+3.0 Nchabazam - 8/1/18
+0.2- LygerWon - 10/25/16
0.0 - hamdoggg - 9/16/16
0.8 - UofOalum2002 - 5/15/16
1.1 - campfirewest - 4/1/2017
2.8 - CPHoya 3/22/2017
3.9 - Precept2 - 7/19/2018
4.6 - ntanygd760 - 5/1/2018
4.8 - scottc25 - 8/1/18
5.3 - Telcontar - 7/30/2016
6.4 - ChipLeeder 6/19/2017
6.4 - forssell 9/2/17
6.7 - Pretzel 7/15/18
6.7 - stinkypete - 8/1/2017
6.8 - Dominic - 8/1/2017
7.0 - Booker Wolfbox 08/01/18
7.7 - DrOldSchool2 06/15/2017
8.1 - ArcticKnight 07/13/2017
8.2 - HeyPorter 09/15/2017
8.4 - chucksim - 5/1/2018
8.5 - KingJames 7/15/2018
9.6 - Powder_8s 4/18/16
10.2 - Salon82 08/09/2018
10.2 - cicakman 4/18/2016
12.1 - CalledDownLight - 2/15/2016
12.4 - JP9 - 03/22/2016
12.7 - Mitchman - 6/8/2018
12.8 - dfb89 - 4/10/2017
13.5 - hotwings18 - 4/9/2017
14.6 - revots33 - 9/1/17
14.8 - MikkeD - 06/17/2018
15.4 - REDeYeS88 - 08/10/2018

Well my trend was to a 3.8 before I posted my last score before the new revision. 11 of last 20 in the 70's including 8 of the last 9.

+3.0 Nchabazam - 8/1/18
+0.2- LygerWon - 10/25/16
0.0 - hamdoggg - 9/16/16
0.8 - UofOalum2002 - 5/15/16
1.1 - campfirewest - 4/1/2017
2.8 - CPHoya 3/22/2017
3.9 - Precept2 - 7/19/2018
4.3 - scottc25 - 8/15/18
4.6 - ntanygd760 - 5/1/2018
5.3 - Telcontar - 7/30/2016
6.4 - ChipLeeder 6/19/2017
6.4 - forssell 9/2/17
6.7 - Pretzel 7/15/18
6.7 - stinkypete - 8/1/2017
6.8 - Dominic - 8/1/2017
7.0 - Booker Wolfbox 08/01/18
7.7 - DrOldSchool2 06/15/2017
8.1 - ArcticKnight 07/13/2017
8.2 - HeyPorter 09/15/2017
8.4 - chucksim - 5/1/2018
8.5 - KingJames 7/15/2018
9.6 - Powder_8s 4/18/16
10.2 - Salon82 08/09/2018
10.2 - cicakman 4/18/2016
12.1 - CalledDownLight - 2/15/2016
12.4 - JP9 - 03/22/2016
12.7 - Mitchman - 6/8/2018
12.8 - dfb89 - 4/10/2017
13.5 - hotwings18 - 4/9/2017
14.6 - revots33 - 9/1/17
14.8 - MikkeD - 06/17/2018
15.4 - REDeYeS88 - 08/10/2018

https://www.thoughtco.com/handicap-i...ulated-1561058

+3.0 Nchabazam - 8/1/18
+0.2- LygerWon - 10/25/16
0.0 - hamdoggg - 9/16/16
0.8 - UofOalum2002 - 5/15/16
1.1 - campfirewest - 4/1/2017
2.8 - CPHoya 3/22/2017
3.9 - Precept2 - 7/19/2018
4.3 - scottc25 - 8/15/18
4.6 - ntanygd760 - 5/1/2018
5.3 - Telcontar - 7/30/2016
6.4 - ChipLeeder 6/19/2017
6.4 - forssell 9/2/17
6.7 - Pretzel 7/15/18
6.7 - stinkypete - 8/1/2017
6.8 - Dominic - 8/1/2017
7.0 - Booker Wolfbox 08/01/18
7.7 - DrOldSchool2 06/15/2017
7.8 - ArcticKnight 08/18/2018
8.2 - HeyPorter 09/15/2017
8.4 - chucksim - 5/1/2018
8.5 - KingJames 7/15/2018
9.6 - Powder_8s 4/18/16
10.2 - Salon82 08/09/2018
10.2 - cicakman 4/18/2016
12.1 - CalledDownLight - 2/15/2016
12.4 - JP9 - 03/22/2016
12.7 - Mitchman - 6/8/2018
12.8 - dfb89 - 4/10/2017
13.5 - hotwings18 - 4/9/2017
14.6 - revots33 - 9/1/17
14.8 - MikkeD - 06/17/2018
15.4 - REDeYeS88 - 08/10/2018

