Do people naturally equilibrate to their new handicap after a big cut?

[Curls]

I've been reading some of the other threads, the usual divisive topics. There's a lot of talk about bandits as against having that one-in-a-million round, I'm quite sure both happen, but what interests me is what happens afterwards.

People who aren't bandits and have one fantastic round and get cut 4 or 5 (or more) shots, do they then start playing to their new number? Or is it a slow and steady rise back to where they started? To me it seems the former, people start to see themselves as a 10 (for example) and having been a 14 for ages they just start playing to 10.

Or am I talking hokum and folk struggle to play to the cut until the gradually get back?

 

[GB72]

I started on 27 and twice came down 3 or more shots in one go. To be honest, that was more than fair and on both occasions I spent a few months hitting the buffer zone before another cut. Part of it was the change in approach to the course after each cut, having to change the way I played holes where I used to have 2 shots and would play for a bogey etc. The cut down to 14 that I have just received has been a pretty harsh learning curve, however, and I have been up .1 for pretty much every competition since.

 

[chrisd]

With me, I have had cuts and then drifted upwards again but never go back to where I was before the cut, then I tend to find form again for another cut. Perhaps those who get big cuts find a big change in their swing that works really well and makes a huge difference to their game.

 

[mcbroon]

Not sure there's a one-size-fits-all answer to this one. I think it depends on the golfer.

I agree that there can be something of a mental block when you're off 14 and trying to get to 10, for example. I spent 18 months trying to get to single figures, because I believed that's where I should be, but kept on playing like a 12-14 h/capper. Then one day I shot the lights out and got to single figs without even realising I'd done it. Since then, I feel like I belong there and should be lower, so I've been coming down further since.

I know of others, though, who have been at the same level, 12-14, had one good round and then just had a steady stream of 0.1s until they're back there. I wouldn't say there's one definite pattern but my view is that a lot depends on how you see yourself. If you think 12 (or 6, or 18 or whatever) is your limit, that's probably where you'll stick. If you believe you have the game to be lower, then unless you're a complete fantasist, I think you'll probably manage it somehow.

 

[duncan mackie]

People who aren't bandits and have one fantastic round and get cut 4 or 5 (or more) shots,.......

Or am I talking hokum and folk struggle to play to the cut until the gradually get back?

you are never going to get cut on a single rounds performance by more than half your fantastic rounds improvement over your current handicap ie if a 28 handicapper plays to 18 he would be cut to 24, a 12 playing to Scr would (only) be cut to 10!

and you are then asking if these people will seriously struggle to play with their 'new labels' of 24 and 10?

now, of course some people will because that's their mental make up; but in general one round cuts aren't a practical issue for anyone.

 

[pbrown7582]

I would imagine most find a 2 steps forward 1 step back pattern emerges as chrisd says cut up a bit cut, although unfortunately i cant remember exactly how it did when I worked my way down just an upward spiral these days!

 

[Curls]

you are never going to get cut on a single rounds performance by more than half your fantastic rounds improvement over your current handicap ie if a 28 handicapper plays to 18 he would be cut to 24, a 12 playing to Scr would (only) be cut to 10!

True unless you are ESR'd, much less spectacular numbers can result in a huge cut.

and you are then asking if these people will seriously struggle to play with their 'new labels' of 24 and 10?

Example numbers aside I'm interested in what the forumers who have been cut a lot quickly have to say and I've had some interesting response, was your progression more steady?

 

[CMAC]

mine was quick and over a season, then played to it. But I had the time to do so.

I beleive most people dont play to their handicap anyway, so a drastic cut wont change that, just affirm it.

 

[duncan mackie]

True unless you are ESR'd, much less spectacular numbers can result in a huge cut.



Example numbers aside I'm interested in what the forumers who have been cut a lot quickly have to say and I've had some interesting response, was your progression more steady?

apologies I took you post at face value - an ESR requires 2 exceptional rounds.

my handicap history has covered 3 different handicap systems and involved periods of accelerated progression as well as others that might be better termed 'the doldrums'.

periods where I practiced so long and hard I felt I deserved a cut - but with hindsight I was putting more pressure on myself to perform than I could handle...

and others where it was all too easy - 13 -> 8 in around 5 months a couple of years ago with just a modicum of practice outside of playing.

there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that people can get into a very bad place with handicapping; it's the simple corollary to how well they can perform when they are in a significant comfort zone - no end of players can play to 20 off 24 but off 22 they are lucky to play to 26.

everything is about mindset in golf; everything. handicaps and how you react are just another element.

 

[Curls]

apologies I took you post at face value - an ESR requires 2 exceptional rounds.

my handicap history has covered 3 different handicap systems and involved periods of accelerated progression as well as others that might be better termed 'the doldrums'.

periods where I practiced so long and hard I felt I deserved a cut - but with hindsight I was putting more pressure on myself to perform than I could handle...

and others where it was all too easy - 13 -> 8 in around 5 months a couple of years ago with just a modicum of practice outside of playing.

there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that people can get into a very bad place with handicapping; it's the simple corollary to how well they can perform when they are in a significant comfort zone - no end of players can play to 20 off 24 but off 22 they are lucky to play to 26.

everything is about mindset in golf; everything. handicaps and how you react are just another element.

Cool and no apologies needed, I was jumping off the "53 points" thread and in that case as you say someone whose just shot 74 off 20+ handicap shouldn't have an issue playing to 18. I should have been more precise and said a quick drop in a short time, and I guess I'm thinking about my own situation and in that respect your insight is very interesting.

in 2012 I went from 17 down to 13.5 and then to 11.4 in the space of a month or so, ESR'd on the strength of two rounds of +9 gross (with nothing too bad between). I closed out the year 12.0 and 2013 saw a steady rise (without a cut) to 12.8 but in fairness I was away so much with work that golf became a once a month thing and I should have known better than to let that once be a medal!

I guess what I was wondering is if I saw myself as an (e.g.) 8 handicap, would I stop thinking like a 13? From your post I'm getting that the worst thing I can do for my game is be so obsessed with the number.

Interesting... Cheers chap, might be worth a try.

 

[duncan mackie]

I guess what I was wondering is if I saw myself as an (e.g.) 8 handicap, would I stop thinking like a 13? From your post I'm getting that the worst thing I can do for my game is be so obsessed with the number.

IMO it would be the worst thing possible for more than one reason!

you will perform best for every round/hole/stroke having, and using!, a realistic assessment of your capabilities on a stroke by stroke basis.this should dictate how you select your shot. having correctly decided you shot you should let your subconscious dwell on your past successes with this shot ie be positive etc but don't upgrade you intentions based on this !!!!

in the context of this thread the big mistake is to stand on a tee (usually) and upgrade your intended objectives just because your handicap has changed; frequently triggered behaviors when playing stableford and loosing shots on a hole! being able to hit the ball 15 yards further isn't commonly a trait associated with reducing a handicap in the short term - improving your 'down in 2 from fringe' from 35% to 70% is - big time. somewhat ironically this means that the player who improves and is cut hard for this performance will probably benefit further from a more cautious, realistic, approach strategy going forwards; but eventually he will max out the improvement available through that route and will have to hit more greens to go lower still.