Voluntary Handicap Cut?

[RollinThunder]

At my old club, I had my three cards signed, and was given my first handicap of 24. After a year's absence, I had my handicap transferred to a new club I joined, which I believe is easier than my old club, it being shorter, narrower, and with less-tricky greens than my old club.

I've played in a few comps in the last month, always teetering around the 30 points mark, and then I started a course of lessons. In short, I'm playing a lot, having lessons, and my game is coming on no end.

I played in a club major last week, and ended up with a nett 72 (+4), including an 8 and a 9 on the card. I expected a cut, but I was surprised to find that my handicap had not changed, despite me having a very tidy round, and only having disasters with the 8 and 9. Yesterday I scored a 38 points off of 24 handicap, and went around the front nine in a slightly embarrassing gross 3 over par, with 6 pars in the front-nine, 8 pars overall, and 2 No Returns, so with a bit more thought, it could have been even more points.

It goes without saying that the word "bandit" was definitely thrown around, and on the first tee, the rest of the lads from the club were laughing when I mentioned 24, as I have a pretty textbook swing, and banged a 3W straight down the middle, but I assured them it was all above board.

Yesterday was a club away day, so there aren't any handicap changes as I know of, although the fellow who handled the cards mentioned something about "reductions only", and I said that I'd happily take a voluntary cut. A few of the lads in the club were complaining that the Handicap Secretary only comes to the club once a week, and there are lots of players in the club with considerably higher handicaps than they should have, due to the Secretary's slackness, so I doubt he'll mention a voluntary cut, and at the next comp I'll probably be stuck at 24 again.

I've been practicing and playing my heart out over the last month, and I really am ready for a handicap cut, purely to make my hard work seem worthwhile, as I'm someone who wants to get my handicap as low as possible. I don't know much about how the handicap system works, but is it possible to accept a voluntary reduction, or even request one, or do people think I should say nothing and just stick at it?

 

[Deleted member 15344]

You can request a HC cut and the HC can look at the HC over the annual review period but for me when anyone asks me for a HC cut then they must show evidence during qualifying comps and not swindles.

If you believe your HC should be lower then the best way is to prove it with a scorecard

 

[pbrown7582]

if you are not able to produce your best form in a comp to get a cut you do have the opportunity to declare a supplementary card round before you play and submit it as a comp round for reduction/raise as maybe appliacable. Maybe worth checking you SSS to par as well to see if this is where you missed out on the cut you thought you may get with rounding of your 8 and 9.

 

[duncan mackie]

You can request a HC cut and the HC can look at the HC over the annual review period but for me when anyone asks me for a HC cut then they must show evidence during qualifying comps and not swindles.

If you believe your HC should be lower then the best way is to prove it with a scorecard

Good summary.

You earn handicap reductions rather than requesting them.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

I'd like to request a cut to 18, less embarrassing than 22. Unfortunately my cards keep saying 22 and maybe more is more accurate. Unfortunately we don't get to choose our handicaps, they are given and adjusted by the scores we put in when that dreaded card is in our hands. Ignore the comments, play your game and tell anyone that makes a comment to talk to the h/c committee / secretary.

 

[UlyssesSky]

I played in a club major last week, and ended up with a nett 72 (+4), including an 8 and a 9 on the card. I expected a cut, but I was surprised to find that my handicap had not changed, despite me having a very tidy round, and only having disasters with the 8 and 9. Yesterday I scored a 38 points off of 24 handicap, and went around the front nine in a slightly embarrassing gross 3 over par, with 6 pars in the front-nine, 8 pars overall, and 2 No Returns, so with a bit more thought, it could have been even more points.

Maybe I miss something here, but I don't really understand why you expect to get a significant handicap cut.

If you shot a net +4 in the club major, that means you didn't play to your handicap. I don't know how that result is used for handicap purpose, e.g. rounding the two 'disaster holes' to double bogeys, but even if they were two par 4s that got rounded to two 6s, you'd end up with a net -1, meaning you'd get cut by 0.4.

In the other case where you shot 38 net points you actually played better than your handicap and should expect to get cut by 0.8.

Since both events were only a couple of days ago and your club's handicap sectretary doesn't seem to be in danger of a stress related heart attack, you probably will receive that cut within the next couple of days.

It goes without saying that the word "bandit" was definitely thrown around, and on the first tee, the rest of the lads from the club were laughing when I mentioned 24, as I have a pretty textbook swing, and banged a 3W straight down the middle, but I assured them it was all above board.

Not sure why anyone would call someone a bandit for shooting 2 points below their handicap...

Btw, my swing also looks pretty good, if only the outcome was consistent... I often have people tell me I made some very good shots and should have a better handicap, but the scorecards don't lie - I'm just not good enough (yet).

I've been practicing and playing my heart out over the last month, and I really am ready for a handicap cut, purely to make my hard work seem worthwhile, as I'm someone who wants to get my handicap as low as possible. I don't know much about how the handicap system works, but is it possible to accept a voluntary reduction, or even request one, or do people think I should say nothing and just stick at it?

I know very well how tough (and frustrating) this can be, but hard work alone does not qualify you for a better handicap. To make your hard work worthwhile, you'll have to convert it into low scores on the course. Once you do that, your handicap will come down automatically...

 

[RollinThunder]

Fair enough. It was more because I took a fair bit of stick last week and yesterday, for supposedly playing off above what I should be, and the fellow mentioning a "voluntary cut" got me thinking.

The person making the most noise was the Captain, who was in my group, and the person who collects the cards (I don't know his position, possibly the Competition Secretary) after him, so they might be on my case

The important thing is, I know I'm at a turning point where my game will start to make massive improvements, so if I keep cracking on, my handicap will start falling naturally.

