Hadicap and competions

I have a couple questions I wonder if people can help out with; 

I joined a club last year and handed my three cards in and got a handicap of 22.  However I have never played in a competition there yet, but do play a fair bit of golf and I reckon my handicap is now better than 22 (in fact it is 17.8 on here).  You often hear of people getting pretty put out by bandits but should I just enter some tournaments and get my club handicap down or is there a recognised way of getting it re-assessed?

Also a question for cometition, i have read that if you lose your ball then you have to go back and play a shot from where you took your last, I was playing when a competion was on (I did not enter in the competion though) and the course was so packed that if you spent your 5 mins looking for the ball then went back to take a shot it would seriously hold up preceedings.  So do you have to go back and play or can you drop a ball in the vacinity of where you think you lost it with a penalty?

Cheers,

The thing to take into account when asking to have your handicap cut without playing in any comps is that competition rounds are very different to the weekly knock around with your mates.

Firstly you will be playing off the back tees, you MUST finish the hole (no picking up if you can't score) & the pressure & intensity is a lot more.

I play with a lad who is off 18.1 but every week plays to about 14 but stick him in a comp & he has a complete mare.

I understand your thinking & admire your honesty but next time you play try playing without gimmees, try finishing every hole & see if you still play under your handicap.

John. 

I think you should just enter a competition and see how you do.  I know the word bandit gets liberally used in banter on this site but it really should only apply to someone consistantly attempting to play off a handicap higher than ability by deliberately playing badly to increase their handicap or selectively submitting cards to protect their handicap.

If you enter one competition and shoot below your handicap you might get a few comments but you will then be reassessed so it will be a one off event and for the genuine reason that you have improved.

It is also possible, and I assume from your second question that you have little competitive experience, that you may not score as well in a competition as playing with friends so the problem will not arise.

You may also want to select your first competition carefully and go for a low key one.