Handicap adjustment?

brendan_donegal

Can you get your handicap adjusted if you don't play competitions?

PARlance

brendan_donegal wrote: »

Can you get your handicap adjusted if you don't play competitions?

The HC Secetary could give you an adjustment if you are just playing casual rounds but I'm not sure they would.
You'd have to request a review but I'd be extremely surprised if they facilitated it.

If you're just playing casual golf then why the need for an adjustment?

brendan_donegal

Well I have a handicap of 16 from a few years ago when I had no kids and was playing 2-3 times a week. Things have changed and there is no way I am sub 20 now.
So now I am back playing once a week if I'm lucky and would like to compete in competitions but haven't a hope with my current handicap.

DuckSlice

Have you put in your 3 cards every year?? If you haven't you will have lost your handicap anyway and will have to submit 3 cards again! The will take your old handicap into account tho!!

ssbob

brendan_donegal wrote: »

Well I have a handicap of 16 from a few years ago when I had no kids and was playing 2-3 times a week. Things have changed and there is no way I am sub 20 now.
So now I am back playing once a week if I'm lucky and would like to compete in competitions but haven't a hope with my current handicap.

Well what you can do is contact your handicap secretary but he will prob not make any adjustment until he sees a couple of comp scores coming in........................

PARlance

brendan_donegal wrote: »

Well I have a handicap of 16 from a few years ago when I had no kids and was playing 2-3 times a week. Things have changed and there is no way I am sub 20 now.
So now I am back playing once a week if I'm lucky and would like to compete in competitions but haven't a hope with my current handicap.

You may have to submit 3 new cards if your handicap has lapsed?

If it's still current, I'd mention it to the Handicap Secretary, but a review is really at their discretion and they may not be willing to open the floodgates to people looking for reviews mid year..... I don't know for sure, and every club is different obviously, but I don't think your request would be widely facilitated.

I think I read/heard somewhere that reviews happen once a year unless there is an exceptional circumstance, like an injury, that will have seriously affected your ability.
If they were to start reviews throughout the year on the basis of people not being able to play as much as they once could, then they'd be very busy people.

Most clubs will be very cautious with HC's. I know a lad that played off 12. Didn't play in 3 years, handed in 3 cards in the 90's and they still gave him 12.
He'll get close to it soon, but it has meant 3-6 months or so in the wilderness.

Best of luck with it anyway, no joy in playing when your HC is not a realistic one, hopefully it doesn't stay that way for long.

Almaviva

In reply to OP. Yes, you can submit up to 10 non competition cards per year for handicapping adjustments. Normal adjustments apply as if it were a competition.
You must notify the handicap secretary before you play that it will be a supplementary score, but you dont need their permission.

diarmuid05

I'm not playing as well as i was last year due to (insert excuse) can i have some shots back so i can win some prizes.....


This attitude is way too common nowadays....

Play against the course, not to win prizes.....

You never know, you might actually improve....

John Divney

diarmuid05 wrote: »

I'm not playing as well as i was last year due to (insert excuse) can i have some shots back so i can win some prizes.....


This attitude is way too common nowadays....

Play against the course, not to win prizes.....

You never know, you might actually improve....

I think he has the right to ask the question, he's not a 16 capper, and shouldn't play off 16 in a competition. Handicap system is not meant to be a hinderence.

It's fair to ask how to get adjusted in the correct manner owing to his particular circumstance.

D3PO

John Divney wrote: »

I think he has the right to ask the question, he's not a 16 capper, and shouldn't play off 16 in a competition. Handicap system is not meant to be a hinderence.

.

But he is a 16 handicapper. he has shown in the past that this is his handicap and nothing has changed in his physical condition to impact that. Lack of playing isn't a reason to get a handicap increase play more and play to your handicap or play less play badly and get .1s to get to the correct level.

I stopped playing for years I was a 24 handicapper at the time. When I started again I was given 18. I wasn't an 18 handicapper but it was up to me to play at that level or eventually find my level by playing enough competitions for natural adjustments to balance things out.

I gradually drifted out to 19 and now one year on I'm down to 16. Handicaps aren't there to be played to every round nor are they there to facilitate you winning a competition they are there to fairly set a benchmark that tried to give everybody an opportunity.

