I have been playing Corporate Golf in the Northern part of India for over 15 years now. The event day starts with the discussion of “What’s your Handicap?” and ends with cribs and complaints on how some golfers lie about their handicap with a difference of over 100%.
Last week was the Pro-Am at the Panasonic Open. The format was BEST BALL off the tee and then each golfer would finish his regular score based on FULL HANDICAP. I was shocked to hear that the afternoon session winners were 28 under, which means they got 10 EAGLES net. In a nut shell the fourball got 10 gross birdies and rest all gross par. To get a score of 28 under, most amateur in that fourball was getting a stroke on every hole, which means they declared a handicap of 18 and above and most of the 18 above handicap was getting a GROSS birdie… With the best ball format, this is not possible until you are a handicap 12 and showing 24. To top it all, the scores and the Handicap of the winners was also not announced.
After so many years, I sincerely suggest that there should be a central handicapping system, like in the USA. And whoever the winner, his clear score card should be mentioned with the Handicap he/she has given. This will either lead to genuine applause or HOOTING. If nothing else, the hooting may start promoting golfers to give correct handicaps. …. Comments???
