Hang onto your handicaps!!

I agree - I think the UK system produces higher handicaps than the American system because of the fact you cant just hand in a good bounce round only medal tournaments though.

We had a number of "scratch" americans coming over to play in the uni team and they were no way near the golfers who were playing off 4-5 in the third team.

Depending on what handicapping system you guys use thats taken into account.

For example, using our method on holes where you go crazy (like taking an 11 for example) they will give you the lowest possible score that gives you 0 stableford points.
Then they add up your strokes and calculate your handicap from this.

Its purpose is to stop exactly the example you are using.
e.g
Level par for 17 holes and then 18 over on the last...
This evaluates to 2 over using my example.

I don't really understand the negativism about preferred lies and winter rules.

In Sweden at least, when either or both are in effect, you cannot use the round for hcp purposes. Isn't it the same everywhere else?

For example, at the moment we are playing by winter rules at my club which means the following:

- Lift, clean and place within a scorecard anywhere on the playing ground (including rough) except in hazards
- Play from "winter tees" (which equates to the forward tees). Adjust hcp accordingly (I am an 8, I normally get 9 strokes from the mens tee, 5 strokes from the fwd tees)
- Since there are no markers around water hazards, the water edge marks the hazard boundary

__________________
Regards, Peter
(WITB)

We have a local rule in place at my course at the moment, being preferred lies, playing fairway only. They say they have done this in order to protect the fairways during this period of water restrictions. Free mark, lift and place anywhere within a hand span.

In some parts of the course at the moment, its almost impossible to see the defined edge of the fairway. To stop some guys from claiming a preferred where maybe they shouldn't, on a couple of the fairways that are "really bad" they amended the local rule to specifically note these holes and cited the tree line either side as the defining line where a preferred could be taken.

A bit over the top for mine......

My tendency is not to take them. If you get to used to taking preferred lies then when it comes to an away pennant match at a course where they don't have them on and you wind up in a old divot or some other **** lie, you have to play it and hang the consequences....

I'm a big fan of "playing it as you find it, and if you can't, then do what's fair..." (Which never means a "Leather Wedge"). Each shot then becomes a learning device for each situation that you find yourself in. The whizz bang computer that is your golfing mind will store the feedback it gets from the results it sees. Hopefully, you then improve and get a better result the next time you are faced with a similar situation.

All that said, your handicap is simply an adjusted statistical calulation of how you score over an extended period of time. I'd rather mine reflect my true abilities, not my artificially assisted ones. Playing within the rules applicable on the day notwithstanding...


Cheers

__________________
Look at the Target, Look at the Ball, Swing... Dr Bob Rotella...

"All that said, your handicap is simply an adjusted statistical calulation of how you score over an extended period of time. I'd rather mine reflect my true abilities, not my artificially assisted ones. Playing within the rules applicable on the day notwithstanding..."

nice one craig!

a man after me own heart!

My home course plays winter rules all year long. (Odd, I know.)

Since it's a local rule, scores posted are eligible for handicaps.

Now, the only time I'll use winter rules if there's a great glob of mud stuck to my ball. Beyond that, I play the ball down, count my penalty strokes, and play off 23.

Pete in Australia there is provision for, when calculating the course rating, to allow for the use of preferred lies and teeing up.

PS

I'm all for preferred lies on the closely mown fairways.

This summer it's been a big issue for my home club. The captain decided not to have them as he said it affected the integrity of the game.

C R A P.

Our club is missing out on monies because of this decision, ie, memberships not being renewed and green fee players playing elsewhere.

Lack of water has affected the course. We are one of the fortunate ones who have access to buying water.

There is nothing worse than hitting a great shot onto the fairway and have it on a bare lie

__________________
VP

My old Club was also prone to hot weather and lack of water, to the point where if things got bad enough, it was almost "Tee Up" around the course. No one on the committee wanted this. As Nicole mentions, members move away, green fees look elsewhere. Its a vicious circle.

That's a vicious looking circle as well isn't it...


Cheers

I have always found in playing many years,that you get types of golfers.
The one that wants to get as low as possible,the other gets to a comfortable handicap and sits on it.The one that will try anything to get to a unrealistic low handicap to polish he's ego.And the gambler who's whole strategy is getting a handicap where no one can beat him.I played with them, they will purposely hit shots that gives you the impression they can't play the game.then on the course they will bet you they can pull of a certain shot,say a bunker save.You end up losing of course.
They say in sunny climates beware of the golfer who has two white hands,(opposed to one white one)to save showing the fact he plays a lot.Having struck your bet he then proceeds to put on two gloves.

I agree with gonavy, every card should be turned in. I can't count the times I have heard people saying "I can't turn this in, it will ruin my handicap..."

The roller coaster ride of golf is what makes it fun for me to play. If I par'd everything, it would be boring... It's those moments of horror as a drive hooks into Hansel and Grettle country and you have to play pinball off the trees to get out again that adds spice to the game...

On another note. From a course care perspective, wouldn't it be better to pick up shots out of divots and if possible find replace the divot someone else left behind? I just hate when courses get chewed up by inconsiderate golfers...

__________________
SumoSid
"Moments of Greatness followed by Moments of horror."

In my course we only play winter rules (lift, clean drop within 6 inches in rough, place on fairway) during the 12 hole winter comps and even then only for maybe 2 months.

Your official handicap is not adjusted as its 12 holes and artifical conditions.
If there is frost we have temporary greens.

During a normal 18 hole comp if you enter and do not return a score you automatically get 0.1 back onto your handicap.