OilBeefHooked2

John Divney wrote: »

I think he has the right to ask the question, he's not a 16 capper, and shouldn't play off 16 in a competition. Handicap system is not meant to be a hinderence.

It's fair to ask how to get adjusted in the correct manner owing to his particular circumstance.

No one said he hasn't got the right to ask the question or any question for that matter, but perhaps more people would empathise with him if he was asking about ways to lower his HC as opposed to looking to increase it.
OP just go out and play your own golf and the HC will look after itself, here are a few quick tips to improve your golf and play to/beat your HC quickly, practice putting and chipping at home any chance you get and when you get to the course employ good course management and you'll see your scores drop dramatically.

diarmuid05

if your sport was 5k running could you ask for a head-start because u don't train very often anymore??

Golf should be like any other sport, in order to win, you need to train/practice - be the best...
Sadly it isn't, just full of lads who play once a week and win prizes.

DuckSlice

Similar happened to me, I was away from the game for 3 years, playing once or twice a year! This year I have got back into it and at the start I was playing to about a 21 hc, used to be off 15! I had to re-submit 3 cards and they only gave me 16 Hc! The 3 cards I submitted were an average of 20hc! So I can't see u getti g much joy with them!

5 months on I'm down to 14.4 and a competition win and a couple of thirds!


So just keep playing it will come back to u! And u will be back to normal in a few months IMO

alxmorgan

etxp wrote: »

Similar happened to me, I was away from the game for 3 years, playing once or twice a year! This year I have got back into it and at the start I was playing to about a 21 hc, used to be off 15! I had to re-submit 3 cards and they only gave me 16 Hc! The 3 cards I submitted were an average of 20hc! So I can't see u getti g much joy with them!

5 months on I'm down to 14.4 and a competition win and a couple of thirds!


So just keep playing it will come back to u! And u will be back to normal in a few months IMO

OP - This is the very reason they probably won't adjust you.

@etxp - If you had been given 21 you would now be 7 shots(ish) better in 5 months. Suggests they were right

Almaviva

diarmuid05 wrote: »

if your sport was 5k running could you ask for a head-start because u don't train very often anymore??

Golf should be like any other sport, in order to win, you need to train/practice - be the best...

Disagree with both of these point. You are missing the point of the handicap system.

The difference is that golf is a handicapped game. (the runner would be GIVEN a head start in a handicapped race - he wouldnt have to ask for it).

Golf is not like any other sport - its not the best that wins, its who plays the best on a given day from a (intended to be a least) starting point giving them the same chance as everyone else.

PARlance

diarmuid05 wrote: »

if your sport was 5k running could you ask for a head-start because u don't train very often anymore??

Golf should be like any other sport, in order to win, you need to train/practice - be the best...
Sadly it isn't, just full of lads who play once a week and win prizes.

Golf has these head starts already in the form of the handicap system.
Are you looking for the removal of the handicap system?

In the case of the OP I wouldn't review his HC if it was my call.
Based on the fact that he should get back to his correct handicap soon enough and to start such reviews would be a nightmare.

But that doesn't mean he's a prize grabber for inquiring or wanting a HC that reflects his current ability.

There's a big difference between a guy that wants to be able to compete over a guy that is minding his handicap to nab prizes.
I'd still want to compete every weekend even if there was never a prize.

Knowing that you're in for 2,3,4 months of plus .1's can be demoralising and I'd give the OP the benefit of the doubt and not assume he's a bandit.

Still wouldn't review his HC though

Almaviva

david-k wrote: »

No one said he hasn't got the right to ask the question or any question for that matter, but perhaps more people would empathise with him if he was asking about ways to lower his HC as opposed to looking to increase it.
OP just go out and play your own golf and the HC will look after itself, here are a few quick tips to improve your golf and play to/beat your HC quickly, practice putting and chipping at home any chance you get and when you get to the course employ good course management and you'll see your scores drop dramatically.

Is a partly unfair suggestion. The OP should just play and let the handicap system (or committee is scores justify) look after itself. Be he is entitled to have a handicap reflective of his play, and is under no obligation to go and practice so that he brings his game in line with the h/c. The h/c is supposed to align to the play - thatever that level of play be.

