When Someone Asks You Your Handicap

[Robb]

I tell them I walk with a limp-war injury.
[b]Always shuts them up.[/b]

[MtlJeff]

I tell the the truth, because he can just check the system so no sense being a d*ck about it

[GWD]

Unbelievable as it sounds, I've never been asked my HDC. But then, I don't play for money or in tournaments and most often play as a single so there is really no reason to ask.

I keep a HDC only to measure my progress, or lack thereof, and to get NCGA discounts at courses and retail establishments.

But if someone would ask for some reason, I probably would just say, "GHIN has determined that it is XX." and leave it at that. No reason to make a soap opera out of it.

[sevenfourate]

[quote name='RRFireblade' timestamp='1441985937' post='12299364']
[quote name='sevenfourate' timestamp='1441980953' post='12298928']
[quote name='RRFireblade' timestamp='1441976895' post='12298584']
Neither.

I just say that I try to play to par.
[/quote]

At +6.2 i'd be telling everyone my number clearly and loudly !

Hell: i think id have my balls monogrammed with it on, and my Polos embroidered too........
[/quote]

It really just causes more problems if they know.

Either they don't believe it, don't understand it, require a full personal bio or expect a free four hour lesson....and/or all possible permutations.

Sometimes, I just like to play golf too.

[/quote]


^^^^^I'm sure.......

Not questioning in any way, but id be really intrigued to see your scores / playing record [Or any US player who's say a scratch at worst]............. I've alway had my own thoughts of the difference in handicaps between UK and US players of the same actual standard, seeing as UK handicaps are 100% competition based for anyone 5 handicap and below, and aren't calculated in anything like the same way yours are (At least not in my head !) . I think the way Aussie handicaps are calculated, is more akin to the UK too.......

Throughout the years on here, there have been various (Sometimes heated) discussion's on "the difference". What i've never seen is a US players index, and their record to achieve that.

[GWD]

[quote name='sevenfourate' timestamp='1442002663' post='12300858']
^^^^^I'm sure.......

Not questioning in any way, but id be really intrigued to see your scores / playing record [Or any US player who's say a scratch at worst]............. I've alway had my own thoughts of the difference in handicaps between UK and US players of the same actual standard, seeing as UK handicaps are 100% competition based for anyone 5 handicap and below, and aren't calculated in anything like the same way yours are (At least not in my head !) . I think the way Aussie handicaps are calculated, is more akin to the UK too.......

Throughout the years on here, there have been various (Sometimes heated) discussion's on "the difference". What i've never seen is a US players index, and their record to achieve that.
[/quote]

Here you go. Plug in any 20 scores you want in place of the existing scores and the US or GHIN numbers will come up.

[attachment=2950278:Golf Handicap.xls]

[Loki]

That I am hard of hearing...usually throws them for a loop and a gets a laugh.

[BubbaBeene]

Im a 30 handicap.

[drewtaylor21]

[quote name='RRFireblade' timestamp='1441985937' post='12299364']
[quote name='sevenfourate' timestamp='1441980953' post='12298928']
[quote name='RRFireblade' timestamp='1441976895' post='12298584']
Neither.

I just say that I try to play to par.
[/quote]

At +6.2 i'd be telling everyone my number clearly and loudly !

Hell: i think id have my balls monogrammed with it on, and my Polos embroidered too........
[/quote]

It really just causes more problems if they know.

Either they don't believe it, don't understand it, require a full personal bio or expect a free four hour lesson....and/or all possible permutations.

Sometimes, I just like to play golf too.
[/quote]

I'm nowhere close to Fireblade's leauge, but have to agree. Most casual golfers have no clue what a plus handicap is, but they know what scratch means, so when asked, I typically say "oh somewhere around scratch." For those that do know the difference, I find it's easier to keep expectations low as I'm really not the type to grind or go all out when paired up with strangers. I'd rather have a good time and get to know who I'm playing with, but that's just me!

[Fairway Robbery]

mid-teens... but nobody ever asks... womp womp

[RRFireblade]

[quote name='sevenfourate' timestamp='1442002663' post='12300858']
[quote name='RRFireblade' timestamp='1441985937' post='12299364']
[quote name='sevenfourate' timestamp='1441980953' post='12298928']
[quote name='RRFireblade' timestamp='1441976895' post='12298584']
Neither.

I just say that I try to play to par.
[/quote]

At +6.2 i'd be telling everyone my number clearly and loudly !

