[DrazAdwamoi]

So, I've been researching handicaps and what I need to do to get one. I can join a club that is part of the CDGA at a course I play at sometimes for around $40.00. I can enter my score online and there are some benefits like a bi-monthly magazine.

I can also enter scores on websites like oobgolf and stracka and they will formulate a handicap. I'm not sure about oobgolf, but stracka is now charging a fee. I think it's around $12.00, but I might be off. The other benefit of these sites is the statistical tracking they offer.

The only reason I want a handicap at this point is to have some sort of tangible measure of my improvement this year. I don't plan to play in any tournamants.

For those of you that have used them, what are your opinions on the handicap webistes I mentioned? Are they sufficient for my needs? Are there other sites that offer free handicapping that you know of? Are the handicaps recognized if I somehow needed to provide a card somewhere?

I appreciate any insight you may have

[elapicearpisp]

When I was a subscriber to Golf magazine, I used their system by stracka. I liked stracka a lot and all the stats. However, I really didn't want to keep paying the yearly subscription fee. I switched to oobgolf because it's free. The stat tracking isn't as great as stracka but for me it gets the job done. You can pay a fee for more detailed stat tracking on oobgolf.

[DrazAdwamoi]

When I was a subscriber to Golf magazine, I used their system by stracka. I liked stracka a lot and all the stats. However, I really didn't want to keep paying the yearly subscription fee. I switched to oobgolf because it's free. The stat tracking isn't as great as stracka but for me it gets the job done. You can pay a fee for more detailed stat tracking on oobgolf.

Does oobgolf provide you a printable handicap card if you need it Caleb?

[megatrendsZ]

I've been wondering this myself and who to go with and how much I should pay, etc.

[UBJ3kvP1]

Does oobgolf provide you a printable handicap card if you need it Caleb?

I use oobgolf as well.....and if you have an iphone you can upload it automatically to the website.

[elapicearpisp]

Stracka allows you to print a handicap card but oobgolf does not.

The disclaimer on oobgolf.

"USGA" and "USGA Handicap Index" are registered trademarks of the United States Golf Association. While oobgolf handicaps are compliant with USGA formulas, they cannot be used in USGA tournaments or USGA Sanctioned events.

[fuslkdhfma]

Having a card you could print out and take to show at a course would be a very good thing. In some places, like the Netherlands, they want either a golf membership card from somewhere or a handicap card of some kind before they will let you play.

I have to remember to bring my passport and pretend I have no idea what they are talking about every time I go out. Its never been a problem, but I would like to have a card- even if it was not 'officially recognized for tournaments".

[praboobolbode]

I've been wondering this myself and who to go with and how much I should pay, etc.

To join a golf club that provides your handicap index is $50 and up. It depends on the club. You can join at your course, your work if they have a golf club, a group of friends can establish an associate club too. For $70 you can buy the Roger Dunn birdie card that gives you 40% at selected courses and also a SCGA handicap.

Most associate clubs will have a monthly tournament at a different course. You can look up associate clubs at the SCGA site. Joining an associate club is fun. You get to play different courses all the time and meet new people.

[gundos]

If you have no need for an 'official' handicap, then just use a free source. There are several online. You can even do it yourself if you can do some math or know how to input a formula on a spreadsheet. The formula and instructions can be found here.

The formula is the same no matter who does it, so it shouldn't be any different than an official service. You just won't have to pay for something you don't need.

[viagra-kaufen]

If you're on Facebook, the Sports Illustrated GolfNation app will allow you to track your handicap and scorecards. It's free.

[DrazAdwamoi]

Great suggestions everybody. Thanks a bunch!

[singleGirl]

Great suggestions everybody. Thanks a bunch!

If you want the handicap to be recognized for competition then it must be maintained by a USGA approved entity.

If that doesn't matter to you, then I wouldn't pay any money for it when there are several free sites that will give you an unofficial handicap.

[HBPujWBe]

If you want the handicap to be recognized for competition then it must be maintained by a USGA approved entity.

If that doesn't matter to you, then I wouldn't pay any money for it when there are several free sites that will give you an unofficial handicap.

I know we've gone over this, but until I joined a forum - I had never met a serious golfer who didn't have an official handicap. I still don't understand why people don't get official handicaps. IMO - an unofficial handicap is meaningless.

