Silly handicap question

[Augster]

[quote name='HAWKEYE77' timestamp='1303085719' post='3162806']

Totally agree, make a stroke, you count it. Thought I was onto something with the FAQs in regard to concessions, but really seemed directed at something other than stroke play, so I have to assume if you are turning in cards for USGA handicap, you aren't taking gimmees, yet I'm guessing most do (?). I know if I start telling the guys I play with they can't have their "inside the leather" or turning down some conceded putts just because of the handicap system, things could get just a little testy, in a still friendly way.

Strange, when out by myself or with my kids, we never think about giving or taking putts, just depends on the group, and I'm not complaining.
[/quote]

Just remember, if you are new to the handicap system, you only really need to take strokes up to your ESC score for a hole.

If you are playing stroke play with your pals, and there are wagers on the line, then by all means play until you putt out. But when you are playing a practice round and get over your ESC score for the hole, you can pick up and move on and STILL be able to post a real USGA handicap score.

We have a couple of guys like that in our club. They'll be out there, shooting right around par or just under in a round then have a bad hole, going to make a bogey or worse and never end up putting out if the hole is finished for the bets. Then they'll try not to post the round, which will help lower their 'cap, because they "picked up" on that hole. Totally incorrect as the worst they can do on a hole is their ESC score. Then they claim they got DQ'd because they didn't finish the hole. Also not correct in a friendly 4-ball or skins game/practice round.

[roll - gybe]

Make sure you know the ESC rules. They change all the time, and they are weird, because they are not uniform across handicap flights.

... and yes, some people do whiff the short ones after a hole is over in match play... and that is cheating. I find it strange that guys tolerate that behavior more than they tolerate ESC violations, which probably aggregate to way fewer strokes over the course of a seasion

CityGame - what is your point about the guys shooting net +4 to +6. Sounds about right.

[TheCityGame]

[quote name='roll - gybe' timestamp='1303242298' post='3168155']
Make sure you know the ESC rules. They change all the time, and they are weird, because they are not uniform across handicap flights.

... and yes, some people do whiff the short ones after a hole is over in match play... and that is cheating. I find it strange that guys tolerate that behavior more than they tolerate ESC violations, which probably aggregate to way fewer strokes over the course of a seasion

CityGame - what is your point about the guys shooting net +4 to +6. Sounds about right.
[/quote]That was just in response to Sawgrass' comment about feeling like he had an advantage against certain guys in tournaments because they have handicaps based on not putting them out.

It's definitely common to see +4 or +6 in tournaments -- happens to everybody. But there are some guys you ALWAYS see it from. They're never in the money, and I think that they often have handicaps that are too low. They would rather have a 9 HDCP and come in after the tournament muttering, "man, I couldn't make a putt today" than actually carry a 13 HDCP. At least a couple tournaments a year (out of 10), they should be sniffing the money.

[roll - gybe]

Hmm... I would be suspicous of the guy who shot his handicap everytime (or more than 1/3 of the time even) when there was money involved. - especially at the 9-13 handicap range.

Maybe this discussion is going somewhere now!!!

Sandbag much?

[TheCityGame]

[quote name='roll - gybe' timestamp='1303396154' post='3173517']
Hmm... I would be suspicous of the guy who shot his handicap everytime (or more than 1/3 of the time even) when there was money involved. - especially at the 9-13 handicap range.
[/quote]So would I.

But, the last thing I talked about was guys who never shoot their handicap. You're the only one talking about guys who always shoot their handicaps. Who are they, and why did you introduce them to this thread?

Read what I wrote again. . .there are certain guys who should be around the money a couple times a year out of 10 tournaments. When they're NEVER around the money, I have to think their HDCP is too low. Not based on the results of any single tournament, but given their results across the season.