Handicaps what's normal?

[RobbOnTheRock]

So I've been playing for a few years, always on and off roughly about 15 to 20 games a year.

I normally shoot somewhere between 110 to 125, would I be able to get a handicap, and if so is that enough for me to start playing competitions?

Looking at the "junior golfer can they play in adult competitions thread" it reads to me that a hcp of 28 isn't the max you can get and also suggests to me you should be able to play to your 28 hcp before entering comps?

So what's the craic, what can I expect if I join a club next year?

Here is a link to my score cards online......

http://golfshot.com/members/0138040730

Greatful for any advice.

Cheers
Andy

 

[chris661]

Join a club, submit three cards and away you go. The maximum handicap of 28 is for men I think juniors and women get more. As for playing to your handicap don't worry about that it will come in time.

 

[RobbOnTheRock]

Join a club, submit three cards and away you go. The maximum handicap of 28 is for men I think juniors and women get more. As for playing to your handicap don't worry about that it will come in time.

Ok thanks, I was wondering if you had to play to at least a 28 hcp prior to entering comps, thinking pace of play etc.

Also if I score a 120 but have a couple of pars etc, in theory I'd still get a cut, is that correct? I wouldn't need to beat the 28hcp directly to get a cut?

Cheers
Andy

 

[rosecott]

Ok thanks, I was wondering if you had to play to at least a 28 hcp prior to entering comps, thinking pace of play etc.

Also if I score a 120 but have a couple of pars etc, in theory I'd still get a cut, is that correct? I wouldn't need to beat the 28hcp directly to get a cut?

Cheers
Andy

Some clubs still exercise their right under CONGU rules to refuse to award a handicap until they are convinced the player can play to 28 . Most clubs these days will award 28 even if it's not fully justified. I agree with this as 28 is just a starting point and players will usually progress once they start playing competitions.

You would be a bit unlikely to get a cut with a score of 120 even though, for handicap purposes, any high score is reduced to one stroke higher than the score which would have attracted one stableford point - so you would have to have quite a few really high scoring holes to get near a cut.

As to being worried about pace of play if you are posting big numbers - don't worry, you won't be alone. If it's a medal, grin and bear it. If it's Stableford or Bogey, pick up when you can't score.

 

[CliveW]

Hi Andy,
I don't know if the rules in Canada are similar to these here in the UK. Perhaps have a word with your local Pro, he should be able to put you right.

 

[RobbOnTheRock]

Thanks gents.

I'm going back home to Aberdeenshire next year sometime (maybe), so CONGU would be applied.

I'm not paying £1500 to join a club here and run the risk of getting sent back to Aberdeen in the summer. I'd rather pay $60 per game and not play comps. Once I'm back to Aberdeen I'm joining my local club, I have some really great ones close to me:-

Inchmarlo,
Banchory
Aboyne
Torphins (9 hole)
Lumphanan (9 hole ex member)

Cheers
Andy

 

[bladeplayer]

Join a club, submit three cards and away you go. The maximum handicap of 28 is for men I think juniors and women get more. As for playing to your handicap don't worry about that it will come in time.

Answered in a nutshell for ya there mate all anyone could add is.. enjoy enjoy enjoy

 

[Region3]

Under CONGU rules, the 105 at the bottom of your list would be chopped 18 shots for nett doubles, and give you a h'cap of 25.

 

[wookie]

Under CONGU rules, the 105 at the bottom of your list would be chopped 18 shots for nett doubles, and give you a h'cap of 25.

I understand the way this works but dont get the point of it

I'm currently shooting around the 100 mark but potentially could get a handicap of, say, 22-24 which is nice but would give me no chance in a medal.

Am I missing something?

 

[rosecott]

I understand the way this works but dont get the point of it

I'm currently shooting around the 100 mark but potentially could get a handicap of, say, 22-24 which is nice but would give me no chance in a medal.

Am I missing something?

Yes - probably the greens.

If you want to be competitive in a medal at the 22-24 handicap level, your first priority is to cut out having scores that are more than double bogeys. Against par you have 22-24 shots to play with - just don't use too many of them on one or two holes and you will be competitive.

 

[Region3]

It's because it's all related to stableford (I think).

A 10 on a par 4 where you get a shot gets you the same number of points as a 7, i.e 0.

An extreme example, but if I were to hand in a card of 17 bogeys and a 14, would it be fair for me to play off 28?

 

[RobbOnTheRock]

Under CONGU rules, the 105 at the bottom of your list would be chopped 18 shots for nett doubles, and give you a h'cap of 25.

Unfortunately my 105 was on a short exec style course, mostly par 3s and a few 4s.

But good to know thanks.

Cheers
Andy

 

[rosecott]

Under CONGU rules, the 105 at the bottom of your list would be chopped 18 shots for nett doubles, and give you a h'cap of 25.

His 83 adjusted to 79 would give him a 17 handicap - he's an ex-pat bandit.

 

[RobbOnTheRock]

His 83 adjusted to 79 would give him a 17 handicap - he's an ex-pat bandit.

Maybe that's why I might be deported next year

 

[wookie]

just don't use too many of them on one or two holes and you will be competitive.

I'm trying, I'm trying

 

[Bash]

Under CONGU rules, the 105 at the bottom of your list would be chopped 18 shots for nett doubles, and give you a h'cap of 25.

And the gross 83 on your list would work out to a 17 handicap.
At my club, you submit three initial cards for handicap purposes. They just start you off the handicap represented by the best of those three cards.
Once you join a club and get an official handicap, it gives you a proper target to work on. Good luck with it

 

[monktonhallgc1882]

Hey Robb had a look at your stats try and get some help with that slice

 

[RobbOnTheRock]

Hey Robb had a look at your stats try and get some help with that slice

Hi, I hear ya mate!

The last game I played I managed to drive the ball fairly well, mostly straight, so although my slice is still lurking I'm hoping the lessons are on the way to remove them....

Main issue seemed to be not taking the club head back on the backswing plane!

Cheers
Andy

 

[Evesdad]

The stats are a bit erratic, how do you get on with the 3 wood or hybrid? It may be worth using these from the tee while working on taming the driver. It's amazing how many shots can add up hitting from deep rough and out of the trees. Try to keep the ball in play and the scores will drop. I had to do the same thing as driver was costing me shots while I was only 20-30 yards further down the course than a good hit with the rescue club sat on the fairway.

 

[RobbOnTheRock]

Funnily enough my 3 hybrid is my go to club, normally get around 180yds and normally goes where I want it!

Agree with your points though, Friday was the first day out where I hit the driver in a round, normally too erratic, but my first hit went pretty straight so I gave it another go and so on.......

I'm trying to improve the stats, but it's a slow process when you get 1 game a week

Cheers
Andy