Online Handicap

[George555]

Hi all,

Firstly I would like to say Hi and thank you to you all who use this forum. I have used the forum for the past few months and found it a helpful and at times amusing place to gather knowledge.

I have been playing golf for a couple of years now and after a lot of practice, lost balls, reading and pro lessons (birthday present), I am beginning to get the hang of the game and am in love with it. I am currently a student so cannot afford a full membership at my local club to get an official handicap so was wandering if anyone knows of any good online sites where I can get one? I am happy to pay a small fee is needed.

Thanks.

 

[ManinBlack]

My understanding is that, to have a handicap, you must be a member of an EGU club. Our club offers junior fees to anyone in full time education. Are there no clubs in your area which do that?

 

[BTatHome]

As above a CONGU handicap is required to play competition golf but online trackers like golfshake.com offer very good stats packages, aswell as handicap tracking.

 

[Imurg]

Welcome to the Forum!
Whilst the online handicap trackers will show you what handicap you're playing to they are unlikely to be valid should you need to show a handicap certificate to enter any comps.
Some clubs offer a kind of Associate memberwhip where you pay a small fee but pay reduced green fees - it allows to be a member and get a proper handicap.
Plenty of online ones although I don't use any so can't advise

 

[pbrown7582]

Golf shake for an online tracker, golf club GB offer an official "looking" handicap card and have acceptance for it to allow play at many places including St Andrews back it won't get you into many if any comps.

 

[Smiffy]

If you are worried about having to show a handicap certificate to play a new course, I wouldn't worry too much. As long as you "look and behave" like a "real" golfer, hardly any courses ask you to show one, despite what it might say on their websites.
The only course in the UK that I have been asked for one is Woodhall Spa.
A bit different if you go somewhere like the Algarve to play, as I have been asked for proof of handicap on more than one occasion over there.
Like others have said though, if you are looking to enter "Open" competitions, then an official CONGU handicap will be required, and the ONLY way you can get one is by joining a club and handing cards in.

How old are you by the way??
I don't know how far Torquay is from Torbay, but a quick look on their website shows they do a number of membership categories, with a couple catering for students etc. (intermediate/university)
Seem very cheap
http://www.torquaygolfclub.co.uk/visitors/join/

 

[buggerlugs]

A friend of mine is looking to run open competitions for players with or without congu handicaps. Allowing players with online handicaps to enter. He wants to start this year in April in West Yorks and advertise on golf empire and maybe move further afield next year if it takes off.

 

[Fyldewhite]

A friend of mine is looking to run open competitions for players with or without congu handicaps. Allowing players with online handicaps to enter. He wants to start this year in April in West Yorks and advertise on golf empire and maybe move further afield next year if it takes off.

It probably won't. Players with official handicaps won't enter because, rightly or wrongly, they will think they are at a disadvantage. If it's like a society event and more about visiting a course with a few low value prizes that may be different.

 

[louise_a]

On option is to join a pay and play club, that way membership should be cheap and you can get a proper CONGU handicap.

 

[buggerlugs]

It probably won't. Players with official handicaps won't enter because, rightly or wrongly, they will think they are at a disadvantage. If it's like a society event and more about visiting a course with a few low value prizes that may be different.

That was my argument. I have a congu handicap and wouldn't want to play with guys who may have a dodgy "made up " one. That said, I have entered opens where players with official handicaps have been bandits.

 

[Smiffy]

That said, I have entered opens where players with official handicaps have been bandits.

So have I!
In fact, plenty have
:angry:

 

[George555]

Thank you all for the replies. I'm 25 and soon be finishing at university so soon I won't be able to benefit from cheaper rates. I'm not really looking to gain a handicap to play comps, more for my own benefit really and to see what level I'm playing at. Got a long way before I'm confident enough to play in comps. I play at a couple local courses so I will ask around for the best membership deals.