GolfWRX handicaps

[Bob57]

Legends in their own minds, but that is the fun of the internet.

[swbyps]

Well we havent seen any sub 70 scoring averages yet so all the lite-pros must still be on the course!

[One_Putt_Blunder]

My handicap varies between 2 and 3 my scoring average right now is 78.15 I have been playing through a serious injury to my left hip this year and has had a negative impact on my scoring and I have had a few blow up rounds because of it in the 83-86 range that have skewed the average a bit

Low round 68 high 86

My last 20 break down like this
4 at 78
11 sub 78
and 5 79+ including 4 rounds when the pain was really kicking and it was all I could do to post the 83-86 scores.

Here are some scores and stats from before and after my injury really was bothering me the most. I was so frustrated with my play when I was hurt I gave up on the stats.
[url="http://www.socialgolfers.com/member.php?member=2406&which=scores"]http://www.socialgol...06&which=scores[/url]

[stuckntx]

Now take those numbers and add 4-7 strokes and there is your answer.

[mat562]

I currently hold a 1 handicap in the UK (akin to a +1 or so under the USGA system) and have played scratch golf or thereabouts for just over 20 years. My index has ranged from a best of +2.4 during the mid '90s to a high of 3 after I had a break from the game a few years ago through surgery. For probably three quarters or so of the last 21 years I've been at scratch or better.

I'm a pretty consistent player and a better than average ball striker for my level of play, and I generally strike the ball well, hit a lot of fairways and a lot of greens and, as such, tend to be a fairly consistent scorer. Very much a Steady Eddie type of golfer rather than a Crash Bang Wallop one.

I used to play competitively, but no longer do so and don't really have the time or inclination to play as much or practice as seriously as I used to mainly because of work and family commitments. As a consequence, I'm not as consistent as I used to be, don't strike the ball as well day-to-day as I did and certainly don't score as well as I used to do. I'm also afflicted with a lukewarm putter nowadays. Not the yips, mind; just a decidedly balky blade on the 8-20 foot birdie putts. 

As far as internet abilities go, I don't manage a 125 mph clubhead speed or a Dustin Johnson-like average driving distance, can't hit a 7 iron 200 yards without a flying lie and a bit of a tailwind and don't beat off-duty world top 20-ranked pros in my spare time either, but I'm a reasonable player with a decent enough game to hold my own against most people I come across on the course and most people would say I'm a decent golfer. I've got numerous years of County golf under my belt, played for the UK's armed forces teams for several years and played in most of the nationally ranked amateur stuff when I was younger and a half decent knocker - albeit without any great success. I've a few amateur titles to my name and have posted three amateur course records in my time: a nine-under 63, an eight-under 64 and a seven-under 65 - but all three have since been bettered by young whippersnappers who can no doubt fly it by me with a 3 wood and who would hole more birdie putts than I would even if they were using a bunker rake.

As far as current form goes, my last twenty scored rounds (I play a couple of times a month with an old mate who's a former European and Challenge Tour player and we generally go the strokeplay route) have been reasonably consistent, but a lack of any real competitive play means that my handicap hasn't really had a chance to change in quite a while. If I'm honest, I'm probably a stroke or so to the good, handicap-wise, over how I'm actually playing at the moment. The CONGU system is good for that sort of thing and allows you to keep a respectable handicap without really doing much. Most of the time I shoot between 70 and 77 or so on my own course (a par 71 track that's a decent knock, a former tournament and Ryder Cup venue and an Open Championship pre-qualifying course), and I've had three proper scored rounds this year below 70 - including one six-under 67 that was probably as well as I've played for an entire round in a couple of years; even if the course isn't Carnoustie as far as difficulty goes. I've also had an eight birdie, -8 score of 28 for an eclectic, pre-night shift, nine hole knock around my own place within the last year. Very much a fluke, I grant you, but I was the one hitting the ball and there was a witness.

