Maximum Handicap For Men - Again...

[TheClaw]

They are technically games. (Though come to think of it so is golf!)

Technically they are all sports! Even golf.

 

[gryffindor]

My understanding is that when your opponent can directly influence your performance (eg tennis, football, boxing) then it is a sport. If you effectively do your own thing but better/worse than them then it is a game. I believe that is why they were originally Olympic games, not sports.

I could of course be sprouting total rubbish.

 

[TheClaw]

My understanding is that when your opponent can directly influence your performance (eg tennis, football, boxing) then it is a sport. If you effectively do your own thing but better/worse than them then it is a game. I believe that is why they were originally Olympic games, not sports.

I could of course be sprouting total rubbish.

Not the definition that I teach.

So javelin, archery, diving are not sports? (first few that sprang to mind).

 

[Doon frae Troon]

So what happens if a 15 'capper turns up and has a nightmare? Is that OK or will he/she be asked to return to the clubhouse?

I assume he would play marginally better [and quicker] that a 19 handicapper who turns up and has a nightmare.

 

[thehunter]

Hi I am new to the forum and to the game. first handicap was 18 and I do think I am better than this and it is my aim to get to single figures before the end of year. I agree that the limit should be 18, I only started 2 months ago and can play to 18 so I am sure anybody who can take the time to play should be able to do the same.

Anybody looking for a game let me know as the course is in great condition at the moment and I am always looking to meet new friends.

Thanks

 

[Foxholer]

My understanding is that when your opponent can directly influence your performance (eg tennis, football, boxing) then it is a sport. If you effectively do your own thing but better/worse than them then it is a game. I believe that is why they were originally Olympic games, not sports.

I could of course be sprouting total rubbish.

I think you are! At least spouting....

I think you've defined a 'contest' or 'match' as opposed to a 'comparative' competition - which compares and ranks individual efforts. Both are competitions. Strokeplay Golf is a comparative competition, Matchplay Golf is a contest/match one.

 

[Fish]

I assume he would play marginally better [and quicker] that a 19 handicapper who turns up and has a nightmare.

I don't accept that analogy.

I have played to my handicap and been with much lower handicapped players who have had a nightmare round, and its much longer. I can't see how someone just a few shots lower would be better or quicker than the higher handicapper if they were having a mare, unless you mean that they'll pick up their ball quicker with less shots .

 

[CheltenhamHacker]

Hi I am new to the forum and to the game. first handicap was 18 and I do think I am better than this and it is my aim to get to single figures before the end of year. I agree that the limit should be 18, I only started 2 months ago and can play to 18 so I am sure anybody who can take the time to play should be able to do the same.

Anybody looking for a game let me know as the course is in great condition at the moment and I am always looking to meet new friends.

Thanks

Such a nice uncontroversial first post, just to ease into the forum.

(Welcome to the forum by the way)

 

[gryffindor]

You are probably right - was told this years ago.

I now define it as a sport if I can beat my son and a game if he can beat me Golf is very borderline.

 

[ger147]

An online dictionary so not exactly 100% pukka, but here goes:

sport (noun)
an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature, as racing, baseball, tennis, golf,bowling, wrestling, boxing, hunting, fishing, etc.

 

[gryffindor]

Ok - I have conceded my ignorance (but I still question darts - any 'sport' you can play whilst drinking six pints has to be questionable?)

 

[jp5]

What if I'm an 18 handicapper when I book the round, but slip up to 19 before the round takes place. Should I ring up and cancel?

 

[Five&One]

What if I'm an 18 handicapper when I book the round, but slip up to 19 before the round takes place. Should I ring up and cancel?

Some would have it that you are ostracized and banished from the club. You're certainly not welcome to play a full part and don't dare play out of your skin and finish above them.

Stepford Golf club. Where the members get checked to see if they bleed, everyone plays off scratch and goes round in par and they share the medal between them every month

 

[Five&One]

I still don't get it. Golf isn't my first sport. In other sports if I turned up to play with people that are better than me I get beat and if I'm better than them I win. It doesn't hurt my feelings when I get beat by people that, for whatever reason, are better than me.

