Have you ever felt embarrassed about winning ?

[Macster]

Following on from the previous post 'Why arent you a Cat1 Golfer ?', - someone posted on there suggesting that the lowest Gross 'should' always win, and he has a point.

I remember playing a Medal in late 09, and awaiting my playing partner, I chatted with a guy just coming off 18, who had just shot a 4 under Gross 65, off 1, Nett 64. Unbeleivable.
I congratulated him and off he went, pretty confident that he was a winner for the day, and for good reason.

Off we went, and 4hrs later, off I strode with a Nett 63, off 12, and was jubilant that I'd got my Handicap down well for the day.

However, I got no satisfaction from winning the Medal, and in fact, spoke to the other guy to apologize ! He was absolutely fine, and congratulated me back, and we have since played lots of Medal golf together, and he's now off +1.

I know who the better golfer is, so is it right that Handicaps take the spoils ?

Discuss ?

 

[Macster]

Oh, and before anyone uses the B word, I am a consistent 10 Handicapper !

Till I shake off those pesky Doubles........

 

[EZprophet]

Ha we've both just started a thread on almost the exact same topic within 2 minutes of each other!!

Yours is a great example of my belief that the handicap system is flawed. While you have both had absolutely brilliant rounds of golf and both should be in the running for winning the competition without a doubt, he should probably just pip you to the post due to the fact that he will probably shoot 4 under less often in the long run than you will shoot a 6 over.

 

[Macster]

Spooky eh ?!

That said, I havent done it again, whereas I have marked his Card in another Medal when he shot a Gross 63 !!!

A different game I tell thee........

 

[Bacardibatman]

twice & not because i was a bandito

our County schools golfing tourney

Me & my partner cleaned up & won every single thing on the day

team scratch
team handicap (defended from year b4 too)

him individual scratch
me individual handicap

think i was T3rd in the scratch off 8

I just missed qualifying national (on the countback) because i missed a 10 or 11 incher on last because i couldnt repair the spike marks on my line
hit putt great but it hit the spike mark & horseshoed
good thing was guy who got third was our m8 too from our club so he got to qualify

embarrassing prize giving (the guys presenting were embarrassed & felt awkward about it too)




and the other a junior club match

8 & 6 (I played great & he didnt ,i was -1 when the match finished)

guy went on to being a Tour Pro too

beat him double or quits (on the golf ball as a side bet) on the way in
& he Double or quitted again up 18 beat him again

he then double or quitted on the putting green afterwards
(which was daft as i holed absolutely everything that day)

I still only took 2 balls off him as i felt sorry for him
and wasnt gonna take 8




and its possible for ppl with high handicaps to play well theyre high handicapers because they lack consistancy not the ability to hit great shots - if they hook it all up for a round they can shoot real low

 

[GB72]

All of my early competition wins. Came in with some outrageous scores when playing of 28 and then when off 24. I was also pretty new to the club so got some very strange looks at the prizegiving. Even now I know I can play better than my handicap quite often so even get the odd guilt trip when taking the money on our Saturday 4 ball.

Quite often feel guilty when winning because on a good day I can play to 14 but my handicap (plenty of cards handed in) remains at 19.7. Even felt very slightly guilty admitting my handicap after my 2 rounds at Goswick last year.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Our medals and stablefords are split into divisions and so even if someone off a mid-high handicap comes in with a real low one, the division one guys are still able to win their own group. The problem for them inevitably comes when it is a one off honours board event and then they really are at the mercy of the high guys having a good day. Still I guess the flip side is that they are usually the only ones in contention for the club champiosnhip prize (gross). We also have a Masters event for comp winners over the last twelve months which is 36 holes medal play and again the odds you would think should favour the lower (and in theory) consistent players.

I've never felt guilty about any of my wins. I turn up, play my game and if its the lowest score on the day I win. Simples. Even off higher handicaps than I am now when I first rejoined the club (off 18) that was what I was given after submitting my cards and losing a shot or two because the handicap secretary knew me and what I could play to. Hit a purple patch after some lessons, had twon wins and two or three top threes and tumbled down from 18-14 pretty smartly and then chipped away to 11. Now going back the wrong way again but if I win off thirteen (once I get there) I'm not bothered. I play every event and so have a full comp history to prove to any doubters I've gone through plenty of 0.1's and heartache

 

[Smiffy]

Did the 1 handicapper wake up one day and suddenly find he was a 1 handicapper? Nope. He came up through the ranks like the rest of us.
I bet you when he was an improving 12 handicapper he took his share of scalps.
Hats off to the great round he had.
But don't begrudge a 12 handicapper a brilliant round. How else does he become a 1 handicapper?

