Beginner Handicap

Ted10

I recently joined a club down the country, I'm new to the area so I don't know anyone at the club. Due to work and young family the only chance I get to play is on a Sunday (if I'm lucky).

I stuck my name down on the competition timesheet yesterday and I told my partners on the first tee that I didn't have a handicap but one of them said that's grand and he'd mark my card so I'd have one to submit for the handicap secretary. The others didn't have a problem with that.

After the fourth hole one of them called me aside and he became a bit obnoxious saying that I had no right to be there and that he may be disqualifed because I was in their group. I hadn't done anything to offend him, I know my ettiquette and my standard of golf while being a beginner wasn't desperate. I shot 116, parred four holes but suffered a bit from inconsistent ball striking from the fairways and rough.

I want to play and improve and get a handicap but this game is hard enough at times without being make feel like an untouchable. Any advice appreciated.

Trampas

What did you do that he came out with the dq part?

I wouldn't let a couple of ar$ehole stop you playing there.

Mister Sifter

That's pretty shocking Ted10. He had absolutely no right to say what he did to you. He wants to remember what it was like to start playing the game.

Don't let idiots like that guy put you off. You probably won't want to cause trouble, but if you have his name, mention to the club captain if you see him.

116 isn't bad at all by the way, well done! I played in my club competition yesterday with a guy off 23 and he took more than you. I think he's been playing the game for a good while also.

Don't let that ar$e put you off though. Get back out there next sunday and keep going. Use it as inspiration and look forward to a few years time when you meet him in the club singles and knock him out!:D

WHIP IT!

I'd be relatively happy with four pars most days... Obnoxious c*nt, a swift uppercut to the jaw wouldn't have been out of order methinks...

Like the others said, don't let this tool put you off...

golfnuts

Hi Ted10. I played for handicap yesterday too (my first card). Put my name on timesheet like yourself and was paired with 2 guys who were just happy to be out playing on a lovely sun afternoon. 1 card down another 2 to go. Dont let it put you off mate as all golfers are not all tarred with the same brush.
Enjoy next sunday !!

Ted10

Thanks for the encouragement but as I was unsure of the rules I couldn't really defend myself. I couldn't believe the outburst myself but I won't be putting my name down with that bloke again. Have to say most of the time the people are fine to play with but I suppose as in life you're always going to come across a few "class acts". It's good to know that it's possible to get the handicap this way though. Thanks

JCDUB

Jesus Ted how unlucky are you??

First time out trying to get your cards in and you come across a c*nt like that. I reckon he's one of those pr*cks that blames eveyone else when he's playing sh1te, so after four bad holes he decided to lash out at the newbie.

Don't let it get you down, there are people like him everywhere, we just have to try and ignore them. I certainly know a few in my club :rolleyes:

Best of luck with the rest of your cards Ted.

JC

ShriekingSheet

Absolutely, I wouldn't let that guy put you off golf.

As for the actual ruling, without a GUI h'cap you can't compete in the competition and therefore it'd be up to the club to decide whether you can put your name down for a time in the comp or not. I'd imagine they'd suggest you didn't.

When getting your three cards, I'd recommend playing more social rounds of golf at less busy times. No doubt the guy was a pr*k to say it to you. Play with people you know or failing that, ask the pro or club official to suggest a suitable partner who'd mark you in a couple of rounds. Once you have your GUI handicap then there's no stopping you!

Mister Sifter

Any club i've ever been a member at it has been ok for those playing to get a handicap to play along with those playing in a competition. Don't see why it would be a problem, unless it was a major competition. I got my handicap as a kid by playing during three competitions in the same way that Ted did yesterday.

One Cold Hand

SS as the OP said he doesn't really know anyone at the club and it's down the country. I think most clubs will allow you play, once you mark 'For Handicap' or something on the card. It's only 3 times anyway.

Ted, very unlucky to meet a f*cker like that. Don't let it put you off. There's probably a case for reporting him to the club, but you might be better off not geting involved in something like that in a new club. There's 1 guy like that in every club and you were unlucky enough to meet him on your first day.

Senna

Graeme1982 wrote:

Use it as inspiration and look forward to a few years time when you meet him in the club singles and knock him out!:D

cant agree more, use this as a goal for your golfing skills, then really rub his noise in it. best of luck, 116 and 4 pars is good going, bit more practice and the scores will soon drop.

Golf Ninja

Serious bad luck there i cant understand where he is coming from with the disqual bit.
My advice to you is to go to the office and speak to the sec manager and just explain the situation to him and ask him if he knows anyone starting the game or a new member. This will give the member a bit of a shock trust me it will be the last thing that member would expect you to do.
But as far as the sec manager is concerned you were going to him to find a new member to play with.
I realise that it is difficult to start golf and all of us have been there but try and stick with it find a playing partner that you have as a back up kind of like a gym partner.
That way you can both go to the range both play golf courses and what you should do is take a few lessons to start with might help you to steer clear of bad habbits. Dont make the same mistakes as i di when i started. Went on to a good site last week http://www.bpga.ie it has free video files on it. It helped me

killbillvol2

You were just seriously unlucky Ted. In 22 years playing golf I could count the number of pr***s like that on one hand.

In fact, when I was club handicap secretary I preferred if members seeking handicaps played in club competitions. The cards were much more likely to be genuine than if he went out with a mate.

My earliest experience was the opposite. Played Sunday with 2 members who offered to play with me again twice during the week to get my handicap quickly.

Put it behind you. As you get to know people in the club I'm certain that your obnoxious friend's name will come up whenever the club w*nkers are being discussed!