! It made me realize I don't have to stripe 4-irons 200 yards dead straight to post a reasonable score! I think I will take your advice on the "Swingtweaks" lesson! 👍⛳
Langdon Farms, I love that course. Your driver was solid this round. Reserve South, OGA Course (real close), Chehalem Glenn, Eastmoreland, Heron Lakes all worth playing and nearby.
Langdon Farms is a great course! I suggest you check out Elk Ridge in Carson, WA the next time you're up in the PDX area. Its about 50min east of Portland in the Gorge.
Man, the putter was not cooperating at all for you Adam! Just had elbow surgery yesterday. I’m hoping to be back in action by mid July? Wish me luck friends
I know you don’t give swing advice but what about putting advice? I saw in 1 video you posted some putting books but what else can we do to master lag putts?
Recently just stopped using my 56 and 60 degree wedges for greenside chips. My brother is a magician with a 56 but I noticed I wasn’t leaving them in that tight circle zone very often. For basic chips I’ve started using my 9 and 48 a little more and it really makes the chips a lot easier. Just easier to control.
I shot 105 yesterday. It was my worst score ever. I have been working really hard on all aspects of the game. I am a bit discouraged by it to say the least.
Frustrating isn't it, I'm currently in a slump so much of my game is better and saves my bad bit but it just hasn't all Cone together yet, keep playing it will come
This video is basically my game in a nutshell- I scramble very well around the greens because I miss so many. I will bomb a drive 260 every once in awhile. Golf is hard.
Honestly, if this is your typical day with the driver I'd say that's you're biggest strength even if the distance isn't mind boggling. I'm currently playing to a 5.5 and I'd kill that have that consistency with driver. It's been a very streaky club for me this year, when it's on I can't miss, but when it's off I spend a lot of time bailing myself out with mid/long irons.
I’m 70. Been a 7 hc just about all my life. Best was 5 in my 30’s but can’t and probably will never achieve my goal of scratch. What keeps me at 7 is as Adam says, the short game. 100 yards and in and especially just off the green with a good lie. I’ll make more chip-ins from far away (35+) than putting. After retiring I gave it my all. Daily practice (ab. 300 balls) and at least 9 holes six days a week for about two years. If I could read greens with my younger eyes I might have made it to 3 but I never got better than a 5... that’s averaging about 80. Tommy Armour, the Silver Scot said a person who shoots mid seventies is an expert. A scratch player will average 75; just about 3 shots over handicap and generally score +/- 6 to handicap. Walter Hagen, multiple major winner played flawless golf and then out of the blue hits something out of a rank beginner’s repertoire that shocked everyone. He said he expects to make 5 bad shots (sometimes said 7- guess that was on a really bad day) in a round. I go out with a 5 bad shot attitude and usually manage to stay within that range but I guess my bad shots are much worse than Hagen’s. So at 70 years old, I know I’ll never get to scratch and hitting 240 yard drives is not so thrilling but the occasional near par rounds keeps me coming back. Hell, I’m just glad I’m alive and can swing a club. The PGA manual stated that a person realizes his lifelong handicap within 3 years of golfing. I tried to prove them wrong, the exception to the rule. “You’re only here for a short visit. Don’t hurry. Don’t worry. And be sure to smell the flowers along the way.” -Walter Hagen. Fairways and Greens! PenguinGolf
I believe the T shot is the most important shot, yeah sure shirt game is very important but it’s rare when around the green you can lose 3 shots. An ob or behind a tree or lost ball is more punishing. When in driving well I shoot 80, when bad closer to 90
Good stuff here. Im decent with driver and can chip/pitch pretty good. The rest sucks, but it adds up to a 6 cap somehow. Its really just about cutting out the penalties, 2-chips, and 3-putts
I shoot consistently around 85-90 and I gotta say. Our first two strokes on each hole are identical… but your short game is way better than mine, it’s the only difference… I guess I need to just work on putting. I did start a few months ago so yeah
I’m not a long hitter with driver so I rely on smooth good hits and precision inside 100yds. I’m a 12.3 hcp and am working hard to get to single digit someday.
Nothing more triggering than finishing a round with a number of 3 putts from within 20 feet as a single digit handicap. Love the relatability of this channel
I played today and shot a 90 on a par 70. I had a pretty average front shooting a 47. Then I tied my 9 hole score on my second 9 with a 43. I’m getting so close to shooting in the 80’s. I didn’t hit many amazing shots. Just played golf and not golf swing.
