Scratch golfers share habits and strategies that set them apart. These aren’t gimmicks or tricks. They are practical approaches that help keep scores down. If your game has room for improvement, here are seven things scratch golfers do that you should, too.
They keep their equipment clean
Scratch golfers know that keeping golf balls and clubs clean will decrease the chance of dirt, grass or even moisture impacting ball flight and spin. A dirty clubface could cause an unpredictable shot and things like mud and sand can impact trajectory or roll.
Keep a towel (or two) on your golf bag with a wet and dry section. Wipe down the clubface after every shot and clean the golf ball every chance you get.
When things go wrong, they don’t overreact
Many higher-handicap players overreact when their game starts to head south. They hit one slice and start reworking their swing plane on the next tee.
Scratch players focus on minor adjustments. They first check to make sure there are no grip or setup-related tweaks they could make to fix the issue.
They are better at damage control than higher-scoring players.
If your game starts to go bad mid-round, start with the basics like posture, setup, aim and ball position. Leave the technical fixes for the driving range.
They focus on the next shot
The tee shot that ended up in the water hazard or the three-footer you missed on the last green are all in the past. The only shot you now have control over is the one you are about to hit.
Scratch golfers can’t let their minds linger on those bad shots. They have learned how to reset and focus on the next task at hand. One good shot at a time.
You can start applying this to your game by developing a pre-shot routine in which you clear your mind and focus on the task ahead.
All par-5s are par-4s
A par-5 is an opportunity for a birdie. Scratch golfers look at a par-5 as a long par-4 and they do whatever they can to make a four on the hole. Higher-handicap players often think this is impossible because of the lack of distance in their golf shots.
However, scoring low on the par-5 is also about shot positioning.
Get good at hitting your driver off the tee and then try to get as close as possible on the second shot. Shot Scope collected data regarding approach shots and found that your best strategy is to get as close to the hole as possible.
Treat the par-5 like a long par-4 where you have to get up and down to save your score.
They use data to learn about their game
Not all scratch golfers love data. You won’t see them all fine-tuning their performance on the range with a launch monitor. However, they have at some point used data to get fitted for clubs, learned that their weakness is their 100-yard shot or realized that a softer golf ball spins too much for their game.
Data is valuable.
You don’t have to track every single round. However, using shot-tracking tools like Arccos or Shot Scope to monitor club distances and your tendencies on the course will help you play smarter golf.
Distance control with wedges is a strong point
Scratch golfers can control their wedge distances. From 50 yards and under, the scratch golfer gets up and down about half the time (according to Shot Scope data), while the 25-handicap player gets up and down only a quarter of the time.
From the 100-yard mark, the scratch golfer takes an average of 2.98 shots to finish and the 25-handicap takes almost a full shot more.
A lot of this has to do with distance control on wedge shots. The better players know how to hit 50-, 60-, 70- and 80-yard shots on demand. Try setting targets at 10- or 20-yard intervals when you practice shots under 100 yards. Learn what club/swing length you need to hit each of these targets.
They play one primary shot shape
We talk a lot about how it’s good to know how to hit a draw or a fade because you can run into situations where you need it on the course. However, don’t think that great players change their shot shape on every swing they take.
They don’t.
Scratch golfers have a go-to shot shape they trust and use as often as possible.
Although they have the ability to hit a variety of shots, consistently executing one shot shape simplifies decision-making. It also helps you trust your swing under pressure.
Many higher handicappers struggle with inconsistent shot shape. Sometimes, it’s a matter of not pushing yourself too far away from what’s natural. If a fade is natural for you, play it.
Final thoughts
These seven characteristics of scratch golfers may seem simple but implementing them can lower your scores and help you help you play more confidently in 2025. Whether you are looking to become a scratch golfer or just shave a few shots off your game, this is a good place to start.
Gary
11 months ago
I played golf the other day with my son who’s a professional and trying to get his tour card. And we talked a lot about these 50 yard shots and the concept behind it. What he pointed out is that many of the places around the Green trying to hit a shot from 45 or 50 yards put you in a place with very difficult lies or very difficult angles to the green. You may be below the hole behind a bunker to attack flag or you might be on very uneven lie Whereas if you’re further back, say 100 yards out the odds are that you’re gonna be more in the fairway and might have a better lie and a better angle. Just being close and always the best thing you have to consider what kind of lie what kind of shot you have.