Will the new 90% handicap difference put you off 4BBB

[drewster]

In answer to the original question it doesn't bother me in the slightest. Most 4BBB matches eventually come down to a putting contest and i can't see that changing too much with the new allowances. One quesiton i do ask is - have clubs taken on the new allowance format for Winter League comps that span 2015/16 ? We are still on 3/4 for this Winter's comp and i wondered if others are the same .

 

[MendieGK]

But you're coming from a position of strength, to play off the handicap you do I would imagine your very steady and more than capable of getting those shots back.
I'm off 14 and will play every Saturday or Sunday in a comp regardless of format, aim is to improve and get cut, if I have a bad start I will obviously try and get it back, but mentally for me it's a struggle as I don't have the consistencey someone as good as yourself has.

Sounds to me like you have the right attitude though - trying to get cut whether or not it's a medal or Stableford. You against the course, not caring what other people do!

 

[duncan mackie]

Thats just having a poor mental approach then and not understanding the situation.

In a recent comp, i started with an 8 (all of my shots gone), but i said to myself - that's a double (for handicap purposes), so i pushed on and shot a good round.

Absolutely, but as indicated by Paul in his response this is generally a trait of the higher handicapper.

As we all know by far the biggest success factor at golf overall is a strong mental ability!

 

[MendieGK]

Slightly off topic, but from my experience of higher handicappers comments on a number of threads, they seem to really fear competitions (even though they are playing with there usual partners).

I don't understand it, no one else cares how you get on, whether you shoot 6under your handicap or 50over.
Golf is an individual sport, you against the course. Go out there and enjoy it no matter what the situation, event or competition and the handicap and comp win (if that's a motivation) will take care of themselves

 

[duncan mackie]

In answer to the original question it doesn't bother me in the slightest. Most 4BBB matches eventually come down to a putting contest and i can't see that changing too much with the new allowances. One quesiton i do ask is - have clubs taken on the new allowance format for Winter League comps that span 2015/16 ? We are still on 3/4 for this Winter's comp and i wondered if others are the same .

We made the decision to continue the starting allowance through to the end of the winter comps.

There are arguments both ways - the important thing is for a committee to publish their decision before it becomes an issue for any particular pair.

We made ours considering the possibility of high handicap pairs holding off playing a round until the new year to benefit
; obviously no-one would actually do that....but it seemed prudent to protect them from possible accusations!

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Slightly off topic, but from my experience of higher handicappers comments on a number of threads, they seem to really fear competitions (even though they are playing with there usual partners).

I don't understand it, no one else cares how you get on, whether you shoot 6under your handicap or 50over.
Golf is an individual sport, you against the course. Go out there and enjoy it no matter what the situation, event or competition and the handicap and comp win (if that's a motivation) will take care of themselves

Also on a different topic, my club have a start sheet for the festive break. Just had a look, there is a 4 ball group with a 13hcp in it. Total combined handicap for the entire group is 9

 

[MendieGK]

Just seen that. Jamie must be back from USA then. Serious golfers

 

[duncan mackie]

Slightly off topic, but from my experience of higher handicappers comments on a number of threads, they seem to really fear competitions (even though they are playing with there usual partners).

I don't understand it, no one else cares how you get on, whether you shoot 6under your handicap or 50over.
Golf is an individual sport, you against the course. Go out there and enjoy it no matter what the situation, event or competition and the handicap and comp win (if that's a motivation) will take care of themselves

I took most of the comments I've seen to be from new to competition, or even a new club, golf rather than being associated with experienced high handicappers.

As already observed I do see them opting out of medal events (when they play all the stablefords).

On this topic I also see a number of low handicap players be very selective about the conditions they play Q events in - both those trying to meet aspirational (and significant to entry etc ) handicaps and those wishing to slow down a slide to the new reality of their diminished capabilities.

Obviously neither if these applies to anyone who posts on here...but they exist.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

I've never played with any of those guys, must watch out for them on the competition start sheets.