DuckSlice

alxmorgan wrote: »

@etxp - If you had been given 21 you would now be 7 shots(ish) better in 5 months. Suggests they were right

Well 6 shots I made a mistake it is 14.6! But yes that is why they only have me 16, if they had given me 21 I would have had a round of 44 points and they would have looked very stupid!

I would say at most they going to give u 2 shots if they review it!

GreeBo

Almaviva wrote: »

Is a partly unfair suggestion. The OP should just play and let the handicap system (or committee is scores justify) look after itself. Be he is entitled to have a handicap reflective of his play, and is under no obligation to go and practice so that he brings his game in line with the h/c. The h/c is supposed to align to the play - thatever that level of play be.

Well its supposed to align to few the days when you play better than normal.
Its not supposed to be an average. You play well = play equal to or slighlty better than your handicap.
You play average = you are within buffer or just outside
You play badly, you get 0.1

brendan_donegal

Well looks like I opened up a can of worms with this one.

Competitions I think they are a scam, you have to pay extra on top of your membership to keep your handicap, I think that is wrong, I think any card signed by an approved person should be fine to adjust your handicap.
The reason I want to play in them is that in my course a lot of the weekend time slots are designated to competitions and these are the times that suit me so I do not have a choice, If I want to play then it needs to be a lot of the time in competitions.

2. The reason I want it adjusted is that my handicap is wrong for the level that I am playing at. I try and get out once a week when I can and I am still not getting to the level I was, so I am at a disadvantage to other players who basically have a head start on me by having a reasonable handicap.

bustercherry

It's a fair point to ask OP, a lot of mediocre golfers (I think better golfers are less insecure about this stuff) on here tout the usual stereotypes about wanting to win prizes, recognition, etc.... when this question is asked. I wouldn't be of the same opinion. I think the handicap secretary "could", if they really could be arsed, look at your (or anyone's) individual circumstances and make the adjustment. It's just as easy to hammer you back down from general play anyway if you start posting ridiculous scores. Also if you start improving quickly the ESR will also kick in.

Assuming even on the best day the OP can play to 18 and can only get out once a week (very little practice either). It would take him 20 competitions (the rest of this season, if he plays every week) to get back to being competitive. In order to get to 18 he has to pay 20 competition fees (more for the rest of us though :rolleyes:) which I think is a bit unfair if you are not competitive.

On another note though, there is no reason a healthy male should be playing off higher than 18 and not be able to play to it (I know a few people with physical disabilities playing of single figures). If I was a handicap secretary and seen the amount of practice the majority of people on this board put in, I would cut them 5 shots irrespective of scores. A couple of months in 0.1 wilderness would help focus the practice a bit more

GreeBo

brendan_donegal wrote: »

Well looks like I opened up a can of worms with this one.

Competitions I think they are a scam, you have to pay extra on top of your membership to keep your handicap, I think that is wrong, I think any card signed by an approved person should be fine to adjust your handicap.
The reason I want to play in them is that in my course a lot of the weekend time slots are designated to competitions and these are the times that suit me so I do not have a choice, If I want to play then it needs to be a lot of the time in competitions.

2. The reason I want it adjusted is that my handicap is wrong for the level that I am playing at. I try and get out once a week when I can and I am still not getting to the level I was, so I am at a disadvantage to other players who basically have a head start on me by having a reasonable handicap.

Without a competition you dont have a CSS and so cannot adequately judge an individual score. Its not so much about cheating as getting a benchmark (CSS) for the day.

ssbob

bustercherry wrote: »

On another note though, there is no reason a healthy male should be playing off higher than 18 and not be able to play to it (I know a few people with physical disabilities playing of single figures). If I was a handicap secretary and seen the amount of practice the majority of people on this board put in, I would cut them 5 shots irrespective of scores. A couple of months in 0.1 wilderness would help focus the practice a bit more

I would disagree with this based on my own experience, I was given a handicap of 20 in 2011, played 11 comps that year and was 0.1 in all of them to go to 21.1 then played 12 comps last year and all of them were 0.1 bring me to 22.3. I asked the handicap secretary to look at my circumstances, told him my best ever score around the course was 95(Par 70) and he said he would look at it, didn't happen, so was playing with Club Secretary and said it to him, two days later I got 2 shots back since which I have been in the buffer twice but have also got 6 * 0.1's back. It is a disaster that it has taken me more than 2 years to get a handicap to my level of golf.

I definitely think I have ability but over the course of a round I self destruct with some awful shots. I would love to be playing to 18.

PARlance

bustercherry wrote: »

On another note though, there is no reason a healthy male should be playing off higher than 18 and not be able to play to it

That's an absolutely ridiculous comment!

charlieIRL

ajcurry123 wrote: »

That's an absolutely ridiculous comment!

agreed.

bustercherry

ajcurry123 wrote: »

That's an absolutely ridiculous comment!

How? Do you think it takes talent to shoot 90? It's just some basic work, a bit of time (others will have more to devote), and a bit of common sense.

If you are healthy, reasonably young male, playing/practicing reasonably regular (we will leave out the 3/4 times a year social golfers and new to the game) and are struggling to play off 18 after a certain period of time, then something is seriously wrong. Once you have the fundamentals correct and a good understanding of course management; you are probably gonna make the occasional birdie, 4/5 pars a round and lots of bogies. If you keep it in play and keep the trebles of the card; you will be there or there about after 18 holes.

I play midweek comps with retired men (for the purposes of this point we will assume they are 60. Probably a bit more) who are all single figures. Good golfers and by no means hit the ball far. I see 75 year old men playing of handicaps in the low teens all then time and hitting it less than 200 yards off the tee.

If it's not unreasonable for a person to be playing to a handicap lower than their ability starting out, on the bases they are going to improve. Then it should not be unreasonable to expect a player, with practice and to be able to play bogie golf after a certain period of time/practice?

People have different circumstances which will restrict how much time they can devote to practice but it's my opinion that nearly everyone should be physically able to shoot to an 18 handicap. Provided they work at the fundamentals and practice efficiently.

charlieIRL

you are more than welcome to join AJ, SSBOB and myself for a round sometime - then you will see that its tough enough playing to 18!

PARlance

charlieIRL wrote: »

you are more than welcome to join AJ, SSBOB and myself for a round sometime - then you will see that its tough enough playing to 18!

I'm off 17 now Charlie, wouldn't play with ye anymore

PARlance

bustercherry wrote: »

How? Do you think it takes talent to shoot 90? It's just some basic work, a bit of time (others will have more to devote), and a bit of common sense.

If you are healthy, reasonably young male, playing/practicing reasonably regular (we will leave out the 3/4 times a year social golfers and new to the game) and are struggling to play off 18 after a certain period of time, then something is seriously wrong. Once you have the fundamentals correct and a good understanding of course management; you are probably gonna make the occasional birdie, 4/5 pars a round and lots of bogies. If you keep it in play and keep the trebles of the card; you will be there or there about after 18 holes.

I play midweek comps with retired men (for the purposes of this point we will assume they are 60. Probably a bit more) who are all single figures. Good golfers and by no means hit the ball far. I see 75 year old men playing of handicaps in the low teens all then time and hitting it less than 200 yards off the tee.

If it's not unreasonable for a person to be playing to a handicap lower than their ability starting out, on the bases they are going to improve. Then it should not be unreasonable to expect a player, with practice and to be able to play bogie golf after a certain period of time/practice?

People have different circumstances which will restrict how much time they can devote to practice but it's my opinion that nearly everyone should be physically able to shoot to an 18 handicap. Provided they work at the fundamentals and practice efficiently.

^^^^^^ = A whole lot of reasons.

I do believe you said there was "no reason" someone shouldn't be able to play to 18.

What HC do you play off yourself?
How long have you been playing and what age did you start?

Myksyk

A Handicap Committee cannot adjust your handicap upwards without permission from the provincial branch. You can ask the committee to ask the GUI but in my experience they will not sanction any increases except under very exceptional circumstances, and maybe not even then.

Almaviva

brendan_donegal wrote: »

Competitions I think they are a scam, you have to pay extra on top of your membership to keep your handicap, I think that is wrong

They are not a scam, and you are free to not enter them if you dont like the terms. If you dont want to play them, why would you want a handicap in the first place ?

