So, I play in a golf league on Mondays at my local course. It always seem to me that there are a couple of golfers there that fudge on their score.

I'm not trying to say that it's not possible to improve or have a round of your life but....

We have 1 guy that normally shoots in the 60's (9 holes) and last week shot a 72. This week he shot a 53.
It also seems that his score goes down when he plays the course.

Just venting...

My score unfortunately is swinging pretty wildly these days (100 one day, 85 the next - for 18 holes) due to lack of consistency, but you have to fudge pretty liberally for almost 20 strokes over 9 holes!

Indy,

If they do this enough their handicap will adjust. Statistically, You're more likely to hit a hole in one than you are to have a 12 handicap shoot Par golf. The handicap, which people don't always realize, is supposed to reflect your scoring POTENTIAL, not reflect what you really score.

In general, you wont shoot your handicap or better very often. As you get closer to it more often, your handicap automatically gets lower and lower because it's calculated based off the best 10 scores in your last 20. So if people play legit and post their good scores too, this should happen less and less.

The problem with sandbaggers is that many times don't post their best scores trying to keep the handicap high.

Usually when you are shooting that high its because you are making alot of bad shots. And usually when you start improving you start dropping shots quickly at first.

Either that or he stopped counting his topped shots that go 10feet.

I notice this too with some fellas I shoot with. I think for myself it is just wrong and counterproductive to my game. It's like watching golfers moving their ball for a better lie when they already shoot in the 80's( or do they?). I know of a tourney here locally were you're allowed to move your ball 1 scorecards distance for a better lie. Is this a common practice nationally?

It is in NC Racine. Most tournaments that don't involve pro's are played lift clean and place in the fairways. Why? don't know. But if I play in one I take advantage of it.

Interestingly, you can go on the website for GHIN (handicap lookup) and check up on someone's handicap and posted scores. I checked on 2 people I've played with and they didn't post all of their scores, guess they want to keep their handicap low. I only know because one of them had commented on a high round a couple of weeks ago and it wasn't posted. Plus they didn't post their scores from a tournement we played in.

If someone is fudging scores to keep their handicap DOWN, then they're only hurting themselves come tourney time or money games.

If someone is fudging to make them HIGHER, those are the one's I have a real problem with, because they're hurting their competitors.

Personally, I post 'em all, and while it killed me a couple years ago (before the last back surgery) because I was playing at easier courses (and got down to a 6.3) it's now come full circle because I'm playing at such a tough course. Course rating and slope are a great concept, but not always accurate, and my course is a great example. We have a reasonably tough rating and slope, but not NEAR as tough as it should be.

Consequently, I'm now at a 10.3, but I can (on a good day) break 80 without breaking a sweat on an easier course.
Interesting stuff.

P.S.- It's been good to get back out there playing (which I hadn't been able to do much before this summer) and also good to be back here with you fine people. I'm now retired because of my back problems, so I'll be around alot again.