Oxford English Dictionary

[Voyager EMH]

Any ideas on a re-write for this definition in the OED?
Handicap: the number of strokes by which a golfer normally exceeds par for the course.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

That which golfers suffer in playing the game

 

[Robster59]

That which promotes a 20+ page discussion on any golf forum.

 

[Imurg]

Easier to define a divot...

 

[IanM]

Handicap: Def. "A universally understood metric by which the relative capability of golfers was described. This was discontinued in 2020 when it was decided to replace it with something less comprehensible. (but apparently will encourage more people to take up the game!

 

[Imurg]

Handicap: Def. "A universally understood metric by which the relative capability of golfers was described. This was discontinued in 2020 when it was decided to replace it with something less comprehensible. (but apparently will encourage more people to take up the game!

Ooh..you old cynic

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Handicap: the golfers enigma; a will-o-the-wisp; a bar of soap.

 

[RichA]

...but apparently will encourage more people to take up the game!

I find this funny. Never a member or had a handicap until late last year.
I get the impression that a handicap used to be based on the score your mate on the handicap committee felt you might make on a perfect day and wouldn't dent your ego.
My initial handicap is based on my worst round since I came back from a 10 year break, played in wind and rain.
Bad for my ego. Really bad for making friends amongst the low-mid handicap membership during my first competition.

 

[USER1999]

An arbitrary number you wish you could play to.

 

[D-S]

I find this funny. Never a member or had a handicap until late last year.
I get the impression that a handicap used to be based on the score your mate on the handicap committee felt you might make on a perfect day and wouldn't dent your ego.
My initial handicap is based on my worst round since I came back from a 10 year break, played in wind and rain.
Bad for my ego. Really bad for making friends amongst the low-mid handicap membership during my first competition.

You played 54 holes in the wind and rain?

 

[RichA]

You played 54 holes in the wind and rain?

No it was just 18. Having just googled it, I understand what you mean. I obviously don't have a handicap yet. Not sure if that's better or worse for my ego.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Handicap: A number used to measure the length of your .....................

 

[Bdill93]

Handicap - We can't even decide what to put here......

 

[IanM]

Handicap: A number used to measure the length of your .....................

but do you have to use the look up table and multiply by .85?

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

but do you have to use the look up table and multiply by .85?

I think it depends if you are playing your home course or playing away

 

[rulefan]

Any ideas on a re-write for this definition in the OED?
Handicap: the number of strokes by which a golfer normally exceeds par for the course.

Obviously the writer didn't play golf. The authorities never even attempted to produce a definition.

 

[Crumplezone]

The average number of strokes by which a golfer would like other golfers to believe they exceed par on average. This may be considerably higher or lower than the actual figure depending on the impression they wish to give.

 

[chrisd]

The number that should define how close to the clubhouse you can park.

Mmmmmmmm that'd have me in the visitors car park!

 

[Imurg]

Mmmmmmmm that'd have me in the visitors car park!

Fragger would be parking at home and walking...

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Its a measurement of how big a bandit you are

(speaking from experience