diesel75
Club Champion
looking at my comp scores from last year, I played 8 times. I played over my handicap twice, to my handicap once and better than my handicap 5 times - and due to course ratings I never dropped a single 0.1 only went up...
How often in a year should you play to your handicap?
- Thread starter Pro_V_wan_kenobi
- Start date
AmandaJR
Money List Winner
i was told that 1 time you'll play to 36 points or better, 2 out of 4 you'll play in ur buffer, and one out of four rounds you will play like a big buffoon who has never handled a golf club
That makes me feel better as I was the buffoon today! Can't believe I was "only" 4 over it was so dismal. Best make a better caddy tomorrow...
Foxholer
Blackballed
That would mean that the SSS for your winter course was 3, or maybe 4, below your Par. Is that right?
It should!
The handicap system is meant to be equitable across UK, so aberrations like ignoring rules by 1 club throw the system out of whack (at least locally). And the club is only delegated the right to handle handicaps. If it doesn't follow the rules it signed up to, then it should lose the right to maintain handicaps!
As for the original question, it does depend on the style of player. A stable-ish handicapped, conservative style player is expected to play to within buffer about 50-60% of time, outside buffer (+0.1) about 35% and below handicap only about 10% of the time. More aggressive players (with stable-ish handicaps) tend to play within buffer less, outside buffer more but score nearer 40 point (equivalent) more often.
Last edited:
Ethan
Money List Winner
The handicap system is asymmetrical, so good scores reduce it more than bad scores increase it. Therefore it follows that if you have a stable handicap you will be scoring above it more often than below and these unequal numbers of scores are balanced out by the asymmetry of the reductions/increases.
The ratio of above:below handicap obviously varies, but it is probably in the region of 4 or 5:1 for most players. It might be higher (say 10:1) for a very streaky player who lobs in a few really low scores, and lower for a very consistent player who often plays close to handicap.
I don't believe any player who says they usually score around 36 points or better, unless their handicap is falling fast or they are protecting it in qualifiers.
The ratio of above:below handicap obviously varies, but it is probably in the region of 4 or 5:1 for most players. It might be higher (say 10:1) for a very streaky player who lobs in a few really low scores, and lower for a very consistent player who often plays close to handicap.
I don't believe any player who says they usually score around 36 points or better, unless their handicap is falling fast or they are protecting it in qualifiers.
Lump
Tour Winner
Yep. its a Par72 off the whites, off yellows its 71. SSS is usually 68 in winter.
Achilles
Challenge Tour Pro
I always feel miffed if I don't play to my handicap - reading the previous replies, maybe I shouldn't be. Was 3 under yesterday and 3 over today, so I guess things average out over time. I'm sure I've read somewhere that you are only expected to play to it 3 - 4 times a year, but like has been said already I guess a lot comes down to the individual and whether they are improving quickly etc. Hoping it's a long while yet before I reach a dreaded plateu!
I don't really worry too much. If I play well I'll get cut and if I don't I won't. It'll be buffer at best and 0.1 if not. The plan is to have more good than bad days I know but we've all had good ball striking roundsn and missed the buffer and wondered how you managed to do it. Conversely you've hit it like a dog all day and come in with 37 or 38 points and a cut. It's just a bloody silly game
garyinderry
Ryder Cup Winner
maybe they are just consistant. i would never really have nightmare days tbh. i wont be far off 36 points. 6 pars and rest bogeys is completly within my playing level.
last year on a windy day, i played at my bros course. pared half the holes and made a mess of a few while my bro and nephew didnt record a par between them. being consistant played a big part in this.
Heidi
Tour Rookie
Know how u feel...was playing fine til the old man said 'oooo ur playing well today...' kiss of death
honestly...:angry:
Lump
Tour Winner
You really think that my club is the only one in the uk to step around the rules..
Imurg
The Grinder Of Pars (Semi Crocked)
Almost certainly not but if your vlub isn't following the rules then handicaps will be corrupted.
Foxholer
Blackballed
Remember that 36 points doesn't mean 'played to handicap'.
As pointed out above, course ratings SSS/CSS van mean that 38 or more points are expected before a cut is due. Hadn't heard of 41 before though!
@imurg. Is the club actually abusing the system? Is the Winter course a 'measured' one - with an SSS? It's possible that GPAs (the old Rule 19 - now 23) are being applied. While these are discouraged by Congu, within certain parameters it can be a reasonable way to handle things over Winter.
Last edited:
rosecott
Money List Winner
I, for one, suspect that your revelations are locker room chatter.
Lump
Tour Winner
If you say so... Although I may loose sleep knowing someone on the internet doesn't agree with what I've said.
ScienceBoy
Money List Winner
Round a home course you should be looking to shoot in the buffer or better each time you go out. For an away game shooting your handicap will be less common, going under it, say shooting 41 points gross 81 on your first time out at a course like maybe East Brighton would probably mean it needs reducing!
I cannot think of anyone I know who has shot 5 under their handicap on the first go round a course.
I cannot think of anyone I know who has shot 5 under their handicap on the first go round a course.
Lump
Tour Winner
Our winter tees are just our yellow tees. No length is lost and we play full greens all year.
rosecott
Money List Winner
SSS doesn't change with the seasons.
Is your club Hatfield Hall, Hatfeild Hall or Normanton?
backwoodsman
Tour Winner
Your handicap is supposed to reflect what you are capable of, not what you normally do - so it should represent your best scores. You're supposed to play to your handicap about 20% to 25% of the time. If you're matching handicap more frequently, then your handicap is too high
garyinderry
Ryder Cup Winner
if you are supposed to play to your handicap only 1 in four rounds then that would be an increase of 0.3 every 4 rounds ! how often are you supposed to better it, and better it by enough to get a substantial cut? this sounds like a recipe for handicap limbo !
Foxholer
Blackballed
So is the SSS off the Yellows 68 (or maybe 67)? If you have a card available, it should be on there. I can't see it on the site or UK-Golf. Standard value (for new course - on length alone) for that length 5689 would be 67. That would explain why 5 below Par would be required for a cut.
