Handicap system debate inspires, provokes

Just this week I had an interesting text debate with a golf buddy. He was complaining about the handicap system in golf. Using his own words, the point he made was:

“The worst thing about golf is the handicap system. It made sense to try and equal a game out amongst friends. But with gambling so prevalent, the handicap is the biggest cheating mechanism.”

I find that last thought to be the most interesting; “biggest cheating mechanism.”

In fairness, I hear thoughts along those lines often.

“Biggest sandbagger out there!”

“What a cheater with that number!”

Here’s the question I’d ask in return: With four hours spent over 18 holes, do you really think the biggest cheat in golf is done at a computer before or after the round?

My answer: Not a chance!

Inflating a handicap may be the “easiest” cheat. It may feel less of a “cheat” than some on-course infractions.

But from a full-game standpoint: play 18 holes, follow all rules, call penalties on yourself, tally your own score and then return that score in the USGA’s GHIN Handicap system. There’s no way handicap is the biggest cheat.

Now let me clarify:

Do I think some people abuse the handicap system to intentionally keep their number artificially inflated? Yes.

Even in some cases deflated?

Yes, it’s called ego, and those are the guys we love to bet.

I’ll take it a step further: Do I believe inflating a handicap is cheating?

Yes, I do.

But is that the biggest cheat in golf? I honestly don’t think so.

First off, let’s look at the score impact.

I can’t tell you the amount of times I’ve seen someone (myself included) get all excited on the first tee about their handicap going up one shot — only to immediately make a double bogey on the first green and say “well there goes that extra shot.”

Even the most atrocious abusers would be hard pressed to get their number two, three maybe four shots above where it should be.

Don’t get me wrong: I’d love to have two extra shots a round to play with.

But two shots get wiped out with one bad swing.

Compare two shots in handicap to the on-course infractions I see all the time:

• How about the guy that swipes his own four-footers?

• Or the guy who fluffs his ball in the rough all day long?

• Or even unintentional cheating like when someone drops by an O.B. stake instead of going back to where they last played?

• Or when someone up against a tree knocks a limb down in a practice swing and doesn’t call a penalty on himself.

Gimmies. Mulligans. Jungle Rules. Play everything as lateral. Those are all well-known terms used in everyday golf rounds.

They’re also all synonyms for cheating.

Do I get why someone gives a putt? Or takes a mulligan? Sure. I want people to enjoy the game as much as the next guy.

But let’s not pretend that every golfer follows every rule of golf for all 18 holes, and then decides to cheat through the handicap/scoring system.

Is our handicap system perfect? Of course not. But golf is a sport based on honor.

Why should our handicap system be any different?

Jonah Karzmer is a former golf professional who writes a Sunday golf column for The Vindicator. In his spare time he sells commercial insurance and loves getting feedback on his weekly columns via email at Jonah@thekarzmerinsurance.com.