18 Birdies Handicap - Worth keeping track as a free alternative?

[AndrewK]

Just starting out in golf (Since i got my first clubs in August) and on a budget until i decide which golf club i want to join annually. So far the membership i have taken in December is off peak, no voting rights and no handicap given type set up which is absolutely perfect for me. I am playing 1-2 rounds per week and enjoying every minute of it.

A friend mentioned the 18 birdies app and i gave it a go and found it to be extremely good for recording the round as i hate the pencil and card setup. My mobile sits in a holder on the trolley, it tells me my distances (As a beginner its still guesswork on which club) and it records my scores. It also gives me a basic estimation of my handicap too which from what i read isnt that far removed from the calculation for a proper handicap.

So when i get further down the line, say 12 months and i decide i am playing enough to warranty a full membership and possibly entering some of the local comps would i be starting at square 1 with handicap? Is it a 54? Do i just submit a few of my previous scores or do i have to provide new ones? I am pretty pleased with the progress i have made so would i quickly get back to the handicap (give or take) i have now or would it be slow progress?

Current 18 birdies handicap is 17

 

[Lord Tyrion]

To get a handicap you have to provide new scores, your card needs to be marked by another person. Check the club you are joining, they may specify that the person must be a member also. You need to state before the round that the card will be a counting one, you can not decide half way around or after the round. The score is the score, whether you like it or not.

You tend to need to put in 3 cards in order to get your first handicap, someone will correct me if I am wrong there.

Don't get hung up on your initial handicap. It will alter over time to your correct level, let the system do its job.

 

[AndrewK]

To get a handicap you have to provide new scores, your card needs to be marked by another person. Check the club you are joining, they may specify that the person must be a member also. You need to state before the round that the card will be a counting one, you can not decide half way around or after the round. The score is the score, whether you like it or not.

You tend to need to put in 3 cards in order to get your first handicap, someone will correct me if I am wrong there.

Don't get hung up on your initial handicap. It will alter over time to your correct level, let the system do its job.

Thanks for that. So 3 cards to get initial handicap. Then what? Do i have to arrange to play with another member each time i want to submit a card? A lot of my play is solo.

Not really that bothered about my handicap other than for personal improvement at present but if i do get a high handicap for a period, its going to put me in a nice position whilst playing comps.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Thanks for that. So 3 cards to get initial handicap. Then what? Do i have to arrange to play with another member each time i want to submit a card? A lot of my play is solo.

Not really that bothered about my handicap other than for personal improvement at present but if i do get a high handicap for a period, its going to put me in a nice position whilst playing comps.

Yes. Someone has to sign to attest that the score given is correct. Scores can still be fiddled but this way two people are in on it and reduces the number of dodgy scores .

Keep playing solo, I do in the summer evenings, but those scores will not count.

 

[3 jabber]

Your handicap is based on your best 8 scores from your last 20 so it will fluctuate quite a lot until you have 20 cards in then it will settle down a bit and be more indicative of your ability. But as stated, ALL counting scores have to be declared prior to play if general play (non competition) cards. You can submit a GP card at anytime provided you are playing a measured course and have a marker (attester).

 

[doublebogey7]

In order to get an official handicap you have to submit scores from a total of 54 holes, played in any combination of 18 or 9 holes. Those scores must be attested by someone acceptable to the committee administrating the handicap i.e. the handicap committee of the club. Once you have submitted those scores you will be given a handicap, due to the way the new handicaps are calculated it is not likely to settle down until you have 20 scores on your record where the best 8 scores are used in the calculation from then on. In order to play in competitions many clubs stipulate, typicall 6, a minimum number of scores have to have been submitted in the last 12 months. Some clubs go further and insist that some or of those scores are from competitions.

It is likely that the handicap you have now is slightly lower than you might get at a club, but 17 is a very good starting point, so I would say you are more than ready to go on and get an official handicap. The club you choose to join should be able to help find players who are happy to mark a card for you, if they can't I would suggest you look elsewhere.

Where are you based and which club are you playing at the moment.

Good Luck

 

[AndrewK]

Thanks for the replies guys. Playing at Carlisle Golf club. Loving it and the people have been spot on with me. Just proving to be a bit difficult persuading my pal who played last summer with me to cough up the money to join so its solo golf at present.

Fully expect my handicap to be worse than the 18 Birdies figure based on playing winter mats and plenty of the bunkers being Out Of Bounds (For some reason i dont hit them that often) but its been improving consistently so it will hopefully improve as the weather improves too.

Trying to get organised with some lessons soon so hopefully this will help me improve a bit too.

 

[Neilds]

Thanks for the replies guys. Playing at Carlisle Golf club. Loving it and the people have been spot on with me. Just proving to be a bit difficult persuading my pal who played last summer with me to cough up the money to join so its solo golf at present.

Fully expect my handicap to be worse than the 18 Birdies figure based on playing winter mats and plenty of the bunkers being Out Of Bounds (For some reason i dont hit them that often) but its been improving consistently so it will hopefully improve as the weather improves too.

Trying to get organised with some lessons soon so hopefully this will help me improve a bit too.

When you join, ask if there are any groups (may also be known as roll ups or fiddles) which you could join. Great way to meet new playing partners and will also mean you have someone to mark your card. You may also win a bit of cash before your handicap settles down

 

[casuk]

I liked 18 birdies and used it for a few years and would always be around my actual hc, as a bench mark I think the apps are a good start, once you have your 3 cards in you can book medals comps ect and start getting more cards in once you hit 20 it will take your best 8 and calculate your handicap, when I joined my club I didn't know anyone or been a member elsewhere before and I found it difficult to get times to get my cards in now If I see a new member I'll offer to help them out, maybe ask if they have a buddy system or something that will help you get started, something I think all clubs should have, good luck mate

 

[LincolnShep]

If your mate doesn't want to join a club, he can join iGolf for about £50 a year. As an iGolf member, you get an 'official' England Golf handicap without having to be a club member. Some open organisers treat iGolf members as second-class citizens but, for the most part, it's the same as a club handicap. That is to say it's as accurate as the player is honest! If you're an iGolf member, you can play with club members and authorise their scores, and vice versa.

Another cheap option is to look for clubs nearby that do 'green fee' memberships. My club, for example, is only £140 a year but I have to pay every time I play. That's obviously more than iGolf but it gives me access to club competitions and nobody gives me dirty looks if I win an open! I've seen clubs offering green fee memberships for as low as £1.

 

[The Squirrel]

Current 18 birdies handicap is 17

I use 18Birdies for exactly the same reason as you. Works perfectly to track solo play and make you a litttle more serious about scoring properly, no mulligans, hole putts etc as every round still “counts” in your personal data even though nobody else is there.

You’ll also find their break 90 (then break 80) targets useful and fun as you improve - give you a good idea of what levels you should be reaching with different game components at each stage. Always good when one flashes up ad completed during a round!

 

[bruno987]

Yeah, it’s worth it. Your 18 Birdies handicap gives a rough benchmark, but official GHIN/club handicap will start fresh, you’ll submit your scores and it will settle close to your current level pretty quickly.