Getting to scratch

Question
QUESTION: Hello Eddie,

My name is Mathew MacDonald, I am 18 years old, and have been playing golf since I was 6 years old. Unfortunately, I did not take the game very seriously, until about two years ago, when I started playing more, practicing more, and finally, my handicap has been dropping. So far this year, I have dropped my handicap from a 8.3 to a 4.0, but I seem to have hit a bit of a plateau. So, my question is: What does a scratch or better player do that most 4 handicaps don't? As well, how good does one have to be to be able to compete on The Canadian Tour, The Nationwide Tour, or even the PGA Tour? Obviously, I have a long way to go before I get anywhere near that level, but I'd like to see how good I can get, and see if I have any hopes of playing at that kind of level.

Any other information you can give me regarding this subject would be great, and just in case it might help you, here are my stats so far this year: 53% of Fairways in Regulation, 60% of greens in regulation, 1.73 Putts per hole. If you need any other information, I will be more than happy to accommodate.

Thanks again,

Mathew MacDonald

ANSWER: Hi Matthew:

Congratulations on your decision to start getting after your golf game.  To answer your first question about the difference between a 4 and a scratch?  Answer:  better short game.  He is a better putter than you, a better chipper than you, a better pitcher of the ball than you and he is a better bunker player than you.  He doesn't hit it much better than you, he just gets it in the hole quicker than you.  He doesn't make as many mental mistakes as you do and he is capable of making the best of a bad round.  It's called experience, and that is what you lack right now.  In reference to the Canadian, Nationwide, or PGA Tour?  Picture how hard you'll need to work to get to a scratch, then times that by 10.  Take a look at the stats (online) for the Canadian Tour and the Gateway Tour.  Look at the 50th leading money winner, and then look at his stats.  When you can match those stats, you still have 49 other guys better than you, and I am talking about AA or AAA baseball.  The guys on the Nationwide Tour cannot play the PGA Tour, their not good enough yet.  And then the guys on the PGA Tour are really THAT GOOD at playing the game.  I am glad you are realistic about your future in golf, but my guess is you'll need 5-7 years of playing competitive golf, practicing, taking lessons and playing golf before you will feel comfortable to go qualify for any Tour.  Time will tell, what is in your heart will tell.  If you don't have the financial backing to just go play golf, you have no chance.  But if you do, and your desire is more than Tiger's, you have a chance.  If you need help with any questions you may have, let me know.  Good luck Matthew, I wish you nothing bet the best.  

Eddie Kilthau
PGA Member

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello again,

First, I'd like to thank you for your very prompt and detailed reply.

Now, to sum up what you said, basically the short game, and the mental game are going to be what I need to work on the most to get my game to the "next level". Keeping that in mind, are there any specific drills that you like to give to your students to improve their mid range putts (I putt very well in the knee knocking 3-5 feet, but I don't make as many of the longer birdie/eagle putts that you often see pros knocking in with relative ease)? Are there any drills that you recommend to your students for improving their accuracy/distance control with their wedges?

On the mental end of things, is there anything besides staying positive, and tournament experience that I can do to help my mental game improve?

Thanks in advance

Mat MacDonald

Answer
Hi Mat:

Yes I do.  Send me your personal email address and I'll send you my Short Game Practice Sheets.  Then you can go to work and have measureable results.  Great book to get for the mental game is "Golf is Not a Game of Perfect" by Dr. Bob Rotella.  

Eddie