What Is a Respectable Handicap?

[ckp160]

What do you consider a respectable handicap?  I ask because I walked 9 the other day and the course was sort of backed up and the fellow in front of me asked if I wanted to tee off with him.  I declined because, frankly, I'm terrible.  I'm perfectly comfortable with my game when it's just me.  I'm working on it like most golfers, but I'm uncomfortable playing with others who I don't know.

When did you feel like you were an average golfer who wasn't an abomination on the course?  I know everybody wants to get better, but when did you feel like it was okay to talk golf with somebody? 

[Double Mocha Man]

12.  But you should always feel like you can talk golf with others.  

[dennyjones]

I don't believe playing with strangers requires much of a golf game.   Other players won't complain about you or your game is you play ready golf and avoid religion and politics.    I sometimes play with an older couple that are 75+.   We can play under 4 hours and she only hits the ball about 100 yards.  

Don't be afraid of joining up with others.  Be prepared to play ready golf.   

[StuM]

I think @dennyjones said it well.  As long as you can keep pace most golfers will understand and appreciate a new golfer working to get better.  

[Piz]

There is no direct correlation between a golfer's handicap and their value as a playing partner.  I thoroughly enjoy a day out with friends who are not very accomplished and those who are better than I am.  I enjoy playing with people I've never met and may never see again.  Yeah...you run into some jerks from time to time...but that happens everywhere.  

What is respectable?  Being a decent person.  I don't care what your handicap is.  Let's go scrape it around and see what happens.  Who knows?...we might learn something.

[FlyingAce]

Most people are too busy with their own game/issues they won’t have time to keep track of your game! I find that those who asks to join others really don’t care how good/bad you are as long as you keep pace. 

[Mr22putt]

Most golfers only care about if you can keep up and not hold the group

[Missouri Swede]

2 hours ago, ckp160 said:

What do you consider a respectable handicap?

Respectable = Current handicap - 25%

[iacas]

2 hours ago, Mr22putt said:

Most golfers only care about if you can keep up and not hold the group

Most of the time you're right.

I have personally gotten tired of looking for someone's golf ball. That can get old, fast, if you're doing it all the time.

[Vinsk]

I’d rather play with a 30hcp who plays ready golf and tracks his ball than a scratch who annoys the f*** outta me.

[TourSpoon]

A respectable golfer is someone that can keep pace. My father always told me that people can say he's not the best player but no one will ever say he is slow. Words to live by.  Relish the experience to meet new people and elevate your experience. 

[Bonvivant]

As many have mentioned, pace of play is a good gauge. For me, once I (mostly) eliminated double digit score holes. On my home course I rarely score a snowman (or worse) anymore and I feel very comfortable playing with anyone that isn't slow. 

The slow players come in 2 varieties from what I've seen. Players that take too much time on their shots, and players that take too much time on their shots AND score poorly. I don't care to play with either. I play with plenty of people that score 55-60 per 9 holes and still keep up plenty well. How some players take the same amount of time with 60% of the strokes is beyond me. 

[DaveP043]

20 hours ago, ckp160 said:

What do you consider a respectable handicap?  I ask because I walked 9 the other day and the course was sort of backed up and the fellow in front of me asked if I wanted to tee off with him.  I declined because, frankly, I'm terrible.  I'm perfectly comfortable with my game when it's just me.  I'm working on it like most golfers, but I'm uncomfortable playing with others who I don't know.

When did you feel like you were an average golfer who wasn't an abomination on the course?  I know everybody wants to get better, but when did you feel like it was okay to talk golf with somebody? 

I'm with the others, if you play at a reasonable pace, and if you're pleasant to be around, you're good in my book.  You can certainly tell someone who invites you like that that you're a beginner, give him an out, but he could be on the same level you are.  If the course is backed up, I'd much rather be playing (and talking) with someone else as opposed to waiting by myself.  Also, you may get some pointers on etiquette, on how to make your way around the golf course playing with other people.  Every one of us started as a beginner, and I think most of us would be pretty tolerant being matched up with a beginner.

[Double Mocha Man]

My earlier 12 handicap declaration was a bit arbitrary.  I'm happy to play with anyone as long as they can enjoy good conversation and banter a bit.  I'm always up for hearing a good life story.  Oh hell, I'm even up for making a new friend.  Even if their handicap is 36.

[Bob Perlmuter]

I agree with everybody here. I am happy to play with anyone who does not play slow and understands golf etiquette.  I have been playing since I was a teenager, but never played regularly until I was 40, 20 years ago.  I must confess there are times I am paired with superior players and I get nervous. But that is really silly, because most people are more interested in their own scores, and will be happy to be playing with a nice person with lesser skills.

[ChetlovesMer]

20 hours ago, FlyingAce said:

Most people are too busy with their own game/issues they won’t have time to keep track of your game! I find that those who asks to join others really don’t care how good/bad you are as long as you keep pace. 

This is the "right" answer. 

Just keep up and you'll be fine. The only other thing I'd suggest is people rarely want to play with somebody who continually talks about their game. "Man, I never hit it this poorly." "This is just not my day." "Normally, I play much better." etc... 

Just play. Be polite. Tell a good joke or two and enjoy the company. And for God's sake, keep up. I think that's likely the most common complaint among golfers ... slow play. 

[Double Mocha Man]

9 minutes ago, ChetlovesMer said:

This is the "right" answer.   Just keep up and you'll be fine. I think that's likely the most common complaint among golfers ... slow play. 

Chet, if Bryson DeChambeau caught up with you on the 2nd hole (because it's a par 4 and he drove the green while you were putting out) would you let him join you... knowing he's a slow player?  😁  (It's Monday... "Difficult Ethics Question" day.)

[Bonvivant]

Just now, ChetlovesMer said:

Just keep up and you'll be fine. The only other thing I'd suggest is people rarely want to play with somebody who continually talks about their game. "Man, I never hit it this poorly." "This is just not my day." "Normally, I play much better." etc... 

I second this. Almost as bad is when someone is on a heater and does the same thing ("I never hit it this well", etc.), but I've been guilty of this on multiple occasions. Negativity is really hard to overcome though.