The Golf Thread - 2017!
Discussion
JamesNotJim said:
_Neal_ said:
Presumably consistency is even more of a premium in the 0.1, right? As any over handicap round is a plus 0.1 and so a couple of bad comps can damage progress in a much more meaningful way?
On the head. As a Cat1 golfer, 1 bad hole can determine your round, but you know there are always chances to get the dropped shots back.
Its a hard school sometimes though, I've shot level par a good few times this winter, only to be beaten (read that as well and truly stuffed) by a 20some handicapper thats had a lifey.
Whats even harder to take, is when you're not playing your best but you knuckle down and make buffer, only for CSS to shift down and give you 0.1 back. Thats disheartening.
Cat1 is difficult because you have to be playing consistently and shooting under par most if not all of the time to come down. As JamesNotJim said, there's nothing worse than grinding out a round to make buffer only for some annoying (
) 20 handicapper to have a worldie net 59 and bring the CSS down. Loosing that .1 is so much easier than gaining it which is why consistency is key Thanks chaps, interesting stuff.
Makes the point even more strongly why going from 20 to scratch is such a huge ask - you're basically having to go from shooting in the high 80s/low 90s to shooting consistently under par, with your "bad day" being a couple over. That's talent as well as hard work.
Makes the point even more strongly why going from 20 to scratch is such a huge ask - you're basically having to go from shooting in the high 80s/low 90s to shooting consistently under par, with your "bad day" being a couple over. That's talent as well as hard work.
Here is another example why its hard on cat1 golfers, just back from the course.
Had my normal friday knock for a few quid, both playing off winter handicaps (Mine 3, his 20). I was -2 gross after 4 holes. A few silly putts later and I'm level gross after 9. Walked off the 18th +2 gross for the round.
You'd think I'd be happy, I was never down points wise but a 4 nett 2 on 16 gave him a 1 point lead with 2 holes remaining. Both par'd 17. He's now 2 points ahead. Both hit good drives down 18 but thankfully he does the high handicapper thing of pulling a 3 wood for no good reason and stuff's it wide right. he blobs the hole, where as I make birdie the conventional way.
Now you may think thats why I'm a low handicapper, but the hard part to take is. He had 3 blobs on the card and I only won due to an error on his part.
It is so so demoralising to play solid golf and get stuffed. But hey ho, I enjoy every round even if I do get beaten.
Had my normal friday knock for a few quid, both playing off winter handicaps (Mine 3, his 20). I was -2 gross after 4 holes. A few silly putts later and I'm level gross after 9. Walked off the 18th +2 gross for the round.
You'd think I'd be happy, I was never down points wise but a 4 nett 2 on 16 gave him a 1 point lead with 2 holes remaining. Both par'd 17. He's now 2 points ahead. Both hit good drives down 18 but thankfully he does the high handicapper thing of pulling a 3 wood for no good reason and stuff's it wide right. he blobs the hole, where as I make birdie the conventional way.
Now you may think thats why I'm a low handicapper, but the hard part to take is. He had 3 blobs on the card and I only won due to an error on his part.
It is so so demoralising to play solid golf and get stuffed. But hey ho, I enjoy every round even if I do get beaten.
I feel your pain... sort off.
But the alternative to your scenario is that you go round and beat him by a steady 17 / 18 points. He is now demoralised and wants to give up golf as he can't compete with his friend.
Either golfers have to choose to only play with golfers of their own calibre or accept that the handicap and inparticular the stableford scoring system gives us the opportunity to play on a much more level playing field but with the disadvantage that the good golfers can be beat by a 'lucky' 23 handicapper.
But the alternative to your scenario is that you go round and beat him by a steady 17 / 18 points. He is now demoralised and wants to give up golf as he can't compete with his friend.
Either golfers have to choose to only play with golfers of their own calibre or accept that the handicap and inparticular the stableford scoring system gives us the opportunity to play on a much more level playing field but with the disadvantage that the good golfers can be beat by a 'lucky' 23 handicapper.
