Beginner to 8.8 Handicap in less than 3 Years - How I Did It (6 simple tips)
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- čas přidán 16. 06. 2024
- I have gone from golfing beginner to having an 8.8 handicap in just under 3 years. I started playing golf in June 2021 and in this video I'll break down the key things that I think have enabled me to lower my handicap.
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Chapters
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00:00 - Intro
00:23 - Tip 1
02:36 - Tip 2
09:59 - Tip 3
12:29 - Tip 4
14:28 - Tip 5
17:05 - Tip 6
20:51 - Bonus Tip
21:15 - FAQs
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I really hope this video is helpful golfers! Let me know your best tips below, I'd love to hear them 🏌⛳
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Very interesting post I’ll try some of ya tips 👍👍👍
I think the one tip you forgot to mention tip is that you need to play real golf as often as you can. Range is never the same as the real thing. I’m sure that’s helped you
@jackson3112 great shout! That's something I should have genuinely mentioned in the video
Good video. Is good to have down to earth people start from scratch (from zero, not scratch golf 😅) to good golfers.
I can’t agree with everything, though. Being sub 10 hcp you should have more shots in your bag. Sure, you must have a go-to shot when things don’t work out a certain day, but I guess one should be a bit more ambitious. Go and see Daniel Grieve for that. Another thing I can’t agree with is about taking lessons. I would take a ton of lessons. You have to find a coach that you connect with and , as you said, put a lot of time practicing. Then start going out to the course (9 holes or pitch&putt) and start growing as a golfer. In Spain we have 5th category (hcp over 26) tournaments to get people going and improving.
If you come to Tenerife, give a shout. I’d love to play with you.
🤙🏼
Dan Grieve is a great resource for sure 👍
Great tips Luke. It’s been great watching your journey. Keep the videos coming as I always look forward to them.
Love the towel tip 👍🏽
Thanks Daz! Appreciate that mate
Man this was the perfect video for me. Simple and logical, best of all super authentic and genuine. Thanks dude!
No worries! Thanks for watching 👊
Really helpful tips, cheers.good to see the channel progressing nicely.
Thanks dude! Appreciate it 👍
I went from shooting in the hundreds playing for the first time to being a consistent low 80s and high 70s. I’m a 7 handicap. All it took was playing 2 years consistently almost everyday.
Wow great progress Joe 👍
@@UpDownGolfFaldo was a Walker Cuper in the same time frame. Now that's great progress.
I dream of being able to play that much, good on you 👍🏽 I’d start every with a round if I had it my way.
Dang, good work. I just wish it wasn't so expensive to play that often lol
Great video Luke been following your progress since the first video. You made remarkable progress. Used to play in Highschool in 2010 for half a year then stopped and just picked up golf again in April 2023. Currently playing of 5.5 keep the content going mate, you are definitely helping many players with your videos.
Appreciate it Kev! Glad to hear you’ve picked it up again too mate 👍
Really interesting video. Great to see how far your game has come. Hope it keeps going that direction.
Thanks dude! Appreciate it 👍
You are becoming quite the presenter. It's been great watching your CZcams channel grow. Keep it up!
Appreciate it dude!
Really enjoyed this video. Always called this 'percentage golf'. Playing that shots that give you the highest chance of a positive result, rather than one that will make a highlight reel.
Great content. 👍
Yeah that’s exactly it! 👍 thanks
Iv only been playing 18months and im a 17.1. Iv just hadmy iron fitting so excitedto seehow they help. Loveyour content keep it up
Nice dude! What clubs did you go for?
Fantastic video, very thorough. I'm currently a 19 handicap started last April 2023 and its been a continuous mental challenge to get over bad shots, however I'm slowly forging a good relationship with my clubs and i end up walking off the course whatever the score still loving the game. Continue with the great content on the channel.
Sounds like you're nailing it to me then! Thanks dude 👍
Well done pal. You’ve learned a lot and sharing that with us. Well presented too.
Appreciate it mate!
The tips about the putting and around the green is super helpful and definitely going to use them when i play next.
Thanks Josh, I hope they help you 👍
very good advice mate, much appreciated. Well done!
Appreciate man 👍
Some great advice, cheers 🍻 well done getting your handicap down that low so quick 👍
Appreciate it Paul!
