How stepping away from golf helped this low-handicapper get better | Most Improved Golfers in America

Greater than three million gamers carry a USGA handicap. In a collaboration between GOLF and the USGA, we have been capable of establish 5 of probably the most improved golfers in America, who lowered it, percentage-wise, greater than every other gamers prior to now yr. Every participant is proof that there’s at all times an opportunity to shoot your dream rating. Don’t have a handicap but? Sign up for one right here.

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Matt Gossett, 31, Trussville, AL / Handicap change: 3.7 to 0.4 (110% enchancment)

Matt Gossett isn’t your typical weekend warrior. As somebody who has performed the sport his total life, he is aware of all the guidelines to enhance — he simply wanted a reset button to assist him give attention to what was most essential to his sport.

That’s when the full-time territory supervisor from Birmingham, Ala., determined to take a while away from taking part in.

“I simply stop the sport for a very good whereas and picked it again up about three years in the past, getting actually critical about it as a younger skilled.”

After the time away, Gossett admits he’s “gotten hooked on the sport once more” — and with nice outcomes.

In seven months final yr, Gossett improved his handicap from a 3.7 to 0.4, which he attributes to an added emphasis on his quick sport.

“I actually began specializing in my quick sport and my placing much more than I beforehand had,” he says. “I discovered that that’s the place I’m going to avoid wasting probably the most strokes.”

For different amateurs trying to see enchancment on their scorecards, Gossett doubles down on the speculation that the quick sport will result in the largest features.

“I most likely make the quick sport and placing about 80 p.c of my apply now. You’re going to have ups and downs, so attempt to preserve your confidence and proceed training on actually particular or specific pictures in your sport — all types of various pitches and chips.

“One of many coolest issues on the planet is with the ability to say ‘I’m a scratch golfer,’ ” he provides. “My grandfather was a scratch golfer his complete life and to have the ability to do that’s one thing I’ve at all times wished to do.”

Nick Dimengo

Golf.com Editor