Yes, and keep this in mind when you face sandbaggers. You should only better your handicap approx 5 times out of 20 rounds. No 2 out of 3 like most people I play against.

It should be slightly less than 4 times out of 20

+3.0 Nchabazam - 8/1/18
+0.2- LygerWon - 10/25/16
0.0 - hamdoggg - 9/16/16
0.8 - UofOalum2002 - 5/15/16
1.1 - campfirewest - 4/1/2017
2.8 - CPHoya 3/22/2017
3.9 - Precept2 - 7/19/2018
4.3 - scottc25 - 8/15/18
4.6 - ntanygd760 - 5/1/2018
5.3 - Telcontar - 7/30/2016
6.0 - Pretzel 8/15/18
6.4 - ChipLeeder 6/19/2017
6.4 - forssell 9/2/17
6.7 - stinkypete - 8/1/2017
6.8 - Dominic - 8/1/2017
7.0 - Booker Wolfbox 08/01/18
7.7 - DrOldSchool2 06/15/2017
7.8 - ArcticKnight 08/18/2018
8.2 - HeyPorter 09/15/2017
8.4 - chucksim - 5/1/2018
8.5 - KingJames 7/15/2018
9.6 - Powder_8s 4/18/16
10.2 - Salon82 08/09/2018
10.2 - cicakman 4/18/2016
12.1 - CalledDownLight - 2/15/2016
12.4 - JP9 - 03/22/2016
12.7 - Mitchman - 6/8/2018
12.8 - dfb89 - 4/10/2017
13.5 - hotwings18 - 4/9/2017
14.6 - revots33 - 9/1/17
14.8 - MikkeD - 06/17/2018
15.4 - REDeYeS88 - 08/10/2018

Continue my move downward!

Do you guys think handicap is the best way to judge your progress? It always struck me as odd that in actually playing golf the main thing is to avoid big mistakes and really bad holes. But in handicap calculations you get to throw out all your big mistakes and only keep your above average rounds. I feel like handicap can mask a lot of improvement if your good rounds are staying about the same but your bad rounds are a lot less bad. I realize that this is because handicap is designed for tournament play and so it wants to err on the low side, but it has also become the most common way for people to track progress.

Does anyone use any other statistics to track their improvement?

Also, my handicap has mostly been scored on a very easy course (68.6/125) par 72. Do you think it is easier to lower your handicap on an easy course? Obviously the course rating and slope are supposed to correct for this, but do you think they correct enough?

It's easier to get a low handicap on a tougher rated course IMO. Part of it is mental... shooting a 69 is tough for people to be a scratch, but shooting a 75 on a longer, tougher course doesn't feel like such an accomplishment.

Handicap is a good measure of your progress, but does have its limitations. Average score tells a story for sure.

They both have their purpose.

Imo (and by design) index is going to give you the best general indication of your potential ability. Average will be more sensitive to your short term fluctuations, particularly if you are struggling, so it will be a better indication of your most likely score on any given day.

As an example, I’m generally a 10 index. Honestly that’s where I’m at. I’ll shoot low to mid 80s most often. Last fall I put up two good rounds at tougher tracks. 77 at 72.2/131 and 78 at 72.4/134. That made me an 8, and it took until this revision to get back to a 10.1. All the while my average stayed around 83-85. Sure I can break 80 and I do, but most likely I’ll be in the low 80s.

So, average is what I will do but handicap is what I can do, and that pretty much holds true for me.

Regarding slope and ratings, all things considered for the places I play and folks I play with they seem accurate. A buddy has an index from an arguably much easier course than my home, and he was worried his index would be “too low”. Yet we can travel to a neutral place, look at our course handicaps, and they really seem to work out fairly more often that not. So much is subjective, but they seem to get it more right than wrong in my experience.