The bump and run is so underrated, also found varying the club you play it with gives you consistent results around the green 👍🏻 super tip
It definitely simplifies those shots around the greens whilst still giving you options 👍
Nice video, good tips as well
I've been playing for 2 years now, and I'm down to a 3.0 hcp, so I'm sure that with a lot of practice and dedication, everyone can achieve it !
Keep on doing what you do, and hopefully you'll go down even more !
Getting down to a 3hcp in 2 years in unheard of! Well done 👍
Great video mate cheers, been trying to break 90 for a while now and feel like these tips could finally help make it happen 🤝
Thanks dude, let me know how you get on! 👊
Great video mate lots of good tips
Cheers Matt!
Excellent video and content and well done on your golfing journey-quite accomplished golfer now.
Thanks Oliver 👍
Great video man. I agree with lining up the putts. I started doing it a couple of months ago and took about 4 or 5 shots off over 9 holes. Thanks for the other tips, that mat looks the business!
Thanks man! Glad you liked it 👍
Very nice tips. Took it to heart.
Hope they help dude!
really liked this video , very helpful
Glad you liked it dude!
Nice One Luke. I like the look of the Golf Gaffer Mat. I think I’ll track it down on Amazon
I've been very impressed with it Bilal 👍
Top video. Good work as ever.
Cheers Neil!
Absolutely fantastic video very insightful well done Luke gives hope that maybe in the not too distant future striking a golf ball half way cleanly will be possible been playing for two weeks now. Keep up the great content
The golf bug has got you Danny! 😂
Great video well done lad
Thanks Dave!
Porzak is the only guy i watch, keeps it really simple.
He does break stuff down well 👍
hello from south africa. i started playing golf last year march and my 1st hc was a 30. 14 months later and am now a 14.5 hci. 🙂 i got addicted to golf and played about 132 games in a year. im just struggling with ball striking. im hoping to be a single hc in another year from now. i loved your video and think the 1 shot needed around green is a awesome tip.
That’s awesome Tom! Your rounds in one year out my numbers to shame! 😅 keep grinding dude 👊
Thanks for the sound advice Luke, keep posting 👍🏼🏌🏻♂️
Thanks for watching Jonathan 👍
Great tips . Thank`s Luke
Thanks for watching Jeff!
I did the same. Started playing in March 22 and now barely over 2y later I'm operating at an 8 and trending down still.
The amount of effort, dedication and obsession it's taken me to get through the 'bad golf' phase can not be understated. It's kind of taken over my free time but I'm in love with the game.
That’s amazing progress mate 👊
free time is for things you enjoy, it’s a an awesome
hobby
Great video and cool giveaway Luke!
Thanks John!
Congratulations on getting to single figures. Great tips you've given. I just had a chipping lesson before seeing your video and he basically said the same thing as you. One shot, different clubs. 👍
Thanks Phil 👍 we like to overcomplicate things sometimes. Makes it even harder
This was fantastic, and its inspired me to re-think my golf game. I’m taking a break from the “CZcams Rabbit Hole” and just going to head to the range this week with a towel and foot spray. I’m also going to give Swing Tweeks a go…
Love that Scott! Let me know how you get on 👊
The putting one is a really good tip. Someone else told me recently that I should try actually looking at the hole instead of burying my head and my distance has gotten way more accurate
Yeah I was bad for it before. It’s helped me a lot 👍
Excellent tips
Thanks for watching dude
8.8! Way to go man. Jealous and inspired.
Thanks dude! 🙌
I definitely agree with your line about improving your golf game is a process or raising both your ceiling and your floor. As you get better, you will absolutely still have ups and downs, but a sure sign of improvement is that your highs gradually get a little bit higher and your lows don't get quite as low.
As a 21 handicapper, I feel like overall my swing is decent and most of my mishits come from either standing up out of my stance too early (pulling my head) or getting too quick with my downswing which gets me out of sync. Obviously any sort of tension and negative thoughts can derail a round as well. Golf is as much a mental game as it is a physical game.
Totally agree dude. You can ruin a round with poor mentals for sure
Luke.....Golf Gaffer Rules, just as the videos ⛳🏌🏼♂️🤘🏻👌🏼
🙌🙌 Appreciate that dude!
Congrats on the video
Thanks man!
Golf is such a mental game - I shot 82 at the end of last year and then another 82 3 weeks ago.
Feeling good I decided take on my nemesis course two days ago.
I was way too tense and absolutely blew up my scorecard on the front nine scoring 55.
Knowing I wasn't gonna break 90 (I'm a 16 HCP), I totally relaxed, on the back 9 and got a lot closer to the golf I can play, shooting 46.
