January 2021 recap. - Handicap dropping!

I started 2021 with a medal round where I shot 76 of a 4.6 handicap index.

I ended the month with a league matchplay round where I shot 77 of a 3.1 handicap index.

Happy that my index came down with a best round of 73 for January and a worst round of 80 in 5o km/h winds.

I visited a number of courses in January all around Cape Town. Playing some. Cadying some. And watching my kids play some. 

In February I hope to visit some Jhb and Garden route courses.

All in all the courses were in good shape. With only one or two having some water supply issues. 

Best conditioned course for the month was defenitely Clovelly.. 

My putting practice partner this past Friday. A beautifull Boomslang.

So how did I cut 1.5 shots from my handicap?

My putting and chipping are normally pretty solid. I averaged 27 putts for January. I kept on practising 5 foot putts and lag puts. I only had three 3 putts the whole month. I changed my putting grip. And it feels like it's working.

I tried to make better decisions. Not go for the hero shot every time. Try to hit or miss the fairways on the correct sides.

I also hit less drivers. Rather leaving myself a 80m shot in than an awkward 50 m half lob wedge.

If I had a choice I practiced wedges. 40m-90m pitch shots. That has helped.

I averaged just over 60% on Fairways hit. And didn't have many big misses. Lots of 2-3 m of the fairway. 90% of the missed fairways were right. 

Where will I try to improve to cut another shot?

My Ironplay and bunkers.

I miss to many greens. I will have to work on club selection and ball striking.

On Saturday I was horrible. Shooting 5 over with only 4 greens.  Luckily my chipping was great. I also made birdie on 2 of the 4 greens that I hit.

I only had 23 putts for the round which saved me to win 3 and 1.

I only had 50% bunker saves in January. Even though I get out fine. I leave myself with 8-10 footers. Instead of 5-8 footers.

Golf is never a game of perfect shots. Rather how you manage the mishits and get out of trouble. Much like life.

I am happy with a 1.5 index drop. Now to get it close to a 2 index.

See you on the Fairways.