 

[Stuey01]

Seems to me that your play does not warrant a cut. A net +4 was very unlikely to end in a cut. And the other round of 38 points is good, and well played, but it's hardly setting the world alight or indicative of banditry.

 

[Tin_Cup_14]

38 pts is a fine score but wouldn't be exactly "bandit" stuff

Anything 40 plus on a few occasions close together would be needed to fall into that category

 

[Slab]

Fair enough. It was more because I took a fair bit of stick last week and yesterday, for supposedly playing off above what I should be, and the fellow mentioning a "voluntary cut" got me thinking.

The person making the most noise was the Captain, who was in my group, and the person who collects the cards (I don't know his position, possibly the Competition Secretary) after him, so they might be on my case

The important thing is, I know I'm at a turning point where my game will start to make massive improvements, so if I keep cracking on, my handicap will start falling naturally.

It was probably more like banter type 'stick' rather than anything with any foundation... at least I hope so, otherwise it means the captain is one of those types who believe that high handicap players can't have a good day on the course and certainly shouldn't have a semi acceptable swing

 

[RollinThunder]

The "bandit" name was probably because the closest player only had 32 points with no blobs, and how I went round the front nine in 40 (+3) .

Like I've said, I know next to nothing about how handicaps work, with the variations, etc, and subsequently hearing from the Competition Secretary about a "Voluntary Reduction" just made me wonder how this works, and if it even exists.

It doesn't bother me to crack on, it's the most I'm enjoying my golf at the moment, and with people saying that I should be playing off less, it's giving me the motivation to make some big pushes

 

[duncan mackie]

The "bandit" name was probably because the closest player only had 32 points with no blobs, and how I went round the front nine in 40 (+3) .

Like I've said, I know next to nothing about how handicaps work, with the variations, etc, and subsequently hearing from the Competition Secretary about a "Voluntary Reduction" just made me wonder how this works, and if it even exists.

It doesn't bother me to crack on, it's the most I'm enjoying my golf at the moment, and with people saying that I should be playing off less, it's giving me the motivation to make some big pushes

He may have been referring to you choosing to play off a lower handicap in competitions until your handicap catches up - you can do that but it generally causes more confusion than anything else!

I resisted comment on how good were my rounds aspect because it brings in the additional factors of par v SSS v CSS and the SI of the holes you scored those high scores. ..suffice to say that the system will adjust your handicap if necessary (although you are required to make reductions immediately yourself if appropriate and if competing again before he competition results are posted and any handicap adjustments notified. This would normally fall to the competition sec to do so I'm sure yours will do it immediately as he's clearly one for pace!
It's also usual for the captain and comp sec to sit on the handicap committee, and they will all sit on a committee with the handicap sec anyway, so if they feel something should happen it's again within their hands.

 

[ger147]

A good score over 9 holes is also only any good for your handicap if it's a 9 hole comp.

I came home in +2 gross, 7 pars and 2 bogeys at the weekend. Indeed, I was only 5 over gross for 15 holes, but sadly I was 9 over par for the other 3 holes combined.

I also get called a bandit, shark etc. for being 5 over for 15 holes when my handicap is 13. I'm just hoping that one of these days I can string it together for all 18 holes, and then I'll happily sit in the bar wearing my giant sombrero while I count my winnings

 

[happyhacker]

A good score over 9 holes is also only any good for your handicap if it's a 9 hole comp.

I came home in +2 gross, 7 pars and 2 bogeys at the weekend. Indeed, I was only 5 over gross for 15 holes, but sadly I was 9 over par for the other 3 holes combined.

I also get called a bandit, shark etc. for being 5 over for 15 holes when my handicap is 13. I'm just hoping that one of these days I can string it together for all 18 holes, and then I'll happily sit in the bar wearing my giant sombrero while I count my winnings

It won't be long Ger, you hit a mean ball!

 

[ger147]

It won't be long Ger, you hit a mean ball!

Thank you HH, I just keep plugging away.

 

[williamalex1]

You could play off a lower H/C at away open comps if you wish , or perhaps when playing against your old Amigos.:smirk:

 

[Guvnor2013]

If you string a few good competition cards together, the HC sec has the option to reduce your HC on 'general play' or 'exceptional scoring' (whichever terminology he/she chooses). I lost 2 shots off mine a few weeks ago for having 2 good rounds in as many weeks. Your HC will find its true level pretty soon if you continue to play in club comps and your scores reflect your improvements.

As for the comments you are getting, there does seem a tradition for golfers to undermine the success of others by attributing good net scores to inflated handicaps. Whilst there may be some who try to manipulate their handicaps to achieve success at key times, you seem to have a healthy approach to the situation and the discomfort you are experiencing is likely to be a short term issue.

Ultimately, keep on plugging away and just shrug & smile at those who don't like your current improving play. Everyone with a low handicap must have gone through the same stage as you are at. Maybe they are just 'returning the favour' of what they experienced at that time.

 

[backwoodsman]

As Duncan says, cuts will come when they are due. He also mentions there are lots of factors to consider about whether a particular score merits one. Bear in mind that it is not unusual to need to score , say, 38 points to be just on handicap if it is an "easy" course.

Sounds like "banditry banter" to me. Just smile and tell them to naff off.

 

[delc]

Enjoy the wins while you can. It gets a lot harder once your handicap catches up with your playing ability!

 

[patricks148]

Enjoy the wins while you can. It gets a lot harder once your handicap catches up with your playing ability!

or passes way below you playing ability