I understand the setting of goals, believe me... I'm the golf newb :)

I asked the OP the question because there was (to my ear) an air of despair in the query. My apologies if I was incorrect.

Totally a reasonable goal. But you'll have to put a ton of work and time into it. Not many people ever get to scratch, you'll have to work a hell of a lot to be one of them.

Great question that I never really thought of. I love the game and enjoy the outdoors. Having a goal like scratch would just make that combination more fulfilling. I've got a golftec eval coming up with lessons, I'm sure we'll have a lengthy talk on goals and what'll be attainable in the next 1-3 years.

I think the goal at least for me, is to be able to play consistent, I don't need to be a scratch golfer but I really want to be able to play the best I can make the game enjoyable

My opinion depends on what you mean by "scratch golfer". If you expect to be able to go to any course in the world, play from the tips and shoot par, probably not. But I think getting to where you can shoot even par at your home course from the proper tee box is a goal that can be accomplished.

My home course is short (5631 yards) and I have gotten par on every hole and birdies on some at one time or another. So the potential is there for me to shoot par someday if I get rid of all my flubs and mishits.

Try hitting a round when the course isn't crowded where you don't count any flubbed shots. I'm talking the real bad ones, not just a little short, long or left or right. Hit from that spot until you make solid contact with one and count that one as your shot. Same with tee shots. If it's in the woods or a hazard hit another with no penalty. This will give you an idea of what your scores would be like if you made solid contact every time. I did this last week and shot 14 over. But I didn't take any do-overs on putts. If I had hit again when I flubbed a putt my score would have been even lower.

Rome wasn't built in a day......so yest anything is possible. I want to improve myself and my goal right now is to break 80. After I bnreak 80, I will work on the next goal. Keep working!!

Well, lemme tell ya, my first bit of advice is, are you a member somewhere, cause if your not, your cause is lost. I found that out after 14 years off weekend warrior stuff that honestly got me nowhere. 5 years ago I joined a smaller course here in town with a 14 handicap and a want to get better but mostly to have fun and keep my cash at a minimum. I am now right at 4 even and rarely shoot over 80. Now, got some major disadvantages, but I am a pretty good athlete (bad ankle, not very long for my size). But the truth is that most of the stuff that keeps you back has little or nothing to do with your swing and everything to do with what's between your ears. I play with a dude who is missing two limbs and he shoots in the 70s. I play with an older guy who shoots scratch without his left lung. Everyone has flaws. What it takes is learning what is your game, playing within it, and practicing like crazy to improve what you got. I will be scratch within the year. I don't say that lightly. My belief, nay my knowing comes from failing to break eighty for 16 years, and then breaking it and then breaking 70 three months ago. I have shot par 4 times since. Do you want it? Then go take it.

I think when most people refer to being a scratch golfer, it's in reference to their hc being at 0. If you shoot par only on a course that is sub-6000 yds, more than likely your official hc won't be 0... Exception would be if the course rating/slope were much higher than normal, or you were a female.

i was scratch back in hs...been trying to get back ever since (took 4.5 years off during college, b/c of baseball), and it's not easy. a LOT of hardwork, dedication and commitment will get you there. natural ability/talent is a must.

Something I havent seen mentioned (sorry if I missed it) is age...

The younger you are obviously the more chance you have as you can adapt easier.

Thanks, Shane