Golf Club Atlas
GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture => Topic started by: Grant Saunders on October 12, 2007, 03:05:17 PM
-
Im not sure if this has been explored before. When reading some content of posts on here regarding scores shot, distances achieved, design features and the impact on playing holes, I often wonder what the average handicap of people contributing here is. Based on some of the comments posted, I get the feeling that overall most people on board are fairly accomplished golfers with many being of extremely high calibre.
If so, does this lend itself to a hypothesis that a player is better able to appreciate the design and architecture of a course if they are confident of there own abilities and not more concerned with making reasonable contact with the ball. i.e battling the course and not your own game.
If this hasnt been done before, I think it would be an interesting exercise to establish the average handicap of people on this site. The more replies, the more accurate the representation. Also interested in peoples predictions.
If you are interested, please reply with your handicap details. Also, please indicate which group you fall into:
- Architect
- Golf course staff (Super, 2IC, Greenkeeper etc)
- Professional or coach
- avid golfer
- other
I predict the average to be around 8 or 9.
Me: Golf course staff, handicap 1
-
avid golfer, index 7.3
-
avid golfer - +1.9
-
avid golfer on forced medical sabatical - 5.9
-
I'd be surprised if the average of responses comes out more than 5-6. Those who are higher aren't as likely to respond. But besides that, I think you have it right - there are a lot of low handicappers among the regular participants here.
other (can't say avid golfer as that would be lying - I'm an avid soccer coach and watcher of kids' sports - I'm a whenever the hell let they me play golfer)
3.1 index
Tom H.
-
Avid Golfer
4.5
-
avid, 9.8 (and going higher)
-
I can be anywhere from a 1 to a 10, as most of you know, so that puts me at around a 5 cap.
My index is 1.4
-
3.4 index.
-
15 (?)
I have actually never had a USGA handicap. When I played in an industry outing recently I reported my handicap as 13. I know I can not currently play to a 13, but I thought it was fair to be conservative on this guestimate. So I likely will even have some difficulty playing to a 15, but this is closer to the accurate number.
-
8.5
-
I am double digits and as Huck says a little ashamed to post it in here. Needless to say I've gotten 4 strokes worse this year alone... :-[
-
golf industry
9.8 index
-
Golf Course Superintendent
Handicap- 4
-
Avid golfer 6.9
-
I am a 1.2 but its rising...I play like a 2-3
-
Grant - if you really are going to calculate an average, please delete wise-ass shivas, who is a 26 like I'm Tiger Woods.
-
Other (more like Lovable Rogue) 11.1 index
-
"I am double digits and as Huck says a little ashamed to post it in here. Needless to say I've gotten 4 strokes worse this year alone... "
Kalen, and others
Please post as this only works if we get the full range of people adding to this. There is nothing to be ashamed of as handicap is irrelevant to appreciation of golf course architecture. If only low figure players reply it will not be an accurate average.
-
Golf Industry
Index: 4.0 and rising up the charts!
-
2. avid. Not to be a golf snob (I am), but I can't believe there's even 1 person on this site without an established handicap. Without one, I'm not sure you can even categorize yourself as a golfer - kind of like an extra in a movie calliong themselves an actor. How hard is it? Pay your dues and get one.
-
Former Tournament Director at Largest Private Club in the U.S. ~ Now in Software Sales and making a HELL of alot more $$$ ;)
Currently: 6.0 Index
Annual Low: 2.8 when I was playing a bunch of tournaments during this summer back in the midwest... DAMN you, Desert/Target Golf! ;D
-
"I am double digits and as Huck says a little ashamed to post it in here. Needless to say I've gotten 4 strokes worse this year alone... "
Kalen, and others
Please post as this only works if we get the full range of people adding to this. There is nothing to be ashamed of as handicap is irrelevant to appreciation of golf course architecture. If only low figure players reply it will not be an accurate average.
Fair enough,
In the name of a scientific poll on GCA... I'm a 17.2, but was a 13.2 earlier in the year. I consider myself an avid golfer, just in dire need of a swing coach so it would seem.
-
After taking a look at the posted indexes, and having played with more than a few of the GCA.com crew, I have a strong suspicion that some of us have fell victim to the "ego" handicap that's lower than it should be ;)
-
TonyP: that's harsh. OH, I'd guess lots of us fall prey to the "not playing up to our indices at GCA outings" syndrome - I know I have - and that can happen for a lot of reasons: bad day, no practice, handicap is low and never changes because you post so few rounds, many other things.
But "ego handicap" connotes artificially lowering such... I sure hope no one here does that. I've yet to meet anyone I'd even suspect of that.
TH
-
Other (with the little ones, I'm down to about a dozen times a year)
Hdcp index is 8.9 (thanks a lot, Fossil F***ing Trace)
-
Hucks ;) In no was I implying "artificial" scoring... The USGA handicap system is based on potential, not actual ability. Therein lies the 96% of the 10 low score differentials. Truth be told, the rating/slope system really needs an overhaul, as it doesn't travel well. That result is lower handicaps that don't reflect ability nor potential. Example: Golden Valley G & CC back in beautiful MN; Or Bear Path CC in MN... Both have ratings from the tips that are waaaaay toooo high for the course. Then, come to Outlaw at Desert Mountain in AZ... With ratings that are waaaay toooo low for the course. The result for me was a 2.8 while back in MN, while currently a 6.0 back in AZ... That's all I was saying ;D
-
Tom,
I'm sure that Shivas meant 2.6, just missed that period thingie in the middle.
Seldom golfer, about a 16
-
Tony:
Just because a few courses seem to come out wrong as you see things does NOT mean the entire system needs an overhaul.
Good lord let's hope neither Goodale nor Lavallee nor Arble sees this... they've argued with me and TE Paul and a few others about this topic for YEARS. Best to leave it alone - we'll never come to any agreement. But I am a course rater for these purposes and a rather ardent supporter of our USGA handicap system. So unless you want a rather large fight, well... I'll just leave it at your experiences with our handicap system have not been the best. ;D
Craig - I thought of that re shivas, but then remembered that he said awhile ago that he hasn't had a posted handicap in years. So no, my bet is on wiseass. ;D
-
I don't have a handicap, as all know, I have a total disability. :o
avid golfer
had 2 birdies on the back nine at Gibson Bay thursday. Since I would surely be -25 to -30, that is really something special.
Doug
-
Man, these numbers are pretty low, let me bring it up closer to the prediction :)
Avid Golfer, 12.6
-
Hucks ;) In no was I implying "artificial" scoring... The USGA handicap system is based on potential, not actual ability. Therein lies the 96% of the 10 low score differentials. Truth be told, the rating/slope system really needs an overhaul, as it doesn't travel well. That result is lower handicaps that don't reflect ability nor potential. Example: Golden Valley G & CC back in beautiful MN; Or Bear Path CC in MN... Both have ratings from the tips that are waaaaay toooo high for the course. Then, come to Outlaw at Desert Mountain in AZ... With ratings that are waaaay toooo low for the course. The result for me was a 2.8 while back in MN, while currently a 6.0 back in AZ... That's all I was saying ;D
I'm a 7.6 avid golfer.
