Happy Sunday, golfers.
I hope you enjoyed your Halloween. This year I dressed up as someone who doesn’t miss four-footers. They say dress for the job you want, and not the job you have, right?
Also, I hired an intern to produce some vintage magazine style covers for The Sunday Bag (The intern’s name is Tommy). What do you guys think?
Anyway, let’s get into it.
Today’s quote:
"Be decisive. A wrong decision is generally less disastrous than indecision."
—Bernhard Langer
“Scratch” Golfers
For many amateur golfers, seeing a 0.0 next to their name is the ultimate goal—the official mark of a true scratch golfer. It’s the culmination of hard work and dedication, and with fewer than 2% of golfers ever reaching scratch status, it’s a badge to wear proudly.
But what does a 0.0 index really mean?
I recently posted on X about how a golfer allegedly “gamed” the handicap system:
Many were quick to point out that if you're going to hold a vanity handicap, you might as well just input fake scores or skip the bad ones. But I think it raises a deeper question about the system: What does a low handicap actually mean?
Does it mean you’re consistent? Does it mean your game is adaptable to different style courses? Does it mean you play well under pressure?
None of that can be ascertained from the number next to your name—especially if you only play your home track and avoid challenging conditions.
So whatever your index is, I’d say do whatever it takes to make yourself the most unshakable [insert index] that you can be. That’s the true mark of a solid amateur golfer.
Pros vs. Joes
What separates PGA Tour pros from the thousands of other elite golfers out there?
It’s a common question, usually met with the standard cliché: “It’s all mental.” And while there’s truth to that, it doesn’t give us amateurs anything actionable to build on. But don’t worry gents, I’ve got you covered.
I recently stumbled across a clip of Max Homa playing a round with a few YouTube golfers, and in the clip, Homa gives some very good insight into the mind of a successful pro golfer. You can watch the video below:
