How many here actually know thier HDCP?

[Mizzy57]

I know I'm new and only been here a couple of weeks but browsing these boards i've noticed a startling trend...I'm not one to out others nor am I calling anyone liar's, but it really seems that the knowledge base of 10-20 handicap index is lacking.

Maybe it's that I was a quick learner or retained alot of golf essentials, but reading some posts from 10 handicappers asking questions that is basic golf fundamentals needed to get to a 20 is pretty disheartening.

I understand that the Internet intoxicates us with its anonymity potion and epeen elixers, but seriously, I believe you're only hurting yourself, and other's (if you offer swing tip advice) by trying to either impress others or not be embarressed by your real ability. Trust me, there's no one to impress or be embarressed by. We all started at somepoint and worked our way down, and in my case, back up a few times. I have no issues with beginners asking how to correctly grip a club, or how to questions. It's just when those same questions are asked by a mid capper I wonder about the advice they give to a true 30.

I'm sure I'm going to get flamed for this, so have at it. But If I can maybe have a new golfer or someone who truly needs help take a second look at some of the advice given here before revamping thier swing because someone who's a 10 hdcp but doesn't know what a shank is or why a slice happens offers poor advice, then I think I've done my part as a member of this community.

Like I said, no offense, just be wary. Listen to some of the senior members and staff. They seem pretty objective and knowledgeable.

Home course I keep score at:
Marshialla Ranch
71.1/124 from the whites.

[CG031]

Hopefully you're not talking about me, but I can see your point. Not all golfers are truthful (Not even talking about on this site) in general with their handicap. Some lie to make them look better, others lie to get strokes from others. Whatever the case, it's one of those things that I never find the most truthful subject in general.

[ApocG10]

well, my handicap (now a 14, havent updated since the new #'s came out, is kept by my club. So that is my HC.

I spent a fortune on equipment and lessons to get where I am, and plan on spending a fortune more to get in the single digits.

[Mizzy57]

Hopefully you're not talking about me, but I can see your point. Not all golfers are truthful (Not even talking about on this site) in general with their handicap. Some lie to make them look better, others lie to get strokes from others. Whatever the case, it's one of those things that I never find the most truthful subject in general.

Dang it you figured it out! J/K.

I actually made up those attributes for a 10 hdcpr so as to not offend anyone. Sorry if you happen to fall into that catagory. I guess what I was trying to impart was if you've never shot in the 80's before and were in a foursome that had real 10-15 hdcpr's would you: 1. Walk over and offer your swing advice to your playing partner who just skulled the ball? 2. or- watch, listen, and ask to get as much information as you can gleen from them? I mean, I've been in groups where the 15 capper can't break 100. I'd be more embarressed to state a lower handicap then to say "Hey, I shoot in the 90's/100's but I love the game and working to improve." You'd get so much better results and advice from your playing partners. I'm more open to help someone with that attitude and welcome the same. I.e., missed a putt last week cuz I read the green totally wrong. We had a Scratch golfer and he had me re-putt after quickly showing me what I missed on the read. That's invaluable information and what golfing (non competitive) in groups is about imho. I dunno, everytime I write something and read it, it seems to sound negative. Trust me, I'm not trying to be. I guess I'm just trying to get across the msg that all things said here may not be the best advice when you're trying to find/fix your swing.

[AmenCorner]

Dang it you figured it out! J/K.

I'm calling BS on your 12 Handicap. Minimum 20.

[ApocG10]

lol, *fanning the flames*

[Mizzy57]

I'm calling BS on your 12 Handicap. Minimum 20.

You're dead on. I actually haven't posted a USGA card for 8 months since Im not a member there any more.

I guess my shame didn't work, I thought I could misdirect everyone away from close inspection and ridicule by outing others. Damn whistle blowers, they're always the ones with something to hide!

[Shindig]

You'd get so much better results and advice from your playing partners.

That's a pretty good reason not to state one's handicap in the first place: unsolicited advice from playing partners.

