Hi mate. I'm fairly new to the forum (have been a lurker for a while but not posted yet) but felt inclined to comment on your post. I'm 24 years old and have just started playing golf about June last year, as I felt it would be a new sport that a) fills the void now I've stopped boxing after 13 years and b) goes well with my job (I'm a Financial Adviser) and c) take after my Dad who is a low handicapper who has enjoyed some solid successes over the past 15 years. I've just joined my first club and I am still having regular lessons with an ex-pro who was fantastic back in the day.
Unfortunately, it is attitudes displayed in your post that puts off so many young people from getting into the sport. I am fairly thick skinned so I don't mind the sweeping generalisation as I know it to be a form of snobbery, but so many of my friends straight up refuse to join a club (despite wanting to get into the sport) because they don't wish to be belittled or taken the mickey out of because they aren't a "good" player yet. These kind of sweeping statements are why golf memberships are dropping and new people don't want to get involved - the sport is portrayed as elitist, exclusive and is consequentially quite daunting for someone on the outside looking in.
The handicap system is all about making the sport inclusive, so a novice can play with an expert on a level playing field. There's no hope if these "experts" refuse to acknowledge this.
Welcome.
I'm sure Parsaregood will answer you in due course
But Firstly i don't agree with your point about handicap snobbery stopping people taking up golf, many things may, but handicap snobbery isn't one of them IMO.
also who says he can't chose to play with who ever he likes and the standard of play that suites him, if its his past time and you want to enjoy and game why shouldn't you be allowed to play with who you like?
anyway if you are a boxer, i doubt many would make fun or belittle you anyway