I'm a 10 (been as low as 8.3) and my high hc friends assume I always hit good shots, trutfully my swing is not that great compared to some.of theirw..I literally hit mostly bad shots the entire round...my driver is meh, I almost never hit greens, but I basically am always putting for par and rarely double...but its an ugly game, lots of punching out of trees, and 2 putting from 20-25 feet...every round I'll rattle off maybe one birdie and a handful of pars...that's what 8-10 looks like...no huge mistakes, no doubles, but nothing insanely impressive
Reality of single digit handicap golf:
- 240 yard drive piped down the middle
- Approach shot next to the green
- Chip shot to gimme range
- Tap in par
I think you're doing pretty good, Adam
That about sums it up
I love when Adam uploads right as I’m sitting down for lunch
One of the few honest golf youtubers, love it!
He's Americas version of Golf Sidekick.
I just got back from playing golf and now I get to watch my favorite golf UA-camr!
Wanted to thank you for the awesome videos. I took your advice regarding walking the length of my putts to get a mental map of the weight, along with giving every putt a little bit more respect before going through and hitting them. Last round my putts were so much better, was able to sink a few 10 footers and leave almost all of the others within 5 feet to clean up. Amazing how good you feel on the course once you eliminate 3 putts! Keep up the great work
100% truth!! Zero 3 putts is almost impossible to do, I usually get one or 2 of those a round, but at the end I will have more 1 putts than 3 putts so it works out well enough ending up with less than 36 putts
I miss the duck quack sound on the shank shots
And the jackpot sound on birdies
Adam your driver transformation has been amazing. You sucked so bad before lol. Now you're Rory! Awesome video!
You have been playing all my local courses! Make it look too easy!
Above all, keep the ball in play. As time goes on, you will get up and down more often. I get up and down 4 or 5 times a round now. Out of 18 holes, I get maybe 7 GIR's. Only using a driver when it's warranted by WIDE OPEN fairways and using irons off the tee really help avoiding those double and tripple bogeys.
Been playing lije thus for about 2 weeks and have gone from high 80's (low 90's when the cart girl won't leave us alone 😂😂) to very low 80's and high 70's.
Ill take shorter and in play over OB and a guarenteed double/tripple.
Best
this weekend gonna be so awesome!
Damn, your tee game on this round was 🔥 Great seeing you pounding the ball with the driver 👊
Hey Adam, new subscriber here. I've been watching a ton of your videos recently and I love your story! I really like how you talk about having a positive mindset. You've also given me a ton of pointers and advice about how to navigate a course better. I'm going on a golf trip in a few days to southern Utah, and I can't wait to put all the things I've learned from you into practice on the course! Cheers!
I've never taken tips from online channels involving hitting the ball.
I played Golf 40 years ago but decided to take it back up last year.
what I did do however was watch said channels infinitum to glean the information of how different aspects of the setup grip and swing effect how you hit the ball. from this (as we are no longer living in the dark ages) means one can go to their local trackman equipped driving range hit balls, and try things to see what makes them hit the ball better or not.
As it happens I'm pretty short and pretty old too (yes I'm old enough to be classed as a senior could also play from the forward tees in I wanted to) my initial Shots with driver were going 180 yards and my club speed was maybe 75-80 mph
After a few months I was hitting 210 carry with 230 overall and my ball speed was up to 125-130 with a club speed of around 88-90. Over the winter I bought a rhythm trainer ( basically an adjustable speed stick that clicks if you release the club in excess of the dialled in speed. As it happened I haven't been well this year and haven't played however I have been to the range.
Just an easy/steady old man swing is 95-98 mph the ball speed is 140mph and carries 220 yards and goes 240yrd+ total
Because its "Slow or feels slow" I now feel as if I have time to turn the club over during release to promote a draw or leave it more open to fade I can feel the delay in the wrist hinge before release. None of this was possible the way I used to swing a club.
Once the club was taken away the only control I felt I had was when to start the downswing and then i was hitting the ball whether I wanted to or not.
Really cool to see you playing these Portland courses. Wish I could be out there with you.
Great driving in this video mate 👏👏
6:40
Recently just stopped using my 56 and 60 degree wedges for greenside chips. My brother is a magician with a 56 but I noticed I wasn’t leaving them in that tight circle zone very often. For basic chips I’ve started using my 9 and 48 a little more and it really makes the chips a lot easier. Just easier to control. I find myself with much easier putts left over. Good tip!
You are improving! Keep pounding
Your driver swing looks much smoother and controlled. Great job and looks like the work is paying off.
Thank you for that reminder on the 9th hole! I’m guilty of grabbing my lob wedge but recently, switched to my gap and I’ve seen major improvement. Keep up the great videos Adam! 🫡
Would love to see you put the Scotty in timeout for a few rounds!
Ever tried a Lab putter? They are so much easier IMO.
