[nasdfrdg]

So...been on a 15 year hiatus... I'm very inconsistent. Perfect shot, then 2 mishits. How unreasonable is it to think that I'll be a scratch golfer someday. Of course, lessons are in my future. But realistically is my goal too much of a pipe dream?

[propolo]

With the right mindset, and guidance, anything is possible. The best thing though is to get a proper fitting from golftec, they will get you exactly what you need so that way you know that your equipment will always be consistent even when you aren't.

Lessons are the best way to keep you from developing bad habits and keep you on track. take a get golf ready course from a local PGA professional, believe me, I did and my average scores went from 100+ to low 90 high 80s in a few months, that's great for me since I've been playing less than a year

[quottrethew]

It all depends on how much work you put into it. If you have the time and money ( a lot of it ) than it is realistic.

[MYMcvBgl]

Anything is possible, but some people simply don't have what it takes to be a scratch golfer naturally. All the lessons and practice in the world probably wouldn't get some people to scratch. Sorry, but I'm just being realistic...and I am not saying that you don't, I am just making a point. Playing basketball all day every day isn't going to get some people into the NBA, and the same is true with golf. That is just sport.

The likelihood of you doing this would depend on two things: 1) You're starting point and 2) your previous low handicap. Regardless, I think it is definitely worth it to give it everything you have to meet your goal; you will never know until you try.

[Kemapreedasse]

I think it's totally possible, maybe not short term or cheap but with enough time (& money) you should be able to get there. I'm just starting but believe that if I put forth the effort, I'll improve & eventually be the player I want to be.

[Switiespils]

Anything is possible. Unfortunately, I have to say I don't think it is very probable. While it is true that anything is possible with enough time, money and effort, most people don't have enough of those commodities to get from average to scratch. Also - and I'm not saying you are in this category - some people don't have enough innate skill to get there either. I wish you luck though, definitely keep us updated on your progress.

[loikrso]

Scratch? Not impossible by any means. Might take you two years of dedicated practice and such depending on your swing etc but it's definitely possible

[D6b2v1HA]

Scratch? Not impossible by any means. Might take you two years of dedicated practice and such depending on your swing etc but it's definitely possible

Pretty much this. You have to go out an work at this game no matter what skill level

[StivRichardOff]

Scratch? Not impossible by any means. Might take you two years of dedicated practice and such depending on your swing etc but it's definitely possible

Pretty much said what I was going to say. Biggest thing is, don't get discourged or upset if you aren't there in 2-3 years. It takes a lot of playing and practice to get there, its hard to knock those last 3 or 4 shots off to get there. I'v been stuck at high 4/low 5, just because I don't have the time practice and play like I want to get to 2 hdc which is this years goal with the scratch being the goal at the end of next year.

[cialesxtr]

Lessons, Practice, Putting, Effort, Time. Not unrealistic

[ancexttew]

I never thought it would be possible I've played for 16 years and I'm down to a 3 handicap lessons have helped a ton. If you put in the time and effort anything is possible.

[beloveds]

I am thinking like IHWT in the fact you have to be born with a unique and special talent and then work your butt off. I have played golf for 41 years now and never got below a 9 handicap. I thought I knew it all and waited way too long to start lessons. I was a pretty decent athlete back in my day but for some reason, the golf Gods never blessed me with a scratch golf game. About the only thing I can scratch is my head and that's when those 3 putts add up like fleas on a hound.

[GutleNus]

Anything is possible, but some people simply don't have what it takes to be a scratch golfer naturally. All the lessons and practice in the world probably wouldn't get some people to scratch. Sorry, but I'm just being realistic...and I am not saying that you don't, I am just making a point. Playing basketball all day every day isn't going to get some people into the NBA, and the same is true with golf. That is just sport.

The likelihood of you doing this would depend on two things: 1) You're starting point and 2) your previous low handicap. Regardless, I think it is definitely worth it to give it everything you have to meet your goal; you will never know until you try.

I am thinking like IHWT in the fact you have to be born with a unique and special talent and then work your butt off. I have played golf for 41 years now and never got below a 9 handicap. I thought I knew it all and waited way too long to start lessons. I was a pretty decent athlete back in my day but for some reason, the golf Gods never blessed me with a scratch golf game. About the only thing I can scratch is my head and that's when those 3 putts add up like fleas on a hound.

I'm also going with these two, but not because I'm experienced enough, but because of the number of scratch golfers I've talked too.

Sure, everyone will say anything is possible, but for a lot of people, that's just not true. Getting to scratch, for many people, is just one of those things... Unless you were a low single digit before you quit, it's very unlikely you'll get down to that level, regardless of the amount of work/lessons you put in...

With my OPINION being said, good luck on your journey to try to get there!

[anxpuna]

I wish everyone the best of luck in reaching their goals, however I am enough of a realist to know that the # of people who have the potential to play scratch golf is limited. It isn't always a matter of the money necessary to take lessons, nor the amount of time someone has at their disposal to practice. I think that most people, given practice time and lessons can certainly get to a single-digit handicap, but playing scratch consistently is another matter. JMHO of course! But again, I would encourage anyone to go after their dreams!

[BashBeissedat]

I would hope it isn't a realistic goal especially since you said "someday". Being scratch is in my list of goals but I know I won't be there in the near future. I simply don't have time to practice like I would need to get to that level. Practice doen't mean hitting buckets of balls; it means practicing with a purpose and the ability to measure progress you are making.

[eI7iqNot]

Possible? If you've got the talent and at least some athletic ability, and the time, money, and mindset for it, maybe. Scratch is a pretty rarified height in golf.
My chance has passed me by, injuries and time away from the game along with other work/family commitments just make it unreasonable. If I could go back 25 years, maybe.

Work at it, take it in steps. Hey, just shooting par would be an enormous accomplishment, and that can be done from a handicap well above scratch. If you can do that, though...the potential's there.

[Clielldub]

Without knowing anything about your game I can't rule out the possibility that you will become a scratch golfer. I will say that you are definitely in for a lot of ups and downs on your quest to become a scratch golfer. Be prepared to work your butt off, handle the set backs you might encounter, and last thing I would do is worry about your handicap. Let your game evolve naturally and don't try to force it.

Goodluck though on your goal!

[Johnny]

Possible, yes. Probable, no. I'd say you have a 5% chance. And that's if you really really work at it.

[qd0vhq4f]

I would ask why? Will not being a scratch golfer make you enjoy the game less? Can you go out each time and play your best on that day, at that time and be proud of your effort whatever the scorecard says.

With practice (lots), and lessons, and a whole lot of rounds your game will arrive at whatever your potential is... Scratch or not. Can you still enjoy the game if your potential isn't "scratch"?

[MYMcvBgl]

I would ask why? Will not being a scratch golfer make you enjoy the game less? Can you go out each time and play your best on that day, at that time and be proud of your effort whatever the scorecard says.

With practice (lots), and lessons, and a whole lot of rounds your game will arrive at whatever your potential is... Scratch or not. Can you still enjoy the game if your potential isn't "scratch"?

People set goals and enjoy the feeling of trying to meet them, and in the case that they do meet them, it is an unparalleled feeling. If you are doing anything and don't have a goal of some sort, I think a better question is why do it at all? Some set goals higher than others, and that IMO, is admirable.

I set the goal to qualify for the US Amateur. Will I still enjoy golf if I don't qualify? Yes. Would I still enjoy golf if I wasn't working towards meeting that goal? No, or at least not nearly as much as I do working towards that goal.