what would you like to see changed about the handicap system in the UK

[patricks148]

well after a few threads about max 18 and cheats etc, just wondered if anyone had any suggestions on how to improve the current system..

I would like to see more cards to keep a handicap, as i don't think 3 is enough, more like 10 maybe?

anyone any good suggestions?

 

[Davey247]

10 possibly too many. If you can only play every other Sunday and not all comps are hcp qualifying - pairs comps for example, you may struggle to get that many in. 5/6 could be a more reasonable number.

With regards to max handicaps, I'm a believer that no one should get 2 shots on a hole. Many clubs though do run comps in set divisions though, so 18-28 handicappers compete against each other. Smartest way to do it in my opinion as we want as many people playing as possible.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Think 10 is excessive but I'd like the number required extended to around 6. That gives even those with very limited time to play the need to put one in every 2 months (or 8 weeks) and in my humble opinion if you can't get that many qualifying games in per rolling twelve months it does beg the question do you need a membership but I guess that's a whole other can of worms to open

 

[Davey247]

Think 10 is excessive but I'd like the number required extended to around 6. That gives even those with very limited time to play the need to put one in every 2 months (or 8 weeks) and in my humble opinion if you can't get that many qualifying games in per rolling twelve months it does beg the question do you need a membership but I guess that's a whole other can of worms to open

Great minds Homer....

 

[jp5]

Scrap it! (from an '18 handicapper')

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Think it's pretty good system as it stands

Only thing I'm suspect about is people leaving the game for a couple years and then getting a new HC when returning

 

[Alex1975]

well after a few threads about max 18 and cheats etc, just wondered if anyone had any suggestions on how to improve the current system..

I would like to see more cards to keep a handicap, as i don't think 3 is enough, more like 10 maybe?

anyone any good suggestions?

I think up until last night I would have said... leave it as it is. But actually after the max 18 and cheat thread and reading some of the responses I would say that it might be worth putting comps into categories as it seems a large percentage of low handicap players just cannot live with being beaten by a mid or high handicap player and as such the system is not working for everyone. It is meant to be so we can all play together but what is really happening is that the lower guys are just moaning (even if its in there own head). Its a shame as its not how it should be but its clearly not working as it is.... not in this community anyways.


All that said, one thing I highly respect is the will to win no matter what. I do love to win but I am having fun if I play well and if I play well and lose.... I can still hold my head up.

 

[CheltenhamHacker]

well after a few threads about max 18 and cheats etc, just wondered if anyone had any suggestions on how to improve the current system..

I would like to see more cards to keep a handicap, as i don't think 3 is enough, more like 10 maybe?

anyone any good suggestions?

I was just thinking about starting this thread!

My changes:

Some kind of "slope" system, definitely.

Maybe a change to the initial handicap. How many times do people get a handicap then it takes them ages to play to it? For higher handicappers, rounding everything down to a double is quite harsh, if they have 5 or 6 triples in there, suddenly they have a very low handicap they will struggle to get anywhere near in a medal. Maybe rounding the cards for handicap down to trebles.

Also with handicaps, I think 5 cards, and rather than just take the very best card, you take an average of the three best, or something like that.

I think going up should be graded, similar to coming down. Maybe go up 0.1 if you're within 2x of your buffer, 0.2 withing 3x of buffer, 0.4 within 4 times, and 0.5 if you're above that.

 

[DannyOT]

I'd definitely like to see no more than 1 shot per hole maximum. I don't think there is anything to be gained from someone shooting 90+ and being in with a chance of winning a competition, both for their sake and for fairness' sake. I also very rarely see people with 20+ handicaps winning anything anyway, it's usually low teens who have a tendency to have that one brilliant round.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

I think up until last night I would have said... leave it as it is. But actually after the max 18 and cheat thread and reading some of the responses I would say that it might be worth putting comps into categories as it seems a large percentage of low handicap players just cannot live with being beaten by a mid or high handicap player and as such the system is not working for everyone. It is meant to be so we can all play together but what is really happening is that the lower guys are just moaning (even if its in there own head). Its a shame as its not how it should be but its clearly not working as it is.... not in this community anyways.


All that said, one thing I highly respect is the will to win no matter what. I do love to win but I am having fun if I play well and if I play well and lose.... I can still hold my head up.

I wouldn't judge the large percentage of low handicap players based on what is said on here.

I have zero issues losing to someone with a higher HC and I would suggest the opposite - mainly low HCs can handle losing to people with higher HC

 

[Slab]

10 possibly too many. If you can only play every other Sunday and not all comps are hcp qualifying - pairs comps for example, you may struggle to get that many in. 5/6 could be a more reasonable number.

