I don’t think it matters that your handicap isn’t official James. You are not entering competitions or even playing to win against pals. You make super videos and your handicap helps us track your progress. Keep up the good work and the ever improving golf!
I don’t care what your HC is , I’m watching to see your game and how you played on the day. You’re playing our golf, some crap shots and some that bring you back for more. A no frills golf channel that isn’t sponsored, isn’t trying to be a comedian or a media personality. Keep up the grind
I don’t belong to a club, don’t gamble, and I don’t play tournament golf, so I stopped even calculating my handicap. It just doesn’t matter to me. I know when I finish a round if I played well or poorly. I’m just out to have fun with my friends. We laugh at each other when we get an 8 and celebrate each other’s birdies. If you are having fun, you are winning. The way you are calculating your handicap sounds fair to me. Don’t let others rain on your parade. ⛳️
Fabulous guy, great golfer and a truly aspirational mindset. I was surprised you would address this in a video... who cares about handicap when you can get in the hole without wanting to throw your clubs. It seems about right, James ❤
Nicely done as always James. You only hit a couple of wayward drives but still recovered nicely. Your shot out of the bunker was indeed worldly! It’s always enjoyable watching your videos, great attitude and manners, and your playing continues to go up and up. The second course could be scary in a golf cart ( buggie), but sure looked like a cardio workout, you managed it really well. Judging by the comments sections in all your videos, you are providing a ton of enjoyment for your viewers, all the way to Canada. Looking forward to your next video.
Great views and narrative James. I have planned a trip in July based on your videos. -19c with the wind chill in Montreal as I watch the green hills of Wales.
I think your handicap is probably about right. Some good golf in there. As long as you are enjoying it that is the main thing. Using less loft around the greens makes a lot of difference to you. As a very wise man once said to me “only a fool chips over nothing” I played cricket a lot in Mochdre I had no idea there was a golf course there 😄
I belong to a golf club. I've been a member for 6 years, and I don't have a handicap. I just play usually on my own because I enjoy my own company. Keep going and enjoy.
From what you said the app does exactly what the official England Golf app does. Whilst yours might not be recognised it would take a bit of an arse to consider it false in my opinion. You're a bit of an inspiration to be fair, you're not using all the latest and greatest gear yet put in some damn fine honest golf.
James from the videos I've watched your hcap looks about spot on. And agree with a lot of the other comments regarding how enjoyable the videos are and unlike some other channels illustrates what mid hcap golf really looks like. So many of the "how to break 80 90......" are by low hcap golfers who seldom hit an awful shot. Keep the videos coming they're a staple in my golf viewing!!!
Really enjoy your videos! Unorthodox swing but it works! Handicap doesn’t matter if you’re not playing competitively, but it seems to be right anyway! Keep up the fantastic content! ⛳️👏
I think the more relevant question is "what kind of golf do I want to play?" If you're content to play off the yellow tees, with a 14 hdcp, and score reasonably well, swing the club well, make consistent contact with the ball - then that's the way to go. If you want to know what your hdcp is relative to other golfers then you'd need to play from the whites/back tees more often. I'd imagine you'd be playing off 15/16 if you played from competition counting tees? Maybe try to find out what score won a recent stableford/medal at a course you're going to play and try better that from the same tees. That extra incentive/pressure might also be beneficial in highlighting which parts of your game could benefit from further practice?
Don't you worry about the haters mate. I love your casual approach. Ive only been watching you for 4 months and ive seen a heap of improvement with your game, you love the game and that's all that matters. Cheers from down under. 👍
Well played. Both courses were tight and hilly. Chipping and putting were good. You got slighted on five or six putts. Your bunker play was incredible. Keep up the good work.-Mark in Alabama, USA.
Well played once again, your 'unofficial' World Handicap Index is exactly right with you playing to the sum of both separate course handicaps. It was refreshing to see the greens at Old Colwyn hand mown and then recut at right angles. It would have been interesting if you played your driver rather than your putter after the GUR free drop at Penmaenmawr from the top of the bank!