 

[delc]

In answer to the original question it doesn't bother me in the slightest. Most 4BBB matches eventually come down to a putting contest and i can't see that changing too much with the new allowances. One quesiton i do ask is - have clubs taken on the new allowance format for Winter League comps that span 2015/16 ? We are still on 3/4 for this Winter's comp and i wondered if others are the same .

Our Winter 4BBB knockout Matchplay comps, which started in November 2015, have the 90% handicap allowance. Despite my 18 handicap partner and myself (12) getting extra shots, we still lost in the first round 3&2 against lower handicap opposition!

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Don't think I have ever noticed either Cat 3 or 4 avoiding medals

Or Low HC avoiding or being selective about the conditions ?!

We have the same people playing the competitions regardless of the format

 

[MendieGK]

I've never played with any of those guys, must watch out for them on the competition start sheets.

Darren works in the shop. Great lad one of my really good friends.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Yeah I know Darren, very nice quiet unassuming lad :thup:

 

[drewster]

Our Winter 4BBB knockout Matchplay comps, which started in November 2015, have the 90% handicap allowance. Despite my 18 handicap partner and myself (12) getting extra shots, we still lost in the first round 3&2 against lower handicap opposition!

And i'll bet that they putted better on the day !!!!

 

[Stuey01]

One quesiton i do ask is - have clubs taken on the new allowance format for Winter League comps that span 2015/16 ? We are still on 3/4 for this Winter's comp and i wondered if others are the same .

My club has the winter league 4bbb on 90% for this winter.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

I don't understand it, no one else cares how you get on, whether you shoot 6under your handicap or 50over.
Golf is an individual sport, you against the course. Go out there and enjoy it no matter what the situation, event or competition and the handicap and comp win (if that's a motivation) will take care of themselves

After you have played a strokeplay competition, you are stood in the bar afterwards. A friend walks in, what do you ask? "What was your score?" It is the question everyone asks. You mumble 100+ with your head hanging down in shame. Your friend and their playing partners look down awkwardly. No fun.

After you play a Stableford comp you have the same scenario. 30 points is the reply this time, same number of shots. No shame in that, no embarrassing looks. Plenty of others in the bar have that score whether off 2 or 28. This is why h/c prefer non strokeplay comps.

Golfers get asked two questions, what is your handicap or what was your score today. Over and over again.

People do care but more than that you have your own self respect.

 

[delc]

And i'll bet that they putted better on the day !!!!

No, not really! The main difference was that the lowest handicap opponent played much steadier tee to green golf in difficult windy conditions, and even when he didn't, his mid handicap partner seemed to take over. They dove-tailed together better than we did. We tended to play well or badly on the same holes as each other!

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Sounds to me like you have the right attitude though - trying to get cut whether or not it's a medal or Stableford. You against the course, not caring what other people do!

I am, the down side is that in 13 qualifiers, I've had 2 cuts, .6 and .3, 2 buffers and 9 .1's, maybe being selective I'd be off 13 or 12.whatever, playing every comp and being inconsistent does your head in😃

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

After you have played a strokeplay competition, you are stood in the bar afterwards. A friend walks in, what do you ask? "What was your score?" It is the question everyone asks. You mumble 100+ with your head hanging down in shame. Your friend and their playing partners look down awkwardly. No fun.

After you play a Stableford comp you have the same scenario. 30 points is the reply this time, same number of shots. No shame in that, no embarrassing looks. Plenty of others in the bar have that score whether off 2 or 28. This is why h/c prefer non strokeplay comps.

Golfers get asked two questions, what is your handicap or what was your score today. Over and over again.

People do care but more than that you have your own self respect.

Blimey, it's only a game not life and death So you might get a bit of a ribbing but that 100+ could still potentially get you a cut :thup:

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Ha ha. You are quite right but it does get a bit deflating after a while and I play to enjoy myself. Avoiding strokeplay is a defence mechanism.