Great video James! Super jealous at how well you play in such a short time! Maybe you've already mentioned it in another video, but I'm curious as to your process in getting to a low handicap. How many lessons did you take, if any? How many rounds per week/month do you play? And how often do you go to the range or spend time practicing?
Thanks Andy! This is going to be a long response, so buckle up haha. I recorded a range session and did a voice recording over it to share what I personally do at the range. I'll be uploading that in the near future. Disclaimer: I'm still early in my golf journey so my methods are just what I found helpful for me personally. I've had about 5 total lessons over the past 2+ years. I ultimately decided consistent in-person golf instruction wasn't worth the money (most instructors asking over $200/hr in the Bay and spend half the lesson talking), and instead visit an instructor only when I have a big miss that I can't figure out (for example I once had a hook randomly appear with all my clubs... that was not fun). I play once a week, and hit the range 1-2 times a week. Unfortunately I don't have as much time to practice my short game (chipping/bunkers). I'll typically lose 2-4 strokes a round due to my greenside work, and about 3-5 strokes from my putting (for example not getting a lag putt close enough or missing a 4 footer to save par). My full swing is in a pretty good spot right now, so a lot of what I've been working on lately are more subtle items like alignment/setup (right now it's where I'm aiming and ball placement). I probably lose 5-7 strokes per round from full swings that aren't struck well or offline. In other words, I typically lose 10-16 strokes per round. If I can get better by 1-2 strokes in each of the above departments in the next year, I'll be able to achieve my goal of a 5 index. It's actually the reason why I've been spending a bunch of time on my driver in the past 6 months. I've noticed the guys who are mid-single digit handicaps are all consistent drivers of the ball, while I will have at least 2-4 drives per round that are pretty bad, leaving me with a 200 yard approach. I'm also super fortunate because one of my close friends is a scratch golfer, and I've had the fortune of meeting a bunch of really, really good golfers over the past 2+ years. Watching them play and getting to pick their brain during a round is invaluable. Know that was a long response, but hope it's helpful to read through. Let me know what kind of videos you'd like to see! Always love hearing feedback from people who follow.
@@golfwithjames Wow thank you for the detailed reply! Been watching your channel for a bit, it's cool to see how you've improved so fast. That's amazing. I've been stuck at around 20 handicap for the past 2 years haha. But I only have myself to blame, as I don't practice and don't go to the range much. I'm a bit more motivated this year to really buckle down though; I'm sick of being 4th place every round with the friends! Looking forward to more videos!
Great job James. I am honored by your commitment and your grind. To your best year yet.
Gotta lower it before Kiawah!
I have been playing around the same amount of time. My goal this year is 15hcp!
Let's go!!
Great video James! Super jealous at how well you play in such a short time! Maybe you've already mentioned it in another video, but I'm curious as to your process in getting to a low handicap. How many lessons did you take, if any? How many rounds per week/month do you play? And how often do you go to the range or spend time practicing?
Thanks Andy! This is going to be a long response, so buckle up haha. I recorded a range session and did a voice recording over it to share what I personally do at the range. I'll be uploading that in the near future. Disclaimer: I'm still early in my golf journey so my methods are just what I found helpful for me personally.
I've had about 5 total lessons over the past 2+ years. I ultimately decided consistent in-person golf instruction wasn't worth the money (most instructors asking over $200/hr in the Bay and spend half the lesson talking), and instead visit an instructor only when I have a big miss that I can't figure out (for example I once had a hook randomly appear with all my clubs... that was not fun).
I play once a week, and hit the range 1-2 times a week. Unfortunately I don't have as much time to practice my short game (chipping/bunkers). I'll typically lose 2-4 strokes a round due to my greenside work, and about 3-5 strokes from my putting (for example not getting a lag putt close enough or missing a 4 footer to save par). My full swing is in a pretty good spot right now, so a lot of what I've been working on lately are more subtle items like alignment/setup (right now it's where I'm aiming and ball placement). I probably lose 5-7 strokes per round from full swings that aren't struck well or offline. In other words, I typically lose 10-16 strokes per round.
If I can get better by 1-2 strokes in each of the above departments in the next year, I'll be able to achieve my goal of a 5 index. It's actually the reason why I've been spending a bunch of time on my driver in the past 6 months. I've noticed the guys who are mid-single digit handicaps are all consistent drivers of the ball, while I will have at least 2-4 drives per round that are pretty bad, leaving me with a 200 yard approach.
I'm also super fortunate because one of my close friends is a scratch golfer, and I've had the fortune of meeting a bunch of really, really good golfers over the past 2+ years. Watching them play and getting to pick their brain during a round is invaluable.
Know that was a long response, but hope it's helpful to read through.
Let me know what kind of videos you'd like to see! Always love hearing feedback from people who follow.
@@golfwithjames Wow thank you for the detailed reply! Been watching your channel for a bit, it's cool to see how you've improved so fast. That's amazing. I've been stuck at around 20 handicap for the past 2 years haha. But I only have myself to blame, as I don't practice and don't go to the range much. I'm a bit more motivated this year to really buckle down though; I'm sick of being 4th place every round with the friends! Looking forward to more videos!
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gotta work on that balance bro, but good stuff