New career low! Trend is already 0.1 lower. My next 4 scores to drop off are not counting so a good chance to be lower in 2 weeks.

+3.0 Nchabazam - 8/1/18
+0.2- LygerWon - 10/25/16
0.0 - hamdoggg - 9/16/16
0.8 - UofOalum2002 - 5/15/16
1.1 - campfirewest - 4/1/2017
2.8 - CPHoya 3/22/2017
3.5 - scottc25 - 9/1/18
3.9 - Precept2 - 7/19/2018
4.6 - ntanygd760 - 5/1/2018
5.3 - Telcontar - 7/30/2016
6.0 - Pretzel 8/15/18
6.4 - ChipLeeder 6/19/2017
6.4 - forssell 9/2/17
6.7 - stinkypete - 8/1/2017
6.8 - Dominic - 8/1/2017
7.0 - Booker Wolfbox 08/01/18
7.7 - DrOldSchool2 06/15/2017
7.8 - ArcticKnight 08/18/2018
8.2 - HeyPorter 09/15/2017
8.4 - chucksim - 5/1/2018
8.5 - KingJames 7/15/2018
9.6 - Powder_8s 4/18/16
10.2 - Salon82 08/09/2018
10.2 - cicakman 4/18/2016
12.1 - CalledDownLight - 2/15/2016
12.4 - JP9 - 03/22/2016
12.7 - Mitchman - 6/8/2018
12.8 - dfb89 - 4/10/2017
13.5 - hotwings18 - 4/9/2017
14.6 - revots33 - 9/1/17
14.8 - MikkeD - 06/17/2018
15.4 - REDeYeS88 - 08/10/2018

Congrats - that’s awesome. Also impressive how much you play in what I think most might consider tough (read: miserable) Florida summer conditions.

Ticked down to another career low. See what happens when I play a 4 round tournament starting Friday.

+3.0 Nchabazam - 8/1/18
+0.2- LygerWon - 10/25/16
0.0 - hamdoggg - 9/16/16
0.8 - UofOalum2002 - 5/15/16
1.1 - campfirewest - 4/1/2017
2.8 - CPHoya 3/22/2017
3.2 - scottc25 - 9/15/18
3.9 - Precept2 - 7/19/2018
4.6 - ntanygd760 - 5/1/2018
5.3 - Telcontar - 7/30/2016
6.0 - Pretzel 8/15/18
6.4 - ChipLeeder 6/19/2017
6.4 - forssell 9/2/17
6.7 - stinkypete - 8/1/2017
6.8 - Dominic - 8/1/2017
7.0 - Booker Wolfbox 08/01/18
7.7 - DrOldSchool2 06/15/2017
7.8 - ArcticKnight 08/18/2018
8.2 - HeyPorter 09/15/2017
8.4 - chucksim - 5/1/2018
8.5 - KingJames 7/15/2018
9.6 - Powder_8s 4/18/16
10.2 - Salon82 08/09/2018
10.2 - cicakman 4/18/2016
12.1 - CalledDownLight - 2/15/2016
12.4 - JP9 - 03/22/2016
12.7 - Mitchman - 6/8/2018
12.8 - dfb89 - 4/10/2017
13.5 - hotwings18 - 4/9/2017
14.6 - revots33 - 9/1/17
14.8 - MikkeD - 06/17/2018
15.4 - REDeYeS88 - 08/10/2018

Terrible last half of the season for me after I had improved my long game a lot - the course team didn't water during the heatwave and we lost the greens - screwed up my short game and I lost the will to practice. I'll be changing where I play if they don't improve next year.

