Handicap manipulation - how to address

[wjemather]

Well in my experience your a rare bird.

Most guys I know would rather have a tight game against a similar level!

That goes for most golfers I have known over 45 yrs of playing high and low and everything in between.
Yes it’s nice seeing good golfers close up but it puts most high cappers off imo of course.

A match with very few shots between you is always better.( as long as you win )

For sure, but that is somewhat different to your earlier statement that such matches are not enjoyable.

 

[Backache]

The proportion of higher handicappers who are bandits are small, the problem is the effect of a small number can be disproportionately large on competition results.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Well in my experience your a rare bird.

Most guys I know would rather have a tight game against a similar level!

That goes for most golfers I have known over 45 yrs of playing high and low and everything in between.
Yes it’s nice seeing good golfers close up but it puts most high cappers off imo of course.

A match with very few shots between you is always better.( as long as you win )

I’m with @wjemather - though mid-high SF I don’t mind giving multiple x 2 shots. Presents me with a very particular type of challenge…and if they play at a level that smashes their handicap and hammer me - well I just and wish them well in the next round.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Just noting that for the main Captain’s Day comp on Saturday, players must have a minimum of eight scores on their WHS record in the year to Saturday…however General Play scores from courses not our own on a player’s record do not count towards the eight.

Though not explicitly stated anywhere, this feels like a measure designed to protect more important club comps from players with handicaps derived largely from such ‘away’ GP scores and hence susceptible to ‘dubious practice’ or handicap manipulation.

Accepting that members who play most of their golf away from home may not be able to play…though formal competition cards from ‘away’ clubs do count in the eight.

 

[clubchamp98]

For sure, but that is somewhat different to your earlier statement that such matches are not enjoyable.

There not !
I have never met a guy who likes giving three shots on any hole!

 

[wjemather]

There not !
I have never met a guy who likes giving three shots on any hole!

Again; not the same thing.
You can not like giving the shots but still enjoy the match and the challenge.
It's certainly much more enjoyable to have a fair match giving the strokes, than to waltz to an easy win without ever needing to play well because you aren't giving the strokes they actually need - there's really no joy to be gained from that.

 

[AussieKB]

If you ask my friends then I am a Bandit....playing off 3-5 and I'm 72 years of age.....

 

[D-S]

Just noting that for the main Captain’s Day comp on Saturday, players must have a minimum of eight scores on their WHS record in the year to Saturday…however General Play scores from courses not our own on a player’s record do not count towards the eight.

Though not explicitly stated anywhere, this feels like a measure designed to protect more important club comps from players with handicaps derived largely from such ‘away’ GP scores and hence susceptible to ‘dubious practice’ or handicap manipulation.

Accepting that members who play most of their golf away from home may not be able to play…though formal competition cards from ‘away’ clubs do count in the eight.

Do they have an explanation/rationale for their assumption that 'someone who manipulates their handicap via GP scores would only do this at an away course not their home one'?

All the scores, home and away, GP or competition, from this alleged manipulator are there on his/her record for the Committee to see. Why is manipulation and potential cheating only something 'cheats' do at away courses?

 

[Swango1980]

Just noting that for the main Captain’s Day comp on Saturday, players must have a minimum of eight scores on their WHS record in the year to Saturday…however General Play scores from courses not our own on a player’s record do not count towards the eight.

Though not explicitly stated anywhere, this feels like a measure designed to protect more important club comps from players with handicaps derived largely from such ‘away’ GP scores and hence susceptible to ‘dubious practice’ or handicap manipulation.

Accepting that members who play most of their golf away from home may not be able to play…though formal competition cards from ‘away’ clubs do count in the eight.

No idea the specific reasoning for that comp, that would be a question for the organisers.

I know for big events like Club Champs, some clubs have certain conditions such as the player must have played in at least x Club Comps over the past year. This is to stop an Away golfer, of good ability who always plays elsewhere, rocking up and winning the Club Champs, one of the most prestigius events of the year. I think Clubs like their Club Champ to also be a player who has shown a certain level of loyalty to their club, and who members are likely to recognise. I get that point of view. Especially at cheaper clubs, where you may well have Away members who simply join as it is close to home, but who generally don't play there.

At your club, I don't know if it is purely a reason to try and reduce "bandit" golfers (no comment on how effective that would be), or there is a bit of them wanting the players to have played a decent number of times at your course over the year?

 

[clubchamp98]

Again; not the same thing.
You can not like giving the shots but still enjoy the match and the challenge.
It's certainly much more enjoyable to have a fair match giving the strokes, than to waltz to an easy win without ever needing to play well because you aren't giving the strokes they actually need - there's really no joy to be gained from that.