The last time I scored over 100 was 2 years ago, so it just goes to show that the mental side of things is HUGE.
One day I'll break 90 on that course and the day I do I feel like I can actually say l'm half ok at this game 😅
I didn't want to get into the swing if I could help it in this video but tension is a huge killer for me too. I'm always way more stiff after a bad round than I am after a good one. Keep plugging away at that course though dude! You'll get it soon 👊
Well done Luke...next target, CAT1 Good luck 🤞🏼
ONWARDS...
That's it Kent! 👊 Thanks dude
Yeah agree with the comments about presenting, very impressive
Thanks Alastair 👍
Love your videos mate. Could you do a video of how to hit long irons. They’re the clubs I struggle with most but the strong part of my game is short irons weirdly
Thanks dude. I appreciate the question but I don’t want to do you a disservice. I’ve no doubt there’s people online who could guide you better than me. My thought with longer irons is always to not rush the swing. Longer club needs a little more time 👍
We’ve been thru UPs and Downs throughout the journey mate. Come on, it’s time for break 75 series!! 😂💪🏻
😂 Love that
Good content !
Thanks Frank 👍
Some nice tips there Luke 👍🏻 it’s nice to see where u r now from a couple of years back ur starting to reap the reward from some serious hard work so well done 👍🏻 would love to enter the comp but not on instagram pal 😥🤣 🏴👍🏻
Thanks JT! Apologies, I’ll do the next one on YT 👍
I notice some Golf Sidekick waddaplaya confidentiality themes in this video. Thanks, these tips are right where my game needs work
I'm confidential these tips will help padawan 👀
I used the putter swing thought of rolling the ball and it really helped. 3 putted less, I was always short and now I'm usually long. I still need an iron swing thought 😂.
That’s awesome Dave! Glad it helped 👊
Unbelievably great thumpnail! :)
Haha thanks man!
Thanks for sharing! You're so right about the CZcams rabbit hole! I've had more epiphanies just watching people swing on broadcasts, and CZcams, than actually being TOLD what to do haha
I know this isn't a Q and A video, so I apologize in advance but when you first started did you find yourself hitting the ground behind the ball often? As in, WAY behind the ball? There has been times when I whacked the ground, which let me tell you, is never pleasant. When I first started, my wrists hated me. Always reminds me to turn more haha
Definitely Dave! The more tense I get, the more behind the ball I hit for sure. Did this a lot early on
@@UpDownGolf thanks for the reply!
And for making me feel better about it, knowing it's not just me haha
Great video, love the improvement in your game Luke. Have entered the giveaway I need that so bad my strike is terrible 😅
Thanks Rob! Awesome, the mat is great 👍 good luck!
Great video… If you fancy a round at Woolley I’d be up for that.
Thanks Michael 👍
Dont always practice off of mats. Hit off or grass. Throw some balls in the rough and practice out of that. Mats will give you a false sense of low point
This is a great point 👍
"Don't go down the CZcams rabbit hole"
Best bit of advice on here.
It can be never ending
Great ideas very simple and straight forward,
I watch the channel and do think there is a notable difference after your session with Marcus Bell
Can't disagree with you at all. His lesson was definitely eye opening. I'd say it's changed my intention over the ball which has taken sometime to manifest itself in the swing but I completely agree
I agree all changes are not instant and take a little time.
I particularly saw more separation of movement, leading to a free flowing follow through in your swing👍
Something I do when lining up my shots, I pick my target and walk up to address the ball not taking my eye off it. This prevents me from losing my target because it looks different at address compared to behind.
Agreed. Very easy to become disorientated once you're stood over the ball isn't it
How i got to 7.5 in 3 years with no prior experience.
All clubs priority - Center Contact, contact, contact and contact.
Ive always put a towel behind the ball and go through the pain but worth it trust me. Nothing will improve with bad contact even with game improvement.
And Alignment.
Putting
- pace control
- start line
Wedges
- ability to hit specific numbers
- flight control
Irons, woods
- start line
- shape
- consistent carry numbers
The rest is playing the course
- Go aggressive to conservative targets
- aim for 2 putts only
- do anything and everything to keep tee shots in play
Alignment is something I need to work more on. Like it dude 👍
Very impressive stuff, what's the next goal, Luke?