[Cooker]

Well I'm an 18.6 in Canada, with the exchange rate I should be about a 12 in the US.

[ioaz81]

I worked at a golf course and very rarely did anyone walk in with the true scores to be put in the GHIN computer. I am 27 now and when I was 20-22, I was around a 8 handicapper, but I played everyday. Since working at the golf courses and then a bar in a different city and moving back, I have played three times in the past two years. When I walk in and say, I am probably a 16-18 handicap, people look at me like I am stupid. Its funny to see that they can cheat and lie on theirs for tourneys and such, but myself being honest because after two years, I have some serious rust going on, its not acceptable.

[CG031]

I worked at a golf course and very rarely did anyone walk in with the true scores to be put in the GHIN computer. I am 27 now and when I was 20-22, I was around a 8 handicapper, but I played everyday. Since working at the golf courses and then a bar in a different city and moving back, I have played three times in the past two years. When I walk in and say, I am probably a 16-18 handicap, people look at me like I am stupid. Its funny to see that they can cheat and lie on theirs for tourneys and such, but myself being honest because after two years, I have some serious rust going on, its not acceptable.

So true, completely agree. I played with two kids in my group for a tournament just a few days ago. I asked them their handicaps during the rounds. One kid said an 8 handicap, the other said a 4 handicap. I said Oh, nice. Mine is a 10.3. I ended up beating both of them, and I played absolutely awful. I shot a 91. The 8 handicapper shot 96, and the 4 handicap shot 99. I'm sorry by 4 handicaps just don't shoot 99's, come on now. I realize the course was playing tough, 6800 yards with no roll from all the rain, decently tough with the slop/rating. I think I played to like a 14 handicap with my 91. Yeah, bad for me but come on now, those scores were kind of ridiculous for what they claimed IMO...And you can just tell when people are lying too. It's pretty obvious with their swing and how they go around the golf course. These kids had no course management and no idea what they were doing around the golf course.

[ioaz81]

The crap I get is I still hit the ball far, its just I have no short game where you dont have that "feel" and that is really what your handicap comes from. Sure I can hit a 5 iron around 200. But if I cannot chip, putt, and save from the sand, common. My friends were giving me crap the other day when I played that third time, I hit a 5 iron off the tee (yes, I have scared feelings of hitting woods yet till I get that rust off) LOL, but I crush it out there and then I miss the green by 10 yards on my approach.

[Mizzy57]

Well I'm an 18.6 in Canada, with the exchange rate I should be about a 12 in the US.

Haha, funniest thing I've heard

[Zeph]

I know my exact handicap in two ways. We got a different way to calculate handicap here in Norway, involving Stableford. I also use Scorecard 2 to keep track of all my rounds, where I am given a handicap too. I'm currently at 16,9 officially and 15,7 on Scorecard, so there is no huge difference there.

[billysandy]

Mine's in the hdcp book in my local golf club i am a member of. its 18. something

[daveh]

I'm guessing a lot of hobby golfers don't know theirs. I put down mine based on my an internet handicap calculator that was based on the only score I had at time -- my very first score ever a couple of months ago.

I've improved A LOT since then but I don't bother with tracking handicap because...
- I don't have an "official" handicap tracker at my course
- I play the same 103 slope course every day so it would be skewed anyway in my opinion
- I have very few full 18 hole scores since I almost always play 9

In short, I'm a definite "NO".

[BigTazz53]

I keep mine online with 2 different sites, both give index of 16 for my last 20 rounds. I'm sad to say that goes back to 2002.
Hoping to increase rounds and decrease index

[Marinemike]

I keep mine on my own Excel spreadsheet. I like knowing how the numbers work and why, and I have no real need to have a USGA ordained number since I don't plan on being in any tournaments (even net score tournaments) until I can get into a higher flight.

I would much rather spend my money competing against the guys with the vanity caps that you're talking about than have to compete against the sandbaggers.