Ever been called a Bandit and how did you react?

[North Mimms]

I don't mean "You old bandit, you" in a joshing sort of way.

I mean straight out seriously, "you keep you handicap artifically high" by someone who really meant it.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Moons ago I did a nett 59 off 13. Got called that and other stuff. Didn't care. Was the club qualifier medal for the Golf World UK Club Golfer of the year - and as I was in top 60 scores across all the UK I got to the final played at Tewkesbury Park. I played with the winner and came 10th

 

[Deleted member 18121]

yep...someone told me "you dont strike the ball like a 21 handicapper" as I was hitting well off the tee. Then called me a bandit as I had a couple of nice holes. I explained that I'm not consistent but could tell he thought I was up to no good.

My short game/putting then let me down throughout the round and he actually apologised at the end.......I've never played at that club since. Cant be doing with people like that.

 

[Fish]

Only once, all mine have been said in jest at my club as they have seen how hard I work at it. The single occasion was away in a matchplay knock-out comp, he said his piece, walked away, moaned at the Pro and then left the club, no drink or even a handshake! The Pro couldn't apologise more TBF but it wasn't very nice, I just had a very good knock.

 

[timchump]

i've been told "a person of your handicap shouldn't be able to hit that far" in a serious manner implying i was cheating.

i joked "you should see my short game",

i did take offence though, thought it was a bit narrow minded, being able to hit it a good distance is only one part of the game.
i wish id replied when the guy holed a put "a person of you handicap shouldn't be able to hole puts like that"

 

[Jack_bfc]

After I birdied the SI 4 par 4 13th last night to score 5 points, there were a few comments made.


I do need to cut my own HC really in these friendly matches..

 

[Tiger]

A few times. Generally because I can play a long stretch of holes close to level par and then blow a gasket. I mostly laugh it off but it's not nice...

 

[mikee247]

I think its a natural reaction to make when you play someone you don't know off a high handicap who has a great round.... but comments should be kept to a minimum if at all.... sometimes people protect and manage their handicaps carefully in order to win which is a shame but true in certain comps... way of the world Im afraid... I know a few.

Clearly if they played with you every week then they may make a different assumption... if they do and they still call you a bandit the chances are they are correct!!

Ive had a month of decent golf which has been a unusual but pleasant experience and played a good few shots below my handicap on several different and tough courses. This has resulted in a board win and several extra quid back in my sky rocket..... I have been cut but those who play with me regularly know too well not to call me a bandit !!

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

i've been told "a person of your handicap shouldn't be able to hit that far" in a serious manner implying i was cheating.

i joked "you should see my short game",

i did take offence though, thought it was a bit narrow minded, being able to hit it a good distance is only one part of the game.
i wish id replied when the guy holed a put "a person of you handicap shouldn't be able to hole puts like that"

I often have to defend my buddy against accusations of banditry. He is off 20 but can strike a mean ball. But his variability and weaknesses cripple his scoring - it's doing his head in as he is desperate to get his handicap down. He would never show it but when he get's so accused or hears little side (and sometimes snide) comments along lines of 'off 20 hitting the ball like that...' he gets upset and if necessary I will have a little go at the perpetrator (out earshot of my buddy)

 

[brendy]

46 points in a Saturday comp last year, I cried into my sombrero.

 

[timchump]

I often have to defend my buddy against accusations of banditry. He is off 20 but can strike a mean ball. But his variability and weaknesses cripple his scoring - it's doing his head in as he is desperate to get his handicap down. He would never show it but when he get's so accused or hears little side (and sometimes snide) comments along lines of 'off 20 hitting the ball like that...' he gets upset and if necessary I will have a little go at the perpetrator (out earshot of my buddy)

i wish everybody was as open minded as you, i think a lot of people wrongly associate ability to hit the ball far with a low handicap

for me i find a full swing easy as there is no real feel involved, just give it a lash, but judging finer touches of approach shots and chipping is really tricky, i've recently bought a chipper to help

i share your friends pain, hitting a peach of a a drive and walking off with a bogey or worse is frustrating

 

[Beezerk]

Played a round with some old friends years ago at their club, they took great pleasure in pointing out a few people who in their mind had artificially high handicaps.
They were really vile and bitter about it, I was quite shocked at the time.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

i wish everybody was as open minded as you, i think a lot of people wrongly associate ability to hit the ball far with a low handicap

for me i find a full swing easy as there is no real feel involved, just give it a lash, but judging finer touches of approach shots and chipping is really tricky, i've recently bought a chipper to help

i share your friends pain, hitting a peach of a a drive and walking off with a bogey or worse is frustrating

I find it pretty easy to tell the 'bandit' from the 'honest striver' (apologies for using a politico-gobbledicrap phrase but it's appropriate).

I've just come down from 12 to 10 (in one mighty leap). Off 12 I got lots of comments about aspects of my game - but I played off mid-high single figures for >25yrs so I'm bound to have bits of my game still representative of that level. Likewise if you are about to come down in handicap you are bound to have bits of your game representative of a lower handicap.

 

[drs1878]

i wish everybody was as open minded as you, i think a lot of people wrongly associate ability to hit the ball far with a low handicap

for me i find a full swing easy as there is no real feel involved, just give it a lash, but judging finer touches of approach shots and chipping is really tricky, i've recently bought a chipper to help


i share your friends pain, hitting a peach of a a drive and walking off with a bogey or worse is frustrating

I too share your pain !!!

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

...and I'll add a few words about handicaps I read last night as penned by Henry Longhurst.

...your handicap is meant to represent something like your best golf, ignoring the occasional freak round which you are not likely to repeat...Your handicap should reflect your ability when you are 'on' your game

 

[Tiger]

...and I'll add a few words about handicaps I read last night as penned by Henry Longhurst.

...your handicap is meant to represent something like your best golf, ignoring the occasional freak round which you are not likely to repeat...Your handicap should reflect your ability when you are 'on' your game

I don't agree with that. My playing ability is anywhere between a 12-14 handicap the problem is the six inches between my ears. If I was on my game I'd be close to racking up a half century of points...

 

[Birchy]

I think ive been called a bandit more times than ive been called Scott :rofl: . Only a couple of times has it been a serious accusation and both times I thought they were joking and started laughing. It didn't go down to well when they were actually being serious

Both times it was mediocre golfers who thought they would easily play better than me when they saw my name and handicap on the sheet.

 

[Stuey01]

The way the handicap system works it mathematically cannot represent your best golf. It will tend towards it, but only if you regularly shoot at or near your best in qualifying rounds.
For as long as you are improving anyway...

 

[GB72]

I have never had it called to my face but have had plenty of snide or whispered remarks. When I was improving regularly I won a few medals at my old club and received plenty of comments about how higher handicappers should not be winning medals etc.

The most disappointing time was at the GM Centenary qualifying event at Bredsall Priory. I won with 43 points and heard a few whispered comments around the room after that (not from anyone I know on here I would add). Yes 43 points on a strange course was a cracking round but it was just one of those days. What they do not realise is that I asked GM to send me my card back and handed it straight in to the handicap secretary at my home club.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

I don't agree with that. My playing ability is anywhere between a 12-14 handicap the problem is the six inches between my ears. If I was on my game I'd be close to racking up a half century of points...

That's why I always say we have 2 handicaps, a physical one and a mental one. Most of us are restricted by the mental one.