Thanks Jonny! Just keep going lower if possible 👍
@@UpDownGolf simple, but effective! I like it
I would add one: play in bad weather conditions: windy, wet, rainy, hot&dry… This will help you understand how it affects your shots and distances. If you only play perfect weather you’ll never improve.
I totally agree with all tips. On the course always play your strengths rather than trying to play beautifully.
Yeah good shout on the weather. It can very easily catch you out if you don't know how to adjust
I wrote my average carrys on little stickers and stuck them to the head of my ironswould have wrote them straight onto the irons but I've only played for about 7 months so they are changing as I improve lol
It's a good idea mate. Think Westwood does the same 👍
I have regular lesson with a pro but keep going back to the same crap golf when I’m on the course. I’m not learning anything 🤷♂️ should I just give up and take up darts ????
Many thanks
Danny ps ... great video by the way
Damn, why have I never come across that towel tip before... I strike the ball generally well but I'm a bit flat at the bottom so often catch it a bit fat. Will be trying that tomorrow, could be golden. CZcams rabit hole comes through again!
Haha it's a great drill mate 👍
Was that Mount Golf and Country Club aka Perton Golf club in the first few seconds? Looks familiar.
Woolley Park GC
I love the putting tip.I'll assume USGA rules allows anyone to pick up their golf ball (with a marker) on the green anytime and reset the line? And also, we can use a different golf ball with lines, marks, etc?
Yeah to my knowledge Eddie 👍
I like to use masking tape and make a box and if u hit the tape close to the toe u hit it in the heel and if u hit the one on the back u fatted it and if u hit the one in the front it shows good compression and plus masking tape is rlly accessible and u won’t care if it’s damaged
Good idea 👍 does it stick to the range mats okay?
@@UpDownGolf yes usually and no on raining days
Tbh I’d still thin the 9 iron into the bunker 😂
Haha we've all got one in us Bando 😂
Match against Tom Roberts of Absolute Bandits would make a great video. Similar handicaps and both great content makers.
Great shout Humble 👍
I like to put 3 balls in a line and hit the middle ball to make sure im coming in square
Nice, I tend to use either the rubber tee or a headcover. I only need it one side as I live on the heel 😂
Can you give a little more information on how you used the towel drill and moving low point forward? I understand that you have to miss the towel but how did you move the low point forward?
The low point moves in front of the ball by using the towel James. If you have the towel close and miss it as you strike the ball, you will hit the ball first and ground after. This gives you a low point that is after the ball 👍
@@UpDownGolf Thanks! I suppose what I’m asking is how exactly does the low point move forward? By moving your upper torso towards the target? Shifting your lower body towards the target? It doesn’t seem to matter how much I want to miss the towel, I hit it, unless I slide massively to the left. Sorry for the confusion!
Your low point will typically be where your centre of mass is when you bottom out with the club. So if you are finding yours is behind the ball, then you need to get your centre of mass further forward. Hard to say what would be the cause (as I'm no coach and can't see your swing) but swaying for example usually causes it. A proper coach would definitely help you with this 👍
Great video, love the gaffer mat, but I'm not on Instagram so I'm out of the drawing to win one. Are these available in USA? I searched and see some similar but with felt, not glass beads. I'm a new golfer (1 yr). I'd gladly accept one if they want to send one to Montana.
Hey John, apologies I'll make sure to do the next giveaway on YT instead 👍
Pitching/chipping:
Hit it high, you're gonna cry.
Keep it low and get the hos 💯
I've never heard that one!
I’ve gone from 19 to 25 handicap in the past 6 months 😖
Awesome work Mick 👊
playing an easy course probably helps. what is the slope rating of your current club?
I'm not a member of a club. We play a variety of the courses around us.
An easy course wouldn't make a difference either as the slope would be lower? Therefore you'd need to shoot either lower
@@UpDownGolf How about a subscriber challenge? I am nearby at Rotherham Golf Club(home course of Masters champ Danny Willet)? You can be my guests, i will take you on? It is a very nice course. I notice you play in the South Yorkshire area sometimes.
11:36 I give my shelf… little Sean Connery
Haha I noticed that when editing 😂
thanks for the video. we need woody back :(
Thanks! I'll try get him back on soon 👍
I use dry shampoo on my club if i need to see where i am hitting it on the face. Really easy to see
Nice, never thought of that 👍
How often did you practice
I'd say the range on average once per week and then I try to play a couple times per week if possible 👍
Which app are you using to track your handicap
The iGolf app Chris. It's through England Golf 👍
Arccos is great.. at least in the US, idk about other countries.