You dont have to pay extra. Enter Supplementary Scores. You are encouraged to do this if you dont play competitions so that your handicap reflects your playing ability.

GreeBo wrote: »

Without a competition you dont have a CSS and so cannot adequately judge an individual score. Its not so much about cheating as getting a benchmark (CSS) for the day.

Not quite to. You just cant judge it as accurately. Supplementary Scores are judged (and your handicap adjusted according to the usual formula) against SSS.

Almaviva

bustercherry wrote: »

On another note though, there is no reason a healthy male should be playing off higher than 18 and not be able to play to it

Clearly there is a reason since 30% of male golfers have handicaps higher than 18, and they arent all stable or falling.

First Up

bustercherry wrote: »

I play midweek comps with retired men (for the purposes of this point we will assume they are 60. Probably a bit more) who are all single figures. Good golfers and by no means hit the ball far. I see 75 year old men playing of handicaps in the low teens all then time and hitting it less than 200 yards off the tee.

Interesting. I don't think I've seen many with a handicap of more than 12 who are consistently long and straight enough to be on many greens in regulation.

Someone hitting it less (or not much more) than 200 yards off the tee is unlikely to be on very many par 4's or 5's in regulation, so they will make their pars by scrambling and will have precious few birdie chances outside the par 3's.

A 60+ golfer is not going to get much longer with any club, so the scope for improvement is in a better short game (up and downs), avoid three putting and minimise silly mistakes.

Single figure players (Class 1) need to shoot 35 in stableford to stay in their zone. That means scoring 2 points on just about every hole, with a shot on only half of them. Assuming a few 1-pointers and the odd scratch, that requires a fair few 3-pointers not get a .1 back.

So your short-hitting older pals must be awfully consistent and have wizard short games to stay in single figures.

GreeBo

Almaviva wrote: »

Clearly there is a reason since 30% of male golfers have handicaps higher than 18, and they arent all stable or falling.

/soapbox
In my (vast! ) experience, most golfers who are above 18 (and are fit, healthy and not too old) are above 18 because they have shocking course management, attempting to play to 10 before they can play to 18 first.

Id wager that if I offered the lads on here €1,000 to bogey every hole on the course the could do it. Trying to play better than this is whats causing them to play far above it.

Yiz just need caddys

/off soapbox

ssbob

GreeBo wrote: »

/soapbox
In my (vast! ) experience, most golfers who are above 18 (and are fit, healthy and not too old) are above 18 because they have shocking course management, attempting to play to 10 before they can play to 18 first.

Id wager that if I offered the lads on here €1,000 to bogey every hole on the course the could do it. Trying to play better than this is whats causing them to play far above it.

Yiz just need caddys

/off soapbox

You would have a safe €1,000 bet on me anyway..........

PARlance

GreeBo wrote: »

Id wager that if I offered the lads on here €1,000 to bogey every hole on the course the could do it. Trying to play better than this is whats causing them to play far above it.

ssbob wrote: »

You would have a safe €1,000 bet on me anyway..........

Lads, if the Mods catch ye talking about gambling......:D;)

bustercherry

GreeBo wrote: »

/soapbox
In my (vast! ) experience, most golfers who are above 18 (and are fit, healthy and not too old) are above 18 because they have shocking course management, attempting to play to 10 before they can play to 18 first.

Id wager that if I offered the lads on here €1,000 to bogey every hole on the course the could do it. Trying to play better than this is whats causing them to play far above it.

Yiz just need caddys

/off soapbox

I never in my life thought I would agree with Greebo.... Especially the bit on trying to play better than their ability. You only have to listen to the conversations on technique, equipment, trackman sessions etc... from high handicappers to realise the vast majority of them over-think the game and their ability.

bustercherry

ajcurry123 wrote: »

^^^^^^ = A whole lot of reasons.

I do believe you said there was "no reason" someone shouldn't be able to play to 18.

What HC do you play off yourself?
How long have you been playing and what age did you start?

I don't see how it is relevant?

First Up

GreeBo wrote: »

/soapbox
In my (vast! ) experience, most golfers who are above 18 (and are fit, healthy and not too old) are above 18 because they have shocking course management, attempting to play to 10 before they can play to 18 first.