Tony is 100% correct that handicap index doesn't necessarily travel that well, though. Most of the courses that I play are pretty forgiving off the tee. My 7.6 would be closer to 16 if I played somewhere like Victoria National regularly.
-
Avid golfer, though I haven't played as much as I'd like the last few years.
13.2 right now, an all-time low though my playing time is down.
-
Golfer, wish I had the time to be avid. 13.3 index.
-
John - you do know that the entire system is set up so that handicaps "travel" correctly, right? You know about what slope is and how it is used, right?
Your 7.6 gives you probably a 7 or 8 handicap at your normal courses and gives you a 9 or 10 at VN, because VN's slope is higher. It's rating is higher too.
I'm gonna assume you know all that and like Tony, are just frustrated with your own personal situation.
Because please believe me, the system works.
TH
-
My ego cap is currently at 1.8, ;D and it will not go up becasue of 6 rounds in a row that I played well in this year. They are killing me!! I really think I should be anywhere between a 2 and a 10.. ;D
Oh avid golfer...
-
shivas: can you set us up as partners against two patsies, er I mean opponents, who will give you 27? I'll bring lots of money.
;D
-
John - you do know that the entire system is set up so that handicaps "travel" correctly, right? You know about what slope is and how it is used, right?
Your 7.6 gives you probably a 7 or 8 handicap at your normal courses and gives you a 9 or 10 at VN, because VN's slope is higher. It's rating is higher too.
I'm gonna assume you know all that and like Tony, are just frustrated with your own personal situation.
Because please believe me, the system works.
TH
Even though I'm from Kentucky, I've managed to grasp how the handicap system is intended to work. My point is that the differential in course handicap is not always large enough to reflect the difference in challenge between courses.
For example, my home course has rough that is usually no more than two inches. I can go out and hit 6 fairways and still shoot 80 or under. If I play a course like VN and miss the fairway by 20 yards (something I do at home), I'm probably going to lose a ball or at best end up having to hit a wedge out. My chances of making par are not going to be very good. Multiply this difference by 8 or more holes and you come up with a huge difference in scoring on a day with similar ball striking.
I have a feeling that there are a lot of golfers that have a similar "personal situation." All I'm saying is that the system doesn't always work well, but I freely admit I don't have a better answer.
-
John:
Very well; my apologies. Some participants here do NOT know how the system works, and LOTS outside this forum have no clue.
My experience is the system does work quite well the vast majority of the time. Things like high rough are accounted for in the rating process. However, what we can't account for is if they tell us rough is kept a certain way during summer time (which is what we base rating on), then you happen to play a course a few times when rough is abnormally high. That would skew things for sure. Same thing goes for speed of greens, abnornmal wind, etc.
I firmly believe the system works... not always, but way more than enough to make it valuable and worth keeping.
TH
-
I'm pretty certain that I can break 100 on a fairly easy course if I play well.
Is that not the truth?
Had you seen me on the 9th thru 12th holes of Ozaukee a month ago, you'd think I had a vanity number... and there's guys on this board who will vouch for it...
So that's who I heard on the back nine at Ozaukee. All those balls clanging off trees, and I thought it was just me.
Mike -- that's a golf snob position if I've ever heard one. I have never carried a handicap. I participate on the board because a) I learn a lot; and b) it's fun. Meeting some cool folks along the way makes it even more worthwhile.
I would be an 18 if I carried a handicap based on my play at the 9-hole muni five minutes from my home, where I play most often. I can usually go around it as a bogey golfer. Lately I suck.
Occasional golfer.
-
Avid Golfer 8.9 handicap factor.
-
Golf Industry - 2.6 index
-
Are these handicaps posted from the practice range or the golf course?
Bob
-
Avid Golfer. 4.8 index.
-
Part time golf construction/avid golfer
Hadicap Index: 5.0
-
Shivas:
I think ill-thought out is a bit off. Handicaps are there for a reason, and the one I referred to as being the "random tournament," it makes sense to have one. I see too many sandbaggers without handicaps play in "net" tournaments and beat good players simply because the field wasn't level.
Hey - I'm all for playing straight up, especially with a group that is 5 and under - nothing worse than giving a (4) 2 strokes that can kick my ass on any given day.
Can you give me an example of an avid golfer (30+ rounds/year) who doesn't have a handicap AND considers themselves connected to the game?
-
The average so far is 8.9 from 34 respondents. Keep them coming as the more the better. It would be nice to get around 300 as it would represent 20% of the members of this site. Will do a breakdown of the various groups at the end. Im predicting that Course staff will be the lowest handicap group averaging around 3. This should reassure golfers that the golf courses are in good hands and the staff certainly know the game.
-
Avid golfer, ~5 hcp.
Tony P,
I feel your pain regarding desert golf. I was a 1 (lowest ever) at the end of last year, then I moved to New Mexico...
-
avid 19.1
-
Avid, 4.4 index
-
3.4 index
-
an enthusiastic 19.0
-
make that avid 3.4
-
Avid - 8.7 index right now.
I'll get Jordan Wall's real 'cap for you or Sean Leary will!
-
Avid golfer, 1.2 handicap
-
19.9 index, but can play to a 27
-
Avid, 11.4.
-
I'm going to check GHIN on each of you ...
Being an avid golfer doesn't mean we play a lot of golf or have the time to practice !!!
Currently, as of the October 1, 2007, I sport a 2.2 index. My handicap is a wife and four children and I have moments of brilliance where I putt like a 36 hdcp.
-
Golfer - 10.2
-
Avid golfer with an index of 5.9 (and a high variance). ;D
My guess is if you could sample all 1500 GCA members that the mean would be around 9.
-
Avid Golfer
Index 4.2, should be lower next revision.
Through I either play like a 1 or an 8. Its one or the other, never in between.
-
Avid golfer (wannabe college golf coach) 1.6 index
-
2.6 Index
-
Avid---12.3
-
Avid, when I get the hall pass.
0.9
CPS
-
I think the correlation here is the lower the post count, the lower the index. These guys must be spending their time practicing and not posting.
FWIW, I don't have an official index either. So Mr. Wagner, I'll take 2 a side. ;)
Cheers,
Brad
-
Shivas:
I think ill-thought out is a bit off. Handicaps are there for a reason, and the one I referred to as being the "random tournament," it makes sense to have one. I see too many sandbaggers without handicaps play in "net" tournaments and beat good players simply because the field wasn't level.
Hey - I'm all for playing straight up, especially with a group that is 5 and under - nothing worse than giving a (4) 2 strokes that can kick my ass on any given day.
Can you give me an example of an avid golfer (30+ rounds/year) who doesn't have a handicap AND considers themselves connected to the game?
Me! I will have played about 60-80 rounds this and never have competed with anyone, played in any tourney, or saw any reason for a handicap. I love golf and more I love golf courses. I will never conquer any course, so I will simply play them all [or as many as possible anyway].
Doug
-
I have been a 4 or 5 for years. It is good enough to be a decent club player but stink in state competition. When I was in the 30's and 40's I was a 2.
-
Mike,
Count me in as another. I'll play about 50 rounds this year without a handicap. I moved and meant to get one set up somewhere and its October and never happened. Since I don't play in tournaments it hasn't made any difference. I'll probably sign up for next season anyway just to have it.