That's me. An honest-to-goodness, no bull**** appraisal with, I'm well aware, lashings of 'I used to be...'  and 'When I was younger...' about it. Never mind. Take it for what it's worth. I'd give it the old 'I coulda been a contender' line but, if I'm honest, I don't think I could have been. I grew up playing with some really good players who've since gone on to do really well in the game, and when they continued improving I hit a bit of a glass ceiling and, simultaneously, decided that golf was only ever going to be serious hobby for me and not a career. I thus never had a couple of years on a mini tour nor did I drag myself down to La Manga for a couple of dispiriting attempts at a tour card as I suspect would have been the case if I'd given the pro game a whirl. I got myself a mortgage in my early 20s too, and in concert with being used to a regular salary there was thus no real incentive to give professional golf a crack even when I was actually a[i] half decent[/i] player in the mid/late '90s. 

As far as my playing ability goes, I'm lucky enough to be one of those people who can carry on playing reasonable golf even when I'm not really working at it; so I manage to play respectable golf, if not anything fantastic, without really knuckling down and making any sort of big effort. For the amount I play and the dedication I've got for golf these days - and my current domestic situation - I'm about as good as I'm going to be, I think.       

[sevenfourate]

Im a UK'er with much the same story as above,and a current handicap of 0.2.

[crtssxc]

The current results are quite shocking to me really. While I fall in the majority for handicap (currently a 7.9), my scoring AVERAGE is much higher (84-89 is what I chose). While the scores that count in my handicap range from 78-85, my average for the year is 87.1. I have trended down all summer, so that might skew my average a bit higher than normal, but I am interested what metric people are using for "average" score.

[hayzooos]

[quote name='crtssxc' timestamp='1285273662' post='2710955']
The current results are quite shocking to me really. While I fall in the majority for handicap (currently a 7.9), my scoring AVERAGE is much higher (84-89 is what I chose). While the scores that count in my handicap range from 78-85, my average for the year is 87.1. I have trended down all summer, so that might skew my average a bit higher than normal, but I am interested what metric people are using for "average" score.
[/quote]

While two players may boast the same cap, the one who is more consistent will have a lower average score. My handicap is a 4 and my average is 79. My average score isn't a guess, it's the average of the last 20 rounds I've played, same rounds as handicap is comprised of. Wiht your handicap and your average, I'm guessing you're not the most consistent guy in the world. Not a bad thing, as you and I would probably make a wicked good team in a best ball format. The holes you do fine, we'll take your score and the holes where you throw up a triple, I'll come in at a birdie through bogey.

I would be interested to see what your anticap is, or the 10 worst rounds of your last 20. Difference b/w that and your handicap is your variability, which correlates to how consistent you are.

Three of my last four rounds have been 85 or more because of a slight wrist injury, which is why my average is now up. The rounds making up my handicap are between 74-78, and I have a few other 78s and a couple 79s waiting to be used as well.

[swbyps]

[quote name='crtssxc' timestamp='1285273662' post='2710955']
The current results are quite shocking to me really. While I fall in the majority for handicap (currently a 7.9), my scoring AVERAGE is much higher (84-89 is what I chose). While the scores that count in my handicap range from 78-85, my average for the year is 87.1. I have trended down all summer, so that might skew my average a bit higher than normal, but I am interested what metric people are using for "average" score.
[/quote]

I use this site to track my stats. Ive got 38 18 hole rounds posted in there. Its telling me my scoring average is 77.11 with hcp 4.6.

[url="http://www.mobilegolfstats.com/"]Mobile Golf Stats[/url]

[ssp]

Current handicap is '0.1'. Best ever was +3 and highest 4 (in past 30 years). I just checked my last 20 scores and Average is 73.5. Low round 69 - high round 80.

[Socrates]

My index is just under 3 but I have never liked the hcp system because I think it allows you to throw out too many scores. I would be much happier if it counted 16 out of 20. Then my hcp would likely be a more realistic 6 rather than 3. Not that I have more than a few scores in the 80's, but I my scoring can get a little fuzzy every now and then.