Hell: i think id have my balls monogrammed with it on, and my Polos embroidered too........
[/quote]

It really just causes more problems if they know.

Either they don't believe it, don't understand it, require a full personal bio or expect a free four hour lesson....and/or all possible permutations.

Sometimes, I just like to play golf too.

[/quote]


^^^^^I'm sure.......

Not questioning in any way, but id be really intrigued to see your scores / playing record [Or any US player who's say a scratch at worst]............. I've alway had my own thoughts of the difference in handicaps between UK and US players of the same actual standard, seeing as UK handicaps are 100% competition based for anyone 5 handicap and below, and aren't calculated in anything like the same way yours are (At least not in my head !) . I think the way Aussie handicaps are calculated, is more akin to the UK too.......

Throughout the years on here, there have been various (Sometimes heated) discussion's on "the difference". What i've never seen is a US players index, and their record to achieve that.
[/quote]

My scores are not that amazing.

My 'official' handicap is made up of purely competitive tourny scores. I play in a few different, mostly south eastern, mini tours (less now that I'm in school full time but anyways...) and I don't enter any other local casual rounds or practice rounds. This has caused some controversy here in the past as this my not be considered an "official" USGA handicap depending on whether one considers "non-competitive" rounds practice rounds or not. I do, since I earn part of my living playing golf. Any round that I am not playing for a paycheck is a practice round. I track that handicap purely for my own purposes and to be honest, to answer the question that constantly comes up. So that being said....

My handicap tracked scores are essentially all on pretty highly rated courses/conditions. If I shoot 65/66/67 on a course rated 74/75/76 then I can easily have an 8 to 10+ stroke differential. This is something most people don't understand or realize, they generally think that I must be shooting in the 50's everytime out on the local munis (taht are rated in the 60's usually) and this just isn't the case, as much as I would love to say that it is.

So basically, that's the deal with mine.

[Medic]

The leagues I play in already know - posted on league websites.

And other than those leagues I have only had one gentleman who asked me, after a round, what mine was. I had just finished shooting a really solid round and, with my odd looking swing, it took him by surprise. We enjoyed lunch together and chatted about family and such and it was while we were sitting there chatting that he asked me about my cap.

Other than that it honestly doesn't come up. I just show up, play and enjoy, and hope that I manage a decent round.

[Sean2]

It's like when people ask me what I do for a living. I tell them I am an assassin for the government.

[ebk]

My handicap? My misspent youth.

[Augster]

Wow. I think a few folks are making this way too much bother. Someone asks you your cap, just tell them your cap. Simple. No caveats, no explanation.

It's the same thing when someone says "Nice shot." The correct answer is not "Well, For me, that's a piece of crap. I caught it a little off the toe so I came up a little short of where it should be. I usually do much better from that spot." No. The correct answer is "thanks." And that's it.

Keep it simple people.

[Splitter]

[quote name='Augster' timestamp='1442031256' post='12302842']
Wow. I think a few folks are making this way too much bother. Someone asks you your cap, just tell them your cap. Simple. No caveats, no explanation.

It's the same thing when someone says "Nice shot." The correct answer is not "Well, For me, that's a piece of crap. I caught it a little off the toe so I came up a little short of where it should be. I usually do much better from that spot." No. The correct answer is "thanks." And that's it.

Keep it simple people.
[/quote]

Gotta love people from MN!

I think I've had 1 guy (I didn't know) in the past 5 years try to pull me into a money game. Not sure if I'm hanging at the wrong courses or the right ones,

That said, my answer is usually a variation of "not as good as it should be for as much as I play." I'm not trying to be obtuse, just emberassed about how bad I suck. Lol..

[Under2hours]

Frankly almost never and does it really matter? Can't remember the last time I was asked or the context.

[Halebopp]

Interesting, over here it's pretty much the first question people (or men) ask you when they hear you play golf. It doesn't matter if that person plays or not. I also find it interesting someone would answer with a course handicap approximation, that sounds complicated.

[MtlJeff]

[quote name='Augster' timestamp='1442031256' post='12302842']
Wow. I think a few folks are making this way too much bother. Someone asks you your cap, just tell them your cap. Simple. No caveats, no explanation.

It's the same thing when someone says "Nice shot." The correct answer is not "Well, For me, that's a piece of crap. I caught it a little off the toe so I came up a little short of where it should be. I usually do much better from that spot." No. The correct answer is "thanks." And that's it.

