Maximum handicap for men

[Dazza]

Righto trendsetters-

In your opinion-
What should the maximum handicap for men be?

Poll away!

[WBennett]

Where is the option of 18?

[markTHEblake]

I am fine with 54. I agree with GA, we need more participation in golf memberships and high handicaps will help that.

[AndyP]

Get rid of handicaps.

[Toxic]

Whatever their GA is

Participation is KEY

[gco0307]

Not everyone can be good at golf.
Not everyone can remain consistent as they age.
If higher handicaps allow people to play, enjoy themselves and in some situations helps their healt.
I am all for it.

[sms316]

I am fine with 54. I agree with GA, we need more participation in golf memberships and high handicaps will help that.

**** that. Rounds take long enough now. I vote 18.

[WBennett]

Just had a bloke off 31 have 56 Stableford points.

Bring on 18 limit

[Webster]

I'm not sure where I read it, it might have been here some time ago, but there was a suggestion of not changing the limit to more than 36, but you cant score more than 3 stableford points on a hole where you get more than 1 shot.

[WBennett]

So a plus? I like this format

[BobsYourUncle]

I guess there's two groups - old guys who can't hit it far and aren't capable of scoring that much better than their cap, and (relatively) younger guys who can hit it ok but spray it. The latter are the ones who can have a 45+ point day out off a high cap. Would people accept different limits based on age? Would it even make a difference?

[3Puttpete]

4.5 hours should be the maximum.

[Hatchman]

**** that. Rounds take long enough now. I vote 18.

Hcp is not always related to pace of play. I’ve played plenty of Golf with old and beginners with Hcp’s in the 30’s and they’ve been way quicker than plenty of snails I’ve encountered off single digits (Pro Tour wannabes).

Not sure where I sit with an increase in the limit for males above 36 tbh.
I started as a junior and my father didn’t let me be involved/play club competition until I could play to a level close to 36 Hcp. Was much easier being at a small country course to play with a mate around same age and ability behind the rest of the field not in anyone’s way or having a heap of shots.

Whatever that limit is. As long as they are going about it at pace that’s not causing groups to not keep pace with the field it’s not that big an issue.
I could see it being a problem if comps are continually being won with big scores under those high cap limits.

[sms316]

If you’re playing off 54 you’re having 126 shots just to play to your handicap. That’s not going to be quick by any measure.

[goughy]

You can have a lot of shots and not play slow. Heck, on a bad day (the usual for me) I don't waste a practice swing because that might have been my one good swing. But then again, while I want to improve my hc I generally couldn't care about winning.

[Hatchman]

If you’re playing off 54 you’re having 126 shots just to play to your handicap. That’s not going to be quick by any measure.

Let them have their massive Hcp’s but they have to play with the Pro Tour tool squeezers at the end of the fields. They can all enjoy their 5+ hr rounds together.

[PerryGroves]

There are punters who are already off mid 40s to 50s, just that they play off 36 in comps, not sure the field would move any faster at my club if they weren't there.

[gco0307]

There are punters who are already off mid 40s to 50s, just that they play off 36 in comps, not sure the field would move any faster at my club if they weren't there.

Same with my club.

Those who are outside the 36 (but playing from it) are either kids trying to learn and improve, elderly who have been playing golf since moses shot a 65 around St Andrews or the occasional medical reason for a higher handicap (ie. amputee - seen at other clubs).

Plus, my club has mixed fields so even lowering a male handicap requirement, we have women playing today from 45.





Genuine question for OP and others advocating lower numbers.

Is the option to have maximum handicaps applied to (as example) Saturday competitions but allow higher (ie. 36) for Sunday/midweek where the club has that capability?

Alternately, is it certain types of competitions that are of a concern (ie. Stroke vs Stableford)

[Johnny Canuck]

I'm not sure where I read it, it might have been here some time ago, but there was a suggestion of not changing the limit to more than 36, but you cant score more than 3 stableford points on a hole where you get more than 1 shot.

I like this.

[virge666]

OK - Flame suit on,

1. Comp only run up to 27 handicap for both Men and Women. We have 80 year old women off 25-26 at our club.
2. Change the god damn tees for higher handicaps, 18+ should NOT be playing off anywhere near the tips. EVER.
3. Under 50 - 18 handicap tops. Over 50 only or medical issues, all abilities above 18.
4. Kids handicap - 14 and under, still 27 max. Which i think we do already. 15 and over.. 27 handicap max.
5. For Prizes above these numbers - then go external with sites like https://www.targetscores.com.au/. or do a $10 or $5 club.
6. 0-18 handicap comp worth double the higher handicap comps.

More lessons for Pros, more use of the course for practice and better rep teams.

To use a tennis analogy,
If you can hit the ball over the net into the court.. there is always lawn bowls.

Then have proper prizes for grades.. I am dead set over paying $15 comp fees to win $20 for scratch win.

[Dotty]

And only A grade should get to play stroke for monthly medal, with the other grades playing stableford.

Feeling hard done by? Simple, get your handicap down to 12 and you get the reward.

[virge666]

And only A grade should get to play stroke for monthly medal, with the other grades playing stableford.

Feeling hard done by? Simple, get your handicap down to 12 and you get the reward.

There is little incentive to get better at golf and therefore more engagement, you cant just keep winding out the handicap for people that really just cant play and who the hell wants a handicap of 30 plus ???

As for prizes. I am playing tomorrow @ Bayview.. i pay $50 for 9 rounds of Target scores golf. Tomorrow if i shoot 38 points.. i get a voucher for $150. good option on a Wednesday as course is easier.

[markTHEblake]

Champions GC in Houston, founded by Jackie Burke, and i think Elkimgton is part owner now, i beleive has a handicap limit of around 12. Not that its a maximum playing handicap, but rather you need to be on 12 or better to play golf.

[3Puttpete]

What’s the problem with high handicaps?

[SundayHack]

What’s the problem with high handicaps?

Par events are unfair for them.