Mods if there is a better forum please move. I wasn't sure.

When playing golf for enough $ that you care about the money at stake is there any way/suggestions on how to make sure the game is as honest as possible?

I played with a "friend" (new friend I trust but not 100%) and 2 guys he knew. We gambled for what were high stakes to me. I ended up winning just a little but the thought of being scammed crossed my mind at the turn when I was down a good amount.

So again, any suggestions on setting up golf gambling to make it less likely to end up in a game you are setup to lose?

what was the bet?

who vouched for the handicaps?

partners? or individual?

basically, why would you feel like you were being set up to lose? the old, 'i have a 12 handicap' and then they finish birdie-birdie-birdie once the stakes have increased?

also, there's a golf forum.

betting against randoms in golf is probably not the best idea, i'd like to add.

against people you know, it's all in the negotiation. against people you don't, it's whether you trust the information (read: handicap) you're given.

i'm a 12, my brother is probably a 3-4. every time we golf, he beats me on the scorecard, and hands over money to me in the parking lot.

This is easy, I get a seventy four handicap.

I would never gamble on golf, so this solution works for me...

just don't bet so much that the money is that important to you. I mean, make it enough so that you care somewhat, but low enough that its no big deal if you lose.

Handicaps are for guys who just can't play.Apply yourself and get better at the game.Lol at these guys (mostly poker players)who claim to be big gamblers but pee in their pants at the thought of playing golf for money even..how's this for fear of playing unknown's,I will play any poster on two plus two for 50k medal or match I don't care at any course over 6800 yards.Anyone wanna step up?

Partners. The thought crossed my mind because the guys I didn't know were playing better than their handicap the front 9. I wasn't scammed, just was curious if there were and suggestions to avoid it. Like some sort of penalty if you shoot x below your stated handicap or something along those lines.

in this case, just make sure you're riding with someone from the other team, and your partner is also.

as far as shooting under your handicap, mine is exactly 12.4 this summer. golfcard on my iphone calculates slope/course rating and all that as i put in my scores.

that said, for whatever reason, 12 over is about my max on any given day on a decent course. i've shot between 79-85 literally every single 18 i've gone out this year. it sucks, actually.

but whenever i play my brother, putts seem to fall. either that or a well-timed 'big brother comment' can cause an unlikely bogey for him.

it's almost boring to go 41-42 EVERY TIME.

every summer i say 'this is the summer that i golf 5 times a week', and then when summer comes, i'm up until 6am, sleep until 3pm, and by the time i'm ready, it's too late to go 18.

*shrug*

my brother and i bet on anything/everything to mix it up. who can hit a 60-degree wedge over the trap closest to the pin, 2-ball scrambles, longest putt made, etc. but then, 90% of the time i golf, he's with me, and we're both gamblers, so go figure..

also, if anyone can explain golf handicaps in layman's terms to me, i'd be appreciative.

i really feel like i'm a 10 or slightly less, and every time i go out and shoot an 81 on a good course (or at least the course rating is good enough to lower it), it never lowers.

the gambler in me likes the higher handicap, the man in me shivers at my inadequacy.

You need to factor in the slope when calculating your handicap, I think there is a couple sites you can google and calculators should come up.

I have a 6 handicap at the moment, and I will usually play from 75-77 each round. Par 71/72s.

'golfcard' does take slope into consideration.

i dunno.

Wow, pretty bold calling people who use handicaps cowards, at a game you've probably spent far more time at than most people. How about you man up and bet me 50k that you can beat me at a sport I determine. After all, real men don't fear the unknown, right?

<------waiting for Tiger to get a 2+2 acct

1. 18 hole stroke play.
2. USGA Rules.
3. Same tees.
4. $50k cash exchange after 18.
5. When can you be in Houston?

1 and 2 are fine but I would like to play the tips.Also escrowing the 50k by wire to a casino owners account would be preferable.He has escrowed money this way for 6 matches and never a problem whether I won or lost(other guy was always paid promptly).

I will be in Miami the next 2-3 weeks if you want to play at Doral.After that Valdosta so we could play Kinderlou Forrest(great course).Hopefully mid November I will be at TPC Craig Ranch so we could definately play then.Could also do Firestone South early November.

Is your home course the Champions?

Obviously you can play and I look forward to a great match.

PM if you want to set something up

Yea tips is fine, was just saying we play the same tees to avoid loopholes. At the course right now, actually but will PM you later and try and work out details.

You playing first stage at kinderlou?

Yea,how bout you are you gettin in the rat race?

Not for me, man. Enjoy my place in golf these days - playing fri/sun is enough for me...