Are you any good?

[ArnoldArmChewer]

Like I said it's subjective (and perhaps a bit pointless) but what I mean is that in general conversation people tend to say things like "he was a good player when he was younger, got down to 7", or maybe "I've been drawn with a couple of good players in the medal, they're off 6 and 8" etc. I don't think a player has to be scratch for the word "good" to be used, that would mean we had no good players at our club!

I completely agree that it is a wholly subjective issue, you yourself are off 6 which is way better than the national average, however you still require the assistance of the handicap on one in three holes, I require the same assistance on 2 in three holes and I am still statistically much better than average, imo we are not good golfers if we need the help of a handicap to achieve parity with the course.

 

[Liverbirdie]

You're right. I was reminiscing about the glory days on the NW tour

Nowadays it Erratic unpredictable and possibly dangerous

I can see a rags to riches back to rags again article in Gm in 10 years time.

Remember Dave hilditch, no, well pull up a chair...........

 

[Beedee]

imo we are not good golfers if we need the help of a handicap to achieve parity with the course.

So you're not at something unless you're in the top 0.7% of participants? Really?

 

[One Planer]

Good? Me? No!

 

[ArnoldArmChewer]

So you're not at something unless you're in the top 0.7% of participants? Really?

The debate is whether you are any good, my interpretation of this is that as I need help in 2 out of 3 holes to achieve parity I am not very good, it doesn't detract from my enjoyment of the game in any way, however I am not delusional in believing that I am a good golfer

 

[Imurg]

I have flashes of adequacy

Many have delusions of adequacy....

You're only as good as your last round...ergo I'm distinctly below average...😖🔫

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

You're only as good as your last hole...

I'm bloody brilliant then, I finished with a birdie last time I played

 

[Slab]

I completely agree that it is a wholly subjective issue, you yourself are off 6 which is way better than the national average, however you still require the assistance of the handicap on one in three holes, I require the same assistance on 2 in three holes and I am still statistically much better than average, imo we are not good golfers if we need the help of a handicap to achieve parity with the course.

But aren't you mixing up handicap (the purpose of which is to act as a balancer against other players, not the course)

Par is the scratch golfer measure & precious few can achieve that over 18 holes (so way better than just 'good')... however I'd wager that even up to low cat 4 level, most club members have achieved an eclectic 18 holes to par just in the rounds played over the last 12 months (but obviously can't use that to say they're all good)

We shouldn't use proximity to the pinnacle of a sport to measure great, good, average etc on a downward sliding scale. It should be ones ability relative to the population of participants

If Tiger came back next week and shot a 55 round Troon do all the current 'good' golfers suddenly become average or poor just because of one round shot by someone somewhere in the world?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Many have delusions of adequacy....

You're only as good as your last round...ergo I'm distinctly below average...😖🔫

In that case I am officially the poorest golfer on here bar none

 

[Robobum]

We shouldn't use proximity to the pinnacle of a sport to measure great, good, average etc on a downward sliding scale. It should be ones ability relative to the population of participants

That's the kind of tosh which comes out of schools and junior leagues where any form of competition is removed.

"You are all winners in your own way..........you too Dereck. Great 5 putt on the last to break 120 champ!" 👍

 

[Hobbit]

That's the kind of tosh which comes out of schools and junior leagues where any form of competition is removed.

"You are all winners in your own way..........you too Dereck. Great 5 putt on the last to break 120 champ!" 

But we see the positivity in all your negativity!

 

[MadAdey]

Depends on who I'm playing with. The role up I normally play with, next handicap after me is 8, most players are between 12 to 18, so compared to them I'm amazing. Some of the there lads I went out with last , I was the second highest handicap, with the lowest being +5. So compared to them I'm not that good.

 

[Robobum]

But we see the positivity in all your negativity!

I need a hug

 

[Slab]

That's the kind of tosh which comes out of schools and junior leagues where any form of competition is removed.

"You are all winners in your own way..........you too Dereck. Great 5 putt on the last to break 120 champ!" 👍

Fraid you've missed my point, or any idea of concept within this thread. My fault obviously but in fairness it was only intended to be understood by good golfers

 

[TonyN]

Quite simply for me, it depends who's asking.

I get asked this question quite a bit at work because I play in the work society and most have H/C higher than mine.

I usually just tell them what I play off and let them them decide. 9/10 follow it up with, "is THAT good?"

 

[Slab]

Quite simply for me, it depends who's asking.

I get asked this question quite a bit at work because I play in the work society and most have H/C higher than mine.

I usually just tell them what I play off and let them them decide. 9/10 follow it up with, "is THAT good?"

Kinda what I was getting at, the OP isn’t talking about David Feherty interviewing you on the steps of the R&A in front of the cameras while Jason & Jordan putt out over your shoulder on the 18th on a Sunday evening and asking you if you think you’re a good golfer! Even Rory's gonna have to admit he's a bit mince given he finished his round an hour earlier

 

[Hobbit]

This reminds me of the Ronnie Corbett, Ronnie Barker & John Cleese sketch about who is better than who.

A 28 handicapper might think 12 is good and 8 is very good. A scratch guy might think 12 is a bit better than average, with 8 marginally better, whilst he might think +4 is good and tour pro is excellent.

For some people the holy grail is to break 80, whilst for others its 70.

I spent half an hour on the practice ground last night, and hit balls for the first time in 10 weeks, with the new irons. I was pleasantly surprised and thought it was good - no duffs, and after a few shots I was peppering the flag. But that doesn't mean I'll score good...

 

[Fish]

Often when speaking to people and it comes up that you play golf the question is always asked 'Are you any good?'

No

 

[351DRIVER]

So you're not at something unless you're in the top 0.7% of participants? Really?

Seems fair to me

I tend to agree if you have a handicap you cannot be considered GOOD

 

[Oohmeoldbacksknackered]

My mum thinks I could have turned pro..

20 years ago I was on the wrong side of ok-ish but could play with anyone without embarrassing myself and without ruining their day.

Now I play once every two blue moons and normally on my own so I don't have to hear the laughter....

:fore: