How to Become a Scratch Golfer (or Better)
The allure of being a "scratch golfer" is something many avid golfers chase for an entire lifetime. It is this mysterious place that we want to conquer but many will fail in their pursuit.
The allure of being a "scratch golfer" is something many avid golfers chase for an entire lifetime. It is this mysterious place that we want to conquer but many will fail in their pursuit. However, there are tens of thousands of golfers who are scratch or better who play the game today.
How did they become scratch golfers? Can anyone become a scratch golfer? Are there tricks of the trade that you are not aware of that can help you reach your goals?
As an avid golfer myself and someone who is pursuing scratch golf, I need to find these answers. How and why do so many people become a scratch golfer, but I have not been able to obtain it yet? What is the secret?
But first, you have to ask yourself why you even want to become a scratch golfer in the first place.
At the beginning of the 2023 golf season, I was talking to my wife about my golf game. I haven’t been playing up to par (pun intended). And on top of that, I wanted to get back into competitive golf. I had grown up playing competitive golf throughout high school but was never confident enough in my game to pursue it at the collegiate level.
I don’t have any regrets about not pursuing it, especially as I dove into golf Twitter (X) and learned about all of the golf tournaments you can play in during your 30s. This made me research what the State of Minnesota had to offer. I soon realized there were several tournaments a year including a match play, stroke play, and team events. Not to mention all of the national tournaments.
If I was going to dive back into competition, I needed to think more critically about my game. As an 8.5 to 10ish handicap, I knew I couldn’t compete. You are not even allowed to sign up for the state amateur events unless you are a 6.4 or better.
It was time to get some lessons. I soon fell back in love with the pursuit of getting better at golf. It is a never-ending pursuit and for some reason, I love that.
I quickly lowered my handicap after a few lessons to a 4.8 and qualified for state tournaments. I played in one and then I played in an all-city tournament. I did ok, but not great.
However, that’s not what my main goal is anymore. Of course, I will still play competitively in the 2024 season (I truly enjoyed it). But now I have switched my mentality to simply improving at the game. As I sit here today at a 3.8 handicap, there is nothing I want more than to get to scratch or better. I know I am capable of it.
So, I asked a question on Twitter to see how long and what other people did to become a scratch or better golfer.
I won’t spoil it, but let’s just say that it is a lot more boring than you think.
Are Scratch Players Lighting up the Course with Birdies?
Many recreational golfers with mid to high handicaps often think that scratch golfers are lighting up a course with 4 or 5 birdies per round (if not more). But is that true?
Short answer: no. Not even close.
The real answer that I received a lot of was much more boring. It turns out that many of these high-level amateurs focus on two things to improve their golf game:
Determine the easiest path to make par on any given hole
Avoid double bogeys (or worse) at any given cost
When you stop and think about it, it makes sense. What is the real cause of your scorecard going from a low to mid-70s round to one in the 80s, 90s, or 100s?
It is BIG numbers. Shooting a 7, 8, 9, or even double digits on a single hole. These big numbers are the real score killers and are the biggest leverage points to lowering your handicap.
To prove this further, think about this. The typical scratch golfer averages 2.2 birdies per round while the typical 20-handicap averages 0.3 birdies per round. This is only 1.9 strokes per round.
Meanwhile, a scratch golfer averages 4.6 bogeys and only 0.7 doubles (or worse per round while a 20-handicap averages 9 bogeys and 6.6 doubles (or worse) per round. Now we are talking about over 10 shots per round differences.
So, if you want to pursue becoming a scratch golfer, which do you think is more important? Chasing birdies every chance you get? Or avoiding making big (or worse compounding) mistakes?
The answer is obvious. Avoid posting big numbers.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Scratch Golfer?
The other question many people have is how long and how much effort does it takes to become a scratch or better golfer? This question is not straightforward at all. The answer is that it depends.
There are a variety of different factors that come into play including the time you have available, the money you have to spend towards lessons and equipment, and the natural ability you possess.
For some people, they were a scratch or better when they hit their teenage years. These people often have high-quality coaching and facilities available to them. And as teenagers (if they dedicate themselves) they have a lot of time available to dedicate.
As you get into your adulthood you may not have as much time. However, high-quality lessons can give you an edge compared to people trying to figure it out on their own. A good coach can provide you with the right fundamentals and drills to improve your ball-striking ability and reduce errant shots.
Additionally, you can get fitted for clubs that match your body frame and swing the best. While this is not a substitute for getting lessons and learning proper mechanics, it can provide you an edge as you get closer to the top end of your abilities.
What Special Skill Needs to be Acquired to
Reach Scratch Golf?
One of the last things I asked of these people was what were the key elements to their progress. It was almost as if there was an echo in the comments section.
Common answers included a version of ball striking, iron play, or shots from 120 yards and in.
In one sense or another, they were all saying the same thing. Get very good with your approach clubs.
Once again, this makes all the sense in the world if you revisit what I said earlier. The goal is to get in position to make par as often as possible and to avoid doubles or worse. What is the easiest way to do this? Hit as many greens in regulation as you can.
You need to hit the ball far and relatively straight (avoiding penalty areas) with your driver. But as soon as you are in play off the tee, you need to get the ball on the green. Anywhere on the green is better than missing the green even if it is a 50-foot putt.
None of the people who responded said anything about hitting the ball at every single flag. They were clear that getting the ball on the green was the key to lowering their scores.
Wrapping it Up
Is becoming a scratch golfer a journey of hitting magical shots and going on birdie runs? No, not even close. It is a boring, methodical approach to the game.
To become a scratch golfer, yes you do need to dedicate yourself to the game. It might take you a year or several years to get there depending on your innate ability. However, you and I can certainly get to this magical place in the golf world by focusing on some very simple things.
Get lessons to improve your technique.
Focus on double bogey (or worse) avoidance.
Start every hole by determining the easiest route to make a par.
Keep the ball in play off the tee.
Improve your irons to increase greens in regulation percentage.
That is all there is to it. Nothing fancy about it.