This has ruined handicap competitions at my golf club

I’m a MASSIVE fan of Ludvig Aberg. 

Not just because I am sitting here as I type this watching him leading The Players - although he ultimately came up short with a disappointing finish. I’ve been a fan of his since he burst onto the scene a few years back. It’s not just about his golf. Or the fact he is European. Or the fact he just seems like a super cool bloke. But the thing that really sticks out for me is the way he carries himself on the golf course. 

At any given time, the coverage could go to him, and you wouldn’t know if he was 11 under or 11 over, or having just come off back-to-back eagles or back-to-back birdies. In fact, I’m going to say this now - from this moment on, I am going to try and channel my inner Ludvig - let’s see how long that lasts, shall we?

Anyway, early call. I think he will win The Masters this year. 

My golf? I managed to get out early Wednesday morning for a quick run around Felixstowe, it was a glorious morning and as the nights are feeling a little longer (it was still light at half past six this evening) it really feels like spring may have finally sprung. As I look at the forecast for this week, some golf will definitely be played...

I also have it on good authority that the long awaited Mini Driver - so I can basically complete golf - was in custom fit last week and have been told it should be with me "by Tuesday". How very exciting. 

Has The WHS Ruined Club Competitions?

I do, however, have some mixed emotions this week. It's time to enter the club knockouts for the year. We have plenty to pick from at my home club, a mixture of singles, pairs, mixed, foursomes, better ball, etc. It used to really signal the start of the season being just around the corner and the various WhatsApp groups are pinging off as people arrange pairs and exchange details of their draws and when they take place. But within the last few years, the excitement, I’m afraid to say, has somewhat dwindled for me and I now find myself swerving pretty much anything that has a handicap allowance. 

I don’t think this is a rant about the WHS, by the way. It’s definitely not a rant about ability levels. 

It may possibly be a rant about a handful of people that maybe spoil it for other golfers, but mainly I think that when I started playing golf I felt like more players were keen to be as low as they possibly could be. Getting better was the thing, winning along the way was great.

Some Golfers Spoil Things For Everyone Else

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

I won’t mention any names, but a few years back I lost in the semi final of a singles handicap knockout. I was off six or seven (you just did the thing with your hands, didn’t you?) and played very well, about four or five over I think, and lost to a guy off 16 who also shot about four over - so I lost handsomely. I don’t mind losing if someone plays well. Handicaps are there for a reason. But it was what I experienced a few weeks later that left a horrible taste in my mouth. 

Sat in the clubhouse, doing some work, the guy that beat me in the semi final - shockingly went on to win in the final. He didn’t know I was in the bar, as when I work at the club, I tuck myself in the corner out of the way. But I overheard him boasting to his mates: "Now I’ve won the knockout, I can start entering normal competitions again and bring my handicap back down."

I know, right?

From that day, I’ve been on the receiving end of some great wins, some bad losses, got to two scratch finals (lost them both), but I have also been on the receiving end of some, shall we say, questionable losses. 

Why I'm Playing Scratch Events Only

Now, I am not saying that every higher handicap golfer that plays well and beats a better player is protecting their handicap or, let’s call a spade a spade, cheating their way to victory. But it does happen and it seems to be happening more and more. So, for the second or third year running, my knockout attention will be on scratch events only. I know I’ll likely not win one, but if I did it would be on merit, and not because I’m receiving more, or giving less shots than I should. It’s a shame it has come to this for me, I know others feel the same. But what used to be a bit of a highlight for me in the golfing calendar, could now pass me by with no fuss at all. 

But anyway, clocks go forward soon, sun is poking out, so I hope you manage to get out and play some golf this week, wherever you are.