Recent content by Geoff_Baker

The only truly fair option would be to do away with handicaps altogether and everyone plays off scratch - then the best golf on the day wins. People who put most effort into their games would likely reap their reward. I think it was mentioned earlier in the thread about 'bandits' - I would...

I played in an open at Teignmouth a few years ago and was about to put my 35 points into the computer when the leaderboard popped up. 50 points from a 17 handicapper - I don't care how 'easy' a course is playing, to shoot 14 under nett I'm afraid your handicap is almost certainly bogus.

Rounds at my home club came out around £6 per round which I think is pretty reasonable for a private members club. When you consider the local municipals charge £12 or probably more these days for a weekend game then being a member is pretty good value if you play more than once a week. I...

I finished just short of 211. I'll have to try harder in 2010! Last year I played the equivalent of 207 18 hole rounds (fitting in 9 or more holes after work plus plenty more on weekends and holidays). I think I managed 36 different courses of which 26 were ones I hadn't played before. (I've...

Spent six days in St Andrews (25-30th May). Played the Old twice, the New twice, Jubilee, Castle, Eden, Strathtyrum, Balgove, Kingsbarns and the Balcomie links at Crail. OK it was expensive and yes Carnoustie is probably a better test of golf but you really have to experience the atmosphere...

Changing shoes in the car park. While I would agree that making a total mess in the car park by cleaning your shoes is certainly part of the reason I would suggest that more likely reasons is that if you are using the locker room then you are likely to be a member since you know the code/have...

At Dartmouth GC (West Bromwich) we get a nice easy start. A 616 yard par 5 with OB all the way down the left and a fairway that resembles a rollercoaster for most of its length. Hopefully by the summer we will have a new back tee making the hole around 670 yards!

I've managed 29 although I'm pretty sure I won't do all 120 with some of the green fees now over £200 they are out of reach of most people even as a treat.

I managed 9 in one round but I also threw in some horror holes - two triples and two doubles plus some other bogeys to finish with a gross 75. Aside from that I've had 5 in a round and 3 in a row is my best run of consecutive birdies. Geoff Baker (6 handicap)