Man I wish I could hit fairways like you. Yesterday I shot a +3 75 with hitting 2 fairways but had a 65% GIR. Granted it's a pretty open course so the rough isn't as penalizing as other courses but man if I could dial in driver, I might break par (which I've never done in 20 years). Anyways, great video as always Adam!
Time to try a LAB DF3? :) Great video as always!
Adam, I am currently an 8 handicap, and you and I would seem to go neck-and-neck over 18 holes. I admire your chip shots, just off the green, and I'm learning the PW or GW works much better than the 54 or 56 degree wedge. I seem to hit the ball so much better than most of my playing partners, but only to find my final score only slightly better than theirs. I need to avoid the double bogies (and a triple every once in a while). I get my long putts pretty close, but will miss my fair share of the 4 footers. I really enjoyed your video. It is "real", and I can really see that we share the same thoughts (and mistakes) on the golf course. Thanks for the video. I really enjoyed it! It made me realize I don't have to stripe 4-irons 200 yards dead straight to post a reasonable score! I think I will take your advice on the "Swingtweaks" lesson! 👍⛳
Your "bad shots" and my "bad shots" are defined much differently. Lol
Your game is just like mine to a T. Distances, thoughts, chipping, driving, handicap ect. Interesting to see it.
Holy flat swing plane!!! Good vid mate
Langdon Farms, I love that course. Your driver was solid this round. Reserve South, OGA Course (real close), Chehalem Glenn, Eastmoreland, Heron Lakes all worth playing and nearby.
Langdon Farms is a great course! I suggest you check out Elk Ridge in Carson, WA the next time you're up in the PDX area. Its about 50min east of Portland in the Gorge.
I enjoyed watching the content. Well put together.
Thanks!
Man, the putter was not cooperating at all for you Adam! Just had elbow surgery yesterday. I’m hoping to be back in action by mid July? Wish me luck friends
I’d play a round with this chap any day and probably benefit immensely from it. Down to earth and to the point.
I know you don’t give swing advice but what about putting advice? I saw in 1 video you posted some putting books but what else can we do to master lag putts?
Yooo nice to see Langdon in one of these vids!
You've been piping the driver recently, wow.
well well well... we wonder why!
Recently just stopped using my 56 and 60 degree wedges for greenside chips. My brother is a magician with a 56 but I noticed I wasn’t leaving them in that tight circle zone very often. For basic chips I’ve started using my 9 and 48 a little more and it really makes the chips a lot easier. Just easier to control.
Shame that your putting let down your driver. Tee game was on fire today. That driver swing looks better and better!
I shot 105 yesterday. It was my worst score ever. I have been working really hard on all aspects of the game. I am a bit discouraged by it to say the least.
You shot better than 105 on your first round ever?
Chin up mate! Another day comes!
@@contractkiller6863 I should have said - since I started writing my scores down and submitting them, so about 40 rounds in total.
@@sndashko Cheers mate. I'm going to give this swing tweaks a crack and see what they say.
Frustrating isn't it, I'm currently in a slump so much of my game is better and saves my bad bit but it just hasn't all Cone together yet, keep playing it will come
This video is basically my game in a nutshell- I scramble very well around the greens because I miss so many. I will bomb a drive 260 every once in awhile. Golf is hard.
Keep it in play off the tee, tidy within 100 and no 3 putts. The keys to breaking 80. Taught by the best
Honestly, if this is your typical day with the driver I'd say that's you're biggest strength even if the distance isn't mind boggling. I'm currently playing to a 5.5 and I'd kill that have that consistency with driver. It's been a very streaky club for me this year, when it's on I can't miss, but when it's off I spend a lot of time bailing myself out with mid/long irons.
I’m 70.
Been a 7 hc just about all my life. Best was 5 in my 30’s but can’t and probably will never achieve my goal of scratch.
What keeps me at 7 is as Adam says, the short game. 100 yards and in and especially just off the green with a good lie. I’ll make more chip-ins from far away (35+) than putting.
After retiring I gave it my all. Daily practice (ab. 300 balls) and at least 9 holes six days a week for about two years. If I could read greens with my younger eyes I might have made it to 3 but I never got better than a 5... that’s averaging about 80.
Tommy Armour, the Silver Scot said a person who shoots mid seventies is an expert. A scratch player will average 75; just about 3 shots over handicap and generally score +/- 6 to handicap.
Walter Hagen, multiple major winner played flawless golf and then out of the blue hits something out of a rank beginner’s repertoire that shocked everyone. He said he expects to make 5 bad shots (sometimes said 7- guess that was on a really bad day) in a round.
I go out with a 5 bad shot attitude and usually manage to stay within that range but I guess my bad shots are much worse than Hagen’s.
