"What's Holding You Back From Scoring 80?"
The Difference Between A 98 Golfer And An 80 Golfer!
How much better is a Golfer that averages 80 versus a Golfer that averages 98? The easy answer is 18 strokes. However, what goes into those 18 strokes? Well, that is hard to say because there are many different ways to score 80 and many different ways to score 98.
Yet, how can a 98 Golfer get down to an 80 Golfer? And trust me – I’m not going to get into the “you have to improve your short game” mantra.
You could look at it as if the 98 Golfer scores one stroke higher on each hole – but that’s usually not the case. More often than not – the 98 Golfer makes similar scores on around 11 of the 18 holes. So you really don’t have to improve 1 stroke per hole … it's more about improving over those 7 bad holes. In other words – it’s not an issue of the 98 Golfer playing badly from hole to hole – it’s more of a Blow-up Hole issue.
An 80 Golfer could be getting there by making: 7 Bogey’s, 1 Double Bogey, 1 Birdie and 9 Pars.
A 98 Golfer could be getting there by making: 8 Bogey’s, 4 Double Bogey’s, 2 Triple Bogey’s, 1 Quad Bogey and 3 Par’s.
What’s interesting is that these two Golfers had a similar amount of holes that were 1 over par. It seems that the major issue is that the 98 Golfer had three holes that added 10 extra strokes to their score. Which means that 10 of the 18 stroke difference (or 55% of the difference) was made on just three golf holes!
Blow-up holes – what causes them?
Blow-up holes can come from many different things, although let's just focus on one of them -- tee shots that go out of bounds – which means that you should go back to the tee to hit your drive again. That would mean the next golf ball you hit from the tee box would count as your 3rd shot. However, in my estimation, I would guess that over 90 out of every 100 Golfers don’t exactly play by the Rules of Golf – and instead of going back to the tee, they just drop a golf ball somewhere around where their golf ball was lost (playing it as a lateral hazard) – while adding 1 stroke.
So for the majority of Golfers – a bad tee shot counts only as one extra stroke – instead of stroke and distance (meaning going back to the tee and hitting again … which is more like a two stroke penalty). Which means that if you did hit a bad tee shot into the trees – it shouldn’t cause a Double, Triple or Quad Bogey. If you played well from there – it should end up as just a Bogey.
Except … when you do hit that bad tee shot and think to yourself: “Well, I just hit a terrible shot. I lost a golf ball, that’s a one stroke penalty, so I’m now hitting my third shot and I’m still 230 yards from the green. I better hit my 3 wood and try to get on the green and make the putt for par or get as close to the green as I can so that my next shot is an easy wedge.”
Your quote above reminds me of an old Jeff Foxworthy redneck joke: “You know you’re a redneck if anyone in your family died after saying – hey y’all ... watch this!”
It’s similar because whenever you hear a Golfer say what I wrote above about using their 3 wood (or something to that effect), you know a disaster is about to happen. Or in other words – here’s another Golfer about to have a Blow-up Hole.
Why not just hit your 5 iron somewhere short of the green (leaving yourself a great angle to the flag) and then hit your pitching wedge or something similar onto the green for your 4th shot. At the very worst you’ll make a Double Bogey and quite possibly walk away with a Bogey. Because if it's 230 yards to the center of the green … that means it might only be 210 to 215 yards to the front of the green. A 5 iron that goes only 150 yards leaves you with only 60 to 65 yards to the green.
But no – you hit your 3 wood. And yes, one time out of ten, you’ll hit the green or be within a few yards of it. And three times out of ten you’ll hit it somewhere in the fairway – anywhere from topping it 30 yards to hitting it 170 yards. Two times out of ten you’ll find a fairway bunker that’s not very inviting. And four times out of ten you’ll be back into the trees or across the fairway into the water.
So using that 3 wood on those ten opportunities allow you to hit the green once – which results in either a phenomenal par or two putts for Bogey. However, the other 9 times you play the hole – it results in maybe 1 Bogey, 2 Double Bogey’s, 3 Triple Bogey’s and 3 Quad Bogey’s.