My mate who's off 3 refuses to do 9/10ths when playing for fun against mates for a bit of money as he doesn't stand a chance. So we still revert to 3/4 difference.
Had my 1st cut for while last week, the main reason for this is that i have left the driver in the boot of my car and carry a 3 wood and a 4 wood!
Had my 1st cut for while last week, the main reason for this is that i have left the driver in the boot of my car and carry a 3 wood and a 4 wood!
JamesNotJim said:
Here is another example why its hard on cat1 golfers, just back from the course.
Had my normal friday knock for a few quid, both playing off winter handicaps (Mine 3, his 20). I was -2 gross after 4 holes. A few silly putts later and I'm level gross after 9. Walked off the 18th +2 gross for the round.
You'd think I'd be happy, I was never down points wise but a 4 nett 2 on 16 gave him a 1 point lead with 2 holes remaining. Both par'd 17. He's now 2 points ahead. Both hit good drives down 18 but thankfully he does the high handicapper thing of pulling a 3 wood for no good reason and stuff's it wide right. he blobs the hole, where as I make birdie the conventional way.
Now you may think thats why I'm a low handicapper, but the hard part to take is. He had 3 blobs on the card and I only won due to an error on his part.
It is so so demoralising to play solid golf and get stuffed. But hey ho, I enjoy every round even if I do get beaten.
I know EXACTLY where you're coming from Had my normal friday knock for a few quid, both playing off winter handicaps (Mine 3, his 20). I was -2 gross after 4 holes. A few silly putts later and I'm level gross after 9. Walked off the 18th +2 gross for the round.
You'd think I'd be happy, I was never down points wise but a 4 nett 2 on 16 gave him a 1 point lead with 2 holes remaining. Both par'd 17. He's now 2 points ahead. Both hit good drives down 18 but thankfully he does the high handicapper thing of pulling a 3 wood for no good reason and stuff's it wide right. he blobs the hole, where as I make birdie the conventional way.
Now you may think thats why I'm a low handicapper, but the hard part to take is. He had 3 blobs on the card and I only won due to an error on his part.
It is so so demoralising to play solid golf and get stuffed. But hey ho, I enjoy every round even if I do get beaten.
Sounds like course management was his error not so much his ability!Dan_1981 said:
I feel your pain... sort off.
But the alternative to your scenario is that you go round and beat him by a steady 17 / 18 points. He is now demoralised and wants to give up golf as he can't compete with his friend.
Either golfers have to choose to only play with golfers of their own calibre or accept that the handicap and inparticular the stableford scoring system gives us the opportunity to play on a much more level playing field but with the disadvantage that the good golfers can be beat by a 'lucky' 23 handicapper.
Or play matchplay rather than stableford. But the alternative to your scenario is that you go round and beat him by a steady 17 / 18 points. He is now demoralised and wants to give up golf as he can't compete with his friend.
Either golfers have to choose to only play with golfers of their own calibre or accept that the handicap and inparticular the stableford scoring system gives us the opportunity to play on a much more level playing field but with the disadvantage that the good golfers can be beat by a 'lucky' 23 handicapper.
Very limited sympathy here - handicaps are so that golfers of differing abilities can play on a level (ish) playing field. Sounds like the guy JamesnotJim was playing was having a decent day - par on 16 (stroke index 1 or 2) and one on 17, should probably have parred 18 too after a decent drive (par 5?) but for some slightly dubious course management. Not surprised it was a tight match.
99% of golfers would give their right arm to shoot ~level on a regular basis.
I think it's a bit rubbish to moan tbh, in fact it might be one of my least favourite things to read/listen to.
Boo hoo hoo, I shot level par and got beaten in a Stableford comp = yawn.
Don't play Stableford then. Stableford is the reason club golf exists, it's a brilliant system, that allows people like your 20hc mate, to enjoy this brilliant game.
