[RafaelYV]

Hey THP members, I need your input.

I must preface with saying that I am very new to this golf thing and my game needs tons of improvement. With that being said, I spend most of my time on the driving range and play rounds from time to time.

The last round I played, there were 2 holes where I was at the double par limit (ex 8 on a par 4) and had the potential of going higher. My golfing buddies and I got into discussions about the double par rule. I wanted to keep my actual score and they said just give myself double-par.They feel like by keeping the actual score it will just frustrate me because of the high numbers. They said it is just an understood rule that double par is the highest score for folks at our level.

I feel like if I don't know my "actual score" how will I ever know if I am improving? Using their scoring system, a 6 and a 15 are the exact same on a par 3. That just doesn't seem logical to me.

I know the key here is, are other golfers waiting behind me? I would definitely pick up my ball and move on if there were golfers waiting. I wouldn't keep whacking away/putting if things were backing up. But with the last round, there was nobody behind us.

So do you fellow THPer's think I should just stick with the double par rule or is my frame of mind the right way of thinking?

[Fksxneng]

If you are really interested in keeping your score and seeing your improvements, keep your score accurately. My dad used to always limit himself to double par when he easily would have gotten a 12-15. Because of that, his scores always hung around the 105-115 range. Now that he is beginning to improve, he is actually shooting 105's. Since he padded his score in the beginning, he says he feels like he's not improving. So, do yourself a favor and keep accurate scores. You will be able to accurately monitor your progress.

[sueplydup]

Years ago, I used to use the double par rule, particularly if there were golfers waiting. Even now, if I have a bad hole, no more than 8 so I don't hold anyone else playing with me or behind me up.

[soitlyobserty]

I'm on the fence here. In high school golf, matches were played at double par limit for my school, and the surrounding schools. Like you said, this kept the hole from lasting forever if one person was butchering it. I still think you can tell if you are improving also, but maybe as not as easily if you were taking down you're actual score.

I would say that if you feel like you want to put down the real score, and monitor your progress that way, then by all means don't let them stop you.

[ptmQqoxw]

Hey THP members, I need your input.

I must preface with saying that I am very new to this golf thing and my game needs tons of improvement. With that being said, I spend most of my time on the driving range and play rounds from time to time.

The last round I played, there were 2 holes where I was at the double par limit (ex 8 on a par 4) and had the potential of going higher. My golfing buddies and I got into discussions about the double par rule. I wanted to keep my actual score and they said just give myself double-par.They feel like by keeping the actual score it will just frustrate me because of the high numbers. They said it is just an understood rule that double par is the highest score for folks at our level.

I feel like if I don't know my "actual score" how will I ever know if I am improving? Using their scoring system, a 6 and a 15 are the exact same on a par 3. That just doesn't seem logical to me.

I know the key here is, are other golfers waiting behind me? I would definitely pick up my ball and move on if there were golfers waiting. I wouldn't keep whacking away/putting if things were backing up. But with the last round, there was nobody behind us.

So do you fellow THPer's think I should just stick with the double par rule or is my frame of mind the right way of thinking?

Take your actual score and adjust your scorecard when you put your scores in for handicap. This will give you a good guide on where you stand in your progression as a player. If you are holding up the group behind you or falling behind, just pick up and take the max you can take on the hole. That's what we do.

When adjusting for your handicap, use Equitable Stroke Control (ESC), here is an explanation:

Equitable Stroke Control (ESC) is the "capping" of individual hole scores to make handicaps more indicative of a player's scoring potential. The maximum score that a player can post on any hole is based on the player's Course Handicap. In the case of a player without an established handicap scores are adjusted using the maximum hole score for the highest Course Handicap. Once your Handicap Index is established you use the ESC table below.



Here is a link with some good info on handicaps. http://www.pgaprofessional.com/handicap.html

I can't find the thread but it was just discussed.

[VogsHoock]

I didn't start playing until about a year and a half ago. I used the double par rule through the middle of this past summer, but I always played out the hole regardless. It was the same for me, people I golfed with suggested it so I didn't get frustrated by super high round scores. At some point you will be like me and feel like it was time to post the real scores, keep track of puts, etc. so I knew where I needed to improve. My scores initially were higher, but now I am below those modified scores. Until I got more consistant with my game though and got to that point of getting away from "double par" it certainly kept me less frustrated. Eventually it just felt too much like I was cheating myself and the game.

[arreskslarlig]

If you always use double par then that will become your scoring system and any scores you have after that will be similar in content. You will know if you are improving if you have fewer holes that you have to used double par for. Once you get to where you don't need to use it, then you will know you are improving and can start keeping an accurate score. If you're scores are in the 110+ range, the score really shouldn't matter anyway. Just have fun and try and get better. Don't worry about scores and handicap, just strive to get better.