Id wager that if I offered the lads on here €1,000 to bogey every hole on the course the could do it. Trying to play better than this is whats causing them to play far above it.

Yiz just need caddys

/off soapbox

Only half agree. There are skill issues as well - e.g getting out of bunkers properly, not duffing chips, topping or shanking etc. High handicappers could save a fair few shots that way, even if they can't hit it very far.

It isn't just high handicappers who overstretch their abilities. Best place to find Pro V 1's on my course is the OB area where the "big hitters" try to go for a par 5 in 2..... Rich pickings to be had.

PARlance

bustercherry wrote: »

I don't see how it is relevant?

bustercherry wrote: »

a lot of mediocre golfers (I think better golfers are less insecure

Just wanted to see if you're insecure or not!

If you're throwing out daft comments about how lads should for, no reason, be playing above 18, it'd be interesting to let us know how far away from this you are, how long you've been playing, when you took up the game etc.

PARlance

bustercherry wrote: »

I don't see how it is relevant?

Curiosity got the better of me!

Feb 2011

bustercherry wrote: »

Anyone played the course recently? I played it a few years back when I first started playing and it was in serious nick. Maybe a bit expensive but you do get full rights on the courses at Citywest.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=70641761

So lets assume "a few" is at least 3 years - surely you would have said last year (if it was only one) and a couple (if only two)

Lets say you started in Feb 2008 using that assumption so

Approx 3.5 years on from when you took up the game you posted this

bustercherry wrote: »

Took a little sabbatical for 3 weeks as nothing was happening for me. 4 nine holes last week: 46, 44, 41 and 39. Seemed to do me good

Average of 85 and you were happy with that.

bustercherry wrote: »

Played 18 on Tuesday, on a course I never played before too, 40 out but 52 in Ended up having to take unplayable lies on 11, 12 and 13 as my drives all ended right up against a tree. Even though I had a great up and down on the 14th, just never really got into it again.

On a positive note, even the I'm not hitting many GIR the short game is really tight at the moment and saving me.

A 92.....after 3.5 years...really???

bustercherry wrote: »

How? Do you think it takes talent to shoot 90? It's just some basic work, a bit of time (others will have more to devote), and a bit of common sense

So yes, I do think it takes some talent, a fair bit of time and work to start shooting 90, and a lot more time and work to start shooting it consistently.

It took you long enough, assuming at least 3 and a half years, to get to what you claim is relatively easy and almost instant.

Shame that you posted that one update on the How Did I Score thread isn't it. :rolleyes:

GreeBo

First Up wrote: »

Only half agree. There are skill issues as well - e.g getting out of bunkers properly, not duffing chips, topping or shanking etc. High handicappers could save a fair few shots that way, even if they can't hit it very far.

It isn't just high handicappers who overstretch their abilities. Best place to find Pro V 1's on my course is the OB area where the "big hitters" try to go for a par 5 in 2..... Rich pickings to be had.

There is no reason why someone cannot learn how to play a safe bunker shot.
Off 18 all you need to do is get out of the bunker safely first time.
Any doubles would be offset by some pars (due to holed putts etc)

Low guys going for a par 5 in two are probbaly not stretching their abilities, they just made a poor decision, you dont get to be a low guy if you are not able to hit a few 5W or 3Ws.

First Up

GreeBo wrote: »

There is no reason why someone cannot learn how to play a safe bunker shot.

Off 18 all you need to do is get out of the bunker safely first time.
Any doubles would be offset by some pars (due to holed putts etc)

Low guys going for a par 5 in two are probbaly not stretching their abilities, they just made a poor decision, you dont get to be a low guy if you are not able to hit a few 5W or 3Ws.

I think you misunderstand the point I am making. You attributed 18+ handicaps to bad course management and people trying to play above their ability. Failing to get out of a bunker (and yes, we all know it is easy) is not someone being over ambitious; it is someone who can't play the shot.

And what is a "poor decision" other than "bad course management"?

