it's just happend again

One of my first comps back in 1995, shot 74 playing of 16. Net 58 and earned me a cut of 3.3

Nothing sinister, I was previously given 16 when I first started at the club and I obviously played a lot better than that.

Its only banditry when someone is intentionally avoiding a cut.

Looking back now, do you think that your allocation of 16 was fair and correct. It wasn't your decision to allocate 16 so you couldn't be accused of abusing the system.
 
Yes it was fair at the time. Just starting out I was more erratic, my scores could be low one week and very high the next. All it takes is to play 3 "normal" rounds to get a card and then bam out of the blue you play very well, putts fly in and you get a massive cut.

I've always been a bit paranoid about being accused of being a bandit. This is the main reason why I wanted to get as low as possible.

The 23 handicapper mentioned on this thread may feel exactly the same way.
 
One of my first comps back in 1995, shot 74 playing of 16. Net 58 and earned me a cut of 3.3

Nothing sinister, I was previously given 16 when I first started at the club and I obviously played a lot better than that.

Its only banditry when someone is intentionally avoiding a cut.

I would say it is also banditry if someone has a handicap that they know is too high and enters a club major with it. I have volunteered three cuts in my golfing history and each time for exactly this reason.
 
Our Club Championships have a handicap maximum of 14 to enter and everyone plays off scratch, no issues with dodgy handicaps winning. :thup:
 
I'm no expert on handicaps but am I correct in saying...
If you join a new club, you SHOULD declare a previous handicap ?
In the OP, I would speak to the golfers previous club and find what his handicap was there.
If the guy can play to 11, he's obviously been playing somewhere.
Isn't this one of the situations where a handicap committee CAN chop someone if they feel the initial handicap issued was too high ?
 
I'm no expert on handicaps but am I correct in saying...
If you join a new club, you SHOULD declare a previous handicap ?
In the OP, I would speak to the golfers previous club and find what his handicap was there.
If the guy can play to 11, he's obviously been playing somewhere.
Isn't this one of the situations where a handicap committee CAN chop someone if they feel the initial handicap issued was too high ?

In response to your two questions - YES and YES.
 
The first few comps are always "settling" in scores. I won two of my first 3 comps off my 17 handicap. The first one was with only 37 points on a tricky day. The other was 39 points just a week later!

I completely agree with the rule that you should play at least 3 weekly competitions in the 3 months prior to a major. My club had this rule and it worked well.

There are some good examples of what a proper bandit is, someone who artificially keeps their handicap high to play in non qualifiers or honors board (or national) competitions.

Conversely getting a too low handicap just means you have a target to work towards, once you beat it you know you have made significant progress.
 
There are some good examples of what a proper bandit is, someone who artificially keeps their handicap high to play in non qualifiers or honors board (or national) competitions.

Sorry, dont agree. The person you are describing is a cheat. Pure and simple.

As is someone who arrives at a new club who used to be off say 10, puts in 3 cards for 18 h/cap and doesnt tell the h/cap sec of his old handicap.
I'd like to see the rule changed to " A player MUST declare a previous h/cap" not "Should"

It's not only cheating, it's also stupid as it's not going to win you many friends at the new club.
 
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1st round club champs and 2nd class qualifier today . new member with his new 3 card handicap of 23, comes in with 58 net. not his fault thats the h/c he's been given but there must be someway to get a truer ability of new players, than 12 under the sss.

Surely even the Class 2 guys qualify with Scratch scores for the Championship ?
 
Sorry, dont agree. The person you are describing is a cheat. Pure and simple.

But that is what I mean! A bandit is a cheat, it is also a term used in jest to suggest someone is cheating but should not be taken seriously.

I think there is a clear difference between someone who was playing off a suitable handicap but who makes legitimate and hard earned improvements (and therefore the win) and the bandit, someone who artificially keeps their handicap high (ie cheating).
 
He shot 12 under playing in his first comp. 1st comp nerves? Doesn't sound like he's a new starter.

I wouldn't call anyone a cheat without more evidence but it appears a little dodgy to say the least.

Personally, I'd like to see a max allowance of 18 given as a first handicap but with an option of a lift if a player is obviously struggling.
 
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I think in the long run it must pay to be honest. I have just joined a club. After around 5yrs away due to injury. I am scared to death of putting in 3 cards incase I play rubbish, get a high H/c. Then clean up in the comps. When I joined I gave full past history. Going back years. Told them my last H/c was 14 but that was more due to injury than ability, As I had played to singles most of my previous golf life. The sec just told me not to worry, as they dont give H/c until you play to 18 or under.

I have decided myself not to put ahy cards in until. I know the course and I feel happy with my standard of play. Ok I may still win but I won't feel like I have cheated. (most likely will win bugger all though).
 
You should have to meet requirments/qualify for the big competitions imo. Ive been called a bandit by a fair few people even though ive never been anywhere near winning anything! Just because i hit the ball well people keep saying i should be off a lot less even though i havent been scoring that well. Ive played in every qualifying comp since ive been at the club so its not like im taking the mick! I would quite happily play off scratch if i could play to that level! :)
 
Did we not establish several times already that CATEGORIES would sort all 'banditry' shouts? It wouldn't matter what cards he put in if he only cleaned up in the CAT4 group and won a tenner :p
 
I think at my new club once a new player has got his handicap he has to either play in 3 qualifiers or like me now wait until next year to enter any board competitions.

I too declared my handicap from my last club (which lapsed to away status) as 27 which was correct although now I am playing after a winter of improving to 20 and I am aiming for an 18 handicap when I put my 3 cards in.

Am I a reverse bandit?????
 
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