2013 Handicap Watch

Right - all you competition addicts, a thread to share our handicap adjustments (perhaps some tales of woe...hopefully some tales of banditry) this year. Geeky or what

Starting Exact Handicap: 5.2
Target: 4.anything
Number of planned hcp counting comps in 2013: around 15-20
First counting comp planned: 30 March (away club)

date___score(adjusted)___css___position___hcp adj

23 MAR___87n82(81)___SSS/72___t36/84___0.0 = 5.2 (non couting!)
03 APR___81n76___CSS/74___t20/81___+0.1 = 5.3
20 APR___75n70___CSS/73___t4/151___-0.3 = 5.0
27 APR___78n73___CSS/70___t22/73___+0.1 = 5.1
04 MAY___78n73___CSS/73___t15/155___0.0 = 5.1
25 MAY___78n73___CSS/74___t18/153___-0.1 = 5.0

OK. I'll play ball:

Starting Exact Handicap: 2.8
Target: <2.5
# of qualifying comps for 2013: 15-20
First planned comp: 6th April

Starting Exact Handicap: 7.8
Target: 6.something
Number of planned hcp counting comps in 2013: around 45-50
First counting comp planned: 29 March depending upon system open could be April 6

Starting Exact Handicap: 9.7
Target: 8.something
Number of planned hcp counting comps in 2013: around 10 - 15 (Young kids mean careful negotiation and compromise with Mrs. H)
First counting comp planned: 14th April

Starting Exact Handicap: 4.6 (4.7 already )
Target: 4.0 (tough as expected CSS will be -2 each week)
Happy with: <5.5
Number of planned hcp counting comps in 2013: approx 1 p/w give or take
First counting comp planned: 10 March ( )

Starting Exact Handicap: 5.2
Target: Maintain Category 1
Happy with: Anything lower than 1GrumpyGolfer
Number of planned hcp counting comps in 2013: around 20
First counting comp planned: 6th April (providing Noah's Ark has left the course by then)

Starting exact handicap: 8.2
Target: would like to get to 6 (got to 6.4 once in 1998 for one round),
Happy with: consolidating back at 7 would do nicely particularly as last year went up to 9 (for one round) for the first time in 15 years
Number of planned hcp counting comps in 2013: approx 16
First counting comp: 28th April

Starting Exact Handicap: 8.5
Target: <8.5 (wouldn't be bothered if it stayed there, just want to hit the ball better than last year!)
Number of planned hcp counting comps in 2013: around 25 if poss
First counting comp planned: 13 April

UPDATED

Starting Exact Handicap: 7.8
Target: 6.something
Happy with: Taking BlueCoverman's money
Number of planned hcp counting comps in 2013: around 45-50
First counting comp planned: 29 March depending upon system open could be April 6[/quote]

Starting 12.6(been on 12 for about 4 years)
Target 11 (not working now so no excuse for lack of practice and familiar with every blade of grass on my course)
Happy-Consistent rounds within buffer zone
Comps -probably only 15 or so
First comp-Midweek medal early april but our greens tend to get better later in the season so should see the good rounds later.
Would love to get back to single figure in my 60,s

Starting Exact Handicap: 22.4
Target: <20 - preferably closer to 18
Number of planned hcp counting comps in 2013: around 15-20
First counting comp planned: Had one already (comfortably in buffer zone but should have been better - spoiled 2 of last 3 holes) - next one in 10 days time

Starting @ 3.6
Target - 3 but would accept staying around same, if hit the ball better than last year. Was off 3 for only 2 rounds last year so would be good if I could consolidate at 3.
Comps - Around 20 odd, one a week at least.
First Counting medal - 24th of March.

Starting Exact Handicap: 5.8
Target: 5.4 (Every season for the last three at least I've been able to get down to Cat One even as far as 4.9 at one point last year but by the end I'm always back up to 6)
Number of planned hcp counting comps in 2013: around 30 odd I guess
First counting comp planned: 31st March

Some tidy golfists on here !!Lets enjoy the summer

Starting Exact Handicap: 2.6
Target: don't really set targets but would be nice to stay at 2 for a bit longer than I've managed before (anything longer than a couple of weeks would be good!); certainly don't want to go into the 3.'s...
Number of planned hcp counting comps in 2013: somewhere between 40 & 50, roughly 30 on home course and 15-ish opens, county comps, etc
First counting comp planned: Sat, 13th April is opening day although think might have a wednesday medal on the 10th, if the snow buggers off!

