Largest number you can make on a hole??

[David in FL]

Wow this is great news for me. I've been posting the actual scores and I always blow up a few holes a round lol...so my handicap is actually lower huh

Yep.

As a 28, if you're posting anything over an 8 on a hole, you posted a score that's too high. If you're doing it very often, your handicap may be a bit lower than what it currently is.

[shankopotamus]

There's a difference between the highest number you can "post" for handicap purposes and the highest number you can actually "score". There is no limit to what you can "score" on a hole, though in the interest of speedy play, picking up when you're either out of the hole or simply lose interest

What if you dont have an established handicap yet? Say you only have 5-6 rounds to enter. Then i beleive you are supposed to use your lowest differential out of the 5 or 6 rounds. But how do you determine the max number of strokes you can post on a given hole in this situation??

[Pinseeker81]

From the net,

"Of course, if you have not yet established a handicap index, then you can't determine a course handicap. And without a course handicap, you can't determine ESC. But in order to established a handicap index, you must turn in adjusted gross scores, which requires knowing a course handicap. What gives?

Don't worry, the USGA knows what to do. If you do not yet have a handicap index, then use the maximum allowable handicaps to determine course handicap and ESC. For men, that means using 36.4 as a handicap index, and for women, 40.4."

[NM Golf]

I'm not saying this breakdown is wrong according to the ESC but it is downright flawed. The max a person with a 9 or less handicap can post is a double bogey? What is the reasoning behind this?

The reasoning is because allowing people to take huge numbers on holes would artificially allow them to have higher handicaps. If you are a 2 handicap chances are this rule hardly applies to you anyway, but if you play 17 holes at even par and have a 11 on a par 3, its hardly right for handicap purposes to post an 80. Remember, your handicap is not your average score its a measurment of you potential.

If a player with a 9 handicap scores a 6 on a par 3 they post a 5? Or if they score an 8 on a par 5 they post a 7? I hope I am getting something wrong about this because it is downright stupid. You are not exempt from a higher score because you are a better player by any means.

Yes, and yes, and no. You don't seem to understand, if you play in a tournament, your tournament score is exactly what you shot. Its only the score that goes into the GHIN computer that is adjusted. Better players are by no means exempt from bad scores, we just can't post them. It's not stupid the whole system is based on it.

If I'm not wrong and people, like you, actually do this then your handicap is wrong.

You are 100% wrong, in fact if you don't do ESC it is your handicap that is wrong. You are on the wrong forum to start this argument. You will find more than a few people who will have issue with your stance. Not using ESC= Sandbagging= you're a stinkin' no good cheater.

[shankopotamus]

From the net,

Thanks pinseeker!

[dro]

I DO understand it is posted towards score but not handicap

I still find it ridiculous someone who has a 9 handicap does not post a triple bogey towards their handicap. Downright stupid. I understand if it was an 11 or something, but a triple bogey under any circumstances should count towards your handicap no matter how good you think you are . This just seems like such a cop out and puts a different perspective on handicaps.

Call me wrong but this is retarded.

[meenman]

I DO understand it is posted towards score but not handicap

Trust me - alot of 9 handicaps wish they could post a triple.

These people are not rewarded with having a lower handicap - it just makes the playing field equal so I have a fair shot when I play them in a tournament.

[iacas]

I still find it ridiculous someone who has a 9 handicap does not post a triple bogey towards their handicap. Downright stupid. I understand if it was an 11 or something, but

You still don't seem to understand what a handicap index is to begin with... as many have said, it's not an indication of average, but of potential.

[Iowa Hawkeye]

I go by 10/hole.

[meenman]

Yep.

a bit off there - as a 28 his course handicap is more than likely 30 at most normal courses - which would mean an 8 or a 9 depending on course handicap

[RemyM]

Handicap Index / Max you may post

It's your course handicap for that round that determines your ESC max, not your handicap index.

http://www.usga.org/questions/faqs/h..._system.html#3

[Williamevanl]

Just when I started thinking I had this handicap thing figured out... Okay so I know you guys know what you are talking about so just clear up the confusion for me.

You guys mentioned that your handicap is you potential and not your average score, why does it seem that it is calculated purely based on your average score. If I shoot 85 10 rounds in a row it calculates my handicap to be 13. I shoot under my handicap a lot too though and thats not supposed to happen. Sometimes I shoot pretty close to par like 11 over on the front and 2 over on the back.

Also I got put in a mens league the other night and one guy said his handicap was calculated at a 4 at he said his average score on 18 holes *71.2 rating* was an 84. That can't be a four right? What does it all mean?

[iacas]

why does it seem that it is calculated purely based on your average score.

It isn't.

If I shoot 85 10 rounds in a row it calculates my handicap to be 13.

That would only be true if the course rating was 72 and the slope was 113... or some variation that worked out that way: 85 - (course rating) * 113/(course slope).

Furthermore, the handicap is your best 10 differentials of your last 20, and it's then multiplied by 0.96, which further reduces it. There are plenty of general handicap discussions on this forum and elsewhere. Please look for those for this sort of general stuff.

[ryohazuki222]

interesting topic. my dad always told us you stop counting after 8 so thats how ive played since i started. Turns out that it's pretty accurate.

good news is, my handicap may actually be lower than i think because the last month or so ive had some amazing rounds that were ruined from a couple 8s.....

it totally makes sense after reading the posts and thinking about it logically.

guess its about time to research handicaps properly as ive finally become consistent enough to beat my dad the last few outings on just an average hitting day. he likes to win... so maybe its time to give him some strokes...

[Williamevanl]

I know there are a number of post about this iacus but I guess I was asking a more specific question. I know I can just google how its calculated. People respond to questions on this site in a strange way btw... It seems many people skim or skip over points/posts and then respond.

Okay I punched in some scores to a handicap calculator and its very close for my course anyway to what I asked ie... I shoot about 18 over and my handicap is calculated at 16.3. So it's pretty close, as I said before I don't understand how someone could be a 4 handicap and shoot an average of 84 on a regular course. Also, I thought it was uncommon to shoot par or below with your handicap and that seems to happen from time to time. I usually average out to a 90 but sometimes I shoot in the low 80's.

Maybe others are more consistent with their scores. I was really asking about how this system holds up with such a high amount of variance.

[David in FL]

It's your course handicap for that round that determines your ESC max, not your handicap index.

You're right, of course. Honestly though, most people don't check at each course they play and adjust their index......and unless your index is right on the edge......say a 9.7 or a 10.2, it's not likely to make a difference anyway.

[David in FL]

I know there are a number of post about this iacus but I guess I was asking a more specific question. I know I can just google how its calculated. People respond to questions on this site in a strange way btw... It seems many people skim or skip over points/posts and then respond.

I don't know the specifics of your buddy's 4 hcp, but as a simple example......

......he could average 84 over 20 rounds by shooting ten 90's and ten 78's. Since his handicap index is calculated off the 10 lowest differentials, the 90's would never be used, but all the 78's would. Does that help?

[bcp]

The OP asks an excellent question. I'm glad he/ she is conscious of pace of play. I know the rules of golf, but firmly support 'picking it up' at a pre-determined max score unless you are competing in a gross score competition. If you are new and don't have an established index, I think 'double par' is a good rule of thumb. Always be aware of your surroundings and fellow players on the course!