+3.0 Nchabazam - 8/1/18
+0.2- LygerWon - 10/25/16
0.0 - hamdoggg - 9/16/16
0.8 - UofOalum2002 - 5/15/16
1.1 - campfirewest - 4/1/2017
2.8 - CPHoya 3/22/2017
3.6 - scottc25 - 10/15/18
3.9 - Precept2 - 7/19/2018
4.6 - ntanygd760 - 5/1/2018
5.3 - Telcontar - 7/30/2016
6.0 - Pretzel 8/15/18
6.4 - ChipLeeder 6/19/2017
6.4 - forssell 9/2/17
6.7 - stinkypete - 8/1/2017
6.8 - Dominic - 8/1/2017
7.0 - Booker Wolfbox 08/01/18
7.7 - DrOldSchool2 06/15/2017
7.8 - ArcticKnight 08/18/2018
8.2 - HeyPorter 09/15/2017
8.4 - chucksim - 5/1/2018
8.5 - KingJames 7/15/2018
9.6 - Powder_8s 4/18/16
10.2 - Salon82 08/09/2018
10.2 - cicakman 4/18/2016
12.1 - CalledDownLight - 2/15/2016
12.4 - JP9 - 03/22/2016
12.7 - Mitchman - 6/8/2018
12.8 - dfb89 - 4/10/2017
13.5 - hotwings18 - 4/9/2017
14.6 - revots33 - 9/1/17
15.4 - REDeYeS88 - 08/10/2018
15.7 - MikkeD - 10/15/2018

+3.0 Nchabazam - 8/1/18
+0.2- LygerWon - 10/25/16
0.0 - hamdoggg - 9/16/16
0.8 - UofOalum2002 - 5/15/16
1.1 - campfirewest - 4/1/2017
2.8 - CPHoya 3/22/2017
3.6 - scottc25 - 10/15/18
3.9 - Precept2 - 7/19/2018
4.6 - ntanygd760 - 5/1/2018
5.3 - Telcontar - 7/30/2016
6.0 - Pretzel 8/15/18
6.4 - ChipLeeder 6/19/2017
6.4 - forssell 9/2/17
6.7 - stinkypete - 8/1/2017
6.8 - Dominic - 8/1/2017
7.0 - Booker Wolfbox 08/01/18
7.7 - DrOldSchool2 06/15/2017
7.8 - ArcticKnight 08/18/2018
7.9 - KingJames 10/15/2018
8.2 - HeyPorter 09/15/2017
8.4 - chucksim - 5/1/2018
9.6 - Powder_8s 4/18/16
10.2 - Salon82 08/09/2018
10.2 - cicakman 4/18/2016
12.1 - CalledDownLight - 2/15/2016
12.4 - JP9 - 03/22/2016
12.7 - Mitchman - 6/8/2018
12.8 - dfb89 - 4/10/2017
13.5 - hotwings18 - 4/9/2017
14.6 - revots33 - 9/1/17
15.4 - REDeYeS88 - 08/10/2018
15.7 - MikkeD - 10/15/2018

+3.0 Nchabazam - 8/1/18
+0.2- LygerWon - 10/25/16
0.0 - hamdoggg - 9/16/16
0.8 - UofOalum2002 - 5/15/16
1.1 - campfirewest - 4/1/2017
2.8 - CPHoya 3/22/2017
3.6 - scottc25 - 10/15/18
3.9 - Precept2 - 7/19/2018
4.6 - ntanygd760 - 5/1/2018
5.3 - Telcontar - 7/30/2016
6.0 - Pretzel 8/15/18
6.4 - ChipLeeder 6/19/2017
6.4 - forssell 9/2/17
6.7 - stinkypete - 8/1/2017
6.8 - Dominic - 8/1/2017
7.0 - Booker Wolfbox 08/01/18
7.0- KingJames 4/15/2019
7.7 - DrOldSchool2 06/15/2017
7.8 - ArcticKnight 08/18/2018
8.2 - HeyPorter 09/15/2017
8.4 - chucksim - 5/1/2018
9.6 - Powder_8s 4/18/16
10.2 - Salon82 08/09/2018
10.2 - cicakman 4/18/2016
12.1 - CalledDownLight - 2/15/2016
12.4 - JP9 - 03/22/2016
12.7 - Mitchman - 6/8/2018
12.8 - dfb89 - 4/10/2017
13.5 - hotwings18 - 4/9/2017
14.6 - revots33 - 9/1/17
15.4 - REDeYeS88 - 08/10/2018
15.7 - MikkeD - 10/15/2018