Starting: 6.6
Target: Just enjoy my golf (although the wee voice in the back of my head is saying Cat 1 this year surely!!)
Comps: around 30 with a pretty even 3 way split between home club, 2nd club and opens.
First qualifier: Cancelled 2 weeks ago due to water logging, rerun planned this weekend also now looking dodgy given forecast and current height of water table. So frustrating as I know I'm carrying a bit of form.
1st qualifier might well now be medal at RND on Easter Sunday followed by 36 holer at Saunton Easter Monday.

Starting Exact Handicap: 8.6
Target: 7
Number of planned hcp counting comps in 2013: around 8-10
First counting comp planned: 6 April, weather/course condition permitting (likely to be non-qualifying if still wet & winter rules)

Starting Exact Handicap: 15.4
Target: 10 or less
Number of planned hcp counting comps in 2013: around 25-35
First counting comp planned: this sunday, spring medal. Expect to go up 0.1 which will take me back to 16. I have been shooting under handcap often but from the mats which shortens the course. Had an 85 and 81 in two rounds yesterday with two 8's on the par 5 18th so room to go lower than H/C but there will be no run on Sunday, wet course if on and probably winds. Will be delighted to be in the buffer zone.

Why I think I will get to 10 or below is I am practicing regularly, having more regular lessons from a guy that has took me down from 21 at the beginning of last season and I feel my course management has matured and I have stopped going for the 1/20 TV Shots.
The two 8's yesterday was a harsh lesson which spoiled two otherwise steady but unspectacular rounds.

Starting Exact Handicap: 10.0
Target: 11, sore hands, not practising enough
Number of planned hcp counting comps in 2013: around 20-30
First counting comp planned: 6th April

Starting Exact Handicap: 12.1
Target: 11 - this season will be more about consistency so not expecting to get cut much
Number of planned hcp counting comps in 2013: around 20
First counting comp planned: 6th April

Starting: 5.6
Target: back down to 5
Comps: should be in excess of 30
First comp: 2 day 36 hole medal 29/30.3

Horrific start to the season for me on Saturday. We always have a non-counting Bogey Competition and Stableford in March before the first counter in April. Haven't played a Bogey comp for a wee while, and got off to a poor start - 3 down after 3. Didn't really get going until the 8th, where I finally found a GIR, then birdied 9 after nearly holing my pitch. More dropped holes on 10 and 11 after missing short 3 - 4 foot par putts, then had a decent run from 12-15, again nearly holed my pitch on 15 leaving a tap in birdie. 3 down with 3 to play, and my aspirations of pulling back a dormie 4 deficit were extinguished after a 3 putt nett par on 16, followed by a lost ball from the 17th tee. nearly salvaged a par with my pitch from 120 yards stopping 18inches short of the hole and then put myself in trouble on 18 after a slight tug on the tee shot blocked me out from the green... finished 5 down, and when adding up all the raced putts for halves (and missed putts back)...7 double bogeys in all and a gross 87...already equalling my worst round from last year.

First counting medal on Saturday at my away club, followed by a Wednesday Medal at Home club...hoping for much better...

23 MAR___87n82(81)___SSS/72___t36/84___0.0 = 5.2 (non couting!)

Starting Exact Handicap: 9.7
Target: 12.5 - Fed up being good and more to be made with handicap of 13, playing in Division 2.
Number of planned hcp counting comps in 2013: around 30
First counting comp planned: 7th April.

Think if you return 28 NRs from 30 cards someone might twig!

Course looks like it will be opening on Friday but maintenance is only just starting so the greens will only just be hollow tined and dressed

Glad to hear it Grumps. Wish I could be so positive here in Nottingham!

Well the enthusiasm is there not so sure about the ability. I haven't hit a golf ball since the end of November so it could be interesting however it looks like I have an excuse because the greens are being worked on

barragan wrote:First counting medal on Saturday at my away club, followed by a Wednesday Medal at Home club...hoping for much better...

