Deciding to Give It a Shot
Alright so I’m just your regular golfer hacking it on weekends. My best score ever? Like 93 on a good day. Then I hear people talking about scratch golfers – you know, those freaks who play PAR or better. My dumb brain goes: “How hard could it be for an average guy like me?” So last month I decided to find out.
The Messy Reality Check
First I thought I’d just practice putting like crazy. Spoiler: that didn’t work. I bought this expensive putting mat for my living room. Practiced 30 minutes every night while watching TV. Week later at the course? Still 3-putting like a beginner. Got so frustrated I almost threw my putter in the lake.
Here’s how my typical practice week looked:
- Driving range sessions: Hit 200 balls, maybe 10 went straight
- Short game torture: Whiffed chips, skulled pitches over greens
- Playing actual holes: Lost minimum 4 balls per round
- Money spent: Way too freaking much on balls and beer
That Moment I Wanted To Quit
Remember that time I said “almost threw my putter”? Well round 3 I actually did throw a club. Not proud of it. Was playing with buddies, topped 3 drives in a row. That 4th one went right into the woods. Grabbed my 7-iron like a tomahawk and chucked it 20 yards. My friends still roast me about it.
The Brutal Truth I Uncovered
After a month grinding:
- My handicap? Went from 21 to… 19. Whoop-de-doo.
- Best round? 91. Basically no improvement.
- Broken clubs? One 7-iron RIP.
Turns out scratch golf isn’t about trying harder. It’s about being born different. These guys see shots I can’t even imagine. Their swings look easy but mine looks like a drunk giraffe.
Where This Left Me
I ain’t becoming a scratch golfer. Period. But you know what? I’m cool with that now. I actually play faster since I stopped overthinking every shot. Still lose balls but laugh about it. My buddies even say I’m more fun to play with. At the end of the day, I realized golf’s about hanging out, cursing bad shots, and that one perfect iron shot every round that keeps you coming back.
Scratch level? Nah. Happy golfer? Heck yes.