[Pdarasenko]

We use the double par rule in league just to keep things moving.

[rengerts]

I put my proper score down on the score card as otherwise I feel that I am cheating myself.

At the end of the day golf is about me playing the course and trying to get the best score I can do.

Hopefully I never have to put down a score that is worse than double par anyway


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk because I am away from my Mac

[Misiotoagodia]

Hmm, I don't see much difference in carding a 118 or 148. Both signify a need to improve things. Keeping a steady pace is nice for your playing partners. People behind you appreciate it as well, but being courteous to your group is just as important.

Quesions: are you hitting driver off every tee, hitting a 7 from 150 because that is what you "normally" hit, firing at every pin regardless of lie and yardage? I bet if you scaled back and made reasonable goals your scores would improve. Example, a 400 yard par 4, hit 7I, 7I wedge. Not driver behind a tree, 2nd behind another tree, 3rd in rough, 4th fat 4I 50 yarder, 5th 20 yards short, etc etc. Course management may help you out here. Not only do you reduce your own frustrations, you also execute a plan and reach your goals. You could be doing this now, just throwing it out there.

[CGECngjA]

There are different situations where different issues come into play, some tournaments I play in have 3 over rule, no score over 3 over, you pick up and move on so no one has to wait around forever while somebody takes a 16 on a hole. All of the scores we turn in for handicap purposes are using ESC adjusted as described elsewhere, it is official, USGA approved nothing wrong with doing that. I always keep two scorecards. One with a lot of stats all over it that the handicap committee doesn't want or need to see and another clean just plain score card. My suggestion is that you keep a stat card of some kind during every round with every stroke marked down and use that for evaluating your own improvement but turn in the ESC adjusted official scorecard for handicap. You will have no problem tracking your improvement without this however as you will see scores come down fast if you work at it, it ismore difficult to see areas of improvement when your handicap is 5 for example than it is when it is much higher than that.

[fotochicaes]

Hey THP members, I need your input.

I must preface with saying that I am very new to this golf thing and my game needs tons of improvement. With that being said, I spend most of my time on the driving range and play rounds from time to time.

The last round I played, there were 2 holes where I was at the double par limit (ex 8 on a par 4) and had the potential of going higher. My golfing buddies and I got into discussions about the double par rule. I wanted to keep my actual score and they said just give myself double-par.They feel like by keeping the actual score it will just frustrate me because of the high numbers. They said it is just an understood rule that double par is the highest score for folks at our level.

I feel like if I don't know my "actual score" how will I ever know if I am improving? Using their scoring system, a 6 and a 15 are the exact same on a par 3. That just doesn't seem logical to me.

I know the key here is, are other golfers waiting behind me? I would definitely pick up my ball and move on if there were golfers waiting. I wouldn't keep whacking away/putting if things were backing up. But with the last round, there was nobody behind us.

So do you fellow THPer's think I should just stick with the double par rule or is my frame of mind the right way of thinking?

As long as you aren't holding up the course or your playing companions, then I'd say go for the real score. But I'd also work hard to get to the point where it isn't an issue anymore. Take a lesson or two, don't just blindly beat balls on the range (not saying that you are, but lessons are a good thing at your level).

[RafaelYV]

Hmm, I don't see much difference in carding a 118 or 148. Both signify a need to improve things. Keeping a steady pace is nice for your playing partners. People behind you appreciate it as well, but being courteous to your group is just as important.

Quesions: are you hitting driver off every tee, hitting a 7 from 150 because that is what you "normally" hit, firing at every pin regardless of lie and yardage? I bet if you scaled back and made reasonable goals your scores would improve. Example, a 400 yard par 4, hit 7I, 7I wedge. Not driver behind a tree, 2nd behind another tree, 3rd in rough, 4th fat 4I 50 yarder, 5th 20 yards short, etc etc. Course management may help you out here. Not only do you reduce your own frustrations, you also execute a plan and reach your goals. You could be doing this now, just throwing it out there.

Thanks Griff. This is definitely good advice. I've seen similiar suggestions on the breaking 100 thread but this seemed to hit closer to home. I do hit driver alot just because I like to use it. Honestly I usually hit a couple of fairways in a round but most are off right or left and some go into the woods. When I am on the fairway, I try to hit a 3w after that, which is always a dicey move. I could probably drop a ton of strokes just by playing shorter and more consistently.

I start doing that, then the double par thing could be a moot point!

[geniusxs81]

I have a couple random thoughts on this:

1. The idea of double par at least partly ties into handicap and the fact that those strokes above double aren't going to count in your handicap calc. I think this led to the mentality of "pick it up".

