When does a beginner become not a beginner

[Down_The_Middle]

Our local golf shop sponsors a monthly nine hole comp open to beginners. To qualify for it you have to have a H/C of 20+ or no H/C.I have a H/C of 20 been playing 4 years, so am I beginner compared to someone who has a H/C of 15 and been playing 2 years.

 

[birdieman]

Trying to differentiate between a beginner and a bad golfer should be easy enough. In my eyes you are a beginner in your first year of playing golf, by year 2 you should know what you're doing to some extent and have gained some experience. Handicaps have nothing to do with it, I know several members who've been playing for 20+ yrs off 24, 27 etc. They're not beginners, just poor golfers.

 

[Sam]

But don't you have to add frequency of playing to the mix? Have a colleague who has been playing for 6/7 years but rarely more than once a month

 

[madandra]

Trying to differentiate between a beginner and a bad golfer should be easy enough.

Birdieman, high handicappers have feelings m8. I bet there are guys up and down the country who play off 20+ and think they are good golfers with bad luck. you have stuck the dagger of reality in deep.

 

[RGuk]

f.w.i.w. - if you have a handicap and have been playing 4 years, you are not a beginner. If you join a club, play for a few months, get a h'cap and claim beginner status, I think already it's a bit dodgy ground. So four years is a tad too long. The actual h'cap is irrelevant I feel.

PS, as a general comment a bad golfer is someone who struggles to get round the course without major cock-ups and silly numbers. I know plenty of fair players who play in the 20s; most of them (thank goodness) don't complain about bad luck. My 10 year old hits it well but takes 3 or 4 to get to the green and tends to 3 putt more than 2 putt, she plays to about 30-36 on a good day. Today she beat me with 2 shots per hole.....I get the raw end of the deal on short par 3's!!!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Got to give a big up to the high handicappers. One of the guys in the GM challenge last week was off 28. He is regularly getting 40 points in our Saturday friendly 4 ball but as soon as you get a card and pencil in his hand he can't string two holes together.

He was my secret weapon last week. As expected he came in with 39 points and with his son alongside playing to his 14 they were good enough to win their match and halve the challenge.

My take is similar to birdieman. A beginner would be someone just starting who maybe has limited experience of 18 hole courses (maybe has just played 9 holes and pitch and putt) and a basic understanding of the rules (enough to play within them but unfamiliar with the various nuances).

I think once you have played for a season you are not a beginner and should consider yourself a golfer. You can look at it as an enthusiastic novice keen to play as often as possible with defined handicap and competitve aspirations or a an occassional or social golfer just happy to play a few rounds a year

Are beginners defined purely by handicap for this competition or do they stipulate a number of years playing ability. If it is on handicaps alone I'd get my entry money paid and get in there. I can see your name on the trophy

 

[GB72]

To go off on a slight tangent, I think the idea of a comp for the higher handicapper is a really good idea. Think of how much more comfortable you would feel if you had just got your first handicap and your first comp could be against those of a similar standard or in a similar position. Certainly would be far less intimidating. There are plenty of comps at my club with an upper handicap limit so maybe one or two with a lower limit would be an idea.

 

[brendy]

I believe that like learner drivers over here, golf newcomers should have a big red R slapped on their arses. The first year has the steepest learning curve I would guess (and fees!) so I would call anythin more intermediate.

 

[AliB]

Re: When does a beginner become not a beginner

Bur does the once -a -month-player practise at the range - ?
I'm beginning to think (from painful experience) that number of rounds per week/month counts less than the amount of practice and the desire to improve.

AliB

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Re: When does a beginner become not a beginner

Our club actually has at least one competition a year in which you cannot enter with a handicap >18. Simlarly thre is one open to over 50's only

 

[Down_The_Middle]

Re: When does a beginner become not a beginner

The idea behind the comp is those who are new to the game and havent been on a golf course that much and to meet new faces.Hate to admit it but H.I.D won yesterday comp with 22 points(grrrrr). Seh now goes into a grand final in November along with the other monthly winners