What's your real handicap? And where is it?

To improve your handicap first of all you need to know the weak parts of your game.

In truth a player has three handicaps (at least):

1. Long game handicap: How many strokes more than 42 to reach 18 greens? (Remember: The average tour player hits 12 greens in regulation to shoot PAR.)

• Test: Play 18 holes without putting. How many strokes do you need to hit the greens?
  
• Solution: solid golfswing, fitness, fitted clubs

2. Short game handicap: How many strokes more than 14 to get down on 6 greens from 20 yards off the green? (Tour average is 2 of 3. Tiger does 3 of 4.) Remember: If you really can get down 2 of 3 you are able to shoot 78 without hitting any green. It's a license to win!

• Test: 6 balls from 20 yards around the practice green, different lies
  
• Solution: short game technique (hinge and hold), hard practice
  

3. Putting handicap: How many putts more than 34 on 18 holes on the putting green, if 4 of them are between 10 and 15 feet and 14 of them are between 10 and 15 yards.

• Test: 18 balls on the putting green from different lies
• Solution: putting technique (Seve), 100% three footers, 60% six footers, 100% closer than 3 feet from 10 to 15 yards.