Is Money the Root of all Evil

[Oddsocks]

I think as stated there is clearly a devide, some play solely for handicap reductions and if I'm honest I would have swapped all of my prize winnings this year for another shot of my hc, but it's also very clear that other play for the prizes at hand. I was on a mini tour where I know a few had bogey handicaps and it was very clear that they were focused solely on the prize and not about enjoyment. As there was no screening of hc and their authenticity as it were.... It dropped out and didn't return this year.

When people are playing of a hc 40% higher than their club hc just to account for the 3/4's allowance it puts the hc system in total different light.

 

[fundy]

I think as stated there is clearly a devide, some play solely for handicap reductions and if I'm honest I would have swapped all of my prize winnings this year for another shot of my hc, but it's also very clear that other play for the prizes at hand. I was on a mini tour where I know a few had bogey handicaps and it was very clear that they were focused solely on the prize and not about enjoyment. As there was no screening of hc and their authenticity as it were.... It dropped out and didn't return this year.

When people are playing of a hc 40% higher than their club hc just to account for the 3/4's allowance it puts the hc system in total different light.

How are people playing off 40% more? No check on handicaps being declared? Name and shame?

 

[Franco]

It has been my experience in other sports, that there will always be people that will ensure that they are competing with an advantage, simply to increase their chance of winning, even when no cash is on offer, just a medal or plastic trophy. They will compete in a division below their ability level, or in the case of golf, keep their handicap high. Such is the nature of people.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I really don't think the level of prizes on offer is (or should) make people protect their handicaps for the sake of a £20-£30 pro shop voucher. If you play well you get cut anyway so it makes it harder (in theory) to win next time out and even if a player is at a mark way out of kilter with their ability, it will get caught up with especially with ESR's

 

[USER1999]

At my gaff, a third of the male membership are off single digits, with around 45 odd cat 1. I don't know any sandbaggers. I seriously don't.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Winning a voucher is nice , as is getting a good score and a HC cut - having fun and enjoyment out weighs both of those for me

 

[JCW]

I say yes ......................on a another subject but in keeping with money , I play in 2 roll ups at the club on mondays and thursdays , its £3.50 and you get a drink after , format is 2 scores to count out of 3 stableford , if a 4 ball then you deduct 6 points from your score at the end . We meet up after for a drink and the winners pick up the tab , works well but some have been having expensive drinks and its all come to a head with emails going round , and thats over a few quid , well its now a pound in the pot and buy yer own drinks , so money does is the answer to this thread ...............................EYG

 

[Jungle]

It's all about the score and the reductions for me. A few pound added to the shop account is a nice bonus bit certainly not what I'm thinking of standing on the 18th.

I'm never aware of how much is in my account until I go to buy something from our Pro.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

We have a roll up at the weekend. £2 and a £1 for the team event. Pay out for first two but if the winning score is tied by two or more, the pot goes forward and we buy lucky dip lottery numbers. Everyone knows its a bit of fun and should the numbers ever come in..

Personally I'm happy to pay a few quid per week or my entry fees for the club comps, never in the expectation of winning. It doesn't put me off who is playing off what and like any round, if I play well and someone comes in with a better score then fair play. I can only control my ball and my score

 

[garyinderry]

banditry can be very much a winter pursuit. winter leagues and spring leagues non qualifying rounds are rife with the same boys every year. no sign of them winning during the summer!

I just think its odd behaviour!

 

[SocketRocket]

I used to be a member of a club where there were no money prizes in qualifying comps, you got a medal or cup and shield on presentation evening and that was it. The small entrance fee went into club funds to pay for prizes and general members expenditure. There were roll ups where there was an entrance fee and money prizes but these weren't qualifiers.

Seemed to work OK.

 

[SocketRocket]

Since I won 400 yesterday, I'm probably the wrong person to answer!

Shanking Comp?

 

[patricks148]

There's i guy i know of( mentioned on here before), who was unhappy with being cut to 6 so went out 3 times a week in comps and managed to get up to 13. Played in the winter alliance the last 3 years and has won the handicap pot each time. Plus what ever the overal prize fund was... i think there were a few complaints... but its non qual so not sure they can do anything. A mate played in it until this last one but stopped as it a joke.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

I have believed for many years that golf should be open, ie scrap amateur status.
We all know that a sizeable amount of club golfers play to win money, dodgy handicaps and cheats are rife within the sport.
The Pro Am circuit is a total joke, lots of players without official handicaps and the PGA never check. Why? because they would never be able to fill the draw.

If golf wishes to continue as an amateur sport it is time they put their house in order.
The R&A have issued much advice over the years on this but the clubs and counties just ignore it.

 

[guest100718]

Ive won 200 so far this year. Its nice and I am not going to say no! But its not why I enter the club comps.

 

[matt71]

Money is not important to me or my other half when we play comps. in fact she did not even know she had something put on our Pro shop card until I noticed one the other day with her name on it. the main reason we enter comps is to try and achieve at least our handicap level and to beat it (if we can). my sole aim is not to be the worst golfer in the golf club and try not to be embarrassed by my high handicap. If I finish with some money at the end so be it.

 

[matt71]

There's i guy i know of( mentioned on here before), who was unhappy with being cut to 6 so went out 3 times a week in comps and managed to get up to 13. Played in the winter alliance the last 3 years and has won the handicap pot each time. Plus what ever the overal prize fund was... i think there were a few complaints... but its non qual so not sure they can do anything. A mate played in it until this last one but stopped as it a joke.

That's bang out of order but not sure what can be done about that

 

[macca64]

Not in any way interested in winning money, all I want to to is get my h/c lower, would be happy not to win another thing if I could play to and or lower my h/c. ( which I'm only dreaming of at the moment )