Found this article interesting

[Javs]

I am a low single digit handicapper and I am not sure I agree with her assessment of the WHS. Every club and event will have those that pad their handicaps. However, I still have won plenty of events in our groups/men’s club events. What do you think? Has your handicap increased under WHS? I know I improved my handicap over the past couple years. It wasn’t attributed to the handicap system. It was through hard work and more time to get on the course.
https://www.golfmonthly.com/features/why-the-world-handicap-system-has-ruined-golf-for-low-handicappers?utm_term=CFEB69DA-8695-406A-822D-71925C4B6E39&lrh=afabd56f8788996dec1eed39e53e29756a4fe34c1aff9fa4fdfa9f254cbb042a&utm_campaign=075440B8-601C-4440-A9B1-8A7444061AA8&utm_medium=email&utm_content=CCF7D7D3-F40A-47AA-A6A2-C378E3346491&utm_source=SmartBrief

[Subdiver1]

The only assertion I agree with in this article is, "now I can come down a whole shot in a matter of weeks by playing consistently well."

in response to this and your question, my handicap has gone down a bit, and I concur with the author that it slides downward much more quickly at a rocket's pace, but taking several "bad" rounds to slowly inch up. I think this helps keep the sandbaggers who play in any tournament that automatically records that score.

I have to ask what tournaments she is playing where A-flight, Division 1, etc. Players are competing NET, vs. Flighted gross. Other than our men's club tournaments, every "tour" I play with is GROSS for <9 handicap players due to fighting. C-flight or Division 3, and up, are the only ones playing NET.  THAT is what makes it hard for me to compete. As a 4-5 playing against 3.5-8.4 players I hold pretty well, I am worried about dropping below 3.4 and having to compete GROSS against a +2. Nightmare.

[Javs]

7 minutes ago, Subdiver1 said:

The only assertion I agree with in this article is, "now I can come down a whole shot in a matter of weeks by playing consistently well."

in response to this and your question, my handicap has gone down a bit, and I concur with the author that it slides downward much more quickly at a rocket's pace, but taking several "bad" rounds to slowly inch up. I think this helps keep the sandbaggers who play in any tournament that automatically records that score.

I have to ask what tournaments she is playing where A-flight, Division 1, etc. Players are competing NET, vs. Flighted gross. Other than our men's club tournaments, every "tour" I play with is GROSS for <9 handicap players due to fighting. C-flight or Division 3, and up, are the only ones playing NET.  THAT is what makes it hard for me to compete. As a 4-5 playing against 3.5-8.4 players I hold pretty well, I am worried about dropping below 3.4 and having to compete GROSS against a +2. Nightmare.

Great comments and agree with your assessment as well. I didn’t really like her comments on the handicap system. My experience with flighted events is similar to yours. Usually 9 and below play gross not net. 

[THEZIPR23]

I didn't get it either until I noticed she was from England. I believe their change was a lot more severe than we in the US had (some of our fellow foreigners could correct me if I am wrong). Now she is just experiencing what we in the US have been dealing with forever. Low handicaps should play gross events only. 

[Josh Parker]

It sounds like it's the way the tournaments are set up is the issue for her.  The tournaments I see around me are flighted and it prevents what she is talking about. 

The other interesting part of her write up is that it almost sounds as if she doesn't understand the new system 100%.  She talks about always putting in scores but then later on talks about not being able to because some of the holes are closed during winter.  My understanding of the new system is that you can now put in partial scores and it will calculate the unfinished. 

The club doesn't want to do flights but that sounds like they don't want to do multiple winners. 

[MattF]

Sounds to me like there's a lot of sandbagging going on.

Edited November 16, 2023 by MattF

[RickyBobby_PR]

2 hours ago, MattF said:

Sounds to me like there's a lot of sandbagging going on.

The amount of sandbagging is only perceived higher. There was a big thread not long ago on a similar topic of sandbagging and how lower handicap players are at a disadvantage from it.

Are there sandbagger? Sure. Is it rampant? Nope