My playing partner's handicap...

[Bomer]

I've never played so take my advice lightly, but I'd tell him to put them in... having a handicap in itself would make me full much better and like I was aiming towards something. Your HC can only goto a max of 28.5 anyway can't it?

It'll make him feel like more of a golfer as everyone is always talking about handicaps etc, I can't see it doing him any harm, but as others have said, depends on the club you're at to if they'll issue him a handicap. I did read online about a website which gives handicaps (https://secure.golfclubgb.co.uk/). Not sure if it's legit, but might be worth looking into if you need him to be able sign your cards.

 

[ArnoldArmChewer]

My playing partner is a true beginner. He has put together 3 cards, but they are all around the 120 mark.

Will he be given a handicap? Or could the club tell him to wait until he's improved a bit and then submit some more cards before allocating?

OK, we all have to start somewhere and generally our scores are not good when we first start. I think your friend needs to have some lessons, practise on the range and then move on to a pitch & putt course, practise some more then have some lessons, practise some more and then think about joining a club and getting a handicap. He should also (if he hasn't already) get a basic grip of rules & etiquette.

120 shots to get round especially if he is playing in a competition would imo only demoralise him, much better to improve off course with very basic strokes and play before venturing round.

 

[Shiny]

When I first got my handicap there were 3 of us. I averaged 105 and got a 28 the other two guys averaged 120 and were told they could not get a handicap until they hit 105.

 

[louise_a]

Slightly related to this topic, I was looking for a partner for the first fourball of the season and found a lady today who was also looking, so we said we would play together. A little later I mentioned to the handicap secretary that I was partnering her. Oh dear she says to me, she's a lovely lady but hasn't played to 45 yet, let alone her handicap of 36. I saw her score in the last medal and it was a net 110! The comp is a foursomes, its going to be interesting.