I agree it's a good proxy measure using that app but probably not a true handicap. You need someone to verify your scores to validate your handicap. There are a lot of intangibles by playing with others and playing in competitions including handling the pressure but also having other players lifting up your game. Great video!
I use the same app and go off my last ten scores, you’re a better player playing different courses rather than the same one every week. Your handicap is more a real indicator of where you are at, I think your handicap is spot on, only the golf snobs who play the same club would challenge it….golf is for everyone. 👍🏼
Is gaining a handicap really necessary? Sure - it’s a good guide and fun to play for, but for yourself and many like you, playing golf is for fun…otherwise you’d be entering tournaments all over the place. I shouldn’t think there is anyone shouting at the screen saying that you are lying about your “handicap” because you can play! Anyway, your niche is different to many others…Ive said previously that your videos are “nice” - and nice is good, we can watch you in those lovely courses in North Wales and THINK that we could do better than you…the reality is that you are like us and this is why we tune in and subscribe. Just carry on doing what you do, your videos are very enjoyable and most of all…they are real. If you told us that you were a 28 or 6 handicap we might not believe that, but the handicap that you go by seems about right.
without watching a full 18 hole round, 14 looks about right mate.... with 18 holes, tiredness, breaks of concentration etc all come into it. I do like that you've got a shorter swing and aren't trying to belt the daylights out of it. It keeps you out of trouble most of the time etc. Keep it up mate. I will say, these courses look absolutely incredible.
Well played James. I think your handicap is about right. Don’t worry about anyone else. As per other comments, you were given duff info about your plugged ball.
I belong to a golf club, and there are a lot of handicaps that aren't right. Whether it's people putting in supplementary cards to get their handicap down (because of ego?), or farming their handicap up so they can have more shots when the competitions come around! Your rounds are on camera, and you're working it out the official way, so I'd say yours is more official than most 🤣
Here's the difference between a 'real' handicap and one from an app: your 'real' handicap is calculated and adjusted each time you play a club comp; every shot is a pressure shot, your're nervous, 4 foot breaking putts look impossible, you 'just need a par on the last to win, no pressure haha', your playing partners are standing watching you, and they are hoping with every fibre of their being that you miss that short putt, or that tricky chip - etc etc etc. or you use an app. Spot the difference?
He's playing in front of a few thousand folk to be honest. Deffo pressure, filming etc. Why not use an app if you're not a member anywhere. Makes sense to me and even Golf England do it.
Whilst I understand your comment I still believe an 'app' handicap, if calculated to WHS, is still accurate. It's no different than submitting cards from casual play to your club surely?
I use Igolf, which is run by england golf, i dont know there is similar in Wales. However it’s calculated in the same way, average score differential of best 8 rounds in the last 20. igolf is recognised as an offical Handicap and can be used to enter competitive golf at the golf clubs discretion
Don’t you also have to play with someone who is also subscribed to iGolf? Judging from James’ content he plays alone so wouldn’t be able to submit the scorecards. I am in a similar situation to James, so please correct me if I’m wrong
You are correct, i do need to play with another affiliated golfer. But the calculation seems the same, that was more to my point…. you are right with James playing alone 👍🏻
Your handicap is as accurate as anyone using the whs system. Playing different courses will make it more accurate. What you don’t do is convert you handicap index,13.6, to your course handicap, looks like your app can do this, course handicap was 5 for the first 9 holes. Try playing to this rather than your index.
Nice work James, not played these two yet but your videos have inspired me to do so. If venturing into Wirral again try Eastham (nice parkland course not expensive). Warren is a 9 hole municipal links that is best booked online, can get busy as you found out so would recommend midweek pm.
I suppose if I pro on say +3 just turned up to an alien course, without practise etc, then I'd certain they would not shoot +3. I suppose, because they're better golfers, they would get closer to their handicap compared to an average golfer with a handicap of say 16. Great video as always, great seeing a course with an honesty box this day and age!
