Handicap

[ANDYTROW]

I took the plunge at Easter and joined my local club. Did 1 round with a member and carded a 104 then a round with the president and carded an unlucky 123, after which I was given a handicap of 24 as it was felt that I played a lot better than my score reflected. However, I have been using a web based score tracker and it gives me a handicap of 28. Which is right ?
Id say my average round is 105 but I am so close to breaking 100 with a ucky bounce here and there and more concentration on the green.

 

[birdieman]

You need to submit 3 cards before attaining a handicap, they should not allocate you a handicap after only 2 cards. They should firstly reduce any score higher than a double bogey from all 3 cards to a double bogey. Your handicap should be based on the lowest of the 3 cards i.e. if the SSS is 70 and your lowest card (with all scores over double bogey reduced to double bogey) is 94 then you'd be off a 24 handicap.

 

[par_par_par_treble]

but are scores reduced to a net double bogey or gross double bogey?? (i always thought gross, but im sure i read otherwise recently)

 

[shanker]

Andy
24 or 28? I wouldn't worry about it too much. If you're as keen as you sound your game will go from strength to strength this summer and you'll soon be in the 90s (or 80s).
A word of warning though! Golf is a cruel game and the day after shooting an 87 you'll probably go out and take 104.
Good Luck and keep us posted with the progress.

 

[ANDYTROW]

THanks for the support. Just played th efirst nine and carded a 45 my best ever by 4 shots.
Determined to break 100 this Sunday

 

[birdieman]

par par,
it's gross double bogey to work out a handicap, think about it -how can you have a net double bogey if you dont yet have a handicap!
However once you have a handicap, when you return cards in competition, any large scores are reduced to a net double bogey via the 17.8 stableford adjusted scoring system. This helps give a truer reflection of a players ability and therefore their handicap.

 

[shanker]

Well???
Did you break 100? If you did, congratulations! If not, the next time.

 

[ANDYTROW]

Did it !!!!!
Got round in 100. A few lipped putts in that as well so could have been a few less.
Next target 95

 

[ANDYTROW]

Having broke 100 last weekend (playing on my own) yesterday I went out with a mate who I should beat with my eyes closed, however I played the worst game of my life. Basically I was trying to hard and trying to out hit him on every shot and trying to knock the skin off the ball. Only when I'd accepted defeat did I relax and hit balls like I do at the range or during my lessons.
I have my first comp on Saturday and need to take my driving range game onto the course. No matter how good my practice swing is or how many times I tell my self to slow down I just end up hitting bad shot after bad shot.

 

[par_par_par_treble]

That’s golf....

I always have runs of good and bad form.

After a few good rounds, I start to think I’m brilliant and try shots that I can’t hit. I then play poorly for a month before I rediscover what made me play well.

Then the cycle repeats...

 

[ANDYTROW]

The thing is I know what Im doing and why Im doing it but I cant stop myself.
Im seriously thinking of using only my 5 iron, I'll still make every green in 3 strokes.

 

[Par_Breaker]

The secret is knowing your weak shot and playing with that in mind. if you hit a slight fade then play for that fade every time. if you need to work on a part of your game do it on the range, not on the course. watching the pros you realise that they only have one single thing in their mind. if you go to the course thinking of too many things then it will all go wrong. if you try to hit the ball too hard take an extra club every time, i can almost gaurantee that you wont miss the green long and are more likely to play good shots. never relax though, you should hit every shot at 95%, no more - no less.