I think it's a bit rubbish to moan tbh, in fact it might be one of my least favourite things to read/listen to.
Boo hoo hoo, I shot level par and got beaten in a Stableford comp = yawn.
Don't play Stableford then. Stableford is the reason club golf exists, it's a brilliant system, that allows people like your 20hc mate, to enjoy this brilliant game.
DuncanM said:
99% of golfers would give their right arm to shoot ~level on a regular basis.
I think it's a bit rubbish to moan tbh, in fact it might be one of my least favourite things to read/listen to.
Boo hoo hoo, I shot level par and got beaten in a Stableford comp = yawn.
Don't play Stableford then. Stableford is the reason club golf exists, it's a brilliant system, that allows people like your 20hc mate, to enjoy this brilliant game.
I agree. Stableford is a good system to level out a field and should in theory let everyone compete for the same prize. But its a flawed system. An argument for another time though maybe.I think it's a bit rubbish to moan tbh, in fact it might be one of my least favourite things to read/listen to.
Boo hoo hoo, I shot level par and got beaten in a Stableford comp = yawn.
Don't play Stableford then. Stableford is the reason club golf exists, it's a brilliant system, that allows people like your 20hc mate, to enjoy this brilliant game.
I like a good moan. Its a low handicappers duty to moan about high handicappers
The 20 handicapper, is my little brother. I love that fact we can play against each other at 2 different levels but still make a competition out of it.
As I said in my post, I enjoy every round and love this game too much to avoid playing 70% of comps because they are stableford format.
JamesNotJim said:
I agree. Stableford is a good system to level out a field and should in theory let everyone compete for the same prize. But its a flawed system. An argument for another time though maybe.
I like a good moan. Its a low handicappers duty to moan about high handicappers
The 20 handicapper, is my little brother. I love that fact we can play against each other at 2 different levels but still make a competition out of it.
As I said in my post, I enjoy every round and love this game too much to avoid playing 70% of comps because they are stableford format.
Quit ya fakin whinging then I like a good moan. Its a low handicappers duty to moan about high handicappers
The 20 handicapper, is my little brother. I love that fact we can play against each other at 2 different levels but still make a competition out of it.
As I said in my post, I enjoy every round and love this game too much to avoid playing 70% of comps because they are stableford format.
Moan at genuine bandits all day long, they affect us all.
Rest easy in the knowledge, that most golfers dream of playing to such an excellent level.
It's nice to be admired, enjoy it
I don't have much empathy with some of the moans myself to be honest. I think the handicap system is a great leveller and what makes the game so enjoyable.
FYI - There has been the annual order of merit at my club for a number of years, regardless of whether the competition has been a medal / stableford format, each qualifying competition counts towards the order of merit.
Whoever finishes 1st gets 20 points, 2nd gets 19 points etc.
At the end of the year, the final standings in the top 10 are dominated by single figure handicappers, always been the way.
FYI - There has been the annual order of merit at my club for a number of years, regardless of whether the competition has been a medal / stableford format, each qualifying competition counts towards the order of merit.
Whoever finishes 1st gets 20 points, 2nd gets 19 points etc.
At the end of the year, the final standings in the top 10 are dominated by single figure handicappers, always been the way.
Rosscow said:
Chris Stott said:
Nice card.
Forgot to ask, how's it going as an Artisan?Hoping to get out Saturday am... and afternoon/evening roll ups start soon as the clocks go forward.
I couldn't believe it at the weekend - our course was actually open and we could get out for some golf! Think I must still have been in shock for the first 9 on Saturday morning as I played like a right spanner - started 5 5 8 8....settled down a bit after that, then sank a 30 footer on the 9th for birdie, then didn't drop another shot after that.
Had 9 on Sunday, just worked on my short game which has deteriorated after 2 months not being able to get onto the course.
Had 9 on Sunday, just worked on my short game which has deteriorated after 2 months not being able to get onto the course.
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