reverse bandits

[figjam]

I was just on another thread which got me thinking about a common phenomenon in Australia I call the reverse burglar. They are the guys (usually young but can be any age) who have an artificially low handicap which they can't play to. They usually have all the latest gear to wear, use stiff shafted blades, Scotty Cameron putters, ProV1X balls and carry their clubs. They are lucky to put in one card every ten rounds and even then it's hard to imagine how they could possibly shoot low enough to keep their handicap. In Australia we have what are called vardon events, which are major amatuer tourneys usually restriced to handicaps of 4 or less. These events are full of these reverse bandits who struggle to break 90 on tricked up courses. I played with a guy the other day who pulled out his hybrid for a par 3 of all of 155 metres, and drove the ball about 30 metres shorter than me on every drive, and chipped like a b grader. I was surprised to say the least when I was informed he played off 5. He then proceeded to hack around the course, picked up his ball on the 14th hole (he was probably at least 12 over at the time), made some reference to a wrist injury that was not apparent from his swing, and walked off the course. The other guys in the group said he never finishes a round and hangs onto his 5 handicap by not putting in cards. Just wondering if these types of guys exist in other parts of the world.

[MGP]

Oh sure. I played with a guy in a Saturday league several years ago that carried a 5 or 6 handicap (yeah, right ). He never finished anywhere near the top half of any of our 'A' flight stroke play events which was normally for about 8-9 index and under players. At the time I was playing off a legit 7-8ish handicap and I met up with him in the club match play championship. I didn't have a particularly great round and nearly had him closed out right after the turn. This guy had to give me 2 or 3 strokes and I would say I was nearly a stroke a hole better than him with no handicap (and I wasn't even playing my best). Crazy stuff.

[MCDavis]

FOOLS!!!!

[figjam]

I know what you mean, it seems ridiculous to try to have a lower handicap than you should. Most of us have enough trouble playing to our true handicaps. I think it's a bit of delusion, wanting to play in big events.

But at least they aren't out there stealing events like the real bandits. I'd rather be playing against guys who have handicaps they can't play to any day

[Scotty01292]

Originally Posted by figjam

and carry their clubs.

OH NO! THEY DON'T CARRY THEIR CLUBS!!! What's wrong with carrying your clubs???