Achieving a golf score of 100 for the first time was facilitated by a modification in my bag setup.
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That darn summer of '24, I was hanging onto every tee with a sinking feeling - what next? My game had taken a turn for the worst. Putt, shot, score, all going sideways.
We all know golf's as much mental as it is physical. My mind would unravel from the first bad tee shot. But it's also about the gear you carry. I wasn't using flawed equipment, but my equipment setup needed improvement to help me bounce back.
Recovering 17 Strokes, Moving Forward
By mid-2023, I had swapped my 45-handicap self for a better suited player, slicing 17 strokes off my score by December. Fittings adjust you from where you're starting, and they can work wonders - I shot a 103 and felt 100 was within my grasp.
But then 2024 came, welcoming a wettest spring on record, a full plate at work, ailing family, new gear - everything was making me stumble. My handicap climbed 5 shots. I even played a lesson mid-round! It was safe to say I was lost 12 months later, scoring in the 120s I felt woefully off-par and my handicap was back up to 34.2. But enough of golf was already in my heart to ignore the disheartening stats.
PXG 2.0 Bag and a New Putter
Early '25, I found myself back at London South's PXG. Their fittings cover all aspects of a golfer's setup, and this time I left nothing untouched, switching out my previous bag for the newest tech. The comprehensive fitting process led to a variety of adjustments. With guidance from the master fitter, Hayden Campling, I underwent both bag and putter fittings, using launch-monitor data to streamline decisions.
Say goodbye to my old clubs, and hello to newer, better models: Black Ops - Driver, 3-wood, 3-5 hybrids, 6-9 irons, PW, GW, SW, and LW. Hybrids offered versatility when my driver behaved erratically. My previous bag included Driver, 3-wood, 5-wood, 4 hybrid, 5-9 irons, and four wedges.
I also bagged a new PXG "One and Done" mallet putter, replacing my Cleveland blade. This heavier, steadier addition already feels solid, and a mini-putting lesson from Will Crozier has helped cement my new playstyle.
A follow-up lesson with coach Craig Normansell ensured the new gear properly integrated with my swing, offering reference points for when I stray from the path. The experiential approach was a key step, as opposed to trial-and-error - either of which I'd done plenty of during '24.
Breaking 100 at Last!
Golf's numbers game makes it easy to gauge your performance against a course. Some prefer to forgo totals and enjoy the sheer feeling of the game. But I'm a counters, and the joy when I broke 100 finally, made all the tough rounds worth it.
I scored a 95, earning my second Exceptional Score Reduction. Beyond that, my dramatically improved drives, chip-ins, and bunker play all attest to the enhanced fit of my shiny new equipment.
The Golfer I'm Becoming
I'm no Fairy-tale golfer whose new gear fixed everything. I had a disastrous round last week, but now I see that as an off-day as opposed to a sign of ineptitude. My big stumbling block before was rapidly losing strokes without the game to back it up. With the new variety in my game, I have renewed confidence that breaking 100 wasn't a fluke.
My handicap's dropped 7 shots since my new setup, and I'm looking to go even further. I'm not pinning my hopes on miracles - it's a belief built over rounds, improved stats, and a better understanding of my game. And this time around, I have no equipment concerns! Here's to a promising, golf-filled future ahead!
- Frustrated by the increase in my handicap after a challenging 2024, I decided to revisit PXG in early 2025 for a comprehensive fitting in search of better golf equipment, particularly a new set of clubs and a putter.
- With my new PXG 2.0 bag and "One and Done" mallet putter, I hope to continue lowering my handicap and improving my game, building on the success of breaking 100 with my enhanced equipment and playstyle.