What how can you enjoy something you don’t like?

Agree to disagree .

 

[wjemather]

What how can you enjoy something you don’t like?

No golfer likes losing golf balls (or even tees), but they still enjoy playing golf.

eta: the thing you don't like is only a small part of the thing you enjoy.

 

[doublebogey7]

No idea the specific reasoning for that comp, that would be a question for the organisers.

I know for big events like Club Champs, some clubs have certain conditions such as the player must have played in at least x Club Comps over the past year. This is to stop an Away golfer, of good ability who always plays elsewhere, rocking up and winning the Club Champs, one of the most prestigius events of the year. I think Clubs like their Club Champ to also be a player who has shown a certain level of loyalty to their club, and who members are likely to recognise. I get that point of view. Especially at cheaper clubs, where you may well have Away members who simply join as it is close to home, but who generally don't play there.

At your club, I don't know if it is purely a reason to try and reduce "bandit" golfers (no comment on how effective that would be), or there is a bit of them wanting the players to have played a decent number of times at your course over the year?

So that would exclude a one club member who played most of their weekend golf was playing in national or international events but played all the clubs scratch team matches. Very odd rule to me.

 

[Swango1980]

So that would exclude a one club member who played most of their weekend golf was playing in national or international events but played all the clubs scratch team matches. Very odd rule to me.

Yup. Although that is an extremely specific scenario. And maybe that hypothetical club may adjust their conditions to suit. Such as allowing any member to play club champs who had represented the club in x scratch matches, regardless of handicap record

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

No idea the specific reasoning for that comp, that would be a question for the organisers.

I know for big events like Club Champs, some clubs have certain conditions such as the player must have played in at least x Club Comps over the past year. This is to stop an Away golfer, of good ability who always plays elsewhere, rocking up and winning the Club Champs, one of the most prestigius events of the year. I think Clubs like their Club Champ to also be a player who has shown a certain level of loyalty to their club, and who members are likely to recognise. I get that point of view. Especially at cheaper clubs, where you may well have Away members who simply join as it is close to home, but who generally don't play there.

At your club, I don't know if it is purely a reason to try and reduce "bandit" golfers (no comment on how effective that would be), or there is a bit of them wanting the players to have played a decent number of times at your course over the year?

I think this is a large part of it.

 

[Kennysarmy]

Played in a 4BBB match in our winter league at the weekend.
We were drawn against last year's winners.
Neither of them have put in more than 8 cards in the whole of 2025, they are both young lads who will have plenty loads of golf during the season!

I was giving them shots.

One of them par'd our holes with SI 1,5,7 ! The other one, who had the most shots also came in with plenty good holes.

Needless to say we lost.

 

[Swango1980]

Played in a 4BBB match in our winter league at the weekend.
We were drawn against last year's winners.
Neither of them have put in more than 8 cards in the whole of 2025, they are both young lads who will have plenty loads of golf during the season!

I was giving them shots.

One of them par'd our holes with SI 1,5,7 ! The other one, who had the most shots also came in with plenty good holes.

Needless to say we lost.

What was the score and what were their handicaps?

I suppose putting in 8 cards is not too bad, compared to the old days when handing in 3 cards was deemed reasonable

 

[Neilds]

What was the score and what were their handicaps?

I suppose putting in 8 cards is not too bad, compared to the old days when handing in 3 cards was deemed reasonable

Stop wanting the facts - accept the narrative for what it is

 

[Kennysarmy]

What was the score and what were their handicaps?

I suppose putting in 8 cards is not too bad, compared to the old days when handing in 3 cards was deemed reasonable

I am currently playing some of the best golf of this season and shot 75 (36pts), my mate would also have scored 37 pts.

Their handicaps were 12.6 and 16.6

We lost 2 down!

See attached.

 

[Neilds]

I am currently playing some of the best golf of this season and shot 75 (36pts), my mate would also have scored 37 pts.

Their handicaps were 12.6 and 16.6

We lost 2 down!

See attached.

If those 2 shots are from your opponents then I can't see what your problem is. Their handicaps have come down over a period of time and their scores can fluctuate a lot - higher handicappers are, on the whole, quite erratic with their scores. You lost a close game so their handicaps are in the right area. Think you are just suffering from a bit of sour grapes because you lost to what you perceive are worse golfers than yourself.

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

To be fair that graphic shows absolutely nothing to prove someone is manipulating a handicap. You handicap is literally just a screenshot of your best possible performances not your what your average standard of golf is.

That graphic shows they’ve improved and what they have the potential to play to not what they should be playing to every time. People get very sour losing out to higher handicaps that have their good day.