I've thought about Arccos before. Do you use the shot tracking system too? Do you like it?
Good video, Luke! But...I have to respectfully disagree on the lessons. I think Swingtweaks lessons are great for more advanced players, but it's useful for mid-high handicappers to have a coach to identify the issue, provide a drill or solution and see you do it. Often times you think you're doing what the coach is telling you to do, but you're not. I do think 30 minutes lessons are probable the best value for your money, and that it is essential to use video support during lessons.
I hear you G. I pay £60 per hour for my lessons and Swing Tweaks is £20 normally (even cheaper with the code) and the ST coach highlighted the same issue as the coach I saw in real life did. For people looking to reduce the cost of tuition, I don't think you can go wrong with it at all
@@UpDownGolf I was going to ask what way key to your own development - how many lessons have you had over the last three years and what have you done to supplement that, i.e. do you follow any CZcams instructors? Well done by the way!
I've answered some of those questions at the end of the video mate 👍 I don't follow any specific YT instructors but I do think there are some great ones on there
I got to 7.3 in 3 years aswell, lucky i guess
Well played dude!
The instagram post doesn't say anything about entering on youtube.... 🤔
Ah just follow the instructions on the insta post 👍
⛳️
🤙
Great video. But what I see a lot of is European guys with low handicaps, but you are playing on links courses. Which makes it way easier. My home course is lined on every hole with woods and water. I would love for you to come over here and play a round and see if that 8 holds up.
We don’t play links courses mate (not often anyway). Not sure I’d agree links courses are easier either tbh. Just uploaded a video at a place called Forest Pines. All tree lined and water hazards. I shot 10 over in total
Lol I would love to see you play a proper links 😂
@@spa2damaxI actually have played quite a few when I was in UK last year. For reference I am an 17 handicap here. I shot low 80’s on each course. So for me they are easier than what I play here.
Why are you on igolf and not a member anywhere? Are you just paying green fees all the time to get on course practice?
Yeah we play a variety of courses around us. Never needed/wanted to tie ourselves to one course
£96, I’ll practice with a towel at the range 😊😂
Yeah I hear you, you can still make good progress without expensive training aids. Although I use the mat indoors a lot which is hard to replicate
Not all of us have Instagram 🙃 nice video though
Apologies! I'll make sure I do the next one on here instead 👍
You are dead on on the forcing high arcing 60 degree wedge shots. Its what pitching wedge was made for originally... to pitch. Everything inside 100 yards takes no effort at all with the pitching wedge yet, I myself included, we keep avoiding it for some reason pretending to be pros.
I still catch myself doing it when I don’t need to as well. We make it harder on ourselves when we don’t need to 😂
Tbf if you look at 15YO clubs and look at newish irons the lofts are so different. I have a set of very old irons I got off ebay (lol) I hit my 8 about 140 (on a good hit) i hit my old man 2YO callaway 8 160+ that's why now we all of a sudden need 2+ wedges. Imo anyway
Well done Luke great tips and love what you have done with your chanel .However keep this up and your game will no longer be relatable lol.Does Fents so so relatable have his own chanel or has he left me behind too ha ha.
Aha thanks dude! No don’t worry, Fents’ game is going the other way 😂
Loads of Common sense . Well worth watching. Dont suppose you have a Great tip for slicing and pushing.
Thanks Mick 👍 My tip would genuinely be to have a pro look at your swing. There’s a host reasons it can happen. Make use of that Swing Tweaks discount mate
Yes, I agree had many different pros over a long long period, never found anyone that made any difference, even went up to Doncaster to Zen golf with 2 Grandsons, they got excellent results. Me nothing. Age comes into it, but always push or slice particularly with Driver. Tried 7 wood few days back in 3 club and putter comp. Worked really well on front 9 then went to pieces. So looks like I’ll have to revert to 7 wood for a bit. Thanks for reply.
7 handicap in 3 years is not hard.
Learn to hit straight
Putt putt putt.
Chip with confidence
👍
Towel -- you hit in very thin.
I did or you do when using the towel?
6 simple tips: 25 minutes...
💀
8.8 with that swing. Lol
Cringe
3 years lol took me 8 months
👍
Well done, mate. Now teaching and sponsors, who'd a thought a couple of years ago?
You'll have to come down to Australia with Fents, and play a few of our courses.
Thanks Pom, it’s gone better than expected for sure 😅 Australia looks top class