Path to Becoming a Scratch Golfer

Start with a goal, collect some data.

Setting goals is incredibly important. If for no other reason than to know whether you've achieved what you intended to achieve and, to know whether to be disappointed with the result or not. Obviously, if you're reading this, you have some interest in playing a high level of golf and have already set a goal for yourself of becoming a scratch golfer. (Depending on where your beginning is, this is a goal that could take several years to achieve).

A scratch golfer is someone who carries a handicap index of 0 and if you're following the GHIN measurement that means the average of your lowest 8 of 20 scores will be used to calculate your handicap. So, at least a few of them will most likely need to be under par.

The first thing you need to do to achieve this goal is collect data: document your stats for the next 10-15 rounds so that you can analyze and determine a pattern, to see what areas in particular need focused improvement. We need to know how many fairways you're hitting, greens in regulation and putts you have each round - this will give us a good idea of what to work on to achieve your goal.

Scratch Golf: Lofty Goal?

Practice with purpose.

No matter what your playing ability is, you’re more than likely going to spend 40-50% of your shots for the entire round inside of 30 yds from the hole. So, wouldn't it make sense to spend 40-50% of your practice time on either your driver, your wedges or your putter? Scratch golfers exhibit a high level of ball striking, consistently hitting fairways and greens in regulation approximately 60% of the time.

If you hit 50% of the fairways, 10-12 greens per round, only 3-putt once and don’t hit any penalty shots then you’re likely going to be scoring somewhere in that 69-75 region. Scratch golfers are highly proficient at reading greens and making accurate putts, rarely three-putting. But it's possible to shoot level par, or better, with only one of these categories as a real strength.

Obviously if you do everything else the same but only improve in one of these categories, you’re likely to improve your score. Visualizing success before a shot helps golfers create a positive outcome in their subconscious mind.

It's important to work on mechanics in your swing that produce the results you're after but to also put those swings to the test with practice sessions of real consequence - simulating real golf round scenarios. For example, trying to hit a green with your 9 iron 5 out of 10 times, or limiting the misses only to the left of the flag pretending there's a bunker or a penalty area to the right. Success breeds confidence, and confidence breeds success and so on.

Becoming a Scratch Golfer

Lean into the pressure, or take the weight off

I can’t tell you how many times I hear a golfer say they want to lower their scores and then when pressed on their practice routine they'll proudly say they spend most of their time hitting a 7 or 6 iron at the range for hours.

One of my favorite quotes is “If you keep doing what you’ve been doing, you’ll keep getting what you’re getting”. When we aim to improve, it’s important to spend time working on the part of the game we are less comfortable with, that's why collecting data is important. I know that doesn’t sound like fun – but this is where real gains can be made. Get uncomfortable and enjoy it! Learning to embrace pressure can be beneficial, as nervousness is a part of the game and can be harnessed positively.

Going through the struggle of really working on that club you're afraid of, that shot you've never been able to pull off, will pay dividends - it will, you have to believe that it will. And working backwards from the hole to improve your skill and build confidence will free you of the burden of any fear you may have on the golf course.

If you know you can handle any situation your game may find you in, then it allows you to commit to hitting shots with little (or ideally no) hesitation or doubt.

If you feel confident that you can make any putt inside of 6ft then you alleviate the pressure on your chipping to hit it to gimme range, and if your chipping is good then you're not always feeling as though hitting the green is a "must", and so on.

Your swing mechanics may very well improve by hitting hundreds of 7 irons when you practice but it's not likely to affect your overall score dramatically, especially since you're likely to neglect other parts of your game.

Bad Holes, Mental Game and Scratch Player Mindset

When it comes to lowering your handicap to scratch, one of the biggest challenges is managing those bad holes that can easily derail your round. Every golfer, even the best scratch players, will encounter a bad shot or two during a round. The best players in the world hit poor shots, it's a part of the game.

Their ability to recover both mentally, by bouncing back and focusing on the next shot, and physically by hitting the next required shot is what really sets them apart from players who struggle to put a whole round together.

A crucial part of the scratch player mindset is embracing the concept that mistakes are inevitable but recoverable. If you care about your score at the end of the round then it is important to remember not to compound errors - i.e. following up a poor shot with a high-risk, hero-type shot with little probability of success and high probability of ending in a double bogey or worse.

Mental toughness and tenacity are key to not only improving your scores (and thereby eventually working towards becoming a scratch golfer) but also dealing with adversity on the course - and it'll help you get through a round of golf without setting your hair on fire.

Instead of dwelling on a poor shot, scratch golfers adopt a 'next shot' mentality—letting go of the past and concentrating fully on the present, on the task at hand. This approach helps them maintain a more even keeled temperament and puts less stress on their emotional capacity, avoiding the roller coaster golfers can sometimes ride on while playing a round, competitive or otherwise.

Pre-Shot Routine

So, working backwards, if you've hit a bad shot, you're now hopefully better equipped to handle that and move on. But before you hit that shot, a pre-shot routine can go a long way to making sure you've done everything you can to control the things you can control.

You have taken all the external factors into consideration (distance, wind, lie, etc.) and have done your rehearsals, checked all the things on your preflight checklist, then finding what works for you will take some trial and error. Whether it be standing behind the ball and visualizing your shot, taking 2 practice swings, looking at the target 2, 3, or 5 times - these are individual choices a scratch player would have made over years of playing golf and finding success. Remember not to take too long and be a considerable playing companion.

Conclusion

Ultimately, becoming a scratch golfer is not just about physical skills but also about developing the mental resilience and mindset required to navigate the ups and downs of a round. This is a journey filled with personal bests, breakthroughs, finally conquering the stretch of holes that's always had your number. With patience, dedication, and the right mental approach, you can improve your game and take meaningful steps toward achieving the goal of being a scratch golfers. Find yourself a good coach, track your progress, remember what works for you so you can access it when needed, and most importantly enjoy it. Enjoy the journey.