Keep it simple people.
[/quote]

I agree, especially because usually when people ask you your index it's after you played a few holes well, and they imagine it's low.

I've never been asked on the first tee before, only a few holes in. It's usually as a compliment

[LeoLeo99]

[quote name='Robb' timestamp='1442001635' post='12300762']
I tell them I walk with a limp-war injury.
[b]Always shuts them up.[/b]
[/quote]

Why do you feel a need to shut them up? Why are they asking you what your handicap is? Maybe they're just making friendly small talk.

[wobgon]

[quote name='MichiganMan' timestamp='1441980480' post='12298892']
[quote name='rufus mangler' timestamp='1441977233' post='12298612']
I say I don't have one, (which I don't at the moment). I say what I shoot "around town".

It doesn't matter because I don't bet with strangers.
[/quote]

Agreed, technically I don't have an "official" handicap either, but I generally know what it is based on the myriad of stat tracking sites I use.

I usually dodge the question as much as possible. Usually for two reasons 1) I don't want the other person to feel bad/intimidated because they're not as good 2) I generally don't like talking about myself. Always been a "let your clubs do the talking" kind of a person.
[/quote]
How do you know the person is not a lot better than you? Seems like maybe you do like talking about yourself just a little.

[tailslid1]

For me the answer is dependent upon why I've been asked. If it's a group of people I don't know, I rarely answer directly. Most folks don't know what a plus handicap is. And when most find out that I can play a little, the questions never end. I'm not a teaching pro.

If it's on a tee box with strangers that want a money game, I normally just say scratch. They know what that means. But I usually decline to play in betting games. I really don't want to take money off folks I don't know or won't likely see again.

If it's on a tee box at my club, I always answer with my course handicap. They can go look it up if they want anyway. And we always play for something, but is always the same guys. So I definitely will take their cash!

Rick

[SadTrombone]

Better than average...

 

[Robb]

[quote name='LeoLeo99' timestamp='1442114358' post='12306282']
[quote name='Robb' timestamp='1442001635' post='12300762']
I tell them I walk with a limp-war injury.
[b]Always shuts them up.[/b]
[/quote]

Why do you feel a need to shut them up? Why are they asking you what your handicap is? Maybe they're just making friendly small talk.
[/quote]


When I'm paired with someone or a group on muni courses-it's usually preceded with: " Wanna make this game more interesting? What's your handicap, old man?"
"Those clubs are older than you!" I hear somtimes...

[peachfuzz]

Tight lies, and loose women... especially when combined.

[Forged4ever]

I rarely was ever asked though when asked, I gave em the number. Like Jeff said, they could just look it up.

The grown man that would ask another his cap(In a social, non-competitive setting Putz ) is the same one that would ask another for his autograph or wear another man's jersey with that Player's name on it

Just my .01 worth

Fairways & Greens My Friends,
Richard

[BMC]

I get asked fairly frequently. I just tell them. No big deal. It's like a bowling average, any dip$hit can have one.

I see it a lot at the CC I work at. There's all kinds of small money games in large groups.
They always ask the guy they don't know his handicap. It's just a gauge on the player's ability.

[FKA HB]

No one has ever asked me unless we are betting and vice versa. If we're betting I say my index, followed by course cap.

If someone at work or something asks me, just to make small talk, I will probably just dodge the question or answer in generalities.

[GWD]

Oddly enough, just yesterday I was asked what my handicap is for the first time in 50 years. So disregard my prior post on this thread.

It was my doctor during a routine Medacare physical. She is a relative beginner and was asking questions about golfer's behaviors. She found the ladies petty and asked how the men behaved. (Another story.)

Anyway, I told her my handicap is 14. She says, "Ooooh, you are good." My reply was, "Not really."

[2putttom]

I had cards made up with my current index and how I got there........ I hand them one when ask you should see their faces.....

[isaacbm]

[quote name='Forged4ever' timestamp='1442438072' post='12323796']
I rarely was ever asked though when asked, I gave em the number. Like Jeff said, they could just look it up.

The grown man that would ask another his cap(In a social, non-competitive setting Putz ) is the same one that would ask another for his autograph or wear another man's jersey with that Player's name on it

Just my .01 worth

Fairways & Greens My Friends,
Richard
[/quote]I'd wear a jersey with your name on it Richard... And what's your cap?? LOL!!