Withdrawn from tomorrow's comp as our little boy is not feeling very well. Nothing serious but postponing our trip until next month.

First comp for 8 months Friday/Sat. Round 1 missed buffer by a shot, round 2 in buffer. So up 0.1 to 5.7 which as good as I could have expected, but really miffed that one part of my game that is normally good was rank. 125 yards to 30 or so, was pathetic. Fortunately putting and around the greens was ok so rescued something, but how frustrating is golf!! Hey ho!

Hibbz wrote:Starting Exact Handicap: 5.8
Target: 5.4 (Every season for the last three at least I've been able to get down to Cat One even as far as 4.9 at one point last year but by the end I'm always back up to 6)
Number of planned hcp counting comps in 2013: around 30 odd I guess
First counting comp planned: 31st March

Cold start for first qualifier but putted very well for a 75 nett 69. CSS usually comes in at either 70 or 69 against a par of 71 so at best was hoping for a .2 cut Was delighted when I checked this morning and CSS was 72 yesterday!

Means I've again made it back to cat one and can start the harder work of staying there.

Not sure why CSS was so high, well okay I know it's because the scores were high, but I didn't think it was particularly tough. Maybe a combination of it being first round back on the white tees, the cold conditions and the big hitters still trying to hit 6 iron 200yds.

I played with a couple of huge hitters I'd not met before and they did hit the distance they claimed and I would usually be skeptical of i.e. one hit driver, PW on a hole when I hit driver, 4iron difference was it didn't often go in the intended direction.

First counting comp last night. Bit of a rush to get to the course, and turned up 15 mins before tee time - bad start. Had a quick chip and putt and got on the tee - but the pro held our 3ball back to let a couple of 2s go first. 15 mins hanging about on the tee, wishing i'd just stayed on the practice area...
Anyway, finally we were off at 4pm, with a good 4 hours light. An hour later we were walking on to the 5th green...
Pretty rotten start - bogey, bogey(3putt from 10ft), bogey, par, bogey(3putt), bogey(3putt), bogey(3putt)....handicap gone within 6 holes, and a further shot gone on 7th was hitting some decent shots, but just seemed to be stuck on a bogey train. pulled things together from the 8th: par, par (both missed birdie putts inside 10ft), bogey, par(good sand save), par(another 10ft birdie putt missed after a lovely 4iron approach), bogey, par, par(another 10 footer missed), par(5 footer missed ), par, bogey (3putt).... CSS went up +2 to 74 and I missed my buffer by 1
at least the pace picked up after the 5th, got round in about 3h40 in the end. lovely evening, shame about the golf...

03 APR___81n76(76)___CSS/74___t20/81___+0.1 = 5.3

Starting Exact Handicap: 8.0
Target: back down to 6 (I was 5 before my 2 knee ops)
# of qualifying comps for 2013: 20+
First planned comp: Already played one - went up 0.1

Starting Exact Handicap: 10.9
Target: back down to single figures - anything will do this season with first ever set of new custom fit irons
# of qualifying comps for 2013: 20+
First planned comp: 10th April (not counting winter league, texas scrambles etc.)

What bats did you get MM?

Roller_Coaster wrote:What bats did you get MM?

I live quite close to the Ping fitting centre at Gainsborough, and our pro is a Ping man, so went for some i20's 5-w. I'd got about £200 in winnnings from last year so the set was relatively cheap. I had bought a couple of rescue jobbies (Adams idea stiff 17 and 21) last year in a sale and loved em but I've just ordered a 4 iron as I find the irons a bit more versatile (having to hit long hooks out of all the trees I seem to find myself in off the tee, what with my 'draw' n all ).

Not tried (or seen in the flesh) the Adams gear but it's supposed to be v good. Think someone at our place has just gone for a set of irons.

Never been keen on Ping myself but good to hear your striking is good enough to ditch a hybrid for a long iron, bucking the trend. 2 iron in the bag by mid June...

Never hit a 2 but have got a 1 (wilson, yeuch) which in years gone by has given some entertainment...