GreeBo

First Up wrote: »

I think you misunderstand the point I am making. You attributed 18+ handicaps to bad course management and people trying to play above their ability. Failing to get out of a bunker (and yes, we all know it is easy) is not someone being over ambitious; it is someone who can't play the shot.

And what is a "poor decision" other than "bad course management"?

Playing golf when you dont know how to get out of a bunker is bad course management IMO. Also, most of the time you end up in a bunker because you are going for a pin or going in with more club than you can control (at least in my experience)

Failing to pull off a shot that you are capable of is not poor course management.
Low guys can hit par 5's in two. Sure sometimes they wont, just like sometimes the pros will mess up a shot. Messing it up doesn't necessarily make it a bad decision/poor course management.

(I meant to say that it *might* just be a poor decision, but my point was that they are not necessarily stretching themselves)

First Up

GreeBo wrote: »

Playing golf when you dont know how to get out of a bunker is bad course management IMO. Also, most of the time you end up in a bunker because you are going for a pin or going in with more club than you can control (at least in my experience)

Failing to pull off a shot that you are capable of is not poor course management.
Low guys can hit par 5's in two. Sure sometimes they wont, just like sometimes the pros will mess up a shot. Messing it up doesn't necessarily make it a bad decision/poor course management.

(I meant to say that it *might* just be a poor decision, but my point was that they are not necessarily stretching themselves)

So someone going into a bunker is bad course management, but unnecessarily taking on 200 yard carry over OB isn't?
Most balls end up in bunkers because of crooked shots, not over ambitious ones.

bustercherry

ajcurry123 wrote: »

Curiosity got the better of me!

Feb 2011



http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=70641761

So lets assume "a few" is at least 3 years - surely you would have said last year (if it was only one) and a couple (if only two)

Lets say you started in Feb 2008 using that assumption so

August 2009, I got to play it 4 weeks after I started in a corporate day. I not not even gonna bother with that other nonsense about what a few means :rolleyes:

And yes I had played a couple of rounds, pitch and putt, been to the range before that over the course of 10 years. Like most people have but in reality that wasn't when they actually took it up.

ajcurry123 wrote: »

Approx 3.5 years on from when you took up the game you posted this



Average of 85 and you were happy with that.

I see an average of 42.5 for 9 holes but you have completely missed the point. I didn't even look at golf for 3 weeks and then posted these scores. 46 is not impressive and not to make excuses; but after 3 weeks my touch (and I suspect a few people's would) was a bit rusty and my alignment wasn't great (something I struggle with at times and have to work on). Throw in a few poor drives but I would be expecting that after not hitting a ball for 3 weeks. Course conditions can change lots over 3 weeks.

As I seen improvement or progression over four rounds of 9 holes, back to close where I would expect to be. This is without range or any practice time, including warming up (which I would do before a comp). Yes I was very happy. In fact f***ing delighted.

ajcurry123 wrote: »

A 92.....after 3.5 years...really???

So what, we all have bad days. I wasn't hitting many GIR and needed to work on my alignment. 3 Unplayable lies in a row and lost interest. Big deal. I remember the round because I still hate fcuking trees

ajcurry123 wrote: »

So yes, I do think it takes some talent, a fair bit of time and work to start shooting 90, and a lot more time and work to start shooting it consistently.

I disagree with most of the above. Some people will have more time than others but ultimately then should be able to play to 18 irrespective of talent and athletic ability. Most teaching pros I know would also agree with my view on talent and athletic ability.

I was fortunate to be between jobs and under no pressure to find one. Also my goals were different though.

ajcurry123 wrote: »

It took you long enough, assuming at least 3 and a half years, to get to what you claim is relatively easy and almost instant.

Actually it didn't. I joined the club formerly known as South County in April 2010 and was allocated my first handicap, playing off less. Again is irrelevant though.

ajcurry123 wrote: »

Shame that you posted that one update on the How Did I Score thread isn't it. :rolleyes:

I'm sure you can continue to trawl through all my posts and interpret them to suit your argument; but I also posted a 1 under gross score. I have another post about breaking 90 for the first time, the same time I broke 100. Why not include those? In general I don't post scores as I see it a bit self serving.

Anything else? How about my score on the Monty last weekend so you can compare to yours? Although I wouldn't have the audacity to call it from the white tee boxes, considering all the men's tees are pushed that far forward they might as well just have everyone play of the ladies.

