Protecting a handicap

[Franco]

I was in the Pro shop today, when a visitor was buying a new pair of golf shoes. As he was leaving, he mentioned that he was playing tomorrow, the Pro responded that the new shoes would guarantee dry feet and he may even have a great score. The visitor/customer replied that he didn't want a great score as that would spoil his handicap. He went on to say that if he was playing too well, he would play some holes badly!

Now whilst I believe that there may be one or two members who follow that style of play, I have never heard anyone actually admit to it and talking as though everyone does it. Makes me wonder just how much cheating actually goes on in some clubs.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

There's just one or two in the entire club at my club that have been thought to deliberately protect their handicap, usually to pair up with a good player in pairs events (no-qualifiers) and do very well

 

[Deleted member 21784]

I was in the Pro shop today, when a visitor was buying a new pair of golf shoes. As he was leaving, he mentioned that he was playing tomorrow, the Pro responded that the new shoes would guarantee dry feet and he may even have a great score. The visitor/customer replied that he didn't want a great score as that would spoil his handicap. He went on to say that if he was playing too well, he would play some holes badly!

Now whilst I believe that there may be one or two members who follow that style of play, I have never heard anyone actually admit to it and talking as though everyone does it. Makes me wonder just how much cheating actually goes on in some clubs.

maybe he was just joking around?

 

[GeeJay]

I'm sure there are players that are reluctant to improve their handicap because they don't like the pressure of having to play at their best to 'only' shoot 36 points. Instead they want to shoot 46 points off 19 shots and take the money (one of my PPs did that a couple of weeks ago).

I won a mid week comp recently with 41 points having shot my lowest ever gross (9 over) off a shortened course with preferred lies through the green. I wasn't focusing on the result, but just want improve my game and was very pleased to have shot a good score. So for me, the challenge is to just play as well as I can and see just how low I can get my handicap. Right now I'm hoping to be able to get to single figures.

Different people want different things out of golf.

 

[turkish]

Clearly he's joking

 

[cookelad]

Played with a guy last summer who was playing and scoring really well up to the 12th, then, suddenly, missed a few 1 footers that weren't even threatening the hole.

Doesn't add up, for me the lower handicap is the real badge of honour not the glassware on the mantelpiece, and if the £5/£10/£20 is that important to you you probably shouldn't be risking the couple of quid stake!

 

[NWJocko]

So for me, the challenge is to just play as well as I can and see just how low I can get my handicap.

Different people want different things out of golf.

This hits the nail on the head for me.

Some golfers are only interested in "winning" comps and that is where the competitive element for them lies, the handicap system (which is positive in main) allows them to be at a particular level so they can compete within their own club comps/open comps/national comps etc.

Others get the competitive side from their own game, i.e. playing the course in as few shots as possible without caring about where they finish in comps or win/lose matches (friendly or otherwise)

I'm firmly in the latter camp.

 

[Region3]

A couple at ours have been at it for a few years. HC committee finally chopped them in the last annual review after they won about a grand in prizes this year in NQ's/opens whilst at the same getting about 90% 0.1's in qualifiers.

 

[mikejohnchapman]

Sadly we all know a few who make pot-hunting a religion!

We have someone who enters just about every comprtition he can to go up by 0.1 each time and is then very competitive on local open competitions. Funny how so many of these cards get lost in the post back to the club.

Widely regarded with sadness by his peers.

 

[Nickrat]

This hits the nail on the head for me.

Some golfers are only interested in "winning" comps and that is where the competitive element for them lies, the handicap system (which is positive in main) allows them to be at a particular level so they can compete within their own club comps/open comps/national comps etc.

Others get the competitive side from their own game, i.e. playing the course in as few shots as possible without caring about where they finish in comps or win/lose matches (friendly or otherwise)

I'm firmly in the latter camp.

The irony being that people that fall into the later category (myself included) tend to want to practice more to improve and lower their handicap. Then you turn up a week later after practicing putting all week and shave 3 shots off your usual score only to be called a bandit!

Bandit - manipulates handicap in order to win competitions.
Improving player - Scores well with consistent drops in handicap.