Hawk - If you can get an official handicap - get one. It's only $40 and then if you want to play in an event - you can.

[gundos]

I know we've gone over this, but until I joined a forum - I had never met a serious golfer who didn't have an official handicap. I still don't understand why people don't get official handicaps. IMO - an unofficial handicap is meaningless.

Hawk - If you can get an official handicap - get one. It's only $40 and then if you want to play in an event - you can.

To play a little point/counterpoint...

Why pay for something that will never be used? For me, and official handicap is meaningless. I have absolutely no reason to get an official handicap. I will never play an event that will use it, and anytime I play with friends we play straight up or adjust the competition another way so that handicaps are not included. I don't have a course membership anywhere so it is not available except online.

I have the formula and created an Excel spreadsheet where all I have to do is enter the scores and course info and hit copy a couple of times. It doesn't cost a thing and keeps the same number. I don't have to wait for an update and can print off the scores at any time if I wanted to.

The main reason why I keep it is so I can track my personal progress and so I can answer the question that every golfer gets all the time - "What's your handicap?"

[Siliespiriulk]

I know we've gone over this, but until I joined a forum - I had never met a serious golfer who didn't have an official handicap. I still don't understand why people don't get official handicaps. IMO - an unofficial handicap is meaningless.
[B][COLOR=#483d8b]

I've always been a "serious" golfer and I've never had an official handicap.

I just never really saw the point to having one. I've always known how to figure them out (and now with the internet it's even easier to do that), so if I had the urge to know what mine would be, I'd just do a little math and then I'd know.

I've always felt that handicaps can be somewhat restricting in that it's too easy to get complacent once a certain level is reached and I think that they can have a sort of numbing effect on improvemet beyond a certain point.

When I stand on a first tee somewhere, I think of it as me against par and I go from there. I've never felt comfortable with "net" scores because they're not "real" scores and since I know I have the capabilty to play at a scratch level, why settle for something less than that?

Anyway, that's just my opinion and my unique way of looking at it.

That said, if I were to suddenly find myself becoming very interested in playing some serious tournament golf, then yes, I'd get an official handicap because that's the way it is and without one I couldn't get into such competitions. But that would be a necessity versus a desire and I think there's a difference between the two.

I know a lot of people will likely disagree with my way of looking at handicaps and I have no problem with that or with anyone wanting to keep a handicap for themselves. I just never had the desire to do so.

Different strokes, I guess.


-JP

[DrazAdwamoi]

I definitely see both sides of the argument. Part of me would like to join the club for an official USGA handicap. In the end, $40.00 isn't that big of a deal and it seems more traditional.

The other part of me knows that I won't be playing in any tournaments for awhile and would like to wait until my handicap isn't 30+ before I start paying to post it officially.

[singleGirl]

Like Diane, I can't imagine not having an officially recognized handicap. I've had one since 1988, and although it's mostly only used in my Men's Club tournaments, I still want to have it. It just feels right to me and I wouldn't play without it... sort of like my putter.

It certainly keeps me from being tempted to play in any way except by the rules. Since all of my in season scores are returned, I have to play them legitimately.

[sandyphoebetvmaa]

. . . if I were to suddenly find myself becoming very interested in playing some serious tournament golf, then yes, I'd get an official handicap because that's the way it is and without one I couldn't get into such competitions. But that would be a necessity versus a desire and I think there's a difference between the two.

I know a lot of people will likely disagree with my way of looking at handicaps and I have no problem with that or with anyone wanting to keep a handicap for themselves. I just never had the desire to do so.

I have the same opinion here. The online handicap sites are good enough for my game and the fact that I don't ever play in tournaments that require an official handicap. There may be scrambles that might require them, but I've never played in any that do.

[BoBoMasterDesign]

Hawk; I do my handicap through CDGA. Let me know if you have any Qs. I have been happy with it.

[tpJKhY8Z]

I always get mine through the Wisconsin State Golf Association (WSGA), which is affiliated with the USGA. It's like $30 and comes with a subscription to Golf Week. Part of the money supports the WSGA which is a dandy organization. They also send me the WSGA magazine which comes out a couple/several times a year.

Kevin