GreeBo

First Up wrote: »

So someone going into a bunker is bad course management, but unnecessarily taking on 200 yard carry over OB isn't?
Most balls end up in bunkers because of crooked shots, not over ambitious ones.

Crooked shots that didnt take into account what would happen if you do hit a crooked shot (eg. take more club than you need as the trouble is all at the front)

I see them as ambitious as going flag hunting of 18 is a silly thing to do unless the flag is in the middle of the green. You are off 18 for a reason.

A 200 Yrd carry isnt much to a low handicap golfer tbh, a low iron or rescue. If you cant carry the ball 200 yards then you are probably not a low handicap golfer.

hitting a club that goes 201 yards would be bad course management, hitting a club that goes 220 would not be.

GreeBo

ajcurry123 wrote: »

Average of 85 and you were happy with that.



A 92.....after 3.5 years...really???

A 92 is within the buffer and so he would have remained at 18.

An average of 85 is 13 over..as we have seen that would indicate a handicap of around 10.

PARlance

bustercherry wrote: »

Anything else? How about my score on the Monty last weekend so you can compare to yours? Although I wouldn't have the audacity to call it from the white tee boxes, considering all the men's tees are pushed that far forward they might as well just have everyone play of the ladies.

I'm secure enough not to have to resort to start measuring our shafts...:rolleyes:
This isn't a p*ssing contest, if you're a better golfer than me then I don't have the slightest issue with that, about 65% of golfers are better than me, I've come to terms with that.

Not sure what you're on about with the white tees, we had a buggy (gps on it) and a another gps device and all tees were the give or take a few yards accurate with the card, approx 6,800 in total, that'd be some distance for the ladies.

bustercherry wrote: »

In general I don't post scores as I see it a bit self serving.

Well fair play to you, what a lad, you just prefer to insult 30% of golfers that aren't playing to 18 by saying there's no reason why they shouldn't be able to play to it.

I asked earlier if you would give your handicap, how long you were playing etc.
I asked because if it turned out that you took the game up as a kid, had gotten to low single figures - scratch then I could maybe see where you were coming from.
If you were playing that long and had gotten so low, then I might say, fair enough, the game might be natural to him and I can see how he might struggle to see how (30% of) golfers aren't playing to 18.

Even if that was the case, I'd still think it would be an arsey comment to make.

Turns out you haven't been playing all your life, you're probably not low single figures, I'll let you work work out the rest!

Next time you're playing with someone over 18, tell them what you think and I'm sure they'll let you know what they think.

I didn't bother reading through all your comments, I've a very good idea of what was in store, happy golfing and posting, I've no time for someone with such an attitude, and thankfully you're the first one I've encountered.

PARlance

GreeBo wrote: »

A 92 is within the buffer and so he would have remained at 18.

An average of 85 is 13 over..as we have seen that would indicate a handicap of around 10.

Erm..thanks for that there Greebo, I am familiar with the concept.
It was in reply to this.

bustercherry wrote: »

How? Do you think it takes talent to shoot 90?

And as stated in my last post, this isn't about his ability to play golf.
It's about his comment that there is no reason that anyone shouldn't be able to play to 18.

I'll let you off on your tangent.

First Up

GreeBo wrote: »

Crooked shots that didnt take into account what would happen if you do hit a crooked shot (eg. take more club than you need as the trouble is all at the front)

I see them as ambitious as going flag hunting of 18 is a silly thing to do unless the flag is in the middle of the green. You are off 18 for a reason.

A 200 Yrd carry isnt much to a low handicap golfer tbh, a low iron or rescue. If you cant carry the ball 200 yards then you are probably not a low handicap golfer.

hitting a club that goes 201 yards would be bad course management, hitting a club that goes 220 would not be.

So a high handicapper is 40 yards out in two on a long par four, miss-hits a wedge and goes into a green side bunker. What would you suggest they should have done - laid up? Bad players hit at least as many bad shots as they make bad decisions.

If the people supplying me with nearly new ProV1's are not low handicap players then they have expensive tastes to go with their unrealistic expectations but far be it from me to discourage them.