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

[Slab]

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

Think you can already write down a lower handicap on your scorecard if you want to do that

Maybe what you want is the playing ability to play off your 'social game handicap' under competition conditions and that has little to do with any flaw in the handicap system and more to do with the individual player

 

[njc1973]

I think you should have to submit a certain number of cards per quarter (probably 2 or 3) and possibly a larger number for open comps where these issues often occur. If the organisers of certain nationwide competitions insisted on a card a month, on average, for 6 months prior to the comp then it may give a more realistic playing ability for certain reknowned participants.

 

[matt71]

Then put in some supplementaries?

I don't think they accept them at our club! If we could that would solve my issue lol

 

[GB72]

I think you should have to submit a certain number of cards per quarter (probably 2 or 3) and possibly a larger number for open comps where these issues often occur. If the organisers of certain nationwide competitions insisted on a card a month, on average, for 6 months prior to the comp then it may give a more realistic playing ability for certain reknowned participants.

The trouble is, IMHO, is that there is no incentive for anyone to look into the handicap system so long as people keep handing over the money. The national comps are never going to change so long as people keep entering, simple as that. The only one that really seems to have been hit by the accusations of banditry etc was the debacle of a Seve Day competition last year. That never happened again. The others just keep rolling on as if nothing has ever been said and whilst the numbers still enter I suspect nothing will change.

The same pretty much could be said for club competitions. So long as the club and pro shop are taking a few hundred quid a week n comp entries there is no reason to rock the boat. I even suspect that money is part of the reason why few clubs have categories for winners. After all, if you have 3 categories, you have to pay out 3 times as much in prizes. #

:rant:

 

[patricks148]

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

I think this is a part of the game, its something you have to overcome. I suffer with this a little bit too, my mates call it squeaky bum at my club we are allowed to play off the whites all the time and tbh, i rarely play from the yellow during the season. the key for me is just playing lots of comps, you get used to it sooner or later.

 

[Jimaroid]

I think the handicap system works quite well in general terms. What I find more problematic is the way SSS/CSS is calculated and the factor it plays in the consistency between players across different courses. If you think about it, the CSS is the most important "levelling" variable in the handicap calculations between players across locations and I sometimes get the feeling that course ratings aren't consistent and occasionally don't reflect the make-up of the majority of players on a course. I think we can all think of examples of courses that generally play easier than others despite SSS being the same.

 

[FairwayDodger]

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.

I think you're maybe jumping to the wrong conclusion here. It's certainly a valid position to say you don't enjoy matches where you are giving a large number of shots, regardless of whether you win or lose.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

I think the male handicap limit should revert back to 18 handicap limit. [That is what it was when I started playing.]

Before hackers united start hammering that keyboard it is worth remembering that scratch and plus level golfers are now in pretty large numbers so the standard of golf has improved but the upper handicap level has consistantly increased instead of naturally decreasing.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

I think the male handicap limit should revert back to 18 handicap limit. [That is what it was when I started playing.]

Before hackers united start hammering that keyboard it is worth remembering that scratch and plus level golfers are now in pretty large numbers so the standard of golf has improved but the upper handicap level has consistantly increased instead of naturally decreasing.

Average HC has stayed the same

More people are playing than before so both ends will have more people

Reduce the HC levels will effectively mean over 40% would reduce their HC to a level they can't play - what does that achieve exactly ?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

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.

Fair point and I've no problem with that although for me and I'm sure most (not all I grant you) the idea is to get involved and play compos. I guess if there's no incentive to play any comp at home the chances of playing away events and needing an active handicap are pretty slim too

 

[NorfolkShaun]

I think it is a tough one with regard to cutting to 18, I would like to see it increased. Maybe to 36 but then set it so there are divisions, so as mentioned only cat one two and three play medal board comps etc. then make a new cat 5 and cat 4 and 5 play stableford only.

We are at a time where more and more people need to be encouraged to play golf, I had a regular pp who could never break 100 played off 28 but could never get near winning a comp. He loved golf but was just not that good he has now quit as he cannot compete in the comps, coming in with 18 points each time is clearly not much fun.

Now to me is a time where we need to keep people playing golf and get more people into golf, cutting the handicap limit will reduce the number of people getting into golf, in the long term this would harm us all.

 

[Canary_Yellow]

I think it is a tough one with regard to cutting to 18, I would like to see it increased. Maybe to 36 but then set it so there are divisions, so as mentioned only cat one two and three play medal board comps etc. then make a new cat 5 and cat 4 and 5 play stableford only.

We are at a time where more and more people need to be encouraged to play golf, I had a regular pp who could never break 100 played off 28 but could never get near winning a comp. He loved golf but was just not that good he has now quit as he cannot compete in the comps, coming in with 18 points each time is clearly not much fun.