With regards to max handicaps, I'm a believer that no one should get 2 shots on a hole. Many clubs though do run comps in set divisions though, so 18-28 handicappers compete against each other. Smartest way to do it in my opinion as we want as many people playing as possible.

Re my bold, its a comment repeated often but not sure I ever really see a rational or justification (genuinely interested)

As someone who does get 2 shots on a few holes it would be interesting to hear why it shouldn't be

I've seen reference to not being a 'real man' if 2 shots needed but these are tongue in cheek.... I think
Is it because your course has no truly difficult holes? (perhaps certain courses should max at 18)
Maybe its just that a shot a hole is a nice round number?
How do you come to 18, why not 16?

Just think about the stroke index 1 hole for a moment. I might also ask why a player off -1 handicap should get any shots at all.

Surely there should be something to differentiate between -1 & a -19 players on this hole. Or is both scoring bogey a fair handicap system?

Isn't his ability and chance of a par on the SI1 hole far greater than my ability and chances to get a bogey on it?

 

[matt71]

I wouldn't judge the large percentage of low handicap players based on what is said on here.

I have zero issues losing to someone with a higher HC and I would suggest the opposite - mainly low HCs can handle losing to people with higher HC

My opinion is that every round you play with a friend you should be able to hand a card in and this goes towards your handicap (up or down) My club handicaps only count if you play of the whites and in medals. This where I struggle as playing in a comp my nerves get the better of me and go to bits, while going out with friends or other members for fun I play loads better but my card does not count (meaning I am playing more late teens rather than off 24 ) if that makes sense

 

[richy]

Think 10 is excessive but I'd like the number required extended to around 6. That gives even those with very limited time to play the need to put one in every 2 months (or 8 weeks) and in my humble opinion if you can't get that many qualifying games in per rolling twelve months it does beg the question do you need a membership but I guess that's a whole other can of worms to open

I wouldn't question if they needed a membership but more if they needed an active handicap.

Some people could join a club and only play bounce games with friends.

 

[garyinderry]

10 cards is fine, allow for more supplementary cards !

 

[Deleted member 15344]

My opinion is that every round you play with a friend you should be able to hand a card in and this goes towards your handicap (up or down) My club handicaps only count if you play of the whites and in medals. This where I struggle as playing in a comp my nerves get the better of me and go to bits, while going out with friends or other members for fun I play loads better but my card does not count (meaning I am playing more late teens rather than off 24 ) if that makes sense

Sorry but I think HC should reflect ability to compete when in comps

That's why I wouldn't just accept cards from friendly comps

 

[GB72]

I think that there should be more dramatic cuts in handicap until you get to single figures but the same increases for poor rounds. Surely a new golfer will reach the right handicap quicker if he is cut by a full shot each time rather than .4 or .3. On this basis, someone 'maintaining' a high handicap would maybe get one win under his belt before getting cut down to a more respectable level. Any inconsistencies could then be cleared up in an annual review.

I also think that the clubs should be more involved in studying handicaps. Surely the club can see who is putting in 3 indifferent qualifying cards but seems to keep winning the NQ events.

I would also make it compulsory that all qualifying competitions are drawn. Call me an old cynic but I am never comfortable with the idea of clubs playing all competitions in people's own, arranged groups.

 

[Liverbirdie]

Not so much handicaps, but in "opens" everyone should have to putt out, even in betterball games, and these scores should be sent into their home clubs.

These are the real cheats, people who go around hoovering up prizes in team and pairs games.

6 cards minimum also.

 

[matt71]

Sorry but I think HC should reflect ability to compete when in comps

That's why I wouldn't just accept cards from friendly comps

In a way I can agree with that but personally just struggling to play well in the comp situation and I am not alone with that too. However I know my idea will not change but still feel why cant we have even a handful of cards we can hand in that are not played in a comp as the end if the day want to get a lower handicap etc

 

[USER1999]

I think all comps should have to be split into two divisions. Cats 1 and 2 play medal, cats 3 and 4 play stable ford. I really don't see why someone who can't break 100 is wasting time having to put out for tens, when if they are doing this, they aren't going to win, and it's not affecting their handicap. We might get round a bit quicker too. They would probably play better, not get hacked off, and be competitive with their peers. It might also lead to more accurate handicaps, as there would be less N/Rs.

 

[USER1999]

In a way I can agree with that but personally just struggling to play well in the comp situation and I am not alone with that too. However I know my idea will not change but still feel why cant we have even a handful of cards we can hand in that are not played in a comp as the end if the day want to get a lower handicap etc

Then put in some supplementaries?