James - not a lie at all. Even under WHS it takes the best 8 x scores out of your latest 20, so your App works the same. Nice video by the way - well shot 👍
I've been occasionally watching your magnificent golf play making sure I click like but I've never subscribed. Well now that I've subbed we can finally move along. I've been watching you from when you were a 24hcp I think? And it struck me that I've watched you improve quite quickly going from +24hcp down to 13hcp or so? I'm wondering if by playing by yourself you can actually improve quicker. Imagine playing & listening to a bunch of 20 hdcpers giving you golf instructions with every mishit. You hit the ball fairly straight and away from hazards. And that's something I'd like to see in my game. You have a very non-drama like game and you have some awesome editing showing the flag on the green from where you're at and the tracers makes your channel a pleasure to watch. Oh and l forgot to mention I make sure after you make your putt that you toss the ball up in the air and catch it at least twice. Thanks for putting this up!
Some people miss the value of a par. For us weekend warrior golfers a par is basically a birdie, or we should at least view it that way. A bogey is most of the time what are average should be if not double bogey. I celebrate every par I get. And the birdies feel like Eagles to me. I just try to enjoy the good holes and learn from the bad ones. Those courses look amazing and fun. Another great video.
According to golf shot I’m off 14, I also don’t have a membership. I find it’s a decent guide but your excellent lag putting is something I dream of. I mostly play a par 3 too which makes it really hard as I only get two shots per 19 holes!!!
In the US, you don't have to be a member of a club to have a handicap. They have regional "clubs" that aren't tied to a course and don't have membership fees. Our handicaps are just as official as anyone else's.
My Garmin reckons I'm about a 13 but I usually seem to play about 20 over with the occasional good round thrown in. At the end of the day, my golf is so inconsistent, it makes no difference :)
HCP very true I think,as you say best 8 rounds from 20 is the same as England Golf calculates it . Matters not though as you don't play competitions anyway. Certainly not a bandit !!
your handicap is a proper habdicap i play off 10 at my club Trethorne Cornwall but its a course i know well, you are playing many unknown clubs and doing well.
Those members sold you a lie there mate on that plugged ball. If your ball is plugged you can roll it out of its mark and play it where it falls and that would have meant you’d have been putting from the lower tier.
@@shane329 potentially, however if ground was from that would’ve rolled back onto the green, as it’s plugged it can be rolled out of the hole and play where it lies
The ball is lodged in the bank where play is prohibited as shown on the sign. Presumably to protect the course and for player safety. Ball must be played from nearest point of relief. Even with embedded ball placing, the next shot can't be be closer to hole.
I really like these two courses and you played well especially on the greens.I think your handicap is an honest one,you always try your best unlike a lot of club golfers I have played with who will happily cheat and 'sandbag' to keep their handicap high and you are consistently there or thereabouts. Not 100% sure about the advice about relief from GUR,the rule says to drop within one club length of the nearest point of complete relief away from GUR and not nearer the hole,the top of that bank didn't look to be the nearest point 😕 Callaways ride again! Well done!
Always enjoy watching your videos James as a non golfer. I do ,however know about birds and the one swooping past you on the par 4. 8th was a Wood Pigeon with a couple of its tail feathers missing . Maybe it performs this trick regularly and has been unceremoniously plucked by intimidated golfers ?
That was some really steady golf mate. Your app seems to follow the R&A world handicap system loosely. We don't have the same in RSA so can't test it. The real trick to the system is the Course rating, if you play on a course with a "Course Rating" of 69.5 (ignore the SLOPE) and a par 72 then when you score 85 which is 13 over par BUT the rating makes the differential score is +15.5 . The handicap indexes are based on the average of the best 8 differentials from the last 20 rounds. Any way what does it matter when you are not in competitions.
One can only estimate, but although you don't play off competition tees, you play many courses, so don't get the detailed local knowledge from playing one course. So I'd say it's about right. Anyway who cares!! Keep up the content James. Love the 7th at Old Colwyn btw.