-
Aging CGCS.....9.8, slowly floating up.
-
John - you do know that the entire system is set up so that handicaps "travel" correctly, right? You know about what slope is and how it is used, right?
Your 7.6 gives you probably a 7 or 8 handicap at your normal courses and gives you a 9 or 10 at VN, because VN's slope is higher. It's rating is higher too.
I'm gonna assume you know all that and like Tony, are just frustrated with your own personal situation.
Because please believe me, the system works.
TH
Even though I'm from Kentucky, I've managed to grasp how the handicap system is intended to work. My point is that the differential in course handicap is not always large enough to reflect the difference in challenge between courses.
For example, my home course has rough that is usually no more than two inches. I can go out and hit 6 fairways and still shoot 80 or under. If I play a course like VN and miss the fairway by 20 yards (something I do at home), I'm probably going to lose a ball or at best end up having to hit a wedge out. My chances of making par are not going to be very good. Multiply this difference by 8 or more holes and you come up with a huge difference in scoring on a day with similar ball striking.
I have a feeling that there are a lot of golfers that have a similar "personal situation." All I'm saying is that the system doesn't always work well, but I freely admit I don't have a better answer.
I've gotta agree here that the ratings and slopes of courses are too bunched together. Also, your handicap should take into account if you play most of your rounds at one course. If you do, you most likely won't play to that handicap at other courses. Being very familiar with a course makes it easier to score well on that course. And the fact Oakmont members are known to have good travelling handicaps tells you the system is askew.
-
Other Golfer
Index 1.8
...and found out last year it snows in Denver.
That heaping line of crap about year round play still gets to me.
-
Avid, 1.1
-
3.7 index, avid golfer, MacRaynorphile
-
Once a week golfer at this point in my life, but it's an avid once a week! 6 handicap.
-
Brad, the correlation to low handicaps and number of posts is well noted. But, there are also other factors that tilt the averages, like nobody that can see their handi is higher than the average poster wants to fess up! ::) ;D
Avid posters, avid golfers, and reluctantly aging fat guys hate to admit they are like about 11.6 index, and there must be something wrong with the computations, because they rarely play to their handicap, it seems :-[ ::) :-\
-
Avid, 4.8.
My experience is that I'm a 9, at best, on any course I'm not intimately familiar with.
-
Avid, 8.4
-
None of this Index smindex stuff... ;D
A weekend golfer with an AGU hancicap of 10.0
-
If avid means more than once a week ... well then no for me. If once a week pretty much every week then yes.
Here, let me sway your average and be one of the outliers. I'm 17.8 right now. Was a 10 last year but ... in So. FL.
Typical 90's shooter with the occasional 80's round.
Slainte!!
-
Avid, 0.2 and not willing to give John Kirk 1 shot. :)
-
5.4 - would definitely be lower if I had the time to play more!
-
Avid, 0.2 and not willing to give John Kirk 1 shot. :)
But you could give Jordan Wall (1.3 according to ghin.com) 5 shots and come out fine. ;D
-
6 handicap, but I never really play strokeplay anymore... matchplay is the way forward when you work and can't practise regularly... :-)
-
9.5 and currently climbing :'(
-
Scratch,
Super/shaper/Pro
-
.6
Asst Supt. Play about 60-70 rounds a year
-
Instant index 7.8 (home cap 9)
Avid golfer
Jamey
-
Golf Writer, play in alternating bursts of activity and complete sloth.
In USGA/Pope of Slope terms, put me down for a 6 with a reverse bullet.....
In the UK, I'm 7.5 (real competitive handicap) and hopefully dangerous.........
-
Avid golfer
UK 8.2
-
Ex-Avid Golfer
UK 8.4
-
Avid golfer, 4.1
-
Avid golfer, UK handicap of 4.8
-
10.7
-
Can you give me an example of an avid golfer (30+ rounds/year) who doesn't have a handicap AND considers themselves connected to the game?
I'll raise my hand, although I may not have reached 30 rounds this year. I haven't had a handicap since I was in college, and I rarely play the same golf course more than twice in a year. However, I do track my scores myself and apply the formula so that I know approximately what I need to tell people. I normally play in one event per year, and the pro knows how I play. There was an exception this year and I played a 2nd event and I didn't want anybody questioning my handicap, so I said that I didn't need any shots (and ended up not needing any). So to answer the question posed by the thread......
Pseudo Golf Industry (still a member of an association, but no longer employed in the business)
Handicap - 0, so nobody can ever complain
-
0.4
But reality tells me it is more like 4.0. I haven't posted but 4 scores this year. Most of my rounds are 9 holes before the mowers and cup cutter get to the greens.
-
7
-
I'm astounded at how many say they rarely play and have an index <10. And the < 5 indexes and < 10 rounds a year are killing me. ::) :o ;D
How you do dat?
-
Architect
Officially a crap 9 but really going on about a crap 18
-
Other Golfer
Index 1.8
...and found out last year it snows in Denver.
That heaping line of crap about year round play still gets to me.
agreed, but I had a 10 month season (i'll play as long as the courses are open) both years I've been here, which could be worse (could be better). speaking of which, i better play today, because they are saying it may snow here tomorrow.
-
Avid Golfer - 14.1
-
I think the correlation here is the lower the post count, the lower the index. These guys must be spending their time practicing and not posting.
FWIW, I don't have an official index either. So Mr. Wagner, I'll take 2 a side. ;)
Cheers,
Brad
Don't know, don't care. Kept score briefly at an easy muni, haven't kept score since 1) knee injury and 2) birth of son, most important event of my life.
#11 poster, #1489 golfer, proving Brad's point. The only reason I even posted was I figured someone out there is bitchin'....
:)
-
Avid golfer - 12.2
The only reason I keep an index is for a few matches a year I play w/ some friends who like the action.
I too am amazed by the # of low numbers and if you think about many of the well known's on here, their numbers would drive it even lower.
-
Other Golfer
Index 1.8
...and found out last year it snows in Denver.
That heaping line of crap about year round play still gets to me.
agreed, but I had a 10 month season (i'll play as long as the courses are open) both years I've been here, which could be worse (could be better). speaking of which, i better play today, because they are saying it may snow here tomorrow.
Come on, gentlemen--last year's winter was the worst I can remember (in my 12 years in Denver). There's golf to be had in the late fall and winter.
-
6
-
18
avid golfer and not happy about my inability to get it down.
That said, shot79 today (SS69) first tie under 80 So after going back up this year I may finally have turned the corner. (I can hope. :'()
-
An avid 16.8 :'(
-
Avid (competitive) college golfer. Index of 0.3, but the way I've been playing of late, you'd very likely take my money :P.
-
Avid golfer, 2.2
-
I am currently and 7 but on a mission to improve but I only get to play 12 times a year, with that being said, I am still an avid golfer.
-
Avid-10
-
Other Golfer
Index 1.8
...and found out last year it snows in Denver.
That heaping line of crap about year round play still gets to me.
agreed, but I had a 10 month season (i'll play as long as the courses are open) both years I've been here, which could be worse (could be better). speaking of which, i better play today, because they are saying it may snow here tomorrow.
