beginner golfer question on handicap

[abrahamx]

So I am on a league and just got my handicap card.  Its a 15.  We play 9 holes so does that mean that my handicap is really a 30?  When someone askes what my handicap is what is the correct answer?

[Motown88]

I would assume that is for 18.   What do you usually shoot for 9 holes, if you shoot 15 over on average then your handicap would be 30.

[abrahamx]

I usually shoot in the low 50's on 9 sometimes a 45ish.

[rustyredcab]

GOOD FOR YOU AS A BEGINNER ESTABLISHING A HANDICAP!

Your card should show the scores they used to get to your number. Are they combined 9-hole scores that are in the 90's and 100's or are they scores like "52"?

15 is likely your 9-hole handicap (you should have an index with a decimal point -- e.g. 15.2). You ten best scores are likely 9-hole scores. If they are 18-hole combined scores, you are playing a very hard course to score in the 50's for nine holes and have a 15 handicap. There are plenty of threads about how handicaps are calculated.

[abrahamx]

yes they are 9 hole scores.  Was impressed to see the 15 but I just aint that good.  30 handicap is more like it.  Sucks though.  Thanks for the input.  56, 51, 54, 50, 62 (yuck)  15.1 usga, 16 home course handicap.

[Motown88]

Originally Posted by abrahamx

yes they are 9 hole scores.  Was impressed to see the 15 but I just aint that good.  30 handicap is more like it.  Sucks though.  Thanks for the input.  56, 51, 54, 50, 62 (yuck)  15.1 usga, 16 home course handicap.

For a new golfer those scores are nothing to be ashamed about.  You will only get better in time!

[rustyredcab]

Set some realistic goals. Things like only two or less scores in the 60's of your last 20. Breaking 50 twice in a row. Dropping your index to 14.0.

This is a hard game and I don't know anyone who kept a handicap when they started. If I had, I'm sure the max of 36 would have been my starting point and I would have stayed there a long time.