+3.0 Nchabazam - 8/1/18
1.1 - campfirewest - 4/1/2017
2.8 - CPHoya 3/22/2017
3.9 - Precept2 - 7/19/2018
4.6 - ntanygd760 - 5/1/2018
6.0 - Pretzel 8/15/18
6.4 - ChipLeeder 6/19/2017
6.4 - forssell 9/2/17
6.7 - stinkypete - 8/1/2017
6.8 - Dominic - 8/1/2017
7.0 - Booker Wolfbox 08/01/18
7.0- KingJames 4/15/2019
7.2 - scottc25 - 5/1/19
7.7 - DrOldSchool2 06/15/2017
7.8 - ArcticKnight 08/18/2018
8.2 - HeyPorter 09/15/2017
8.4 - chucksim - 5/1/2018
10.2 - Salon82 08/09/2018
12.7 - Mitchman - 6/8/2018
12.8 - dfb89 - 4/10/2017
13.5 - hotwings18 - 4/9/2017
14.6 - revots33 - 9/1/17
15.4 - REDeYeS88 - 08/10/2018
15.7 - MikkeD - 10/15/2018

2016s have been removed.

...and yikes my handicap has exactly doubled since I last posted. My low was 3.2 on 9/15 and 10/1. It always gets lower in the summer but we shall see this year. Also put an offer in on a house at the golf course where I am a member. That should help on theory. If it goes through I will be playing 9 every morning before work.

+3.0 Nchabazam - 8/1/18
1.1 - campfirewest - 4/1/2017
2.8 - CPHoya 3/22/2017
3.9 - Precept2 - 7/19/2018
4.6 - ntanygd760 - 5/1/2018
5.9- KingJames 4/15/2019
6.0 - Pretzel 8/15/18
6.4 - ChipLeeder 6/19/2017
6.4 - forssell 9/2/17
6.7 - stinkypete - 8/1/2017
6.8 - Dominic - 8/1/2017
7.0 - Booker Wolfbox 08/01/18
7.2 - scottc25 - 5/1/19
7.7 - DrOldSchool2 06/15/2017
7.8 - ArcticKnight 08/18/2018
8.2 - HeyPorter 09/15/2017
8.4 - chucksim - 5/1/2018
10.2 - Salon82 08/09/2018
12.7 - Mitchman - 6/8/2018
12.8 - dfb89 - 4/10/2017
13.5 - hotwings18 - 4/9/2017
14.6 - revots33 - 9/1/17
15.4 - REDeYeS88 - 08/10/2018
15.7 - MikkeD - 10/15/2018


Yay - lowest index ever. Had it down to 6.7 once when I worked at a course in college and played that track every afternoon. This feels infinitely like a more well rounded, consistent and legitimate index.

1.1 - campfirewest - 4/1/2017
2.8 - CPHoya 3/22/2017
3.9 - Precept2 - 7/19/2018
4.6 - ntanygd760 - 5/1/2018
5.9- KingJames 4/15/2019
6.0 - Pretzel 8/15/18
6.4 - ChipLeeder 6/19/2017
6.4 - forssell 9/2/17
6.7 - stinkypete - 8/1/2017
6.8 - Dominic - 8/1/2017
7.0 - Booker Wolfbox 08/01/18
7.2 - scottc25 - 5/1/19
7.7 - DrOldSchool2 06/15/2017
7.8 - ArcticKnight 08/18/2018
8.2 - HeyPorter 09/15/2017
8.4 - chucksim - 5/1/2018
10.2 - Salon82 08/09/2018
12.7 - Mitchman - 6/8/2018
12.8 - dfb89 - 4/10/2017
13.5 - hotwings18 - 4/9/2017
14.6 - revots33 - 9/1/17
15.7 - REDeYeS88 - 05/01/2019
15.7 - MikkeD - 10/15/2018

obviously strategically sandbagging before the 24 guy/6 round/$2880 pot golf weekend at the end of the month.

Drifted up to 16.1 and then made a 0.6 cut today.

