23.4 how bad am I?

[Flubster]

I’ve been playing 7 or eight years, member of current club for four. Started off at 28 when there was a limit (probably nearer 34) now my handicap gives me 28 shots off the whites. So how bad am I? I can par and birdie holes but I can also score 8/9. I get a bit of abuse for being a bandit when I play well. I only play once a week and don’t practice but I love the game and want to play when I have time.

Some people seem to take offence that I’m not better than I am. Should I care?

I like comps even though I’m not great in them, should I use that time to get better instead of playing

 

[Lord Tyrion]

No, you shouldn't care. It's a hobby, fun. Carry on as you are

 

[Voyager EMH]

You are a fairly normal and typical amateur golfer. I've certainly played with several hundred just like you over the years.

Carry on.

Enjoy your golf.

 

[irip]

Better than a 23.5 worse than a 23.3.
It’s a handicap and I find in general the only one who cares about your own handicap is you.
Play your game be a good playing partner and have fun.
Master those 3 and nobody will say a bad word.

 

[Orikoru]

I’ve been playing 7 or eight years, member of current club for four. Started off at 28 when there was a limit (probably nearer 34) now my handicap gives me 28 shots off the whites. So how bad am I? I can par and birdie holes but I can also score 8/9. I get a bit of abuse for being a bandit when I play well. I only play once a week and don’t practice but I love the game and want to play when I have time.

Some people seem to take offence that I’m not better than I am. Should I care?

I like comps even though I’m not great in them, should I use that time to get better instead of playing

Who? If someone you've played with has made you feel the need to question and post this, then you're playing with the wrong people. Personally I couldn't give a toss what someone's handicap is, as long as (a) they are a good laugh to spend 3 or 4 hours with, and (b) they don't take absolutely forever.

 

[Tashyboy]

For me being called a bandit comes when I hit a hot streak. And everyone has them. Me it winds me up, not because of the name calling but it endorses the level I know I ( and others) can play at.
My end of year handicap was 17.7.at the start of the year it was 20.4 so it is a big step in the right direction. However if I had gone up 2.7. I am nigh on the same hcap as you were.
Use the comp time to course manage your shots. play your own game at your pace.

 

[rudebhoy]

For me being called a bandit comes when I hit a hot streak. And everyone has them. Me it winds me up, not because of the name calling but it endorses the level I know I ( and others) can play at.

Depends who is calling you a bandit. If it’s your mates / guys in your roll up, it’s normally good natured clubhouse banter, and I wouldn’t get wound up by that at all. Different if it’s strangers or members you are not friendly with.

 

[Slab]

Some people seem to take offence that I’m not better than I am. Should I care?

Not really… unless someone consciously decided not to practice/improve simply to keep to a higher handicap.. but if someone did that, they prob wouldn’t care what other thought anyway

Except for a very few we’ve all had handicaps in the 20’s and know full well the range of good/bad shots that can be executed at that level, and the lack of consistency that goes with it & its usually that (lack of) consistency that keep a 23 handicapper as a 23 handicapper

If at some point you find yourself too often beating your mates in fun games with scores that would =/better your handicap, its prob time to get your actual handicap to reflect your ability

 

[Hobbit]

Carry on doing what you’re doing. It’s suits how you want to allocate your time. If you want to chase a dream, allocate the time to achieve but bear in mind it will impact in other areas.

As for the bandit tag, everyone gets called a bandit. To many people doing the calling it’s a backhanded compliment. Very few people use the term maliciously, and even then they’re just jealous.

I’ve been called a bandit…. playing off 4. There’s a round in all of us where we shoot way below h’cap. Thank them for the compliment and carry on enjoying your golf.

 

[LincolnShep]

Don't worry about being called a bandit, unless you are one...!
Keep playing in the comps and (ideally) submit your other rounds as general play when possible. Then your handicap is what it is. Nobody can question it if you're always trying your best and always submitting cards.

 

[IanM]

You sound just like a guy I play with. He's been playing for 30 years and most rounds contain every number from 2 to 9.

He does the bad stuff mainly from poor course management, but he is too single minded to listen to good advice.

You should care if you want to improve. You should care a bit less if you're out for fresh air, exercise and socialising.

There's no harm in investing some time in improvement, especially at this time of year. There's always something you can do.

 

[jim8flog]

How bad are you?

Go on the appropriate regional authority website e.g. England Golf and it will tell you what percentage of golfers are like you.

 

[Petercool]

I’ve been playing 7 or eight years, member of current club for four. Started off at 28 when there was a limit (probably nearer 34) now my handicap gives me 28 shots off the whites. So how bad am I? I can par and birdie holes but I can also score 8/9. I get a bit of abuse for being a bandit when I play well. I only play once a week and don’t practice but I love the game and want to play when I have time.

Some people seem to take offence that I’m not better than I am. Should I care?

I like comps even though I’m not great in them, should I use that time to get better instead of playing

If you played twice a week one comp and the other fun, you’d be a 16 fast unless you have a fundamental driver issue.

Once a week, you are fine with whatever your handicap is.

 

[rudebhoy]

If you played twice a week one comp and the other fun, you’d be a 16 fast unless you have a fundamental driver issue.

Once a week, you are fine with whatever your handicap is.

Not sure about that. We've got a couple of guys in our extended group who play 2-3 times a week, they have been off mid-20s for as long as I've known them, they sometimes have a blinder, sometimes have a nightmare, but are generally steady off that mark. Neither are terrible drivers.

 

[Imurg]

You sound just like a guy I play with. He's been playing for 30 years and most rounds contain every number from 2 to 9.

He does the bad stuff mainly from poor course management, but he is too single minded to listen to good advice.

You should care if you want to improve. You should care a bit less if you're out for fresh air, exercise and socialising.

There's no harm in investing some time in improvement, especially at this time of year. There's always something you can do.

Ah....you play with Fragger as well.....

 

[GG26]

I wouldn’t worry about it. Spent nine years getting from an initial handicap of 26 down to 16.1 two years ago. Last year didn’t play well and went up to 18.0 and until August this year completely lost the plot and went up to 23.0 (would have been over 25, but hit the annual hard cap).

Started on the road of getting things back together and currently on 22.5. On a good day I will no doubt get the bandit comments, but it happens to most golfers at some point. As long as you are enjoying playing and are doing your best when recording scores don’t worry what anyone else says. Everyone is capable of birdies and pars, but the better players simply do that more consistently.