Come on, gentlemen--last year's winter was the worst I can remember (in my 12 years in Denver). There's golf to be had in the late fall and winter.
I guess I should be patient , with this being my second year in Denver. Although I am anxious to see the conditions tomoorow for the Rox game. 42-45 degrees with light winds is about as low as I will go when it comes to golf.
-
If once a week qualifies as avid then that's me.
5.3 index.
-
It is interesting to see all these incredibly low handicaps.
I may be wrong, but the only members of this august site that I have seen that have played with me at CPC and MPCC that scored anywhere near their potential were as follows.
Lou Duran was four under after the fourteenth at CPC, a phenominal performance. His caddie steered him wrong at the 15th and his 9 iron was over the green by the water cooler. A couple of holes later his score was under water. Joel Stewart, Tom Huckaby and Mike Benham were equally adept at playing to their index, but on the whole I cannot think of anyone else that impressed. My friend from New Zealand, Ash Towe, did well, but I was not there to witness it. There are others that played at Cypress but were unaccompanied and I did not check the scores.
If I have slighted others who played the Point do forgive me, at my age the memory synapses close at the most inopportune moments.
Bob
-
It is interesting to see all these incredibly low handicaps.
I may be wrong, but the only members of this august site that I have seen that have played with me at CPC and MPCC that scored anywhere near their potential were as follows.
Lou Duran was four under after the fourteenth at CPC, a phenominal performance. His caddie steered him wrong at the 15th and his 9 iron was over the green by the water cooler. A couple of holes later his score was under water. Joel Stewart, Tom Huckaby and Mike Benham were equally adept at playing to their index, but on the whole I cannot think of anyone else that impressed. My friend from New Zealand, Ash Towe, did well, but I was not there to witness it. There are others that played at Cypress but were unaccompanied and I did not check the scores.
If I have slighted others who played the Point do forgive me, at my age the memory synapses close at the most inopportune moments.
Bob
Bob
The USGA system is an interesting one - the average of the best 10 from your last 20 POSTED scores. This year I have only posted 8 scores. We play match play, I'm out of the hole - I pick up, or I play alone and lose a ball with a group pressing behind.. how can one legitimately post a score after this sort of round? The USGA wants me to, I know, but I can't. Even on a good year, I rarely post more than 25 rounds.
So it says that I 'm a 5.9. I'm sure I'd be really happy to break 80 at CP. My usual round this year is 3-6 over for 9 (I prefer to play nine every day to 18 a few times a week) so I feel like about a 10 handicap. What can I do about it? Short of fabricating scores to get my handicap to where I think it should be...
2 years ago I was 5.2. I qualified for the MA Mid Am (about which I am still really excited, as I was out of my depth) I was playing, mostly, about 5 strokes a round better than I did this year. Not 0.7 as the handicaps suggest.
I have had injuries, recently, which have meant that I've played less than I would have liked, but still... something isn't working.
-
Jeff Brauer and I can not be beat, no matter our handicaps.
Sorry, for the puffery, it's just the facts.
Lester
-
avid golfer 5.6
-
4.1 Avid golfer
My day at Cypress was one of the best. Great weather, company, caddie anda phenominal course.
-
Golf Course Supt..
HCP Index History
Date Index
10/10/07 7.7
9/19/07 7.1
9/5/07 7.8
8/22/07 8.0
8/8/07 10.4
7/25/07 11.5
7/11/07 15.7
6/27/07 15.7
6/13/07 17.7
5/30/07 18.2
5/16/07 18.2
5/2/07 18.2
4/18/07 18.2
Rounds this Year: 45
-
Last year I played 40 rounds and was anywhere from a 0 to 2. Most of those rounds came in two really big bunches on golf trips. This year I've posted 90 rounds so far with at least 6 more to come in Pinehurst later this month. Therefore, the handicap dropped anywhere from +4 to +2. The 90 rounds have been much more consistently played this year - coming about twice a week with a few golf trips thrown in. Like someone else said I plaed a ton of golf as a kid and college golf for a couple of years so even if I take a month off I'll probably still shoot in the 70s. However, I almost never practice so for me to play consistently well I need to get on the course on a regular basis.
-
It is interesting to see all these incredibly low handicaps.
I may be wrong, but the only members of this august site that I have seen that have played with me at CPC and MPCC that scored anywhere near their potential were as follows.
Lou Duran was four under after the fourteenth at CPC, a phenominal performance. His caddie steered him wrong at the 15th and his 9 iron was over the green by the water cooler. A couple of holes later his score was under water. Joel Stewart, Tom Huckaby and Mike Benham were equally adept at playing to their index, but on the whole I cannot think of anyone else that impressed. My friend from New Zealand, Ash Towe, did well, but I was not there to witness it. There are others that played at Cypress but were unaccompanied and I did not check the scores.
If I have slighted others who played the Point do forgive me, at my age the memory synapses close at the most inopportune moments.
Bob
Bob,
Are you really surprised by this? I would guess not, as this phenomenon could be explained in several ways all relating to handicap and potential performance, including what Lloyd mentions above.
People totally geeked-out to play the round of a lifetime rarely play to their potential, and playing to your potential is what the handicap system is all about. I'm guessing these same folks wouldn't play to their handicap when the opportunity to play Pine Valley, National, Shinnecock, etc. comes around either. Its interesting that you mention 3 locals as guy that played to their index. I'm sure they are all excellent players, but I'd also bet they have visited CP more than once or at the very least know in the back of their mind they're going to get another shot at it, unlike most.
Its funny that the legend of Lou Duran and his round at Cypress Point had me shaking in my boots when I drew him for singles match play at Paa Ko Ridge on the GCA Land of Enchantment Tour, playing from the tips (7600+ yds). That was a legendary 4/5 of a round for sure.
Cheers,
Brad
-
6
-
Golf industry/Golf Professional
Handicap:
in the summer when I work all the time: about 4
in the winter when I have time to practice/play: +1
-
Don't play much these days, up to a 1.
-
Jeff Brauer and I can not be beat, no matter our handicaps.
Sorry, for the puffery, it's just the facts.
Lester
Jeff and I beat you at Sand Hills though... ;)
-
Donnie Beck, how you do dat? :o ;D
While that is remarkable, the precipitous drop in your handi over the short span of a northern season by well over half, the fact that a super has 45 rounds in is real determination to get out there as well.
What gets me is that they say you should play to your handicap about once in every 6 rounds. Well, I come close... but those other 5 or 6 times can be some real clinkers. ::) :-\ :-[
-
I played a lot in my teens, but was only playing once every couple of weeks prior to this year. I caught the bug have been going out at least 2-3 nights a week this year. My fishing is suffering greatly, but I am enjoying the time on the course.
-
It is interesting to see all these incredibly low handicaps.
I may be wrong, but the only members of this august site that I have seen that have played with me at CPC and MPCC that scored anywhere near their potential were as follows.
Lou Duran was four under after the fourteenth at CPC, a phenominal performance. His caddie steered him wrong at the 15th and his 9 iron was over the green by the water cooler. A couple of holes later his score was under water. Joel Stewart, Tom Huckaby and Mike Benham were equally adept at playing to their index, but on the whole I cannot think of anyone else that impressed. My friend from New Zealand, Ash Towe, did well, but I was not there to witness it. There are others that played at Cypress but were unaccompanied and I did not check the scores.
