Equipment
Do you need lessons to become a single digit handicap or can you do it alone? – GolfWRXers discuss
In our forums, our members are discussing how they got to their single digit handicap. WRXer ‘DShepley’ kicks off the thread by posing the question:
“If you are a single digit handicap, anywhere from low single to nine, did it require intensive lessons with a pro or did you largely get there on your own through a lot of play and digging it out yourself in practice?”
‘DShepley’ then shared their experience:
“I’ll start….I started at 19 years old after playing multiple competitive sports, (baseball, track, volleyball), and was a 5 handicap in my third season after a lot of ‘self discovery’ on the driving range and a couple hundred rounds of golf. I also surrounded myself in the game by reading and watching everything I could get my hands on. I didn’t take any formal lessons, (I’ve had three), until I was a single digit handicap.
These days after 29 years in the game and two kids, I still play between a scratch and four depending how often I have a club in my hands. Currently I am a 2.4 index and a member at a course without a range and maintain my index by playing 2-3 times per week.”
And our members have been sharing the method they used or needed to get their game down to a single digit handicap in our forum.
Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- GoGoErky: “Lessons over the course of 5 years to get from 25 to 5.”
- Nels55: “I tried to learn on my own, didn’t work very well. I was an 18 handicap when I gave up and took a series of lessons in 1980 and got down to 8 at one point. I also spent 2k on lessons 7 or so years ago with no effect on my index. I still have hope though!”
- buckrogers71: “Started as a junior in high school. Had a bit of a layoff in college (booze and chicks), started playing again, was at about 3 or 4. Had kids, got up to about a 10, now that the kids are grown back a 6 with little to no practice. In 37 years, I’ve taken 2 lessons, that was to cure an over the top hook swing. Most is self learned and trying different things.”
Neal Shipley was the first to admit that he enjoyed his food while in college. But since his days at Ohio State, he’s slimmed down and earned a PGA Tour Card.
That hasn’t stopped him from having fun with his wedge stampings, though it’s led to some misunderstandings.
On the 54 (degree), we have ‘Big Fudge,'” Shipley told GolfWRX. “It was supposed to be ‘Big Fridge,’ so this happened a little while ago. ‘Big Fridge’ was a nickname between my college teammates and I, with ‘fridge’ meaning stomach, a big stomach.
“We told the Ping guys to put … ‘Big Fridge’ on it, and I think maybe some bad cell service or something, and they thought I said ‘fudge,’ so they put fudge on it.”
On Shipley’s 50-degree he also continues the food theme, this time with his go-to order at the “Golden Arches,” and his stamping “DONS 7.”
“The number 7 meal, the two cheeseburger meal, that was my McDonald’s order, back when I would have McDonald’s frequently,” Shipley shared.
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @raw10628 has a L.A.B. DF3 putter and Masters putter cover up for grabs.
From the listing: “Some great items here today, time to thin out and make room for next set of gear. All prices include shipping.
LAB DF3 Purple 33.5” 68° lie with TPT – $725. LAB Masters release DF3 cover – $150.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules
Driver: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 5-M4
3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4
5-wood: Ping G440 Max (19 degrees @18)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4
Hybrid: Ping G440 (23 degrees)
Shaft: Oban Isawa Red Hybrid Shaft 04 Flex 70 Gms
Irons: Srixon ZXi7 (5-P)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve i80
Wedges: Cleveland RTZ (50-MID, 54-FULL, 58-MID)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve i105
Putter: L.A.B. Golf OZ.1i
Shaft: ACCRA Putter Shaft
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
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Driver: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees) Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 5-M4 3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees) Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4 5-wood: Ping G440...
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Driver: Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond (8.5 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X Mini driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Mini...
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Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D (10.5 degrees) Shaft: Project X Titan Yellow 60 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D Tour (15 degrees) Shaft: Project...
Murv
Jun 18, 2025 at 11:48 am
I started playing as a 12 year old on a short course. 6 par 3’s, 12 shorter par 4’s. I read everything in Ben Hogan’s “5 Fundamentals” and Power Golf”. Copied everything. I had a minor physical issue similar to Calvin Peete or Ed Furgol. I was not a long hitter but God gave me a gift of hitting it straight. This was in the late 50’s and early 60’s. In highschool golf we moved to a regular 6800 yard course. I would put the ball in the fairway and then put it on the green or close to the green. Had a good short game due to practice. I was a natural born 5 handicap. Maintained that without practice or lessons. In my 60’s I was
an 8. Finally about age 75 I went to a 10. At 81 now I keep a 12 on a 5400 course rating 66.
I have to shoot better than my age to keep that.
Uncle Snottie
Jun 17, 2025 at 9:05 pm
I think it’s an outlier more than the norm. You can get to single digit without lessons. But if you want to get better, the best way is to get lessons. Now, not all coaches are good so fit and quality are a factor.
Roberto
Jun 17, 2025 at 11:17 am
Yes it can be done , ask cheeto jesus or sleepy joe
L
Jun 17, 2025 at 9:58 am
Yes, it can be done. Of course it can. Lessons are never needed. Time and practice are