In almost all of those other sports you wouldn't deliberately put yourself up against someone you are sure to lose to. What is the point in that. What do you learn or achieve. No, you'd probably mix and play with people of similar ability. The handicap system manipulates a situation where you can walk on to a course with anyone, right up to the very highest level, and have a chance of enjoying close sporting competition. To me that is something that should be protected at all costs. Not binned because someone lost to a lesser player or had to wait 5 minutes whilst the lesser player hacked around the long grass for a bit.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

What if I'm an 18 handicapper when I book the round, but slip up to 19 before the round takes place. Should I ring up and cancel?

You should be banned from all golf and stood in the corner of your clubhouse for all the Cat 1 guys to laugh at and mock

 

[TheClaw]

In almost all of those other sports you wouldn't deliberately put yourself up against someone you are sure to lose to. What is the point in that. What do you learn or achieve. No, you'd probably mix and play with people of similar ability. The handicap system manipulates a situation where you can walk on to a course with anyone, right up to the very highest level, and have a chance of enjoying close sporting competition. To me that is something that should be protected at all costs. Not binned because someone lost to a lesser player or had to wait 5 minutes whilst the lesser player hacked around the long grass for a bit.

Here's an answer! I agree with this. Well put.

 

[Five&One]

Here's an answer! I agree with this. Well put.

Here's another thing. Who exactly are the low guys going to play against for competition. Just other low guys ? In our summer singles last month I played against a gent off 5. I was determined before the game that he would have to play better than his handicap to beat me. He did. He beat me 3&2, but it was close and he remarked that he enjoyed it and got into it because I had pressed him hard. We both enjoyed it. Playing off 18 he'd have beat me 9&8 or thereabouts. Not that enjoyable or competitive for him. Soul destroying for me.

 

[ger147]

Ok - I have conceded my ignorance (but I still question darts - any 'sport' you can play whilst drinking six pints has to be questionable?)

Deffo in agreement with you about Darts. It's right up there alongside Dominoes when it comes to athleticism!!

 

[Siren]

Totally demotivating anyone over 20 and that includes almost all guys new to the game. And for what purpose ? Protecting the good players winning chances from the odd freak performance by a high handicapper. Removing the rather offensive sight of a high handicapper taking 3 to get out a bunker ?

Golf is unique and joyful because of the handicap system.

It smacks of elitism and exclusionism to me. Clubs would be absolutely horrified if this were to happen in the current economic climate. I certainly would not be a member of any club in those circumstances so there is the best part of £1200 a year taken out of the golfing economy right away.. Golf is a long term vocation. You cant just pick it up and expect to be good at it. It takes years and it takes a bit of work and a bit of dedication and a bit of time and a bit of motivation and encouragement (you get part of that encouragement from competing on a level playing field with better players - I certainly do) and it takes playing regularly, which means the higher the handicapper the more often you have to play to get good, the more often you are at the bar, the more often you hire a buggy and most importantly the more money you spend on lessons and equipment (if you are anything like me). All of this keeps clubs going and you want to effectively exclude them from competitive golf at amateur level ?

Are you quite mad ?

Jesus the snobbery with guys who were once over 20 themselves beggars belief sometimes.

We have a winner.

 

[duncan mackie]

having just got in from my 3rd club match in 3 days, played at 3 different courses, with 3 different partners and 6 different opponents........I can only conclude from the outcomes that handicaps do exactly what they are designed for; and any random 'limit' is hardly the key factor it's made out to be in general play.

fwiw -
10/19 v 21/24 - AS
10/27 v 19/28 - W 3&2
10/25 v 12/28 - AS

playing all these as Away matches the slight edge from the 3/4 allowance just offsets the home advantage of the higher teams in each case.

great sport, excellent competition all made possible by handicapping.