I suspect I'm in for a hiding...

[woody69]

I have decided to join a club this year, but because I haven't had one for the past 2 years my handicap has lapsed. I have kept a track of my scores via the Today's Golfer handicap tracker and it currently has me on 21.6.

The issue, or rather potential issue I have is the new course I have joined is quite long and fairly challenging, but I have only played it in the wet with quite poor conditions over this winter and so far I've shot 98, 102, 103, 105 and 107!! I know I'm not playing well, but it's well over my average on other courses. When I submit my cards I've calculated I will be allocated a handicap of about 27/28 (based on my adjusted scores), but I know I am better than that.... I am concerned that when the weather and the conditions improve I'll play a comp and go round in what I think my true handicap is (if not better) and end up with some ridiculous score and be branded a bandit of the highest order!

What would you do in this situation? Just accept that the course is obviously harder than I'm used to and the handicap is a fair reflection of that course so take the 27/28 and deal with the comps/cuts as and when they happen or speak to someone about a voluntarily lowering of the handicap - is that even possible?

 

[DCB]

Do the three cards, enter them in and let the club worry about what happens next. Don't worry because if you do play that well in Competition your handicap will soon find it's proper level. There's a difference to playing and maintaining a handicap in competition and recording your scores on a web based tracker. let the club do their part and you'll be fine.

 

[rosecott]

You can voluntarily play off a lower handicap by the simple act of entering a lower handicap on your scorecard. Your comp result will be based on the handicap you entered on the card but any handicap reduction will be based on your actual handicap. That way you cannot be accused of banditry.

Have you made your new club aware of your previous handicap and shown them the handicap tracking information? They should certainly take the former into account and may well consider the latter.

 

[duncan mackie]

I don't understand the 'discomfort' at this stage -

as long as you have presented the appropriate information, and are playing in Q comps, as a cat 4 you will quickly come back into line if you are better. If you play at the club other than in a Q comp then make a point of submitting supplemental cards for the first month as well.

it's the people in your situation avoiding Q comps, not submitting supplementals but cleaning up in the swindles/roll ups and matchplay that should (but don't) feel discomfort over their handicaps.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Without sounding to harsh there is a world of difference between presenting a card and playing in a competition.
I would say that 80% of golfers believe they 'should' be off a lower handicap.

You put the cards in on your new course and you were awarded the correct handicap.
Perhaps it is only you who thinks you should be lower?

 

[garyinderry]

Without sounding to harsh there is a world of difference between presenting a card and playing in a competition.
I would say that 80% of golfers believe they 'should' be off a lower handicap.

You put the cards in on your new course and you were awarded the correct handicap.
Perhaps it is only you who thinks you should be lower?

you cant hand in 3cards at our place over winter. the course must play its full yellow tee lenght with no temps or placing. do another 3 cards and hand them in when all these things have been sorted out.

 

[woody69]

Do the three cards, enter them in and let the club worry about what happens next. Don't worry because if you do play that well in Competition your handicap will soon find it's proper level. There's a difference to playing and maintaining a handicap in competition and recording your scores on a web based tracker. let the club do their part and you'll be fine.

Thanks for the advice.

You can voluntarily play off a lower handicap by the simple act of entering a lower handicap on your scorecard. Your comp result will be based on the handicap you entered on the card but any handicap reduction will be based on your actual handicap. That way you cannot be accused of banditry.

Have you made your new club aware of your previous handicap and shown them the handicap tracking information? They should certainly take the former into account and may well consider the latter.

I wasn't aware I could do that (I haven't actually played many comps), but something for me to think about

I don't understand the 'discomfort' at this stage -

as long as you have presented the appropriate information, and are playing in Q comps, as a cat 4 you will quickly come back into line if you are better. If you play at the club other than in a Q comp then make a point of submitting supplemental cards for the first month as well.

it's the people in your situation avoiding Q comps, not submitting supplementals but cleaning up in the swindles/roll ups and matchplay that should (but don't) feel discomfort over their handicaps.

Good tip about submitting supplemental cards.

Without sounding to harsh there is a world of difference between presenting a card and playing in a competition.
I would say that 80% of golfers believe they 'should' be off a lower handicap.

You put the cards in on your new course and you were awarded the correct handicap.
Perhaps it is only you who thinks you should be lower?

Ha, yeah! Between you and me, I've no idea why I'm not on the tour.

 

[Stuey01]

I had a similar concern that I voiced on here and discussed informally with my club pro, chairman and handicap sec.
To a man the representatives of the club said enjoy it, go out and shoot some good scores, your handicap will soon adjust and anyone who calls you a bandit in anything other than bar room jest can go jump.

I was offered the opportunity by the handicap sec to put in 3 cards by the end of feb to be considered in the annual review but the weather put paid to that. I'm now of a view that what happens, happens, first medal of the season is approaching and I'm hoping to do well and get a cut.

Your scores to date, on this course, indicate that this is currently your level, you may go out and shoot under it but to be honest I'd relax about it if I were you.

 

[Matty]

It takes a lot longer for a handicap to rise than fall. Take the handicap given, learn your new course and should you post some good comp scores the handicap will soon fall.

If you voluntarily play off a lower handicap you may get disillusioned if you continue to post high scores that are miles away from your chosen handicap!

 

[garyinderry]

it will get you used to a little pressure. standing on the 18th tee with 40 points knowing a gd score up the last should see you win!

 

[bigslice]

let them give you a handicap play golf and your handicap will eventually find you. play golf

 

[woody69]

I had a similar concern that I voiced on here and discussed informally with my club pro, chairman and handicap sec.
To a man the representatives of the club said enjoy it, go out and shoot some good scores, your handicap will soon adjust and anyone who calls you a bandit in anything other than bar room jest can go jump.

I was offered the opportunity by the handicap sec to put in 3 cards by the end of feb to be considered in the annual review but the weather put paid to that. I'm now of a view that what happens, happens, first medal of the season is approaching and I'm hoping to do well and get a cut.

Your scores to date, on this course, indicate that this is currently your level, you may go out and shoot under it but to be honest I'd relax about it if I were you.

Sound advice. What will be will be! And if I shoot 46 points, so be it I'll be cut

 

[rosecott]

Sound advice. What will be will be! And if I shoot 46 points, so be it I'll be cut

Don't forget that the Handicap Committee has a duty to monitor the performance in qualifiers of players recently allocated a handicap. If they get it wrong, it can very quickly be put right.

 

[Wayman]

put your three cards in and let the club give you your handicap
if you beat it then tough you will get called bandit

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Get the cards in, play the comps and play well and the cuts will take care of themselves. As the new course is longer there is no guarantee you'll play to the mark you've calculated you are on anyway. Just submit the three to start, get your mark and work hard to get it down