Nothing grinds my bones more than working hard practicing and then pulling it off on the course for someone to say "wow your a bandit there's no way your off 19"

 

[garyinderry]

A couple at ours have been at it for a few years. HC committee finally chopped them in the last annual review after they won about a grand in prizes this year in NQ's/opens whilst at the same getting about 90% 0.1's in qualifiers.

It will be interesting to see what their scores are like this year.

 

[Region3]

It will be interesting to see what their scores are like this year.

Player 1.

Adjusted -3.5
37pts singles (win)
41pts 4bbb (27th)
66.3 scramble (4th)
Appeal turned down.

Not played since and is not now in our hc list.


Player 2.

Adjusted -3.5
22pts singles (19th)
41pts 4bbb (27th)
66.3 scramble (4th)
Given 1 shot back on appeal
39pts singles (2nd)
34pts singles (win)
61.8 scramble (win)

Is now listed as an away hc.

 

[lukeysafc100]

what is that going to achieve for him? He'd be gutted if he lost the comp by a shot! He's a cheat and the pro should of reported him and get banned! Bet he's one of these who plays all the opens and cleans up!

 

[garyinderry]

Lol as expected.

 

[Ross61]

I wasn't focusing on the result, but just want improve my game and was very pleased to have shot a good score. So for me, the challenge is to just play as well as I can and see just how low I can get my handicap.

Different people want different things out of golf.

Same for me. Last year I won 2 comps, 2nd 6 times and a 3rd.

My Handicap fell by 3.5 which I was pleased with, but I was a little embarrassed about winning money so often. Nobody got upset as far as I know, but I did get friendly ribbing with "bandit" comments.
Unfortunately when you are improving the only way to lower your handicap is to score well and winning is likely in the process.

 

[muttleee]

Played with a guy last summer who was playing and scoring really well up to the 12th, then, suddenly, missed a few 1 footers that weren't even threatening the hole.

If he'd any sense he would hit his first putts 3 or 4 feet past and then miss those. At least that's a bit more believable!

Not that I condone this sort of behaviour, of course.

 

[TheJezster]

I don't know why you have to fall into one of 2 'camps'?

Personally speaking I want to win as many trophies as possible. I also want to get my handicap down.

I don't see why they have to be at odds with each other? Or why some feel it's not 'the done thing' to state you want to win the comps. That's just madness as far as I'm concerned.

I want to win. I play to win. If I don't, then so be it, I might get cut and will then try to win the next one. There is no shame in wanting to win.

 

[Region3]

I don't know why you have to fall into one of 2 'camps'?

Personally speaking I want to win as many trophies as possible. I also want to get my handicap down.

I don't see why they have to be at odds with each other? Or why some feel it's not 'the done thing' to state you want to win the comps. That's just madness as far as I'm concerned.

I want to win. I play to win. If I don't, then so be it, I might get cut and will then try to win the next one. There is no shame in wanting to win.

Definitely not, you sound like the second camp.

The first camp would deliberately miss a couple if they knew they couldn't win but were on for a cut.


A mate of mine witnessed one of the guys mentioned in my post score 19pts on the front 9 then deliberately line up left on the 10th tee and hit one straight OOB.
There's the difference. You'd be doing all you could to scrape another 19pts on the back for a little cut. He had no interest in that.

 

[TheJezster]

Definitely not, you sound like the second camp.

The first camp would deliberately miss a couple if they knew they couldn't win but were on for a cut.


A mate of mine witnessed one of the guys mentioned in my post score 19pts on the front 9 then deliberately line up left on the 10th tee and hit one straight OOB.
There's the difference. You'd be doing all you could to scrape another 19pts on the back for a little cut. He had no interest in that.

Yea I don't get that! You can have different 9's, couple weeks back I think I was about 12 over after 9, but cobbled together the back 9 and without realising I was 3 over for the back 9. Two very different 9's.

I've had it the other way round too, but generally I have a stronger back 9. Nothing worse than starting off really well, perhaps being in contention and then forgetting how to hit a golf ball! At least if you start off badly, there is no expectation and then when you get it together and come in well, you've got the positives in your mind as you finish the round. Makes you want to come back for more

 

[Bazz]

I get embarrassed telling people my handicap when they ask, nobody cares how many trophies you've won.