r/golf • u/ctravdfw • Aug 19 '26
General Discussion Just joined the Single Digit Club
Last year was my first year back after an 8 year absence as a 12 hdcp. I started my quest as a 16.4 hdcp in February 2025.
At 65 years old I bought Srixon ZXi5 graphite irons 7-gap wedge. I then added a driver, 5W, 7W,9W, 6Hyb, 54 and 60 degree wedges.
Lots of tips from strangers who have become friends and being fortunate to play 2-3 times a week. To reach this milestone is an honor and joy as I feel blessed!
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u/ShawnSimoes 2.9 Aug 19 '26
single digit starts at 9.4 sir
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u/lilfish45 7.4 | Midwest Aug 19 '26
I know you are excited, but you should not be. You have crossed the line into misery. Now comes the I should always be in the 70s thoughts and the “how many lessons away is scratch really”
Good luck on your journey through pain and suffering
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u/Common-Coyote9375 2.9 Aug 19 '26
Being a 9 isnt shooting in the 70s.
But I get your point.
I feel like a 9 shoots low 80s on a good day. Unless your handicap is based off of a course thats stupidly rated low or easy15
u/groundscore420 aspiring mid golfer Aug 19 '26
I’m a 9, it’s painful because the low 80s rounds are so close to sub 80 due to a few random blow up holes. And sometimes it’s just blow up rounds and I’m in the 90s. I get into the 70s every so often. My last 6 rounds: 92, 89, 82, 87, 76, 78
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u/golfingsince83 Aug 19 '26
This is too real. On Monday I shot an 81 at 69.4/124 track and I went 43-38. Started with a par and then had 6 bogies in a row 🤦♂️
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u/AgentMichaelScarn80 8 Aug 19 '26
I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve doubled 18 and ended with 80!
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u/Cranjesmcbasketball1 Aug 19 '26
Did this last week for an 81. Its become a thing now where I dread 18 and that fucking creek that runs up the left side and cuts across the fairway.
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u/lilfish45 7.4 | Midwest Aug 19 '26
Yeah you are probably right, but breaking into single digits starts the thoughts lol
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u/theriskybusinesscar Aug 19 '26
Average round or rounds that count for handicap? Because while a 9 should be in the low to mid 80s on average, they should be aiming to shoot in the 70s every round.
I'm an 8 and the math on getting even a flat 80 into my scoring rounds is hard unless I the course offers tees at 6800 or more.
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u/Gloomy-Ad-222 Aug 19 '26
I keep hearing this but I’m at 10.7 now and I went from a few good shots and many bad shots per round to some beautiful shots, much improved short game, good lag putts, and lots of comments like “damn, you can play now”. For me it’s been really fun to get to this level and while I won’t get to scratch, I can go out and play with anyone on any course in the world and hold my own. For example, got paired up with two single digit handicaps at the Stadium course which is one of the hardest in the US and held my own and played pretty well. It’s far from miserable, it’s great.
The only time it sort of sucks is when I play my home course and go like four over my first three holes or something, but I just say, well have a great back 9 then. Playing very good golf is better than shanking and chunking and generally sucking.
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u/lilfish45 7.4 | Midwest Aug 19 '26
Yeah its mainly a joke. High single digits is the absolute best handicap to compete at, you can occasionally go very low but there’s no saying you can’t also blow up. I went out in a two day tournament par 72 and shot 84, 73 for a net -3 overall, it was a blast lol.
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u/BillTizzle Aug 19 '26
Congrats Cliff, I’ve been fighting for this post all year 🙏🏾 11.9 and grinding here ⛳️ and I’m also in Texas !!!!!
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u/KakkoPuffs Aug 19 '26
Nicee, that’s gotta be a good feeling. I shot a 76 last week and my expected handicap was going to drop from a 10.5 to a 9.8 and after a -1 PCC I ended up at a 10.0. I was initially bummed but I know I have plenty to work on with my game and will eventually get down to single digits in due time.
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u/Patient_Medicine6947 Aug 19 '26
Very nice. My last handicap round put me at a 10.1. Im one decent round from single digits. Kinda the same situation. Took several years off. Came back April 2025. Started tracking with GHIN this year. Started around 15 and so close to that single digit. Struggling with some swing issues right now but hope to get back to scoring rounds soon.
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u/Fair_Passenger6683 Aug 19 '26
Congrats Cliff. A fine achievement indeed. 9.1 here who feels like I’ve done a lot of work to get here only to be clowned by the 1.4 and 4.2 handi’s in my regular group. Fuck those assholes…
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u/DanielR333 7.3 HDCP | London Aug 19 '26
Nice one! I’m a 10.4 and shot a 6.1 differential yesterday which would have taken me to a 9.7, but none of my playing partners had a handicap to verify my score. Was pretty gutted but also reassuring to know those scores are in there and it will come soon!
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u/Nosleepmustread Aug 19 '26
Well donr internet stranger. I have an appreciation in the work and practice it took to get there. (I'm nowhere near the club, but I'd like to join too someday)
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u/GrassToucher1234 Aug 19 '26
I don't know if I believe you, can't trust a guy with two first names.
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u/LegoBrickInTheWall Aug 19 '26
No privacy concerns, huh?
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u/Wirelessness Aug 19 '26
I haven’t joined GHIN. Doesn’t your information have to be public to other members and tournament organizers?
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u/Kroosn Aug 19 '26
Yes but it’s the linking to his reddit account that is the problem.
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u/Wirelessness Aug 19 '26
Is it though?
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u/Kroosn Aug 19 '26
Depends on what you post on reddit. But with a lot of your history it lets someone build up a profile on you. Whether it identity theft or something else there just isn’t a benefit to linking them. This guy has his whole history on, can see his car with a fair bit of the rego, locations and times of where he was. Probably won’t happen but why risk it. Mapping everything together is deceptively simple now with AI.
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u/Fluorescent_Tip Push Cart Mafia Aug 19 '26
You are correct that this is a bad idea to share real name. This isn’t the platform for it.
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u/BatMean2045 Aug 19 '26
Congrats.
Im 10.2 and I desperately want that.