Golf Gambling Game...

[cape cod beachfront golfer]

I would like some assistance in how to FAIRLY apply handicaps to a golf game my foursome frequently plays. We play the common game of Lowball & team Total. A total of two points is available for each hole. We play off the low handicappers ball. The issue that is causing concern is whether a stroke can be used both for low ball and team total. My argument is once the handicap is applied (Ex: bogey is reduced to par) that score should apply to both the low ball and team total. Our low handicapper insists the stroke can only be used one way. Thus a bogey can be reduced to par to tie for low ball... but then goes back to a bogey for the team total. I have done a complete card match and to me it is clear using the stroke only one way favors the team with the low handicapper. Can anyone add some insight ? Thanks.

[BallStriker]

Of course the stroke applies for both low and total.....the concept of using a handicap system (where each hole has a handciap) is to make that hole "even" for everyone....why would a person's score on a hole fluctuate with different type bets on the same hole?....your friend is an idiot.

[cape cod beachfront golfer]

Believe me when I say my friend is not an idiot... just a sly veteran who hates to lose!
He also insists in a skins game... natural birdies can not be tied using handicap stroke.
At a handicap of 6... he gets to 'hold court' if you know what I mean.
As a side issue... It always bugs me when as a 6 handicapper he gets stroke control at a double bogey!
When as an 11 handicapper I get to 'take' my occassional 7 on a par 3...
He can shoot the same awful 7... but gets to post a max of a 5 !
I'm sure I'd never win another match...
but I sure do hope to finally hold a single digit handicap this year for more than a week or two.

[VMAN]

He's making up his own rules, that clearly on benefit him. Not allowing you to use a stroke in all of your matches, whatever they are, is incorrect. Those rules wouldn't fly at my club, and he would never get a game.

We play off the low handicap. You get strokes where you get them and they count for everything, that's golf. Sometimes you lose a natural birdie to a high handicap par, that's golf. Occasionaly we go both gross and net on the skins game, you can play either or both but you must decide before everyone tees off.

[montru]

A skins game played with different handicappers has to be done with the handicaps in place for each player, otherwise it is defo unfair.
If he doesn't agree with it find another playing partner! I'm sure the other two players would be in agreement.

[mad max]

A skins game played with different handicappers has to be done with the handicaps in place for each player, otherwise it is defo unfair.

I am not sure I agree with this entirely, if you are playing with four people you almost have to get a net birdie to win a hole and a higher HC will usually have a greater discrepancy between their good and bad holes. I average 4.5 pars per round and .4 birdies, I don't think a 2 HC averages 5 birdies per round so with my HC I would get a stroke per hole and I would end up with 4.5 birdies and .4 eagles that would make it difficult for the 2 HC to compete.

[double_j]

Believe me when I say my friend is not an idiot... just a sly veteran who hates to lose!

Just a note - stroke control doesn't apply to a match situation. It's only applicable when posting for your HDCP. In other words, that 8 on a par five would be an 8 for your match, but a 7 when posting to GHIN.

[bplewis24]

Believe me when I say my friend is not an idiot... just a sly veteran who hates to lose!

I realize this was posted a while ago, but I couldn't help but to think your friend is basically just cheating. If he told you he gets stroke control on a hole he's going from being a "sly veteran" to a cheater. There is no such thing when it comes to recording your score. Stroke control is only used for posting your score to the handicap database.

And that natural birdies line was a good one as well. Next thing you know he'll be telling you pars only count if there were no sand shots on the hole. Brandon