Handicap of a "good" player

People like me? I am far from exceptional. :( Not quite sure where you are coming from?

Officially though you are correct. If you have no handicap and wish to play in an event that requires one then yes, you are obliged to play off scratch.

I was lashing out because you hurt my feelings about the 18+ category. I'm over it now though - huggsies?
 
I think that you can propose a view on this if your starting point is the average guy in the street who has played maybe a couple of times but doesn't really play golf. This guy therefore knows how difficult it is to even hit the ball - never mind in the right direction - and up in the air. Knows what it's about but doesn't do it regularly - all other perspectives are just too specific. So to that guy a Cat 3 golfer is pretty darn good, a Cat 2 golfer is good and a Cat 1 golfer is bleedin' epically excellent.
 
On a slightly different topic..... does anyone think it is easier to attain a lower handicap these days? Reason I ask, there is an old guy at my club (mid 70's) who used to play off scratch. He told me that back then, there were only about 70 or so scratch golfers in the country yet today there are probably 70 +3's or better.

Anyone got any info on his claim?

There were a lot less golfers "back then".
It was an elitist sport.
Any Tom, Dick or Harry can play now.
You've only got to look at some of the Jodrells on here
 
There were a lot less golfers "back then".
It was an elitist sport.
Any Tom, Dick or Harry can play now.
You've only got to look at some of the Jodrells on here

Jodrells! Love it Smiffy! :)
 
A scratch or + handicap is exceptional.

1-3 is very good.

3-6 is good.

7-10 is reasonable.

10-13 is not bad.

13-18 is passable.

18+ - no comment.

The lower you get the bigger the gap in my opinion.
I don't think you can lump a 1 handicap with a 3 or indeed a 3 handicap with a 6 - they are totally different ability levels.

The level of consistency required when you get to 2 and below to maintain let alone improve your handicap means you need some serious ability. 0.1 reduction per shot below and only 1 shot to play with for buffer makes it even harder.
 
From a coaching point of view it is quite easy to get someone to 8 handicap.
Below eight is harder so I would say under 8 is a good player.

Re older handicaps...in my day you could see people off 3 or 4 handicap playing for the county.
I would imagine it is +3 or 4 now.
 
This is where I stand on it too, the guy I spoke to today said his brother plays golf and is a good player. I asked his handicap and it is 13. I'm off 4 and don't consider myself a "good" player.

I know quite a few off 4 and I consider them alright, its quite amazing how poor ball strikers some are yet 'score' well with an excellent short game. I played with a 1 capper numerous times in comps and it beggars belief how he attained that h/cap.

The guys I know that are county players have been for over 15 years and are uber consistent but not 'exceptional', by that I mean your not in awe when they strike a ball the way we are with the elite or pro's....

so whats a 'good' player as per the OPs question..........its all subjective as this thread is proving:smirk:
 
Wasn't it said somewhere that the average handicap is around the 18 mark and has stayed fairly static for decades despite so called advances in technology. If that is an average then I would say anyone up to the 12 mark is a decent player. 11-7 is good, 6-2 very good and 2-scratch is excellent. Given that + handicaps are still quite a rarity in % terms of the number of golfers playing the game then anyone off that figure has to be considered exceptional
 
Top