While the 80 Golfer that hit the same exact tee shot as you did: will first read the golf course before selecting their club. Then he/she will choose a club that will allow them to advance the ball up the fairway and put it in a position that will allow them a great angle to attack the flagstick with either a wedge or 9 iron. Which would mean they would most likely end up with 7 Bogey’s and 3 Double Bogey’s.
The results of those 10 holes: the 98 Golfer in those 10 holes would be 26 over par – while the 80 Golfer would be 13 over par in those 10 holes.
Now, the 80 Golfer may also have a more consistent golf swing than the 98 Golfer does – however, it’s not as big of a difference as most Golfers expect. The biggest difference in their games might be that the 80 Golfer has more realistic expectations on what they can accomplish with their golf swing.
Whereas the 98 Golfer has grand illusions that they’re going to hit the green with their 3 wood – the 80 Golfer makes a PLAN based on what they see in front of them and then determines how they can play this hole using their strengths.
Now, the above situation is just one of many that happen on the golf course every time you play. And if we put all those situations together – that could add up to why (as previously stated above) 10 strokes of the 18 stroke difference happens on just 3 holes!
So, Mr. & Mrs. 98 Golfer ... just think how well you'd be playing if you could just eliminate those 3 Blow-up Holes.
The Monkey often selects which club to hit without first reading the golf course
The Player first reads the golf course to make a PLAN – then selects a club based on being able to play to their strengths
Go ahead, be a Player!
Regards,
Marc Solomon - Your Instructor For Life
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Golf Schools by Golf Made Simple, Inc.
Contact info:
1-888-580-3635 (US & Canada)
001.904.460.8355 (International)
Our 3-Day Program IncludeS:
• 3-days of 4+ hours of Golf Instruction each day
• 9-holes of On-Course Instruction each day
• Your Class Limited to only 4-Golfers
• A PLAN to take home for continuous On-Course Improvement
• Instructor for Life Program
• The GMS Player Page on the Golf Made Simple Website
• 3-nights Accommodations
• 9-holes of Golf after class each day
• Lunch in the clubhouse each day
• And most importantly you'll be hitting the ball really well!
GMS has locations in:
Florida: St. Augustine -- Boca Raton -- Tampa -- Amelia Island
California: Palm Springs/La Quinta -- Lake Tahoe
Arizona: Phoenix
Europe: Sotogrande, Spain
Colorado: Denver
Virginia: Washington DC area
Wisconsin: Lake Geneva
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GMS Photo of the Week
The photo by Ken Allen of his golf bag and the awesome view our Golfers experience each day, was taken at our private practice area at the SilverRock Resort Golf Course. Wow! Can you think of a better place to hold a GMS Progam?
And if you have a photo from your GMS Experience, send it to MyPlayerPhoto@GolfMadeSimple.com and we'll send you a small thank you gift.
"What Can You Learn From A PGA Tour Player?"
Excerpted from GIW Issue 198 - May 3rd, 2007
This can’t be farther from the truth.
I’m sure you’d agree that the most consistent Golfers in the world are the Men and Women that play professionally on the PGA and LPGA Tours. And if we look at their consistency – you’ll actually see....
Golf Schools by Golf Made Simple, Inc.
Contact info:
1-888-580-3635 (US & Canada)
001.904.460.8355 (International)
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“More In 2 Days Than I Received In A Lifetime Of Lessons!”
Hi Alex,First of all I just want to say what a great experience I had with Jeff and the Golf Made Simple Program at Heron Bay. I got more out of my 2 days with Jeff than I had in a lifetime of half-hour, patchwork lessons at home.
The simple practical, immediately applicable approach to improving your game was just what I needed in order to take some significant strides this golf season. I am already seeing improvement in the few rounds I have played since returning home. Jeff was an excellent instructor /teacher. He was very patient and clearly outlined the objectives we were trying to accomplish from drill to drill.
I definitely plan on attending GMS again (probably next spring - level 1.5).
Thanks again and hopefully I will be able to convince some of my golfer friends to pay you guys a visit. God knows some of them could use it!
Regards,
Craig H - Nova Scotia, Canada - Sent April 13th, 2010
Attended Boca Raton, Florida location on March 29th to 31st, 2010
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“85 - My Best Round Ever!”
