What Handicap is a good golfer

[Billysboots]

A very subjective question.

I’m single figures but too inconsistent generally for me to consider myself good. I’m just a decent golfer.

 

[Oddsocks]

A very subjective question.

I’m single figures but too inconsistent generally for me to consider myself good. I’m just a decent golfer.

So what’s the difference between good and decent?

 

[Billysboots]

So what’s the difference between good and decent?

That’s why I say it’s so subjective.

I’m decent because I can strike the ball well. I’m not good because I can still hit it fat, thin, block it and pull it.

 

[Imurg]

That’s why I say it’s so subjective.

I’m decent because I can strike the ball well. I’m not good because I can still hit it fat, thin, block it and pull it.

To be fair - so can the Pros....
Anyone can hit bad shots.
It's now you react to it that matters...a good player will play the right recovery shot and walk away with a bogey at worst.

 

[clubchamp98]

Never saw Fred Couples live but I know exactly what you mean even off the telly. Seemed to be swinging in slow motion and yet the ball fires out massively faster than the visuals of the swing would suggest. Must be some very good sequencing, timing and ball striking all working in near perfect harmony - something just beyond the regular golfer. That or it was witchcraft.

Just like to mention Sandy Lyle. As well.
I was on the range at Hawkstone Park and he rocked up in the next bay.
He hit about 20 long irons and you could put a duvet over them.
Incredible to watch a 3/4 swing with so much power.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Anybody with a hcp.

 

[Imurg]

Anybody with a hcp.

Clearly you have never played with Fragger.......

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Clearly you have never played with Fragger.......

I look forward to it

 

[Bazz]

Fred Couples and big Ernie were my faves.

They don't even look like they're trying when they swing driver and yet it goes for miles.

 

[Bobthesock]

I'm off single figures but don't think I'll ever get below 5 unless I can learn to send it off the tee. Unless I learn to hit my irons better from 150 yards and up.
Based on that I'd say about 5 is the cut off .

 

[AussieKB]

I caddied for OZ's top AM once, before he turned Pro, went home and said to the wife, we both might par the hole but how he does it and I do it are totally different, he went on to win on Euro Tour and also Pro event at Pebble Beach.

Difference between 4-5 to a Pro is as wide as the Grand Canyon.

 

[HPIMG]

I caddied for OZ's top AM once, before he turned Pro, went home and said to the wife, we both might par the hole but how he does it and I do it are totally different, he went on to win on Euro Tour and also Pro event at Pebble Beach.

Difference between 4-5 to a Pro is as wide as the Grand Canyon.

I would say pros are +7 minimum I played with a +2 guy was unbelievably consistent but even hes miles off pro standards. Guy me and my son go to for lessons works with between 30/40 pro golfers at any one one time and he said nowadays you are just wasting your time if you turn pro worse than +7 and +7 just gives you a chance not a guarantee.

 

[Swango1980]

I would say pros are +7 minimum I played with a +2 guy was unbelievably consistent but even hes miles off pro standards. Guy me and my son go to for lessons works with between 30/40 pro golfers at any one one time and he said nowadays you are just wasting your time if you turn pro worse than +7 and +7 just gives you a chance not a guarantee.

At one of the last Ryder Cups, I was bored at work one day so decided to calculate the handicap of all players based on their best scores in the event (obviously excluding foursomes). The worst guys were around +6. The best were around +11 / +12.

 

[Springveldt]

Never saw Fred Couples live but I know exactly what you mean even off the telly. Seemed to be swinging in slow motion and yet the ball fires out massively faster than the visuals of the swing would suggest. Must be some very good sequencing, timing and ball striking all working in near perfect harmony - something just beyond the regular golfer. That or it was witchcraft.

And if you listen to him talking about his swing he will say he was going after it with everything he had. My speed training swings look nothing like that.

 

[Oddsocks]

Anybody with a hcp.

On the fence !!!!!!

 

[Bunkermagnet]

On the fence !!!!!!

Ok then, 18 and under.

 

[kp17]

It is that hard a game I’d say single figure handicap you’re good, low digits you’re very good, scratch or better you’re excellent.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

It is that hard a game I’d say single figure handicap you’re good, low digits you’re very good, scratch or better you’re excellent.

Probably the best general definition but I would also say that I have played with some pretty clueless 8/9 handicappers.

 

[Yorkshire Hacker]

Interesting thread. I got down to my lowest handicap (8.4) aged 71, having started aged 50. Currently, 11, but at best I could only describe myself as "capable". A 5 handicapper is way better than me.
The comments re the gulf between 5 and scratch, I agree with. As for plus golfers....words fail me. I once stood next to Ernie Els at Wentworth when he drove, and I would describe it as slow motion magnificence. There seemed to be no effort at all. The top superstars are different gravy, and watching them on television does not do them justice.

 

[Swango1980]

Interesting thread. I got down to my lowest handicap (8.4) aged 71, having started aged 50. Currently, 11, but at best I could only describe myself as "capable". A 5 handicapper is way better than me.
The comments re the gulf between 5 and scratch, I agree with. As for plus golfers....words fail me. I once stood next to Ernie Els at Wentworth when he drove, and I would describe it as slow motion magnificence. There seemed to be no effort at all. The top superstars are different gravy, and watching them on television does not do them justice.

Mind you, that is Ernie Els, one of the most elegant swings of all time.

I've seen pro's with very different techniques. Just google Ho Sung Choi . I've seen 30 handicappers with a more graceful swing. But the pros certainly are immense at getting that club head through impact, the most important part of the swing.