What do I do???

"adjusting to your handicap"

gareth, cheat may be a strong word but it is a form mate. dont put pressure on yourself about adjusting to a handicap, you must be able to play to it or you wouldnt have earned the cut in the first place.

All you have effectively done is lost 2 shots on a couple of holes.... wait until until you get under 18 and you get holes with no shots, its a right bast**d! ;)
 
for me a handicap represents your ability over a period of time, if you improve it gets better, if not then it gets worse.

As a new golfer my aim is just to play, enjoy and whatever will be will be. If I get to say 18 by the end of the year (which is my target) job done, if not then I will try a bit harder next year. If I get lower then great as it shows I have a modicum of ability and will then aim for low teens.

The main thing is to enjoy it, the handicap will take care of itself over time :)
 
"adjusting to your handicap"

gareth, cheat may be a strong word but it is a form mate.

This is exactly the reason I posted, so I would get a nudge in the right direction.

Noted, when playing any forum meets dont worry asking gareth for a handicap certificate :D ;)



Thank you all for the nudge I've needed. Again, I'll apologise for the unintentional "cheating" option and continue playing.
 
Right.

Rather than starting a new thread, I decided to add it here.

I've just got back from the club house and checked the handicap board. I've been docked 1.3 shots after the last comp so I now play off 20 (19.5).

In total I'm 0.1 from my original goal for the season, which was to break 20. I've decided that I'm going to further raise the bar for myself and try and get myself below 18 by the end of the current season.

If I get to 18 before the end of the season, I'll review it again.
 
Well done and good luck with the new goal.

I have read the thread with interest as I have managed to get cut 6 strokes this year from 27 to 21, which like you, was ahead of my target for the year. The mental thing is starting to kick in and I had talked myself into "getting used" to playing to the new handicap (which perhaps I didn't really think I "deserved") and so now achieving a score in line with the handicap has unconsciously become the goal rather than playing better than it - which I know I could do on a good day as I am still leaving shots on the course (at least a couple of 3 putts each round).

Thanks for the prompt.
 
Why not continue playing as many comps as you can and invest in a few lessons with your pro to work on specific areas like chipping, putting and bunker play. That way you'll have areas to work on and practice and you'll reap the rewards when you go out
 
I feel I'm losing strokes a little too quickly

Your handicap will never be better than your best round, so you've already done it.

You're not supposed to be able to go out every week and play to it. You should have to play very well to play to it once the rapid improvement levels out.

Well done on the cuts, and keep going for more. As you get lower (or at least I do) you'll think "I don't get a shot on x hole now" and it can play with your mind, but just be reassured that you're that low because you've earned it.

The last time I got cut it meant I don't get a shot using 3/4 at my least favourite hole. Just see it as a challenge.
 
Why not continue playing as many comps as you can and invest in a few lessons with your pro to work on specific areas like chipping, putting and bunker play. That way you'll have areas to work on and practice and you'll reap the rewards when you go out

This may be an option Homer. I know I could do with work in and around the greens.
 
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