Scratch golfers share habits and strategies that set them apart. These are not stunts or tricks. They are practical approaches that help reduce the results. 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 their golf balls and clubs clean will reduce the chance of dirt, grass or even moisture affecting the flight and spin of the ball. A dirty clubface can cause an unpredictable shot, and things like mud and sand can affect trajectory or spin.
Carry a towel (or two) in your golf bag with a wet and dry section. Wipe the club face after every shot and clean the golf ball every chance you get.
When things go wrong, they don’t overreact
Many higher handicap players react when their game starts to go south. They hit one part and start reworking their swing plane on the next eight.
Scratch players focus on small fixes. They first check to make sure there are no related configuration checks or adjustments they can make to fix the problem.
They are better at damage control than higher scoring players.
If your game starts to go wrong mid-round, start with the basics like stance, placement, aim and ball position. Leave technical adjustments for 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 have control over right now is the one you’re going to hit.
Scratch golfers can’t let their minds dwell 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 begin to apply this to your game by developing a pre-shoot routine in which you clear your mind and focus on the task ahead.
All par-5s are par-4s
A par-5 is a birdie opportunity. Scratch golfers see a par-5 as a long par-4 and they do everything they can to make a four on the hole. Higher handicap players often find this impossible due to the lack of distance in their golf swings.
However, scoring low on par-5s is also about shot placement.
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 about 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 players love data. You won’t see them all adjusting their range performance with a launch monitor. However, at some point they have used data to fit clubs, learned that their weakness is their 100-yard putt, or realized that a softer golf ball spins too much for their game.
The data is valid.
You don’t need to track every single round. However, using shot tracking tools like Arcos OR Shooting range to monitor your club distances and trends on the course will help you play smarter golf.
Wedge distance control is a strong point
Scratch golfers can control their wedge distances. From 50 yards down, the putt golfer gets up and down about half the time (according to Shot Scope data), while the player with a 25 handicap gets up and down only a quarter of the time.
From the 100-yard mark, the scratch golfer takes an average of 2.98 strokes to finish and the 25-handicap takes almost a full stroke more.
A lot of this has to do with distance control on wedge shots. The best players know how to hit 50-, 60-, 70- and 80-yard shots on demand. Try setting up targets at 10 or 20 yard intervals when practicing shooting under 100 yards. Learn what club/swing length you need to hit each of these targets.
They play a major form of stroke
We talk a lot about how it’s good to know how to make 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 swing form every time they make it.
They don’t.
Scratch golfers have a proper putting form that they trust and use as often as possible.
Although they have the ability to hit a variety of shots, consistently executing a shot form simplifies decision making. It also helps you trust your movement under pressure.
Many higher handicappers struggle with inconsistent shot form. Sometimes, it’s a matter of not pushing yourself too far from what’s natural. If a fade comes naturally to you, play it.
Final thoughts
These seven characteristics of scratch golfers may seem simple, but implementing them can lower your scores and help you play with more confidence in 2025. Whether you’re looking to become a scratch golfer or just shave a few strokes off your game, that’s a good thing. place to start.
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