Handicaps. Why 28?

[backwoodsman]

The other thread has got me thinking...

Why is the "normal" max hadicap for men set at 28? Seems a bit of a random number?

I can see why numbers like 18 (one shot per hole), 27 (double shots for half a round), 30 (a neat round number) or even 36 (two shots per hole), would seem more logical. So why 28 which seems to have no especial relevance? Anyone know?

 

[Imurg]

A 28 handicapper shoots 100 on a par 72 course.....in theory😂⛳

 

[delc]

A 28 handicapper shoots 100 on a par 72 course.....in theory😂⛳

When I first started playing golf in the 1960's the maximum handicap for men was 24!

 

[rosecott]

As was said on the other thread, in the very dim and distant past there was no such thing as a handicap. I don't know if there was any intervening stage but 18 seems to be a defining point. Then it was 24, then it was 28. I think it was a gradual realisation that not everyone is going to be Cat 1, or single figures, or just getting one shot a hole or ??? So now there is a realisation that there lots of people wanting to play golf for fun and find it quite enjoyable playing with/against much better players with the added spice of receiving shots to give them a chance of competing. It's a bit artificial, but who cares, it's a lot of fun.