Handicap

[Rock Chalk]

Well, I'm back in the game after a short 4 year break from the game and I'm wondering about how to go about getting a handicap....previously when I played, I never really worried about it and didn't really care, just always played with friends as a way to get some beer in me . Now that I'm grown up , I'd like to get serious about this and see how good I can get. I'm new to the area I live and have just played different muni courses here (only 4 rounds under my belt since "the return"). Do I set something up with one of these courses?? or is it something I can do online??

Right now I've just guesstimated my handicap at 18 as I play bogey golf, but I want to set and reach some goals.

Thanks for your help! I've been on this forum only a couple of days and have already read/learned a ton.

Steve

[brgolf]

Welcome back to the game!

What I would suggest is to consider what your budget is and what your needs really are. For example will you get enough use out of a membership to justify the expense or could you just pay and play and invest in other equipment which will almost certainly save you shots- such as a range finder. Also lessons would certainly be worth it in my opinion again with the emphasis on your desire to improve.

Getting a handicap is useful and usually comes with joining a club and competing but in my experience I have joined clubs before and unless you know people or have a regular group it is possible to feel like a bit of an outsider.

[alf174]

  Rock Chalk said:

Well, I'm back in the game after a short 4 year break from the game and I'm wondering about how to go about getting a handicap....previously when I played, I never really worried about it and didn't really care, just always played with friends as a way to get some beer in me

I would join the

Iowa Golf Association .

[goblue107501]

There are plenty of free places online that will keep a handicap for you. Also, if you are skilled with a spreadsheet you can get the formula online and keep track of it on your own. Pretty easy to do. It isn't official, but at least you have the number if you want to track your progress.

[The Recreational Golfer]

My local muni has a men's club that I joined for $50 a year. That counts as being a "member of a club" so you can establish a USGA handicap. I'd recommend going that route.