So at 70 years old, I know I’ll never get to scratch and hitting 240 yard drives is not so thrilling but the occasional near par rounds keeps me coming back. Hell, I’m just glad I’m alive and can swing a club. The PGA manual stated that a person realizes his lifelong handicap within 3 years of golfing. I tried to prove them wrong, the exception to the rule.
“You’re only here for a short visit. Don’t hurry. Don’t worry. And be sure to smell the flowers along the way.” -Walter Hagen.
Fairways and Greens!
PenguinGolf
Your mental game is very strong which can also drop a few strokes.
It is NOT easier than I think. You also vastly underestimate your ability to find fairways, and your great short game.
I believe the T shot is the most important shot, yeah sure shirt game is very important but it’s rare when around the green you can lose 3 shots. An ob or behind a tree or lost ball is more punishing. When in driving well I shoot 80, when bad closer to 90
Drive for show putt for dough.
If you can’t drive…. You ain’t putting for nothing.
Good stuff here.
Im decent with driver and can chip/pitch pretty good. The rest sucks, but it adds up to a 6 cap somehow.
Its really just about cutting out the penalties, 2-chips, and 3-putts
I love your videos man. One day i would love to be able to join you for a round.
I really love Langdon farms! Such a great track
Yeah I really enjoyed it. Especially the hole with the barn!
Driver was AUTO....MATIC!!!! 💪👍
I shoot consistently around 85-90 and I gotta say. Our first two strokes on each hole are identical… but your short game is way better than mine, it’s the only difference… I guess I need to just work on putting. I did start a few months ago so yeah
I’m not a long hitter with driver so I rely on smooth good hits and precision inside 100yds. I’m a 12.3 hcp and am working hard to get to single digit someday.
Nice Adam😎😎
Really the shank was the only truly unacceptable shot of the round and it led to the only double, so that makes sense.
I work for a 3 and 7s are tough to beat with the strokes
Nothing more triggering than finishing a round with a number of 3 putts from within 20 feet as a single digit handicap. Love the relatability of this channel
Granted your short game is damn good dude I basically am all good till I get to the green is usually when I crumble
Muchwow 😮
177 yard on the hybrid? How tall are you, if you dont mind me asking?
What do you use to create the score graphic in the top right?!
what app do you use to record your swing and shot trace?
Some really nice shot making interrupted by some painfully ugly putting.
What app or program do you use for shot tracer?
Yep. I would still have shanks even at a 7.
If you want to shoot lower scores, layup. Even off the tee. It's never a bad idea
110yd par 3. This dude: I'ma hit a 60 yd lay up
Is that Driver a 'fitted' driver or off the shelf ?
I'm a 9 handicap and that was like looking in a golfing mirror for me. Sometimes it ain't pretty.
Cheers
3 putts are the bane of my life. Without them i would have definitely broken 90 by now.
I played today and shot a 90 on a par 70. I had a pretty average front shooting a 47. Then I tied my 9 hole score on my second 9 with a 43. I’m getting so close to shooting in the 80’s. I didn’t hit many amazing shots. Just played golf and not golf swing.
I’m 3 full rounds plus a 9 par 3 in my life. I’m at a 42 HC. 😂😂
I'm a 10 (been as low as 8.3) and my high hc friends assume I always hit good shots, trutfully my swing is not that great compared to some.of theirw..I literally hit mostly bad shots the entire round...my driver is meh, I almost never hit greens, but I basically am always putting for par and rarely double...but its an ugly game, lots of punching out of trees, and 2 putting from 20-25 feet...every round I'll rattle off maybe one birdie and a handful of pars...that's what 8-10 looks like...no huge mistakes, no doubles, but nothing insanely impressive
Your short game is impressive. The biggest problem I see is distance control on putting. Tidy that up and you're a 4.
Not a tree in site I must be dreaming😂 every course I play has way to many
whats irons do you game
No birdie sound on the first bird??
you know we can see the trees, right? ;-)
I dont get how we the same handicap when i average 30 more yards w every club than you, equal chipping skill, i guess you have me beat with putting
Okay nvm its cuz i go for the hero shot and put up triples and doubles when i should be going for bogey
🤣🤣🤣🤣... You forget what a bad golf really looks like. 😂
That was pretty ugly. 17 bad shots?! Makes me feel like I might be able to do that. Thanks for the motivation.
Worst back swing I've ever seen but pretty good ball striker
Pro tip? Using slope is cheating!
Alright man you are good enough to move back a little to the green tees 😂
After knocking in two 40 ft. birdie putts last week and a chip in par, I am finally in the 7 handicap club 🫣
Not a tree in site I must be dreaming😂 every course I play has way to many