Golf column: The handicap system continues to divide

The handicap system in golf is one of the best aspects of the sport… it’s also one of the worst. In essence, the system allows players of all abilities to compete against one another. 

To compare it in footballing terms, a handicap system in a match between Leitrim and Dublin would see the Connacht side start with a significant scoring advantage, depending on their recent results. It gives the weaker team or player an opportunity to compete and win against the stronger team or player. And depending on the performances of both teams, their handicap either goes up or down. The lower the handicap in golf, the better the player. The higher the worse.

The better golf you play, your handicap gets ‘cut’ accordingly.  And vice-versa. It's far more complex than this but for the purpose of this column we shall not bore you with the intricacies.

In theory it’s an incredible system and very unique, with its success built on honesty and integrity. But of course we’re human beings and when presented with something as amazing as this, we abuse it.

TOXIC CULTURE

Having returned to the beautiful game last year for the first time since my teens, this columnist was made aware of how the handicap system is a serious bone of contention in the game.

Most club golfers, myself included, play to get their handicap as low as possible. The buzz is for the challenge and addiction to improving your game shot by shot. Enjoying the never-ending journey to becoming a single figure handicap and for the marginal few, reaching the promise land of ‘scratch’.

Which is a handicap of Zero – which  means you’re an elite club golfer. But very, very few get there. However, there’s also a really toxic culture within the game of players ‘protecting’ their handicap.

This is where they pick and choose the competitions to play in in order to keep their handicap as high as possible so they can win tournaments. There are safeguards in place to try and prevent this, but it’s very difficult to police. And if a player really wants to manipulate their handicap, you won’t stop them.

While it’s also not completely discouraged by clubs either, as it allows them to compete and win prestigious national club tournaments. We’re not talking players that are protecting their handicaps by a shot or two either. The culture I’ve witnessed and stories I’ve heard over the past 12 months are much greater.

You could be talking players saving five, six, seven or more shots from what their actual handicap should be. They are affectionately known as ‘bandits’. They are un-affectionately known as words not suitable for print.

GLORIFIED CHEATING

Rather amusingly, there’s also players who do the opposite and play off vanity handicap. But they are a different kettle of fish.

From this columnist’s experience, bandit country appears rife amongst middle-aged men too. Which makes sense.

That old competitive spirit and will to win dies very hard. Maybe in 15 year’s time yours truly might be one of those too.

But I really hope not. Because it is glorified cheating. Dress it up how you like, but that’s a fact.

If you knowingly enter a competition and have a distinct advantage over other players for reasons that you alone have manipulated, then that is cheating in this writer’s book.

Accepted and technically legal cheating, yes, but cheating none-the-less. If a person can achieve satisfaction in winning on the back of those circumstances then power to them.

This opinion is solely from my own experiences over the past 12 months, being on the ground, talking to frustrated people and seeing it up close and personal.

This isn’t written to offend anyone in any way, or aimed as a dig at people who partake in this practise. Coincidently, this columnist was part of a team who came fourth in the final of Castlebar’s Winter League last Sunday.

So maybe we will get accusations of being bandits now. But the facts are to show we most definitely aren’t.

However, if you are offended by what has been written, then you are more than likely one of those very people. Knowingly or unknowingly.

It doesn’t frustrate this columnist that much. With football getting hot and heavy now, unfortunately regular tournament golf and fourballs is almost impossible.

Nine holes here and there in summer will be as good as it will get for another few years at least. But it’s a serious bug-bear for your weekly, all year-round golfers. And as long as human nature exists, one that will never be solved.