Hi Marc,More details on how I'm hitting it better--much better tempo and much more solid contact. My regular golf partners have commented on that and how I seem much more relaxed. And I am! I'm freed up from all those swing thoughts you mentioned in the latest GIW. I'm just concentrating on tick tock on the course and the drills on the range. I especially like the step thru drill--it really helps get my left side involved.
It came together today when I shot 85--my best round ever. And that's not all -- I started the back with 4 bogies BUT THEN, over the last 5 holes, by far my best ever stretch--par par birdie par par for a 39! First time ever under 40 for 9 holes.
Thanks a lot - Tick Tock
Jeff F – Warwick, New York - Sent April 14th, 2010
Attended St. Augustine location on March 12th to 14th, 2010
Share Your Golf Made Simple Testimonials | Click Here
Golf Schools by Golf Made Simple, Inc.
Contact info:
1-888-580-3635 (US & Canada)
001.904.460.8355 (International)
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Wow - You're Going To Love This!
So GMS had a special meeting and we decided to pass those discounts onto our Golfers!
It wasn't a hard decision to make. Although, there were some thoughts of not passing on the discounts and using the extra dollars to take a trip to Hawaii or Italy. But, as tempting as that is - we feel great passing these discounts onto you.
Whitehawk Ranch is such a great location in California - just north of Lake Tahoe and less than 1 hour from Reno. We want you to experience what Marc feels is our best location -- our maybe a better way to say it is - his favorite GMS location.
If you're looking for quiet, peaceful, turn the cell phone off for 3 days, great accommodations and even better golf --- our Lake Tahoe location is unbelievable. Yes, the deluxe cabins do have wifi if you want to get on the internet, however you might not even want to do that. We received this email late last year from the wife of a Golfer that came to see us in Lake Tahoe:
My Husband's skill has greatly improved and it impressed a lot of his friends. They all want to take the class from your school. And we all loved the resort, my daughters 12 and 10 years old really enjoyed the little lake and horseback riding in Greagle. My husband relaxed and enjoyed so much that he did not even touch the computer to check e-mails each evening as he had planned to do before the trip. The place is very beautiful and relaxing.
Thanks,
Joann P - Sent December 23rd, 2009 - Husband attended GMS on August 21st to 23rd, 2009
Are you looking to get away? Our Whitehawk Ranch location just north of Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada mountains is ideal. And now with the discounts we have received and are passing onto you -- it's even more ideal!
Regards,
Alexandria - Director
Golf Made Simple, Inc.
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Golf Schools by Golf Made Simple, Inc.
Contact info:
1-888-580-3635 (US & Canada)
001.904.460.8355 (International)
10 Important Aspects Your 3-Day Program Includes:
- 3 DAYS WITH 4+ HOURS OF INSTRUCTION EACH DAY - Improve your golf swing with the GMS Drills that have helped 1,000's
- 9-HOLES OF ON-COURSE INSTRUCTION EACH DAY - A critical part of the day!
- YOUR CLASS LIMITED TO ONLY 4 GOLFERS
- A PLAN FOR CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT - Learn how to practice effectively, as opposed to just hitting golf balls
- THE INSTRUCTOR FOR LIFE PROGRAM - Your follow-up program to further insure continued improvement
- THE GMS ONLINE PLAYER PAGE - Have online access to all GMS Drills used during your program
- 3-NIGHTS ACCOMMODATIONS - If you have your own accommodations, we also offer commuter pricing
- 9 ADDITIONAL HOLES OF GOLF EACH DAY
- LUNCH IN THE CLUBHOUSE EACH DAY - Rest, eat, refresh, get ready for the afternoon session
- HIT THE GOLF BALL MORE SOLID THAN EVER! - Read about the improvement of other Golfers!
GMS has locations in:
Florida: St. Augustine -- Boca Raton -- Tampa -- Amelia Island
California: Palm Springs/La Quinta -- Lake Tahoe
Arizona: Phoenix
Europe: Sotogrande, Spain
Colorado: Denver
Virginia: Washington DC area
Wisconsin: Lake Geneva
