Let me define what a "vanity" handicap is. You may kind of know, but for the sake of this post I will define it, and it differs from the handicap of a sandbagger. A sandbagger posts only his or her highest scores inflating artificially their handicaps so that when they play in tournaments they are given more strokes or put in a different play flight. In effect, this is a very bad form of cheating. Having a "vanity" handicap really is probably another form of cheating but for another reason and that is soothing a huge ego. The "vanity handicap" golfer wants to appear to others as a better player than they really are, so they only post their lowest scores.
"Vanity Handicappers" only hurt themselves, and the people that they normally play with know that the player's handicap should be higher. Even people that they don't play with on a regular basis will guess that their handicap is not right, by the way they play. Let's face it, you can tell a twelve handicapper from a twenty handicapper once you have played with them. In a handicapped event, you wouldn't want them as your partner because you give up too many strokes to the field.
There is one very important rule in golf that most golfers abide by. That rule is, count every stroke. This includes penalty strokes. Along that lines, there is another important rule and that is play the ball where it lies. Yes, there is taking relief and dropping your ball and the rules of golf are very specific when you can do that. But, if you don't like where your ball comes to rest, you can't generally move it. A true golfer takes their penalty strokes and plays the ball where it lies.
What about "The Vanity Handicapper"? That issue can also be debated. Some take their penalties and play their ball where it lies. At the end of the round, if their score is higher than usual, they don't post. At least when they post, the score is accurate and all strokes, including penalty strokes, are counted. At least they are hurting themselves legally. There is no hint of "cheating".
I will say this bluntly. Some "vanity handicappers" flat out cheat. They don't count penalty strokes and improve their lies. When they miss a short twelve inch putt, they don't count it. If it goes into the water, they either hit the ball again and not count the "water ball" or drop and not count the penalty stroke. Should the ball go out of bounds, either hit it again or play it from where it went out and not count the strokes. This is not golf, folks, this is out and out cheating. Into the computer goes a low number, or if it is a high number it doesn't get posted even though the golfer wasn't exactly honest about their score. They hurt their teams in team events and are disasters in individual events. They are the first to complain about the course conditions and whatever other creative excuse they can make up as to why they didn't play up to their handicap. Most everyone knows why though. Their excusese are almost as bogus as their handicap.
I post everything. My game is what it is and I am proud of it. I have had terrible rounds that I ask myself why am I playing this game to fantastic rounds where I really wondered if it was really me out there playing. The scores went into the computer, no matter how high or low. Yes, when my index goes up, I cry. When the index goes down, I jump for joy. At least, my numbers are accurate and I post everything according to the way they are supposed to be posted.
That's it for today. Have you checked out our website. Take a look. Go to http://golfisforeveryonemd.com and see. I'm very proud of it. We are working very hard to make it a premier resource for those wanting to take up the game, new to the game, juniors, women,the physically challenged and those who just love golf. Until the next time, hit 'em long and straight. Don't leave that birdie putt short.
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| Left side outside of the fence is out of bounds. Two stroke penalty. |
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