Society Handicaps vs proper club handicaps

[GatesheadGolfer]

I guess the majority of regular posters on here are members of golf clubs. (I was for 5 years til Xmas 2000 when I packed in as was playing in severe pain with my back, and paying zillions to chiropractors/ physios was doing no good, so I thought that rest was best, so the case has proven).

My handicap then was a peak of around 21, but was hampered by playing continually in pain for the last couple of years.

I resumed in 2005 pain free, first playing socially, then socity golf, with some success, although probably not the toughest competition. After winning yesterday at Houghton-Le-Spring GC (in very wet conditions - a pretty decent score in the conditions) scoring 1 over my handicap in a reduced field of 9, my handicap was cut (by the secretary - myself!) by 2 strokes as is customary, down to an all-time low of 13.8. I do not believe this is my true handicap - my best scores this years have been 13 over, 16 over and a number around 18 over, so I would say my 'true' handicap is probably around 17/18 (although don't club secretaries dismiss anything above double bogey for handicap purposes? - and I do have the odd rogue hole).

I guess the answer would be to join a club to find my true handicap, but then again you are playing the same course most of the time, and should improve on that course with familiarity (in theory), rather than playing mainly different courses as I am.

Any thoughts?

 

[USER1999]

Hmm, yes.

I play better away from home, as I concentrate more, and my play is not tarnished by knowing where I normally make mistakes. Therefore playing at the same course does not necessarily give you a lower h/cap, particularly if the home course is tricky.

My h/cap is 11. My society one is now 11, (up from an all time low of 3). My club h/cap hasn't really changed for 20 years.

If you put 3 cards in for h/cap purposes, of 13, 16 and 17, you would get a h/cap of 13. They take the best card, and work your h/cap on stableford points. You may even get less than 13, if you had a blob.

 

[JustOne]

all-time low of 13.8. I do not believe this is my true handicap - my best scores this years have been 13 over, 16 over and a number around 18 over, so I would say my 'true' handicap is probably around 17/18

I agree with Murph... your handicap sounds about right. From 13.8 you can play 6 more total shocking competition rounds rounds all way over 120 shots and still be on the same handicap (14). People are so hasty to dismiss their capabilities just because they hit a bad run of form. 6 competition rounds might take you 6 months or more... or a couple of months if only playing society games. Sure, I totally understand that you might feel you'll never shoot another decent score (+12,+13 etc) but that's the point of playing and practicing. You've already proved that 13 over is achieveable for a man with your talents

The only reason you're handicap might seem wrong to you is that there are a LOT of bandits out there

Some have even managed to get their society handicaps up as high as 11 from 3... even though their genuine handicap hasn't changed

 

[USER1999]

It took a lot of persuasion, and a change of h/cap secretary, but persistence pays off. You should try it.

 

[JustOne]

It took a lot of persuasion, and a change of h/cap secretary, but persistence pays off. You should try it.

Hehe, I'm playing Tyrells Wood today and I'm going to ask for 18 If Smiffy takes the cash again I might have to stab him

Are you coming down to my gaff on Sunday?

 

[Smiffy]

Hehe, I'm playing Tyrells Wood today and I'm going to ask for 18 If Smiffy takes the cash again I might have to stab him

Ray, our Society handicap secretary, has been so disappointed with my results lately he has put me out to 16

 

[bogside84]

I have been suffering with back problems for years like yourself I noticed you said you are now pain free could I ask what you done to cure it because I have also tried everything to sort it.I am going for a MRI scan a week on Friday. Cheers

 

[USER1999]

Yes James, I am coming on Sunday. I shall select a handicap between 3 and 12 depending on how I am playing. Can you book some sunshine?

 

[GatesheadGolfer]

Thanks to all for your replies

Murph - yes there are pros and cons with playing home courses compared with other/ new courses - thrill of a new course/ challenge, but less local knowledge

Bogside - complete rest did the trick for my back, but took a long while

Justmeuk - I have every faith in shooting another (and many) decent scores , I just need to play a bit safer and strategic at the right times, and not foolishly letting rip with a driver on a shortish hole, where there is no discernible benefit (and often can lead to trouble). I have been reading an old Tom Watson book on strategy, and slowly becoming more sensible