First genuine opportunity for a decent cut this season thrown away. 78 net 71, left a few out there but reasonably steady. Was out at 8.00am so had to cope with frozen greens the first 3 holes always a bit tricky working out when they're gonna start holding on mornings like that. Just had txt that CSS has ticked back up to 72 so may get a 0.2.

Yay...a .2 cut it was, back to 6 (6.4) yesterday. Another steady round today although just a bounce round with mates, 12 greens in reg but never dropped a single birdie putt. 6 over par in the end so playing to my new handicap

Per my post on the "game today" thread. Point 1 reduction to arrest the slide of 4 straight increases. 5.0 dead. 3 over through 3 with a hideous double on the third, but came back 1 under from there. 39 points with 2 blobs. Only kicker was CSS at -2 so only the point 1 down.

First qualifying competition of the year. Handicap 8.0 at the start and 8.0 at the finish. Stood on 13th tee having dropped 2 shots and bogeyed next 6 holes - I would be awesome off 18.

My handicap has stayed steady so far this year...@exactly where I started.

3 weeks into the season, 0 medals have been on at my course. Loving it.

Hibbz wrote:

Hibbz wrote:Starting Exact Handicap: 5.8
Target: 5.4 (Every season for the last three at least I've been able to get down to Cat One even as far as 4.9 at one point last year but by the end I'm always back up to 6)
Number of planned hcp counting comps in 2013: around 30 odd I guess
First counting comp planned: 31st March

Cold start for first qualifier but putted very well for a 75 nett 69. CSS usually comes in at either 70 or 69 against a par of 71 so at best was hoping for a .2 cut Was delighted when I checked this morning and CSS was 72 yesterday!

Means I've again made it back to cat one and can start the harder work of staying there.

Not sure why CSS was so high, well okay I know it's because the scores were high, but I didn't think it was particularly tough. Maybe a combination of it being first round back on the white tees, the cold conditions and the big hitters still trying to hit 6 iron 200yds.

I played with a couple of huge hitters I'd not met before and they did hit the distance they claimed and I would usually be skeptical of i.e. one hit driver, PW on a hole when I hit driver, 4iron difference was it didn't often go in the intended direction.

Usual story, second I get down to CatOne the Wahey Tw@t It School of Golf becomes just the Tw@t School of Golf. As well as I putted first time out I was total dogsh!t Sunday just gone. Mustered a meagre 27pts. Only good news is that you can only ever go up .1!

Next up 36 hole MidAm @ Chart Hills on 16th April. Should see me back up to 6.

Davie wrote:Starting Exact Handicap: 22.4
Target: <20 - preferably closer to 18
Number of planned hcp counting comps in 2013: around 15-20
First counting comp planned: Had one already (comfortably in buffer zone but should have been better - spoiled 2 of last 3 holes) - next one in 10 days time

First medal of the year (C Medal) and only went and bloody won it!

Net 67 (CSS 70) so cut 1.2 to 21.2 - thought I'd blown it by throwing away one (if not two) shots down the last, so could have been even better, but hung on to win by one.

Maybe my target is more realistic than I thought!

Nice one Davie. Well played mate.

First qualifying comp of the year yesterday, top 15 plus the holder go through to one of the summer knockouts.
Really blowy (mainly up and down holes as opposed to cross winds) and the greens still a bit ropey but at least the sun shone.
Hit the ball well and holed out pretty well (normally after racing/dribbling my first putt). Was 3 over after 12 then managed to rack up a 10 on 13 through tree issues and a J Arthur from a bunker. Played the last 5 in 2 over to play to my handicap but finished 17th so didn't make the knock out - if only I'd hold that putt for a 9...
Still, every cloud and with the 10 being rounded down to a 7 for handicap purposes got chopped 0.6 so down to 9.1. Back to single figures and certainly quite happy with the way I played for the majority of the round.

20 APR___75n70___CSS/73___t4/151___-0.3 = 5.0

4 fluffed chips and one thinned
Holed a nice bunker shot to balance one or two of the baddies though.
Course is close to being back to decent condition - just another week or two.

Not much competition then barragan?

First counter of the year next Sunday.