[BogeyDog11]

[quote name='swbyps' timestamp='1285264826' post='2710662']
Its always mentioned that members on GolfWRX are not your average player. Hopefully we can get a large number of responses here in order to get a good representation of the skill level of players on WRX!
[/quote]

Good luck with your project. Honesty and the internet do not go hand in hand.

[mosesgolf]

[quote name='jebb' timestamp='1285266720' post='2710734']
WRX players?

300 yard carries, zero offset, massive spin. They can dust Duval and LPGA stars.

These guys (say they're) good!
[/quote]
p**** envy. This gets old old old really fast. Just because you can't shoot low scores doesn't mean others can't. Just because you might be a short knocker doesn't mean others aren't. And no I don't think I can beat David Duval nor hang w/ LPGA pros.

[gandor]

I'm currently 9.3 which is the lowest. i float around 10-11 hc from the previous months. Lowest round 79, could have been lower but made the usual dumb mistakes. +1 is my best 9 holes(par 36) and did it twice. I took up the game in May of 2008 and been hooked ever since. I play/hit balls pretty much 6 days a week. I only broke 80 once and I'm currently been averaging between 80-86 currently and I shot 80 4 times this year so I'm confident I can break 80 again before the end of this season. I set my new goal now to stay in the low 80s. Also, I just started joining city tournaments and got 3rd in my flight on my second tourney. Can't wait for next years events already...

[Boba]

Back from the dead bump.

[crtssxc]

[quote name='hayzooos' timestamp='1285274657' post='2710985']
[quote name='crtssxc' timestamp='1285273662' post='2710955']
The current results are quite shocking to me really. While I fall in the majority for handicap (currently a 7.9), my scoring AVERAGE is much higher (84-89 is what I chose). While the scores that count in my handicap range from 78-85, my average for the year is 87.1. I have trended down all summer, so that might skew my average a bit higher than normal, but I am interested what metric people are using for "average" score.
[/quote]

While two players may boast the same cap, the one who is more consistent will have a lower average score. My handicap is a 4 and my average is 79. My average score isn't a guess, it's the average of the last 20 rounds I've played, same rounds as handicap is comprised of. Wiht your handicap and your average, I'm guessing you're not the most consistent guy in the world. Not a bad thing, as you and I would probably make a wicked good team in a best ball format. The holes you do fine, we'll take your score and the holes where you throw up a triple, I'll come in at a birdie through bogey.

I would be interested to see what your anticap is, or the 10 worst rounds of your last 20. Difference b/w that and your handicap is your variability, which correlates to how consistent you are.

Three of my last four rounds have been 85 or more because of a slight wrist injury, which is why my average is now up. The rounds making up my handicap are between 74-78, and I have a few other 78s and a couple 79s waiting to be used as well.
[/quote]


I think it has to do with the fact that my average is for the year and I have trended down the whole season (from 12.7 to 7.9). Currently my anticap is 12.0. So I would say I am fairly consistent when it comes to scoring, not sure how others compare. The average on my last 20 is still 85 (on 72.8/134 mostly) though, which is still high (and that includes 1 round of 92 that is being dropped next revision). I think this is very intersting and welcome any other thoughts



edit: based on my 20 recent score, not the most recent revision, my handicap is 7.9 and my anticap is 11.4, interested how others compare.

[Guia]

I'm older than most here (71) and my handicap is going up. Currently playing to a 9, from middle tees.

[Boba]

I made this poll a while back, it's a pretty decent sample size. [url="http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/131872-golfwrx-handicaps/page__view__getnewpost__fromsearch__1"]http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/131872-golfwrx-handicaps/page__view__getnewpost__fromsearch__1[/url]

[finalist]

index is 1.9 and I'm trending 3 over I think? More than anything I've finally got to a point where I can play a new course, sight unseen, and break 80. That's what I gained this season. Past seasons my index was all about knowing a course really well, but it's fun to play to my potential at new courses.