If I have slighted others who played the Point do forgive me, at my age the memory synapses close at the most inopportune moments.
Bob
Addendum:
I have received a message from an uninterested lurker, sent at great expense by Fed Ex, that one player who not only played with Lou Duran that fateful day one who shot a sparkling 74, three strokes below his handicap. I daresay I was concentrating on the main man and considered the rest of the group to be nothing but spear carriers.
It was none other than the putative Earl of Sutherland, or as we know him, 'Dornoch Rich.'
Bob
-
Index 9.5 - avid golfer
-
Formerly avid, now an occasional enthusiast
12.7 and climbing. I did manage to play close to that at the Dixie Cup IV.
-
8)
Grant Saunders.. are you going to integrate or transform averages with # of posts somehow?
avid-age-weight-waist-backswing-elbow-followthru impaired;
HCP Index History (per most recent TGA/USGA)
Date Index
10/12/07 12.2
not frequent score poster.. beware of the TX 12.. aka stealth short gamer.. Best ever was 5.3, back to double digits in 2006, for first time in 15 years.. no fun in grinding.. free at last..
-
Avid golfer with a 6.9 index
-
Golf Course Staffer.
2.6
-
Oh...I've been having some soreness in my placiator joint and sacrum scrotal taint as of late and my index has risen to a slightly embarrassing 147.6.
-
I'd say the average handicap is a combination of to much thinking on the course and not enough bourbon! 11.3 with bourbon 20+ without ;)
-
Oh...I've been having some soreness in my placiator joint and sacrum scrotal taint as of late and my index has risen to a slightly embarrassing 147.6.
I think you just cut yourself shaving
-
I think you just cut yourself shaving
John,
Have you ever tried to find the appropriate place to apply a tourniquet to the area?
Is it any wonder my putting is starting to suffer as I become slightly feint with plasma loss?
-
Have you ever tried to find the appropriate place to apply a tourniquet to the area?
NO
-
I think you just cut yourself shaving
John,
Have you ever tried to find the appropriate place to apply a tourniquet to the area?
Mike
Very nicely put.
-
Oh...I've been having some soreness in my placiator joint and sacrum scrotal taint as of late and my index has risen to a slightly embarrassing 147.6.
Mike
Are you sure that's not your USGA slope?
If I were you I'd look for evidence of Dean Knuth having recently visited your placiator joint......
Constructively
Rich
-
Professional, Club Handicap +2.4
-
Keen golfer, 11.5
-
Avid / obsessed golfer ... 12.5 index
-
Avid golfer.
Index is 2.2, which corresponds to a 2 at my home club.
With having a baby in August, there is no way I could play to it right now.
-
It is interesting to see all these incredibly low handicaps.
I may be wrong, but the only members of this august site that I have seen that have played with me at CPC and MPCC that scored anywhere near their potential were as follows.
Lou Duran was four under after the fourteenth at CPC, a phenominal performance. His caddie steered him wrong at the 15th and his 9 iron was over the green by the water cooler. A couple of holes later his score was under water. Joel Stewart, Tom Huckaby and Mike Benham were equally adept at playing to their index, but on the whole I cannot think of anyone else that impressed. My friend from New Zealand, Ash Towe, did well, but I was not there to witness it. There are others that played at Cypress but were unaccompanied and I did not check the scores.
If I have slighted others who played the Point do forgive me, at my age the memory synapses close at the most inopportune moments.
Bob
Addendum:
I have received a message from an uninterested lurker, sent at great expense by Fed Ex, that one player who not only played with Lou Duran that fateful day one who shot a sparkling 74, three strokes below his handicap. I daresay I was concentrating on the main man and considered the rest of the group to be nothing but spear carriers.
It was none other than the putative Earl of Sutherland, or as we know him, 'Dornoch Rich.'
Bob
Bob, I'm crushed.
Taking into consideration the inopportune closing of your memory synapses, I still held out hope that I was at least dimly memorable, seeing as we played together less than a month ago. I had myself at 79 at MPCC, Huckaby had me at 76 -- either way, that qualifies as close to my 5 handicap -- doesn't it?
As for CPC earlier in the day (a round you were not there to witness), I admit I was in awe of the place all day, and couldn't shake out of my stupor until the eighth hole. But I did post a 38 on the inward nine.
Fighting for my reputation :),
Rick Shefchik (4.8)
-
Oh...by the way guys.
Whatever Huckaby tells you his handicap is, lower it by about 5 strokes before agreeing to play against him.
He's a veritable machine.
-
20 rounds this year. More than the past couple of years; less than many years before that. So: as avid as possible.
Index 6.8, for now.
-
Avid Golfer. 3.2 Index. Undefeated straight up against Jordan Wall.
Lou Duran is a 10 and he might be better than me.
-
Avid Golfer. 3.2 Index. Undefeated straight up against Jordan Wall.
Lou Duran is a 10 and he might be better than me.
Duran is a 10 because he plays so slow he needs a dial up connection to post his scores.
-
Rick,
My apologies, yes, you are another player who played to your number and anyone birdieing 15 and 16 at CPC can qualify as "The real Deal."
Bob
-
Thank you, Bob. And as usual, you're being too gracious. I missed that birdie putt on 16.
-
Oh...by the way guys.
Whatever Huckaby tells you his handicap is, lower it by about 5 strokes before agreeing to play against him.
He's a veritable machine.
I was when I was with you at Sand Hills, Mike... but those days are sadly few and far between.
:'(
I will attest for Rick though for sure - the man can play nearly as well as he can write. Well, check that, he'd have to shoot 65 at MPCC to match that standard. But the man can play.
All the others jive with my memory also. But I'll also say that those who say CPC is an easy course must play a game with which I am unfamiliar. Bob is gracious to list me among those who've played to their handicaps there... I believe I have once or twice.. but I've also been WAY above several other times... And I sure have witnessed many others going above their handicaps there...
BTW lest I forget, Ash Towe is the real machine. After a shaky awe-filled start at CPC, he played the last 14 holes in about even par.
TH
-
Golf Course Superintendent
7.6
Donnie- I thought I played a lot?! 45 rounds? Must be nothing else to do out there...anytime you need a playing partner, just ask!
-
Oh...by the way guys.
Whatever Huckaby tells you his handicap is, lower it by about 5 strokes before agreeing to play against him.
He's a veritable machine.
Mike,
Agreed, TH is a very dangerous man... ;)
Anyway, I'm more avid than my ability to play allows, currently 5.2.
-
12.8 last I looked, but you may not want me as a partner. Not that I'm not competitive, but I really, really just enjoy being on a course more than I ever have at any point in my life. ;)
-
avid (but wish I could play even more) with an index of 6.1
I used to be better, but then didn't we all.
-
Golf Industry - On my way to becoming a superintendent
Index - 7.9
Usually play once a week as time allows to be away from working on the course
-
Golf Course Superintendent
9.8 (6, before kids)
SS
-
avid 4 handicap 3.8 index Shivas needs the cheater line to get back in single digits.