 

[SatchFan]

Felt very awkward many years ago as a junior playing off 12. Club match and I was level par for the first 11 holes and beat my poor opponent 8 & 7. Might have been easier if I had worn a sombrero.

 

[Dodger]

All of my early competition wins. Came in with some outrageous scores when playing of 28 and then when off 24. I was also pretty new to the club so got some very strange looks at the prizegiving. Even now I know I can play better than my handicap quite often so even get the odd guilt trip when taking the money on our Saturday 4 ball.

Quite often feel guilty when winning because on a good day I can play to 14 but my handicap (plenty of cards handed in) remains at 19.7. Even felt very slightly guilty admitting my handicap after my 2 rounds at Goswick last year.

I will second that last bit!!

 

[chrisd]

I share HJS's position - I work really hard to get my handicap down and have played in every competition that I can since I first stared golf.

I had my high handicap "bandit" wins and have had a couple of good wins in the last couple of years on low double figures. I want a single figure handicap and put a lot of effort in to try and get there. The system is clearly a problem for really low handicappers but when the course is at it's hardest ie autumn and early summer it's usually the lower h/cap guys who prevail. On the shorter courses with forward tees etc the higher guys seem to do well. I am just not too sure it balances and to have to shoot a course record to win is clearly wrong. Up to 2 years ago when I was on the golf committee we used to give an extra cut to anyone who's nett score was equal or better than than the course record, although CONGU don't approve and, maybe, that's the problem! CONGU rules seem to keep the new high handicap golfers happy so that they win stuff and dont desert the clubs!



Chris

 

[HawkeyeMS]

I was the one who made the lowest gross comment but the answer to your question is no I've never felt guilty. I might not agree entirely with the system and I do think the best golfer should win. However I understand why the system is there and while I don't play to win, if it works out that I do then I'll take the prize like anyone else would. No guilt involved, I've paid my entry fee like everyone else.

 

[HogansAlley]

The GM Belfry day a couple of years ago. Took the first divison prize with 31pts with some outrageous good fortune on 18. I suspect there wasn't all that many people playing in the first disivison. There must have been several people in the other two divisions who deserved it more than I did that that day.

Every dog has his day…

 

[richart]

Never embarrassed about winning, and don't begrudge others winning, even when i have a good score. Had a net 63 in one of our bigger board comps last year, and was beaten into second place by a net 58. I was just pleased to play so well for a change, and to get my handicap cut. Any prizes are just a bonus.

 

[kid2]

Playing off 19 at the time i won a stroke play medal and shot a gross 64....
I know that i have the ability to play this game well but shooting that kind of figure only a year into the game i really got embarrassed when i was asked about it....I felt like i needed to make excuses for how well i played....

I also shot a gross 65 in a stableford comp...I turned with 26 points.....This was about 7 weeks after my strokeplay medal with...Questions were coming thick and fast at me....

What im not looking forward to is my yearly handicap review.....At the start of last season i got cut a full shot from 20-19 in a yearly adjustment....Something which has yet to be done to me this season

 

[HRC99]

Absolutely, Chris.

Playing off 24, I knocked it round your place in 73 gross.

Took longest drive and nearest the pin as well. :O

Highly embarrassed.

 

[birdieman]

I would be happy to feel any way about winning, it's that rare!

If you win...enjoy it!

 

[Macster]

Henry - 73 ???? Off 23 @ Brough ??? Jeeezuz man, thats lower than Ive ever had in any Comp !!

I'm surprised you got outa da Car Park !!!

Mind you - lets hope you can repeat it in the Volvo Matches !

 

[Robobum]

Played a really decent old boy at our club in one of the knockouts last year.

He's not the best golfer to walk the planet and was so nervous during the match. Anyway I played like a drain and he took me to extra holes, up the first and he gets a shot.

It's not long, drive and an 8 iron even for the shortest of hitters. Both on in 2, he putts up to about a foot. I two putt for my par 4. Any other stage in any match and i'd have said pick it up, but, because it was for the win, I let him putt it.

I'm sure you can guess.......he lipped out and I gave him a similar length putt for the half. Second tee (with another shot for him) and he slices one OB to let me snatch it.

I was genuinely embarassed as he deserved to have won.

 

[HRC99]

Henry - 73 ???? Off 23 @ Brough ??? Jeeezuz man, thats lower than Ive ever had in any Comp !!

I'm surprised you got outa da Car Park !!!

Mind you - lets hope you can repeat it in the Volvo Matches !

It was only off the yellows!

There were more than a few very unhappy people. I had never scored like that before and it was another 12 years before I did again.

I'm actually playing Brough on Thursday in the President's Salver for Beverley. Saw the opportunity and thought it'd be good practice.

Looking forward to seeing the new greenkeeper's work.