POLL: What Is Your Average Hcp?

[PlaidJacket]

I searched around and couldn't find a Hcp. poll. This is my first shot at making a poll since the forum was upgraded. If this doesn't work correctly or if it's a duplicate then the admins are free to remove it. 

[Kenny B]

My index bounces around during the year.  Last year it started under 8, but got up to 10 for a short time in the summer. I have no idea what to expect this year since I am another year older.

This will be the first year in more than 10 years that I won't be using GHIN.  I don't see a need to spend the money.  Late last year I started using The Grint, comparing it against GHIN, and it's very comparable.  I also get stat tracking when I remember to record the info.

[GB13]

My average handicap is right around 3-4. I had a cold streak (swing change) at the end of last year, which is why it's a little higher right now. I'm hoping this season to get my average around 1ish. 

[PlaidJacket]

14 minutes ago, Kenny B said:

My index bounces around during the year.

Everyone's does. I averaged a 5 last year. My low was a 3 for a few months in the heat of summer play. Had visions of keeping a 3 or perhaps going lower but it's kind of difficult. Ha. A few years ago I was chasing a low or lower hcp and failed miserably as it became a thought in my head (obsession) instead of just playing. So, once I quit worrying about my hcp my scores improved and my hcp went lower. Strange game.  

[GolfSpy_BNG]

I am currently sitting at an 8 but usually sit around the 10-12 range.  I am hoping that even with this long winter off that I can continue trending down.  I would love to start shooting in the 70's consistently.

[PING Apologist #9]

I've only begun to track HC just last season and tracked it all year. Went from 30 straight down to right at 20 and was a 19 for about 2-weeks or so when I had a fantastic round followed by a total pooch screw. I expect it to continue trending down to mid to lower teens this season where I kind of expect it to level out, then I'll most likely start to see a more of an "average". I put 19+ in for now for poll purposes which is fair for me.

[Kenny B]

48 minutes ago, PlaidJacket said:

Everyone's does. I averaged a 5 last year. My low was a 3 for a few months in the heat of summer play. Had visions of keeping a 3 or perhaps going lower but it's kind of difficult. Ha. A few years ago I was chasing a low or lower hcp and failed miserably as it became a thought in my head (obsession) instead of just playing. So, once I quit worrying about my hcp my scores improved and my hcp went lower. Strange game.  

How much should a person's hcp "normally" bounce around throughout the year?  I think it probably depends on the person's skill level.  I can see it changing quite a bit if a person has an injury or going through a swing change, but what is a "normal" hcp range during the year?  

[tony@CIC]

Great thread - I always wondered what happens to other's indexes. 

Mine bounces between 3 and 4 higher than normal in the fall. Guess cold, wet weather makes an impact (no pun intended). By late spring I'm back to my normal play/index. 

[MGoBlue100]

I fluctuate between 11-14. Been a 9 and a 16. Just depends, right?


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[Jmikecpa]

Last year my low was +0.6 and my high was a 1.2. I finished the year at a +0.3 and hope to keep it there this year. Need to get more consistent.


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[PlaidJacket]

1 hour ago, Jmikecpa said:

Last year my low was +0.6 and my high was a 1.2. I finished the year at a +0.3 and hope to keep it there this year. Need to get more consistent.

So where on the poll do you fit in? So far no one has selected anything lower than a 4.

[M. Parsons]

My current handicap is a 19, but I typically play to a 15. A couple years ago I was playing a lot better, even shot par while playing a 9-hole, par 36 course. Unfortunately, the following year I got a case of the shanks and it took a while to recover, but it's trending in the right direction now.

[Jmikecpa]

So where on the poll do you fit in? So far no one has selected anything lower than a 4.

Less than 1 would be my choice. Guess it didn’t register the first time.


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[PlaidJacket]

16 minutes ago, Jmikecpa said:

Less than 1 would be my choice. Guess it didn’t register the first time.

Sometimes being low man on the totem pole is a good thing.  

[Jmikecpa]

Sometimes being low man on the totem pole is a good thing.  

Not at my club. Most low single digits can get up to at least a 7 or 8.


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[PlaidJacket]

bump

[DaveP043]

In at 4 to 6.  I've been as low as 2, but not for long.

[robertson153]

Currently a 11.5. Got down to a 9.6 then “blowed up” and went up to a 14. Goal this year is staying in single digits, say around 7-8. Going for an iron fitting late spring, hoping that does the trick.


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[PMookie]

I got down to 5 last year, shot back up to 7, and now back to 6.1
I plan on being back inside 5, and would love to be lower, but I just don’t have the practice time anymore. The clubs will travel with me again this year when I go on the road for work, so maybe I can get more rounds in.


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[No3PuttLaLa]

Currently sitting at 13.7... hoping to get that down to a 10 this year. Started last year at a 24.

The power of properly fitted clubs and lessons!


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[MattF]

Currently a 16.7, have been down to a 16.3 and up to a 17. Hoping with regular play this year to get down to a 12 or so.

[SteddyGolf]

I finished the season at a .9 HCP. It’s important to note I normally play from the men’s (White) tees. If I were to move back to the Championship Tees (Blue) my HCP would most likely go up to between 6 to 8.

 

 

 

 

 

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[fixyurdivot]

I don't keep one, but have a good idea based on my own spreadsheet data. It ranges between 12 and 16 over the past 3+ years of play. 

[fozcycle]

Mine fluctuated from 17 to 21 to 19. My best was a 10 but that was 30 years ago. Since then, I shattered my left wrist and overstretched the ligaments in my left leg. I have a steel plate, 13 screws and an inch of my hip in my left arm..so no real complaints. I broke 80 three times last year.


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[MattF]

11 hours ago, fozcycle said:

Since then, I shattered my left wrist and overstretched the ligaments in my left leg. I have a steel plate, 13 screws and an inch of my hip in my left arm.

So, you're making excuses then? 

[PlaidJacket]

Suggestion. Besides just making a comment about your handicap please take a second and register your handicap in the Poll at the top of the page. I'm starting to wonder if the Poll works correctly or perhaps not all "clicks" are being picked up.

Thanks everyone

[Wedgie]

Started last year at 13.5, got it down to 8.3 and now sit at 9.  Once a 75 drops off in 3 rounds I should be back to my normal 10-12 range.

[fixyurdivot]

1 hour ago, PlaidJacket said:

Suggestion. Besides just making a comment about your handicap please take a second and register your handicap in the Poll at the top of the page. I'm starting to wonder if the Poll works correctly or perhaps not all "clicks" are being picked up.

Thanks everyone

The current histogram is following the trend I've seen in most other charts on handicaps. The question is just how much it is skewed to the left by our vanity-caps.   For instance, I could have chosen the 13-15, but opted to pick the 12-14 .  If I used my last few weeks of play, 10-12 would work.

[PlaidJacket]

It's not really that big a deal. Although I was hoping for a better response. I have looked at the poll so far and I believe the hcps that guys have posted.  I think hcps here in the forum are probably about what might be represented in a GHIN average at about a 16 hcp. I also suspect our forum handicaps might be slightly lower but still double digits.

[palvord]

I like the question @PlaidJacket. 

It's interesting and fun to see where the majority of the forum users fall.