Advice on First Handicap Card

GB72

GB72

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I am taking someone out for their first handicap card on Sunday and as far as I am aware he has only played with a few mates before. Is there anything that you think I should be reminding him of before we start.

Just in case I am going to ensure that he remembers that the ball must go in the hole on every hole (no gimmies), to always hit a provisional if he is not sure of finding a ball and that if he loses a ball and does not hit a provisional it is back to where the last shot was from to play the next one (still amazed how many people think they drop where they think the lost ball ended up).

So, bearing in mind that I am taking out someone who is pretty much a total novice for a handicap card, is there anything else you think should be cleared up or reminded on the first tee to ensure a smooth round.
 
Sounds like you've got it covered. I'm sure if anything crops up on the round you will keep him right, and hopefuly he is the type of person who wants to learn and take advice as opposed to someone who thinks he know it all anyway
 
i'd probably say dont overload him with too much info,let him concentrate on his game. you can always tell him when an incident arises

yeah make sure he knows to putt out
 
On a similar note. I was wondering does the marker have to complete their scores? Person marking mine was going to pick up on one hole and I insisted they finished the hole as I wanted to make sure I didn't violate any rules. He obliged as he wasn't sure himself.
 
On a similar note. I was wondering does the marker have to complete their scores? Person marking mine was going to pick up on one hole and I insisted they finished the hole as I wanted to make sure I didn't violate any rules. He obliged as he wasn't sure himself.
Click to expand...
Might be wrong but I don't think the marker has to play let alone finish a hole
 
Not planning on overloading him to start with, just make sure he doesn't do something to wreck the card (like putt up to the edge of the hole and pick up). The course is only a 9 holer and used to beginners but it may be busy so also want to avoid him having to take the walk of shame back to a crowded tee to repeat his drive
 
When I did my first card I was with the handicap sec, no advice forthcoming from him! I think he was testing rules knowledge at the same time (not by questioning but he would have penalised any transgressions).

and a marker doesn't have to play.
 
I know its for handicap but if he dose anything wrong what the point in peanilising him shots. Say he dose pick up his ball make him replace it and give him a shot penalty what would the point of that be all it would do is give him a extra shot on his handicap. Best thing to do is if he grounds his club in the bunker explain the rule to him but don't add penalty shots on what the point in someone been able to shoot to 16 but they get a 20 handicap because they are a novice and not sure of some rules. Balls OB lost ect.should be counted as normal.
Mike
 
If it was me being marked I'd like to know that the person I was playing with new his stuff.

Doesn't have to be patronising or offensive. Just let him know from the outset that you'll let him know prior of anything that might count as a penalty and say that your not trying to sound patronising.

Grounding clubs in staked areas does my head in!!!

Make sure if he does go in the sand or in a staked area that on your walk to his shot just remind him that he cannot ground his club in ANY staked area. Should sink in soon enough.
 
Would it be cruel to add in a couple of ficticious rules too for humour purposes.

Tell him a tee can only be used 3 times in one round or a gentlemanly handshake is required every time some makes birdie or better.

Ok maybe not then :D
 
Keep it simple and let him focus on the golf. If he goes in a bunker maybe just say "don't forget you can't ground your club" as he's walking towards the sand. If he has to drop, staked trees etc explain nearest point of relief if he isn't sure. It'll help his knowledge in the long run. I disagree about letting any infringements go. Get him to ask before he plays if he isn't sure. If you let anything go and he does it in a comp he'll get pulled and he'll say "well I didn't get penalised when my cards were marked" and it might look bad on you
 
Perhaps he should have said, "Do not ground your club in a

hazard "

Golfmmad.
Click to expand...

Yes, I think he should of.

It's like me saying "I get so annoyed when people tee their ball up on the tee."

*shakes head, walking off to kitchen to get another beer*
 
I did a card with someone the other day.

Its worthwhile just keeping an eye on them in a friendly way with regards to rules and obligations on the course. I played most of the course, but for wayward shots I picked up and followed fairly closely to offer advice and encouragement.

Also, if they are novices the thought of competing (as it effectively is) can be daunting. Encourage them to keep the ball in play and be sensible when playing shots.

Intentional infringement of the rules will be uncommon, although unintentional infringement is commonplace and as someone mentioned, it will get on the tits of some people in a competition and when mentioned you don't want him to say "_________ never pulled me up on it and signed my card"

Have I rambled alot?

Ash!!
 
Having recently gone through the process of having cards marked and receiving a handicap, I can give you their side of things.

I was as nervous as hell, especially going out with people i didnt know. Of course I didnt know the rules, and nor should I be expected to I dont think, I'm not aiming to be a professional, I want to enjoy the game.

Me and my friend went round with 2 guys, good lads actually, and i think it was the 3rd green when my mate gave me a gimme from less than a foot so i picked up, one of the guys said, as its for handicap, you really have to hole out. All stroke play rounds etc you have to hole everything, which I didnt know, but do now. He didnt penalise me, because honestly, whats the point? He informed me of the rules and now I know. They were very encouraging and helping out where they could.

2nd round was with the handicap secretary and that was great because he was chatting all the way round and giving little bits of rule info out etc. If we were taking too many shots, he said we could pick up, he'd mark it as a double bogey with a circle round it, indicating we didnt finish the hole. It's all to speed the game up and make it more enjoyable.

No bunkers round our course but plenty of trees etc. I didnt know you cant ground your clubs there? Why not? seems a little strange... So dont be patronising, if you see him ground his club, just say something like "for future reference, you cant do thaht, this is the reason, and you will penalised". This will be all you need I reckon.

Ive now gone round in a stableford and a stroke play comp, hte stroke play being far more nerve wracking, because there is no excuse, you simply have to play out each hole... I'm sure it will all come together in time tho :-)
 
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