[rlynham]

[quote name='finalist' timestamp='1285284384' post='2711222']
index is 1.9 and I'm trending 3 over I think? More than anything I've finally got to a point where[b] I can play a new course, sight unseen, and break 80.[/b] That's what I gained this season. Past seasons my index was all about knowing a course really well, but it's fun to play to my potential at new courses.
[/quote]


This is my first year playing with a GPS and it is a big help, especially when playing courses I don't know. I shot a pair of 71s this year on two different courses that i wasn't familiar with (granted they were fairly easy) and that wouldnt have happened without my GPS.

[MtlJeff]

i'd love to be a plus one day, but still in the next group up. My wedge play needs to get a bit better, my distance to the pin with wedges this year was dreadful.

[stasek]

5.1... Lowest I got was 3.9 at the end of last season. Been playing for 6 years. VERY inconsistant... One day I'll go out and flirt with breaking par (actually my first round this year was 69 on a par 70 course) and the next day I'll be struggling to break 90. Lowest ever was a 5-under 67 (2 years ago). My average of last 20 posted rounds is 79.9, but that's skewed because of ESC.

[squarre]

I'll admit that I am struggling a little bit right now, particularly with any sort of consistency. My index is a 3.4 right now and my average of my last 20 rounds is 80.6.

By way of background, I was a pretty good junior player and stayed in the 0 to 1 range from 17 until 24 (now 30). However, over the last 5 or 6 years I played very little golf (6 rounds or so a year). Then in May of this year, I joined the course the I grew up. The course is a former Tour event host with a 74.9 rating that can punish you if things are not going well. Due to the lack of play and the difficulty of the course if things start going bad, I may shoot around par one day and 85 the next day. Things have been feeling a little better lately so I hope that by late Spring/early Summer next year I will be back to the 0 to 1 range and playing some competitive golf again.

[mjonzy20]

16-18, but getting better. had 2 84s and an 81 this year.

[nitram]

Current index is 1.4. I've been as low as a 0.2, I just don't have the time to dedicate to getting lower.

[siegler2]

I'm bloody awful, but no official handicap so nobody can prove it.

[One_Putt_Blunder]

[quote name='One_Putt_Blunder' timestamp='1285270247' post='2710847']
My handicap varies between 2 and 3 my scoring average right now is 78.15 I have been playing through a serious injury to my left hip this year and has had a negative impact on my scoring and I have had a few blow up rounds because of it in the 83-86 range that have skewed the average a bit

Low round 68 high 86

My last 20 break down like this
4 at 78
11 sub 78
and 5 79+ including 4 rounds when the pain was really kicking and it was all I could do to post the 83-86 scores.

Here are some scores and stats from before and after my injury really was bothering me the most. I was so frustrated with my play when I was hurt I gave up on the stats.
[url="http://www.socialgolfers.com/member.php?member=2406&which=scores"]http://www.socialgol...06&which=scores[/url]
[/quote]


Funny how the handicap system works since I made this post my scoring average for the last 20 rounds has dropped to 77.1 and for my 10 "counted" rounds my scoring average is 74.5 and in the next upcoming revision my index will go from a 2.1 to a 2.3.

I guess I am pretty consitant though as my anitcap is a 5.8 if I take the 10 non counted rounds and use those for my index

[choppstixxx]

I am with a few of my fellow high-cappers. I recently shot my personal best of a 96 this year. I usually shoot between 100-105ish
This is my 2nd season playing, but I really think of it as my first. Since my first season I had completely different equipment and didn't play half as much as I did this year. I want to consistently shoot in the low 90's next season, maybe even hit high 80's.

[Justin_Ellis]

Currently playing to a +1 due to some good tournament performances, Scoring avg this year has been 73.7.

[MarkC]

My hcp is 16 trying to improve to get it lower.