cutting of h'cap

Well, seems the 23rd comp thread might be hijacked on this point, I thought I’d bring the debate onto its own thread.  Has some of you have seen Sunday turned out to be a good day for one of our members.  I new that the bandit word would come out. (Do people no how offensive this word his, especially to golfers of a low h'cap).To get your h'cap down, you must beat 36 points. Some take longer than others.

Been around a loong while, Paul, seen it all mate. Amazing how someone elses comments can get you pissed off.

I'm back!!

I can't believe a comment like 'bandit' can cause all this much commotion. I've never heard aynone use it in a non jokey way. If the winner did have a one-off everything goes day then I can't see why they are taking such offense? I wouldn't care what anybody said. Now if they do the same next time then questions must be asked.

John.

I'm going' to bed now, BUT COME ON '' HOW DO'S ONE GET HIS OR HER H'CAP DOWN''.   You keep going round & round, but golfer can't keep calling other golfer bandits when all they do his beat 36 points. Is it his or her problem that they improve quicker than others, so in the first year or so they do get very good scores now an again. I'm sorry to bring your name up Peter Deeming, but you are a perfect example to the above statement. How can anybody call you a bandit when what I can see your h'caps never gone up? You've played in I think three G S comp's this year. All members have to do is check your stat's. John P, could you please check the stats of Pete Deeming, and tell all the members how Pete could do any more than what he's doing to bring his h'cap down to what he's doing already. I feel a lot of members will be interested with your answers, has in the coming year it may affect them. 

I'm going' to bed now, BUT COME ON '' HOW DO'S ONE GET HIS OR HER H'CAP DOWN''.   You keep going round & round, but golfer can't keep calling other golfer bandits when all they do his beat 36 points. Is it his or her problem that they improve quicker than others, so in the first year or so they do get very good scores now an again. I'm sorry to bring your name up Peter Deeming, but you are a perfect example to the above statement. How can anybody call you a bandit when what I can see your h'caps never gone up? You've played in I think three G S comp's this year. All members have to do is check your stat's. John P, could you please check the stats of Pete Deeming, and tell all the members how Pete could do any more than what he's doing to bring his h'cap down to what he's doing already. I feel a lot of members will be interested with your answers, has in the coming year it may affect them. 

I agree totally Dave - we were there, we all know what it was like and I'd say that Peter was as amazed as the rest of us given the circumstances - sometimes everything clicks.  We all had stories of lipped putts (as usual) and bad bounces and we could have (in our heads) matched that.  Peter got it right and aside from a slight feeling of jealousy (only is as much that one day I'll get a round like that in) he should feel proud of it.

Good on you mate.

When will you all realise that the word 'bandit' is not a derogatory term at all in this game of golf. We have all been called it at one time or another.

I think a sense of humour is needed here. Whenever you get a group of guys together, the banter will always flow. especialy when sport is involved. I can't think of a golf day where the winner has not been called a bandit.

The only time I get called a bandit is when I smash my 1st tee shot 300 yards down the fairway. After a couple of holes that tag soon disapears.

I think everyone of us must have been called a 'Bandit' at one time or another.

Don't take is as an insult, the word bandit is normally used when you have just hit a very good shot, so take it as a compliment.

Each and everyone of us is entitled to a good day every few years.

These are one off events and as such nothing can be read into them.

To be a real bandit you must play consistently below you handicap, which to me means you are not entering your scorecards after the round, therefore keeping your handicap artificially high.

Russ

Paul,

The golf was good, the weather even better. I'll show you some piccy's on Friday

John

There's two ways to call someone a bandit. I will use Sunday's game to take names in vain as an example. 

1. Tim Buffham was in my group, plays off 28 and if he works on his short game would be down in low 20's.  Almost every drive was 250 yards and down the middle.  Almost every time he hit one, one of us muttered "28 my arse, frigging bandit!" to him, usually with a response similar to "Yeah but it'll take me four more to the green!".  Tim came in with 20 odd points and is not a bandit.  That is banter.

2.  Peter Deeming plays off 14 and his handicap has been slowly coming down over the months, something we all aspire to.  He has a cracking round in difficult conditions when everything seems to click.  He is rightly pleased not only with the result but that he will see his handicap come down again.  Most are congratulating him on his performance, but others are calling him a bandit in a way that, in my opinion, is not friendly banter.  They are questioning his honesty and suggesting it is impossible for someone to score 44 points without cheating.  They are calling him a liar and a cheat. 

For me, option 1 is acceptable and is often used as a means of congratulations of a good shot/round.  Option 2 is akin to telling a pro he's not allowed to submit his card because he had a good round and shot a 66 (something that happens in most tournaments) as he must've cheated to play that well.  Whilst there are cheats out there, they are few and far between.  You need to be very, very certain that the person is dishonest, or they at least do not have the evidence in place to justify/verify their handicap before accusing them.  If someone attends their first event claiming to be off 20+ and romps it with 45 points then you are well within your rights to question their handicap and I would do the same.  When someone attands their third event with a handicap of 14 and 18 months of data to back that up I say "good round, well done".  I find it interesting that both myself and Luke shot 40 points (which would have won outright any other Golfshake event this year) but neither of us are having our integrity questioned. 

As Tweedy said above, how the hell are you supposed to get your handicap down if your not 'allowed' to shoot below it?

The only reason, up till now, that no one has questioned you Chris, is that no one knows that both you and Luke were also out there hustling, 40 points indeed.

Can't wait for next season when hopefully the 1st monthly medal will be mine..

The term "bandit" will echo around the club house as I polish my prize..

Then I shall be cut

Then "bandit" becomes "bast$rds"....

All in good banter though.....

Three blobs as well John.  I'll gladly take the handicap cut though.  My aim was to get down to 23 this year and 18 next year.  Looks like I'm ahead of schedule. 

Its all making sense now Chris,if you and Luke scored 40pts the course must have been a piece of p###!! LOL. Well  done to you two.........where can i veiw all the scores??

And Graham the word Bandit is not an insult to fellow golfers and -8 under your hcp is most certianly banditry. I would love to be called a bandit but I've only shot -6 this season and that don't count,lol.

I'm sure that Darren will have them loaded up soon David.....

Chris,

You must question the handicap of Peter though as he has scored some pretty high scores this year;

• 41 points at cocks moor
• 45 points at derby sinfin
• 40 points at branston
• 44 points staverton

I would be interested in how he got his starting handicap & it's also interesting how no rounds have been entered for Nov?

I think it's good when people have the rounds of their life but to have 4 in a year!!

Its funny you make the comparison to a pro shooting 66. If Tiger had of played on Sunday, and shot a 66. He would have only scored 32 points (based on his +8 handicap). To get 41 points he would have had to go round in 57 shots. Seeing as his lowest ever score in a comp is 61, that would be some going.

As far as I'm concerend if you come in with a 40+ point round, you're straying into bandit county. Take it in the jest it's meant, polish your trophy, and take the handicap cut.

What about if you shoot 40 bang on!!?

Then you're a mini bandito.

Hang on John, I've had a 44, a 41 and two 40's since June (two of theose at Perton Park, the others at Boldmere and Tamworth).  You suggesting I like burritos?