The REAL Difference Between A Pro And A 10 Handicap

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Driving · Aug 24, 2026 · 9.1K views · 304 likes

Where do amateur golfers actually lose the shots that stop them shooting lower scores? In this pro vs amateur golf match, Mark Crossfield plays against a 10 handicapper (with a twist) to find out how the best golfers lower their scores and where higher handicap golfers really lose shots. In this golf match, we're testing driving vs approach play in a completely different way. Mark and a 10 handicap golfer play a match, but after every tee shot, they swap balls. Mark has to finish each hole from the amateur golfer's drive, while the 10 handicapper gets to play from Mark's tee shot. Can playing from a pro's tee shots help an amateur golfer shoot lower scores, and will Mark be able to recover from having to play a 10 handicapper's drives? The result might surprise you. This experiment provides a fascinating look at strokes gained golf, golf course management, penalty shots off the tee and where golfers really gain and lose shots during a round. While amateur golfers can lose huge chunks of their score through penalty shots and costly mistakes, better players are constantly making smaller gains across every area of their game: approach play, short game, putting, decision-making and avoiding unnecessary penalty shots. It's a great example of why Mark Broadie's Every Shot Counts is such a useful way of understanding golf strokes gained — small advantages across every part of the game quickly add up. If you're trying to understand how to lower your golf scores, improve your golf course management or simply work out where you're really losing shots, this match gives you a practical look at how strokes gained plays out on the golf course rather than just on a spreadsheet. Watch the match, see who comes out on top, and let us know in the comments: if you could have a pro golfer hit one type of shot for you all round, which would you choose? Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:38 Hole 1 - Long Approach Shots 03:30 Hole 2 - Short Approach Shots 07:06 Hole 3 - Tee Shot Accuracy 12:29 Hole 4 - Penalty Shot Chaos 15:32 The Scoring Difference 16:21 Final Hole - Who Wins?! 19:45 The Stats Round Up ----- FREE Golf Swing 101 Class here: https://www.markcrossfieldgolf.com/how-to-play-golf-101 NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE LESSONS WITH MARK CROSSFIELD, check out his packages here: https://skillest.com/coach/markcrossfield ----- SAVE MONEY and support the channel by using my affiliate links. I've partnered with top companies to offer discounts on launch monitors, training aids, range finders, and more. Check out all my affiliate deals here: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/c/affiliates ----- Sign up for my FREE golf tips newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/ ----- pro golfer vs amateur golfer, pro vs amateur golf, pro vs 10 handicap, pro vs 10 handicap golfer, 10 handicap golfer, strokes gained golf, golf strokes gained, strokes gained explained, how to lower your golf scores, how to score better at golf, lower golf scores, better golf scores, golf scoring, golf scoring tips, golf course management, golf strategy, golf strategy for lower scores, penalty shots golf, golf penalty shots, driving vs approach play, driving vs irons golf, golf driving, approach play golf, where golfers lose shots, what costs golfers shots, Every Shot Counts Mark Broadie, golf match, pro vs amateur golf match, Mark Crossfield, Mark Crossfield Golf