Golf Handicap System Explained for Newbie

[newtogolf]

Originally Posted by Golfingdad

Yes and no.  You're dead on about the bowling example - my father-in-law bowled forever in some more serious $$$ leagues than he plays in now and he said that is exactly what they used to do.  (He used to be in your neck of the woods ... pretty sure he bowled in Wantagh, or thereabouts)

But, at least, with bowling you have to do it in league in front of your opponents and be a little bit surreptitious about it, or risk being labelled sandbaggers.  In golf, it relies on your honesty when nobody is watching.  Seems like it would be just as easy for unscrupulous people to sandbag in golf as in bowling.

Wantagh is close by, maybe sandbagging was more predominant in NY, you know how those NY'ers are.

Another difference between bowling and golf is that your golf handicap is universal.  It is managed by the USGA and applied regardless of the course or tournament you enter.  Your handicap in bowling is usually calculated specifically for each league your bowling in.  I know guys that would bowl in multiple leagues and their average (thus handicap) varied by up to 20 pins from league to league.

[sacm3bill]

Originally Posted by newtogolf

Quote:

Originally Posted by Golfingdad

Yes and no.  You're dead on about the bowling example - my father-in-law bowled forever in some more serious $$$ leagues than he plays in now and he said that is exactly what they used to do.  (He used to be in your neck of the woods ... pretty sure he bowled in Wantagh, or thereabouts)

But, at least, with bowling you have to do it in league in front of your opponents and be a little bit surreptitious about it, or risk being labelled sandbaggers.  In golf, it relies on your honesty when nobody is watching.  Seems like it would be just as easy for unscrupulous people to sandbag in golf as in bowling.

Wantagh is close by, maybe sandbagging was more predominant in NY, you know how those NY'ers are.

Another difference between bowling and golf is that your golf handicap is universal.  It is managed by the USGA and applied regardless of the course or tournament you enter.  Your handicap in bowling is usually calculated specifically for each league your bowling in.  I know guys that would bowl in multiple leagues and their average (thus handicap) varied by up to 20 pins from league to league.

Unfortunately, that's sometimes the case for golf leagues as well. The one I participate in here at work has their own modified handicap system. They apparently think they can do better.

[liveeel]

I am a 12 handicap. In my opinion, if you have a low handicap buddy, the best option for any serious competition or wagering, find 2 guys like yourselves and duke it out. As far as tournaments, screw handicaps, if you dont shoot the lowest round''s'', you're not the winner, and if you can convince yourself otherwise and feel good about it, then you do not have a concious. I have not played in my club championship in the 2 yrs ive been playing, and wont until i feel like I can give a go without turning a handicap. I started to play last year just for the experience, but had other obligations.Im going to try to play in this years, but I refuse to turn in a handicap as far as that goes. I mean you get a parking spot with your name on it as ''club champion''. But he had 12 strokes, who wants that? Not me, pal.

[MS256]

Originally Posted by liveeel

I am a 12 handicap. In my opinion, if you have a low handicap buddy, the best option for any serious competition or wagering, find 2 guys like yourselves and duke it out. As far as tournaments, screw handicaps, if you dont shoot the lowest round''s'', you're not the winner, and if you can convince yourself otherwise and feel good about it, then you do not have a concious. I have not played in my club championship in the 2 yrs ive been playing, and wont until i feel like I can give a go without turning a handicap. I started to play last year just for the experience, but had other obligations.Im going to try to play in this years, but I refuse to turn in a handicap as far as that goes. I mean you get a parking spot with your name on it as ''club champion''. But he had 12 strokes, who wants that? Not me, pal.

Around here the Championship Flight of the Club Championship is not handicapped. You can't be the "Club Champion" unless you actually play the best golf, straight up.

Some clubs (like one where I was a member) have the tournament over 2 days and after the first day it was flighted according to the scores the first day. The Club Champion was the winner of the Championship Flight.