Now to me is a time where we need to keep people playing golf and get more people into golf, cutting the handicap limit will reduce the number of people getting into golf, in the long term this would harm us all.

I completely agree, well said.

 

[duncan mackie]

1. the current ESR trial should be implemented as a system element in the same way as the stableford adjustment and any committee deciding not to implement a particular reducetion should have to get Area Golf Union approval (in the same way as granting Cat 1 status.
2. re classify 5 as a Cat 2 handicap
3. Increase max handicap to 36 for men - a significant number of players either won't get to 28 or will spend many many years unable to compete at 28 on proper golf courses.

however, I don't see any changes being implemented prior to the new International Handicapping system coming in in about 7 years.

 

[Val]

Do away with ESR's, people playing well will naturally get cut to their level anyway. There is no ESI (increase) if you play poor and it's 10 comps to increase 1 shot when on a poor run of form.

 

[Alex1975]

I think you're maybe jumping to the wrong conclusion here. It's certainly a valid position to say you don't enjoy matches where you are giving a large number of shots, regardless of whether you win or lose.

Thats pretty much what I have eluded to then? You say I have jumped the the wrong conclusion and then restated what you said in a previous post?!

Why would you not enjoy it, you (or the low capper in this situation) are by far the better, more skilled or learned player in the situation, the high handicapper would probably cut his hand off to be at your level, you have a significant psychological advantage before you even hit a shot.... boom, go have some fun and try and win. All the opponent has on his side is shots and the possibility of some luck (assuming that the handicap is representative)

I am totally not having a dig, I genuinely want to understand your point of view, my personal shot allowance is not even that high.

 

[FairwayDodger]

Thats pretty much what I have eluded to then? You say I have jumped the the wrong conclusion and then restated what you said in a previous post?!

Why would you not enjoy it, you (or the low capper in this situation) are by far the better, more skilled or learned player in the situation, the high handicapper would probably cut his hand off to be at your level, you have a significant psychological advantage before you even hit a shot.... boom, go have some fun and try and win. All the opponent has on his side is shots and the possibility of some luck (assuming that the handicap is representative)

I am totally not having a dig, I genuinely want to understand your point of view, my personal shot allowance is not even that high.

You said that "a large percentage of low handicap players just cannot live with being beaten by a mid or high handicap player".

Nobody likes losing but my point is that winning or losing isn't necessarily the issue, it isn't for me. I simply don't enjoy playing a match where I'm giving a huge number of shots whether I'm winning or not; it's too contrived and it's not fun.

 

[Alex1975]

You said that "a large percentage of low handicap players just cannot live with being beaten by a mid or high handicap player".

Nobody likes losing but my point is that winning or losing isn't necessarily the issue, it isn't for me. I simply don't enjoy playing a match where I'm giving a huge number of shots whether I'm winning or not; it's too contrived and it's not fun.

And there lies the problem I guess. I cant see a way where the two parties can meet(compete) even with changes to the handicap system. Unfortunately this is always going to be viewed by the masses as low handicap snobbery and is one of the things that keeps more people from joining the game. Again, I am not having a dig, I cant tell you how I would feel if I were off 5.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

You said that "a large percentage of low handicap players just cannot live with being beaten by a mid or high handicap player".

Nobody likes losing but my point is that winning or losing isn't necessarily the issue, it isn't for me. I simply don't enjoy playing a match where I'm giving a huge number of shots whether I'm winning or not; it's too contrived and it's not fun.

Why is it contrived ? Surely its fun and challenge to overcome the shots given ?

You both start on that first tee on a level playing field and the person that plays best relative to their handicap will win - but its still fun and enjoyment being out there , interacting and socialising with the oppo and having a bit of banter and enjoying the game of golf.

Without being blunt if you dont enjoy giving shots then i would suggest not entering HC KO comps

 

[FairwayDodger]

Why is it contrived ? Surely its fun and challenge to overcome the shots given ?

You both start on that first tee on a level playing field and the person that plays best relative to their handicap will win - but its still fun and enjoyment being out there , interacting and socialising with the oppo and having a bit of banter and enjoying the game of golf.

Without being blunt if you dont enjoy giving shots then i would suggest not entering HC KO comps

I'm trying (and failing, I guess) to describe how it feels when giving someone 20+ shots. Everything you say is true when giving a smaller number of shots and I happily embrace that but, IMO, it reaches a point where it just gets ridiculous. Yes, I am considering not entering these comps because of facing too many 20+ handicap difference ties, which I don't enjoy playing.

 

[woody69]

I'd allocate initial handicap over the AVERAGE of 5 cards, rather than the current, which is the best of 3 and ensure a miminum of 5 or 6 are submitted over a year to maintain it.

I'd increase the max mens handicap to 36

I'd increase the cuts anyone who is 18+ to 0.6 a shot, so those who have a red letter day are updated quicker.