First time on course(s)

[Lucifer MorningStar]

And the guys who have a WHS index and play in Opens aren't inflated?

Exactly that was gonna be my next point to the fella but I couldn’t be bothered after hearing his smug and condescending tone

 

[Backache]

Hi,

After "hitting balls" on and off for years but never playing a proper course (putting greens, driving ranges, practices areas, and pitch ad putts excluded), later this month I will be doing three rounds in as many days.

I have been having lessons most weeks for the last 6 months or so, and everyone says "you should be pretty good". I have other options, ha ha.

All friends I'm playing with are iPlay registered as I'm keen for a handicap to see where I am at. Have read the other posts about this being open to some abuse, but I have no interest in faking a lower score. Interesting to know where I come at...will be happy with 40 something I think!

One question I have, is I am an iGolf subscriber at the moment but have just put in for a membership at a club. If and when that is processed and I become a member, will my ability to register scores via iPlay members remain, or will it become club-sanctioned only? Reason I ask is I'm vary wary of playing with anyone I don't know until I get a few rounds under my belt and a baseline handicap.

Maybe I'm sounding a dissenting note.
Whereas there is nothing wrong with going for a handicap with Golf or a club I would not be inclined to put in scores on the first three rounds I'd ever played on a course. There is quite a bit of just general getting used to playing on a course that you don't really need the extra bother of computing a score playing absolutely correctly to the rules of golf etc.
I would play a few rounds without even thinking about scoring , handicaps etc and then think about putting cards in either with IGolf or with a club.

 

[IanM]

And the guys who have a WHS index and play in Opens aren't inflated?

It's all the same, cheating is cheating.

Although you'd hope there's a slightly better chance of some clubs picking up iffy practices.

 

[rulefan]

Although you'd hope there's a slightly better chance of some clubs picking up iffy practices.

Many clubs haven't got the resources (willing members or money) or the gumption to sort it out.

 

[IanM]

Many clubs haven't got the resources (willing members or money) or the gumption to sort it out.

Hence "some."

 

[Magcargo]

Why anyone would want to cheat a handicap is beyond me. Paired up with someone you are massively inferior to? What kind of fun is that haha.

 

[Magcargo]

Just as a follow-up, and because I cannot see a specific discussion on soft/hard balls when searching.

After my first ever time on a course today I hit 130, with MyEG saying 54.6 on Handicap Performance. A little higher than I hoped but hopefully can bring this down a little in the next holes before I get my first HC.

I have been reading about ball hardness and the claims seem to be supported by science unlike many things I read from manufacturers. Would people agree soft is better for a beginner?

 

[Neilds]

Just as a follow-up, and because I cannot see a specific discussion on soft/hard balls when searching.

After my first ever time on a course today I hit 130, with MyEG saying 54.6 on Handicap Performance. A little higher than I hoped but hopefully can bring this down a little in the next holes before I get my first HC.

I have been reading about ball hardness and the claims seem to be supported by science unlike many things I read from manufacturers. Would people agree soft is better for a beginner?

At your level cost is more important than hard or soft. I imagine you will be losing quite a few balls every round to start with so just buy cheap.

 

[Magcargo]

I only lost 2-3 balls actually, so that was one of the big takeaways of the morning ha ha. But yeah, thanks I'm currently using Slazenger on multibuy!

 

[timd77]

Just as a follow-up, and because I cannot see a specific discussion on soft/hard balls when searching.

After my first ever time on a course today I hit 130, with MyEG saying 54.6 on Handicap Performance. A little higher than I hoped but hopefully can bring this down a little in the next holes before I get my first HC.

I have been reading about ball hardness and the claims seem to be supported by science unlike many things I read from manufacturers. Would people agree soft is better for a beginner?

Yep, you can’t really go too wrong with soft balls to start. Srixon ad333 or soft feel, callaway supersoft, those will serve you well.

That’s not a bad score by the way. As a comparison, my first official score was 120 odd but I’d been playing for a few years by then, good start mate.

 

[Magcargo]

Thanks a lot!

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

At your level cost is more important than hard or soft. I imagine you will be losing quite a few balls every round to start with so just buy cheap.

Great bit of advice , anyone new to the game and finding their way should work on budget of balls until they have consistent ball striking and better understanding of their own game.

I only lost 2-3 balls actually, so that was one of the big takeaways of the morning ha ha. But yeah, thanks I'm currently using Slazenger on multibuy!

3 balls per round at a 1 round a week is at least a dozen balls a month down the drain. Wouldn’t worry to much about the feel of a ball till you’re used to getting a more consistent strike and shot pattern. Softer balls will give you a bit more distance if you’re a slightly slower swinger and not consistent with your ball striking.

But for best bang for your buck as a beginner. Look at something like the Inesis 500 from decathlon £14 a dozen , decent performance and not breaking the bank if you do lose a dozen. Or the Srixon marathon soft ball, they’re available for £22 for 2 dozen balls in sports direct. Use something like those until you gain a bit more consistency and then worry about ball specifics for suiting your game.

 

[Tashyboy]

In your opening post you have mentioned you have had lessons. The person you have had lessons with should know your swing speed etc. he should be able to give you good advice on a particular ball type re compression etc.
Agree with the afore mentioned, callaway supersoft, ad333 are good balls to start with.That said when I have lost one or two I get to the stage where I will hit anything out of the bag.

 

[Magcargo]

Thanks. One thing I haven't asked him about is balls - but meant to this week!

Shot 114 (110 with +5 max limits per hole due to having no HC) today on a different course so progress of sorts....

18 more holes tomorrow and then WHS should deliver its verdict on Monday.

 

[Magcargo]

And a nice big 146 today...that's all three rounds into WHS now.

All of my rounds have been verified on the MyEG app and probably not in accordance with my club's rules.

I know I will not be allowed to enter competitions, but I have a question: Can my club's committee, delete/amend my WHS-inputted scores? I know they can do reviews but what I'm interested in is: Can they take my WHS handicap away simply because I haven't played rounds verified by club members? I know they don't have to accept it/can ignore it, but can they actually block/delete scores/HC.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Magcargo]

Apologies for double post, but I'm back and have been hammering the value out of the club I signed up at. My 101 today looks like it will trigger an exceptional score reduction which will be quite a delight.

Great experience playing at this time of year where a little very light drizzle meant we almost had the course to ourself first thing.