-
Will end season with +2.3, near which it has hovered all year.
-
aging father of 5, losing distance weekly, but still hanging on to a +1.2 through experience, guile and cunning.
-
Grant, I didn't read the posts, but I'll take my guess. Before I do, are you weighting for the number of posts? I see "the average handicap of the person that posted" a comment as being different than "the average handicap of the 1500 site members" because guys like Pat Mucci and Tom Paul post so much.
If it is the former, I'll take the average handicap of those two guys. 4? I'm not sure. I think they are both strong players.
If it is the latter I'll go with 8.
If I'm right, is there a prize?
-
AGU Handicap of 6.9
Avid golfer in winter due to other sporting commitments in summer, and wanna-be golf architect in training.
-
Avid 10.6
Used to be 6.0
age is the real handicap!
-
Play once a week 13.....
-
Architect
5.1 index
20 to 25 rounds/year
-
Golf nut case....
10.8 at the moment, down from 15.1 in June, and up from 6.8 in July of 2004.
It's been interesting
-
Golf Industry
Index Currently 0.3
Has anyone done the calculation of the indices for the avg.?
-
Hack
2.7 (should behigher, but a 75 at Pine Valley killed me)
-
Sorry I haven't got to working out the numbers on this little exercise yet. I been caught up in the whole moving from one side of the world to the other as I have recently returned from Scotland back to NZ.
Anyone who has not yet added there handicap it would be appreciated if you would as the more respondents the better this works.
I will be aiming to crunch the figures and post the results very soon.
-
5
retired
-
Superintendent.
8.5, as low as 7.6. Work too much.
-
9.8, up from 7.1 after spinal surgery this summer. Happy I can play at all, that's for sure.
-
6.2 and rising.
-
Club Pro - 0
Good rounds, bad rounds, GREAT days.
-
Can't remember if I posted or not.
Avid golfer to say the least. handicap 5.
Terry, I had spinal surgery eight weeks ago. I am curious to see how i will play. I lost a lot of strength in my right arm. I snuck out for a week of skiing in CO but skied like a dog. Hope my golf game doesn't suffer as much.
-
Tommy and Terry - keep playing. I worked with a member of mine who a year ago had 3-vertebrae fused. He went from a 9 to a 7 last summer. Kept the backswing short, smoothed the swing, and got better.
Golf is a wonderful motivator, isn't it?
-
1.1 - but I think our back tees are over rated on their rating/slope.
CPS
-
(http://nacken.com/images/aristocrats.jpg)
"Mostly, I hate you guys, mostly."
-
5-7 and rising fast with two small kids.
-
I think it is at 8.9 at the end of the season. Down from 10 something, but up from the 7 it has been the last few years. Low was just under 5 about 10-15 years ago...
It will get better this year!
-
Golf Pro, scratch
-
4.5 with three rounds not counted this week (they don't figure your out of State scores until the handicap season starts up in April). WeKoPa/Saguaro 89; Desert Mountain/ Chiricahua 77 (1st look at course); Raven at Verrado 81. A foolish consistentcy is clearly and unequivocally the hobglobin of this little mind. . . I hope to be considered an avid golfer.
-
Miss spent youth , 2.
-
5-7 and rising fast with two small kids.
I hear you. Broke 90 - the wrong direction - for the first time in A VERY LONG TIME recently.
Saying goodbye to single digits anyday now.
-
Pro-but my handicap was in the + figures before I turned pro.
-
5.4, avidish golfer
-
Avid golfer
3.3
Recovering from Labor Day back injury, anyone want to give me a few more strokes? 8)
-
8.5, Club manager.
-
New Golf Course Superintendent :)
7.8
-
Former Professional
Golf Course Construction
Handicap-4
-
6 handicap
But I shot a 75 from the blue tees at Rustic on Jan. 4, 2008.
-
Avid tournament-level amateur.
Index is usually 0 to +1 in the winter and +2 to +3 in the summer. Currently sit at +0.8.
I played poorly at the State Am last year at MPCC, though, and Huntley probably thinks I carry a "vanity 'cap"!! ;D
Plenty of verifiable tournament scores on the 'net for me, though.... :-)
-
avid, index is .7
-
Avid golfer with a 9 handicap who is fairly consistent, but has more bad days than good if all are tallied. I have recently switched clubs for posting handicaps and I will be interested to see if my handicap changes. I have a theory that the difficulty of a course shouldn't matter to your handicap if the respective courses are rated properly. We shall soon see as my old club was much "easier" than the new one. It had a par of 70 with a rating of 68. The new club has a par of 71 with a rating of 71. Both ratings are from the daily tees.
Ciao
-
4.5 with three rounds not counted this week (they don't figure your out of State scores until the handicap season starts up in April). WeKoPa/Saguaro 89; Desert Mountain/ Chiricahua 77 (1st look at course); Raven at Verrado 81. A foolish consistentcy is clearly and unequivocally the hobglobin of this little mind. . . I hope to be considered an avid golfer.
This US system sounds more long winded than your election process ::). I guess all systems have their strengths and weeknesses.
Just an observation - alot of people with an "index" (ie USA posters) stated that they felt their index was too low. A fair number of the posters with handicaps (eg Aus / UK posters) seemd to mention how they should / could be lower. I wonder if either "mentality" alters the effort you put in (ie if your handicap is too low are you more likley to "give up" once you get behind your handicap etc).
Anyway. Me
Golf tragic
AGU handicap 7.7
Sean Arbie. I will be interested to hear the results of your experiment in changing handicap clubs. My experience is that the opposite can happen.
I was until recently a member of a club with par 71 and ACR of 69. This meant that in alot of conditions you had to score 67 just to hold your handicap. I'm now at a par 72 with ACR 72 and find that the CCR can often be 73 or 74 (meaning I can shoot 74 and get away without damaging the handicap).
For me I tend to be a steady rather than spectacular golfer who relies on racking up the pars. I found that I needed to get more birdies at my old club which with my bodgy putting wasn't that easy. Maybe that's why I find the harder course easier to keep a lower handicap on.
-
Golfer 10.6
-
Avid Golfer 7.2
Though living in Minnesota with 2 small kids puts a typical year at about 32 rounds.
-
In my mind I'm an avid golfer. In reality, I'm an "other" - an infrequent player over the past couple of years.
Current USGA Index = 12.1
Andy
-
I'm an 8.7, which I think is ridiculous as I feel I put up as many 91s as 81s, but that's what the number says.
I'd like to call myself avid, but although I don't think we've defined the term on this thread (I didn't read through every page) I know the number of times I play a year pales in comparison to many people here. The amount of golf some of you play is just plain unbelievable.
Avid golfer with a 9 handicap who is fairly consistent, but has more bad days than good if all are tallied. I have recently switched clubs for posting handicaps and I will be interested to see if my handicap changes. I have a theory that the difficulty of a course shouldn't matter to your handicap if the respective courses are rated properly. We shall soon see as my old club was much "easier" than the new one. It had a par of 70 with a rating of 68. The new club has a par of 71 with a rating of 71. Both ratings are from the daily tees.
Let us know Sean, but it seems to me like two courses can both be rated the same, but depending on how those courses align to my strengths and weaknesses my handicap could be very different if I played the majority of my rounds at one vs. the other...