2. Griff is spot on and if I were in this stage of my golf game I would play only the club/s I knew I could stand over confidently and if that meant nothing but 7 irons, PW and putter so be it. Even as an ok golfer, I still often stand on par 5 tees and divide the yardage by 3 in my head to remind myself there are a lot of ways to skin this cat.

3. It is your game and you should do what you want as long as (as you pointed out) you're not backing up the course. I would mention one more factor besides the golfers behind you - the golfers with you! While they are your buddies and would most likely never tell you this, it is very hard for me to play a good round (low 80's) while my playing partner shoots 120. Lots of negative visuals which can't be helped, but the worst part is the rhythm kill of hitting a 265 yard tee shot and waiting while my wife or buddy hits 5 times before I get to hit my approach shot. Now, don't get me wrong, they're your friends and I'm sure they want you there, but whatever you can do to keep the pace of play consistent will probably be appreciated.

[qd0vhq4f]

Hey THP members, I need your input.

I must preface with saying that I am very new to this golf thing and my game needs tons of improvement. With that being said, I spend most of my time on the driving range and play rounds from time to time.

The last round I played, there were 2 holes where I was at the double par limit (ex 8 on a par 4) and had the potential of going higher. My golfing buddies and I got into discussions about the double par rule. I wanted to keep my actual score and they said just give myself double-par.They feel like by keeping the actual score it will just frustrate me because of the high numbers. They said it is just an understood rule that double par is the highest score for folks at our level.

I feel like if I don't know my "actual score" how will I ever know if I am improving? Using their scoring system, a 6 and a 15 are the exact same on a par 3. That just doesn't seem logical to me.

I know the key here is, are other golfers waiting behind me? I would definitely pick up my ball and move on if there were golfers waiting. I wouldn't keep whacking away/putting if things were backing up. But with the last round, there was nobody behind us.

So do you fellow THPer's think I should just stick with the double par rule or is my frame of mind the right way of thinking?

Super Dave We have played That way before. Actually played with a Physcologist (Golf was his alleged specialty) He said that by limiting yourself to no more than double Par was a good strategy. It allowed your mind to keep being Positive instead of negative. However I did keep a second score card with all my real scores at the same time

[TOPERink]

We use the double par rule in league just to keep things moving.

Bingo with my work league. The Men's League I play at is played Tournament style so all scores are kept.

For me, I basically have the same approach where if I'm holding up the group behind me then I'll pickup and score a DP, but if no one is waiting on me, I try and finish it out.

[RafaelYV]

3. It is your game and you should do what you want as long as (as you pointed out) you're not backing up the course. I would mention one more factor besides the golfers behind you - the golfers with you! While they are your buddies and would most likely never tell you this, it is very hard for me to play a good round (low 80's) while my playing partner shoots 120. Lots of negative visuals which can't be helped, but the worst part is the rhythm kill of hitting a 265 yard tee shot and waiting while my wife or buddy hits 5 times before I get to hit my approach shot. Now, don't get me wrong, they're your friends and I'm sure they want you there, but whatever you can do to keep the pace of play consistent will probably be appreciated.

You make a very good point. My golfing buddies aren't the best golfers but they are better than me. Maybe this was just their nice way of saying I was messing with their positive mojo.

[kranfid]

I prefer to finish out the hole and let the esc take care of itself, later. If I'm having a bad round with more than two blowup holes I'd be willing to pick up at dbl par to keep things going.

[Zvmwissq]

I always use my actual score, otherwise I get frustrated cuz I feel like I am taking charity. My buddies tend to cap themselves at 10 unless we are wagering

[Edifsdubs]

Hey THP members, I need your input.

I must preface with saying that I am very new to this golf thing and my game needs tons of improvement. With that being said, I spend most of my time on the driving range and play rounds from time to time.

The last round I played, there were 2 holes where I was at the double par limit (ex 8 on a par 4) and had the potential of going higher. My golfing buddies and I got into discussions about the double par rule. I wanted to keep my actual score and they said just give myself double-par.They feel like by keeping the actual score it will just frustrate me because of the high numbers. They said it is just an understood rule that double par is the highest score for folks at our level.

I feel like if I don't know my "actual score" how will I ever know if I am improving? Using their scoring system, a 6 and a 15 are the exact same on a par 3. That just doesn't seem logical to me.

I know the key here is, are other golfers waiting behind me? I would definitely pick up my ball and move on if there were golfers waiting. I wouldn't keep whacking away/putting if things were backing up. But with the last round, there was nobody behind us.

So do you fellow THPer's think I should just stick with the double par rule or is my frame of mind the right way of thinking?

I think the important thing is to be respectful to those behind you. There is nothing wrong with playing out holes, as each shot needs to be learned and nothing beats the experience of playing, over just hitting at the range. When the course is busy and there is a group behind you, the double par rule should be used. My course recommends this to new players and parents that take their children out to play.