Golf IQ Inside the Golf Digest Company Match Play (Part 3)
Jun 20, 2025
Sam Weinman, Managing Editor for Golf Digest, joins to unveil the inner workings of golf handicaps. They explore the journey of golfers moving between handicap levels, shedding light on the unique challenges faced by higher handicap players. By discussing strategies to avoid costly double bogeys and emphasizing the art of speed control in putting, Sam offers valuable insights for golfers aiming to enhance their performance. Listeners will discover how understanding these nuances can significantly impact their game.
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Episode notes
High Handicap Disaster Shots
- High double-digit handicappers are capable of good shots but struggle due to frequent disaster shots such as shanks and tops.
- Eliminating these big contact errors can reduce strokes significantly and improve their handicap.
Avoid Risky Shots and Penalties
- Avoid penalty strokes and overly ambitious shots that lead to trouble around hazards.
- Focus on getting the ball on the green with simpler, safer shots to minimize double bogeys.
Impact of Poor Contact and Strategy
- Lower average driving distances for higher handicaps partly result from occasional very poor contacts like shanks and tops.
- Combining these with risky strategy often leads to big numbers on scorecards.