-
My current index is 11.9, but it is a Kasier Soze handicap in that it exists, but no one has ever actually seen me shoot it......David Kelly can fully attest to this........
-
Director of Golf - PGA Member
+2.3 index
-
8.3...keeper of the grass
-
9.8 two kids and 20 lbs ago. Now about 15-16 but embarking on a 5 month project to lose the 20 extra lbs and get a shoulder turn back. Aim to get back to around 11-12 by August!
Love golf - need to play more!
-
Avid Golfer Index: 3.8
Average of all 156 posts so far: 6.6 (I gave Kalen a 15 for saying he's a double digit handicap, Shivas a 2.6, and averaged Corey Lewis's winter and summer indexes. I forgot why I gave Phil McDade an 18. +indexes entered as negative to average correctly.)
(1,7.3,-1.9,5.9,3.1,4.5,9.8,2.6,1.4,3.4,15,8.5,15,9.8,4,6.9,11.1,4,2,6,17.2,8.9,6,16,12.6,7.6,13.2,13.3,1.8,2.7,18,8.9,
2.6,4.8,5,5,19.1,4.4,3.4,19,8.7,1.2,19.9,11.4,2.2,10.2,5.9,4.2,1.6,2.6,12.3,0.9,4,9.8,1.8,1.1,3.7,6,4.8,8.4,10,17.8,0.2,
5.4,6,9.5,0,0.6,7.8,6,8.4,4.1,4.8,10.7,0.4,7,9,2.7,14.1,12.2,6,18,16.8,0.3,2.2,7,10,5.3,5.9,5.6,4.1,7.7,-2,6,2.5,1,9.5,
12.7,12.2,6.9,2.6,11.3,-2.4,11.5,12.5,2.2,6.8,3.2,7.6,5.2,12.8,6.1,7.9,9.8,3.8,-2.3,-1.2,6.9,10.6,13,5.1,10.8,0.3,2.7,
5,8.5,9.8,6.2,0,5,1.1,5.7,8.9,0,4.5,2,0,5.4,3.3,8.5,7.8,4,6,-0.8,0.7,9,7.7,10.6,7.2,12.1,8.7,11.9,-2.3,8.3,9.8,3.8)
-
Slightly off topic, but related to some of the earlier posts in this thread (I received this missive earlier today):
Businessman Jason Vines was attending a conference in Africa. He had a
free day and wanted to play a round of golf. He was directed to a golf
Course in the nearby jungle. After a short journey, he arrived at the
Course and asked the pro if he could get on.
"Sure," said the Pro, "what's your handicap?"
Not wanting to admit that he had an 18 handicap, he decided to cut it a
bit.
"Well, its 16," Jason said, "But what's the relevance since I'll be
playing alone?"
"It's very important for us to know," said the pro, who then called a
caddy.
"Go out with this gentleman," said the pro, "his handicap is 16."
Jason was very surprised at this constant reference to his Handicap. The
caddy picked up Jason's bag and a large rifle; again the businessman was
surprised but decided to ask no questions.
They arrived on the 1st hole, a par 4. "Please avoid those trees on the
left," said the caddy. Needless to say, Jason duck-hooked his ball into the
trees. He found his ball and was about to punch it out when he heard the
loud crack of the rifle and a large snake fell dead from a tree above his
head. The caddy stood next to him with the rifle smoking in his hand.
"That's the mamba, the most poisonous snake in all Africa. You're lucky I
was here with you."
After taking a bogey, they moved to the 2nd hole, a par 5.
"Avoid those bushes on the right," says the caddy. Of course, Jason's ball
went straight into the bushes. As he went to pick up his ball, he heard the
loud crack of the caddy's rifle once more and a huge lion fell dead at his
feet. "I've saved your life again," said the caddy.
The 3rd hole was a par 3 with a lake in front of the green. Jason's ball
came up just short of the green and rolled back to the edge of the water.
To take a shot, he had to stand with one foot in the lake. As he was about
to swing, a large crocodile emerged from the water, and aggressively bit
off most of his right leg.
As he fell to the ground bleeding and in great pain, he saw the caddy with
the rifle propped at his side, looking on unconcernedly. "Why didn't you
kill it?" asked the man incredulously.
"I'm sorry, sir," said the caddy, "this is the 17th handicap hole, you
don't get a shot here."
That's why you should never lie about your handicap.
-
2.3 currently (goes up in the winter)
90+ rounds in 2007
-
5.4
Just thought about it.
That's my age.
Times ten.
72 rounds, last year.
-
Avid golfer, index 5.9 Around 90 rounds last year.
-
once a weeker - 12.6
-
Mark Smolens,
Enjoyed your story. Golfers with vanity handicaps don't typically bother me, except for those who feel compelled to repeatedly tell me that they're playing the worst round of their life.
As to my handicap, I ended the year with an 8.62 index, and 26 total rounds played (historically high and low marks, index and rounds, respectively). Both my last round in 2007 and first in 2008 were in 90 strokes, so the trend is not good.
-
avid - 5.4
-
2.5 - twice a week. Wish it were more!!!!
-
3.1 index, 305 rounds last year. obsessed golfer, down from 370 the year before.
-
Barriger, gee, you have slowed down.
I'm an 11.3, pretty close to playing 80 rounds on 75 courses annually.
-
Brad, remember I missed the month of March with the 3 herniated discs that were relieved by the six epidurals. Just in time to go to Scotland where my phone jumped into the Swilcan Burn and took me with it.
-
Yes, I remember - a 6.0 off the top step at midnight. And you made (barely) our 7:30 a.m. tee time, though strangely enough you were wearing the same clothes on the 1st tee that you wore the night before, though with a little more wrinkle in them, as I recall.
-
the wind/rain suit probably were the same, the undergarments were a little too grimy and were sent to the cleaners by the front desk. Impressive with the 75 different courses, mine was only about 60 different courses which I will step up next year, between the Scotland trip and the 3 weeks my wife spent in Kenya on her birding tour, it was quite an expensive year. Its nice to be first off at Wolf Run so I can spin a quick 18 in just over 2 hours and turn around to do another if the mood strikes me which it usually does.
-
Bob,
You're an inspiration to us all.
-
BUMP,
Has anyone lowered their handicap since this last posting? I doubt it.
Bob
-
NO, quite the opposite. But I've only posted 5-10 rounds a year for the last two years. Pathetic.
-
BUMP,
Has anyone lowered their handicap since this last posting? I doubt it.
Bob
2010: 7.57, 69 rounds, 57 courses, 34 first time
Index up .1 from 2009, but down from 2008; round and course counts highest in last five years.
-
Mine is going lower, but I'm still new to the game...so maybe I don't count.
-
Mine was something like a 4.5 at the end of the season.
Mark
-
Bob,
I think I was off around 8.5-9.0 back in 2007.
After shooting par on my home course for the first time ever yesterday, handicap with our new 'USGA' system, is 5.7 ;D
-
Dropped from a 5 at the start of the year to a 2 at the end. Didn't play often but played well when I did. More golf at more difficult courses led to a lowering of the handicap I do believe! Only got out on the course about 25 times - wish it were more.