1.1 - campfirewest - 4/1/2017
2.8 - CPHoya 3/22/2017
3.9 - Precept2 - 7/19/2018
4.6 - ntanygd760 - 5/1/2018
5.9 - KingJames 4/15/2019
6.0 - Pretzel 8/15/18
6.4 - ChipLeeder 6/19/2017
6.4 - forssell 9/2/17
6.5 - scottc25 - 5/15/19
6.7 - stinkypete - 8/1/2017
6.8 - Dominic - 8/1/2017
7.0 - Booker Wolfbox 08/01/18
7.7 - DrOldSchool2 06/15/2017
7.8 - ArcticKnight 08/18/2018
8.2 - HeyPorter 09/15/2017
8.4 - chucksim - 5/1/2018
10.2 - Salon82 08/09/2018
12.7 - Mitchman - 6/8/2018
12.8 - dfb89 - 4/10/2017
13.5 - hotwings18 - 4/9/2017
14.6 - revots33 - 9/1/17
15.7 - REDeYeS88 - 05/01/2019
15.7 - MikkeD - 10/15/2018

1.1 - campfirewest - 4/1/2017
2.8 - CPHoya 3/22/2017
3.9 - Precept2 - 7/19/2018
4.6 - ntanygd760 - 5/1/2018
5.9 - KingJames 4/15/2019
6.0 - Pretzel 8/15/18
6.4 - ChipLeeder 6/19/2017
6.4 - forssell 9/2/17
6.5 - scottc25 - 5/15/19
6.7 - stinkypete - 8/1/2017
6.8 - Dominic - 8/1/2017
7.7 - DrOldSchool2 06/15/2017
7.8 - ArcticKnight 08/18/2018
8.2 - HeyPorter 09/15/2017
8.4 - chucksim - 5/1/2018
8.7 - Booker Wolfbox 05/15/19
10.2 - Salon82 08/09/2018
12.7 - Mitchman - 6/8/2018
12.8 - dfb89 - 4/10/2017
13.5 - hotwings18 - 4/9/2017
14.6 - revots33 - 9/1/17
15.7 - REDeYeS88 - 05/01/2019
15.7 - MikkeD - 10/15/2018

and rising fast

1.1 - campfirewest - 4/1/2017
2.8 - CPHoya 3/22/2017
3.9 - Precept2 - 7/19/2018
4.6 - ntanygd760 - 5/1/2018
5.9 - KingJames 4/15/2019
6.0 - Pretzel 8/15/18
6.4 - ChipLeeder 6/19/2017
6.4 - forssell 9/2/17
6.5 - scottc25 - 5/15/19
6.7 - stinkypete - 8/1/2017
6.8 - Dominic - 8/1/2017
7.7 - DrOldSchool2 06/15/2017
7.8 - ArcticKnight 08/18/2018
8.2 - HeyPorter 09/15/2017
8.4 - chucksim - 5/1/2018
8.7 - Booker Wolfbox 05/15/19
10.2 - Salon82 08/09/2018
12.7 - Mitchman - 6/8/2018
12.8 - dfb89 - 4/10/2017
13.5 - hotwings18 - 4/9/2017
14.6 - revots33 - 9/1/17
15.2 - REDeYeS88 - 05/15/2019
15.7 - MikkeD - 10/15/2018

this was my first post in this thread, so i guess i got this going for me

1.1 - campfirewest - 4/1/2017
2.8 - CPHoya 3/22/2017
3.9 - Precept2 - 7/19/2018
4.6 - ntanygd760 - 5/1/2018
5.9 - KingJames 4/15/2019
6.0 - Pretzel 8/15/18
6.4 - ChipLeeder 6/19/2017
6.4 - forssell 9/2/17
6.5 - scottc25 - 5/15/19
6.7 - stinkypete - 8/1/2017
6.8 - Dominic - 8/1/2017
7.7 - DrOldSchool2 06/15/2017
7.8 - ArcticKnight 08/18/2018
8.2 - HeyPorter 09/15/2017
8.4 - chucksim - 5/1/2018
8.7 - Booker Wolfbox 05/15/19
10.2 - Salon82 08/09/2018
12.7 - Mitchman - 6/8/2018
12.8 - dfb89 - 4/10/2017
13.5 - hotwings18 - 4/9/2017
14.6 - revots33 - 9/1/17
14.9 - MikkeD - 6/2/2019
15.2 - REDeYeS88 - 05/15/2019

Managed to win a board competition yesterday and had a 0.9 cut.