-
BUMP,
Has anyone lowered their handicap since this last posting? I doubt it.
Bob
2010: 7.57, 69 rounds, 57 courses, 34 first time
Index up .1 from 2009, but down from 2008; round and course counts highest in last five years.
You are the single best 7.57 handicap on the planet. I would advise a scratch to never give you strokes.
-
None of this Index smindex stuff... ;D
A weekend golfer with an AGU hancicap of 10.0
Bob
I'm going backwards - I'm out to 11....
-
BUMP,
Has anyone lowered their handicap since this last posting? I doubt it.
Bob
2010: 7.57, 69 rounds, 57 courses, 34 first time
Index up .1 from 2009, but down from 2008; round and course counts highest in last five years.
You are the single best 7.57 handicap on the planet. I would advise a scratch to never give you strokes.
Lou is an excellent player. Playing that many new courses for the first time though will certainly give you a higher cap compared with those who play most of their golf at one course.
-
Other (LAR student)
Current index = 4.8
Doubt I could break 80 right now though, haven't touched my clubs since Oct.
-
BUMP,
Has anyone lowered their handicap since this last posting? I doubt it.
Bob
Mine is down a stroke or two from a couple of years ago. I had a good year last year although a bit of an erratic one.
-
I'm up a little from two years ago. Second child and a truly wonderous hook got in the way. Both are more under control now, but there will always be flareups. I'm playing a little better and should be back around 7.0 or less this coming season.
-
Moderately avid golfer , up to a 14 now. ( These numbers being posted are quite impressive)
-
3.9 index
-
2.7 index
About 50 rounds last year which isn't bad having a 6 and 4 year old. Momma isn't too happy tho. Trying for 60 in 2011.
-
2 - play once a week and try to hit balls once a week
-
You are the single best 7.57 handicap on the planet. I would advise a scratch to never give you strokes.
Truer words have never been spoken.
-
I go through the same trend every year.
I'm a 1.7 now and will be on April 1st.....I'll usually be around a 3-4 on June 1st, a 0 on August 1st and around a 1 when the season closes.
Played 33 times last year and average 25-45 rounds per year.
-
I'm a 6.1 currently, down from 9 two years ago.
Got as low as 5.2 a month back, then fell apart!
-
You are the single best 7.57 handicap on the planet.
Did I miss something? When did the USGA start handicapping to the 1/100th of a stroke?
-
7.1 index but run between 2 and 7 over the last decade. I plan on coming down again but May.
-
"Steel salesman, thrill seeker" , part-time golf instructor/shrink.
5.9
Avid golfer (unless this is one of my managers reading, then i never play)
-
7.9 and trending upwards!
Golf Course Builder, Caddy, Artist and Blogger
I play most of my golf in terrible weather when we cant work, and sometimes am luck enough to slap it around after long day at whatever course I am at.
-
Avid golfer with a 9 handicap who is fairly consistent, but has more bad days than good if all are tallied. I have recently switched clubs for posting handicaps and I will be interested to see if my handicap changes. I have a theory that the difficulty of a course shouldn't matter to your handicap if the respective courses are rated properly. We shall soon see as my old club was much "easier" than the new one. It had a par of 70 with a rating of 68. The new club has a par of 71 with a rating of 71. Both ratings are from the daily tees.
Ciao
My handicap has actually come down since the above post. I was nearly a 7, but then injuries struck (bad ankle and tennis elbow) last spring and I am nearly a 9 again. I fully expect to creep into double digits this year unless my ankle heals. My rounds continue to drop to probably an average of about 1 game a week from a high of about 2 games a week 5 years ago.
Ciao
-
7.5 and rising (playing more like a 10). Was 5.0 many years ago.
Avid golfer
1 round/week (May-Sept). Not enough to reduce my HCAP in my opinion.
-
6.8 and creeping up.
-
A year ago I was 12.5, I got up to 13.4, then down to 11.6 and now I'm 12.5 again.
In the past 5 years I've not been higher than 13.4 or lower than 10.5.
-
You are the single best 7.57 handicap on the planet.
Did I miss something? When did the USGA start handicapping to the 1/100th of a stroke?
I've been keeping my stats for ages (started with Lotus, now on Excel) using the same system as my local association's EZLinks. The figure I posted is what my spreadsheet generated. I'll go back and format the cell properly to a single decimal point so as not to seem presumptuous or offend this site's insistence on precision. Done. My index is 7.6.
To the flatterers, you must not have seen me play over the last several years, or you are planning retirement on our future money matches. The chaps on both teams at the Buda would suggest, some gleefully, that the 7.8 is a vanity handicap. My last 10 scores- 94, 83, 82, 89, 100, 80, 83, 85, 84, 76 tell the story. But for the flaws of the American handicap system and one lucky round at the end of the year, my handicap would have been around 8.4.
As to the money match angle, new-Age high-brow economics have rendered that impossible. Unless, of course, my friend Sean Arble and others of his ilk have devised a long term plan that will turn my sow's ear into a silk purse.
-
Avid Golfer; 9.2 index
-
2.7 , retired, 150 rounds a year
-
2.4 - creeping up the past couple of years. 14 rounds in 2009, 24 in 2010, goal of 30 for 2011
I broke down and got a golf net for the back yard to sneak in some reps between toddlers' naps.
My eldest has no choice and will be playing golf with me by age 5. He has become quite fond of Open Championship highlights on You Tube. We are trying out an osmosis case study.
-
Avid golfer 5.3
-
4.7 and on the rise
-
The average handicap of a GCA poster? Too hung up on firm and fast.
-
Teaching pro
No official index
played 14 times last year
Goal for 2011 Play 9 times
-
My handicap is double that of Lou's !
Age has a habit in pushing the numbers up and up !
-
2.7 , retired, 150 rounds a year
That's what I call a nice life!
He hasn't told you the best part - he's 26 years old.
-
avid golfer - men's golf chairman at club. I play every weekend and 9 holes after work most week nights.
Was a 2 at age 24, now a 7 at 59. Retiring in 2 years and interested in seeing if it keeps going up, or goes down once I do not have to work.
-
8.7 - Seasonal northern golfer usually playing 1x/week (sometimes 2, as 5 yo son allows).
Game has a very high beta - index significantly affected by the best 10 of 20 rule. Also index "skewed" lower by a long, but forgiving, home course (allows more scrambling than most courses I travel to).
-
Avid beginner trying to break 90 for the first time.
No handicap as yet but hoping to get under 18 this year.
1 full round and 2-3 part rounds per week plus 50 balls on the local range most days...
-
Avid beginner trying to break 90 for the first time.
No handicap as yet but hoping to get under 18 this year.
1 full round and 2-3 part rounds per week plus 50 balls on the local range most days...
Welcome to the fraternity, Duncan. If you keep up with that frequency, I bet you'll break 90 this year, especially if you can avoid 3 putts.
-
4.6 currently, which is down from a high of 5.8 this summer as I played terribly all year until the autumn.
Though I didn't post in the first edition of this thread, my 'cap at the time was more like 3.5. A greater proportion of golf played on new courses coupled with a lesser proportion of life with room for practice/play leads me to where I am.