Your handicap is more accurate playing different courses. Enjoy watching your ventures at different courses. I’m not bothered about your handicap. Putting and chipping very good across those 2 9 holes 👍🏻
14 looks fine for me, I wish I could hit the ball as consistantly as you do. Here in Austria without membership you can only play a few public courses ... (or when the secretary doesn't ask)
All this handicap talk from amateurs does my head in. It’s rife on RUclips and at golf clubs. It’s all they talk about. James, you’re doing fine mate, continue to film your rounds, show us each shot and enjoy your golf as you do!
Golfshot calculates the handicap correctly by taking your best 8 scores from last 20 rounds. It should figure in the individual course difficulty as well by factoring in the course rating and slope. so the rating on the first 9 hole course was 32.5, so your course handicap would by closer to 6.5 based on your 9 hole score.
Thanks for the vids James but unfortunately your handicap may be far from right, to get a handicap you need to be a member of a golf club enter 3 comps send in your score card for each round then they will calculate your handicap. Believe me James playing in a comp with 3 other players watching you is very nerve racking at best. it`s another ball game altogether. but carry on James and enjoy yourself.
Not too keen on using the word “lie” in relation to your handicap James, perhaps “accurate” would be a better choice. There’s no way on earth you’d lie.
Think your Handicap is about right for the courses you play because they are only very short in terms of distance, think you would be nearer 20 on a course with more length, but must say you chipping and putting reasonably well vast improvement from your early vlogs....
James I just like the way you record your golf adventures. The keyboard worriers love to criticise Apply and join England Golf, its not expensive, and they will calculate your handicap.
I agree, the MyEG app was designed to take out some of the old elitism and allow players that either don't want to shell the out for membership or like to play different courses to get a handicap. It's no more or less accurate than the traditional method and playing different courses certainly adds an additional test
About that plugged ball...you get relief which is nearest point not closer to the hole and one club length...you could drop that ball on the lower level moving a little left or right to stay no closer to the hole.. if the members drop it way up on top, that is not the closest point.
Your handicap is being calculated the same as if your were enrolled at a club. I’ll bet that there are folks with club handicaps that manipulate their numbers by excluding some scores or doing other shenanigans to ‘cheat’ the system., so I don’t think “club handicaps” should be held up as a gold standard. Yours seems a good honest accounting of your skill, and you use it only to help viewers have an expectation of what your round should look like. Forget any snide remarks and just keep cracking on. Cheers!
You can get an official handicap via England Golf if you want to, you don't have to be a member of a club. Not much point if you're not playing club tournaments though, tracking on an app like you do is just fine for most people!
Agree but I guess the EG app makes it official if it's ever needed. I believe it's £48 a year now and does include the insurance that you'd get as a club member so pretty decent value
If you don’t play in competitions then a golf handicap is completely irrelevant! I’m like you, I don’t have a handicap because I’m not a member of a club nor do I want to be! I like playing wherever I feel like playing. Plus here in the US not many courses offer memberships anymore.
In the words of George Constanza It’s not a lie, if you believe it. All kidding aside it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. You just keep playing and enjoy yourself.
Nothing wrong with getting an "online" handicap, I know some clubs require you to provide proof of said handicap and you can get one from these online apps which are widely recognised.... anyway you're not entering competitions so I don't see a problem and you're only cheating yourself so go forth and enjoy this crazy game...... you've actually improved quite a bit from the early days James...🌟🎊🤩🥳
I don’t think it matters that your handicap isn’t official James. You are not entering competitions or even playing to win against pals. You make super videos and your handicap helps us track your progress. Keep up the good work and the ever improving golf!
Cheers mate, thanks for the kind words 👍 👍 👍
I don’t care what your HC is , I’m watching to see your game and how you played on the day. You’re playing our golf, some crap shots and some that bring you back for more.
A no frills golf channel that isn’t sponsored, isn’t trying to be a comedian or a media personality. Keep up the grind
I don’t belong to a club, don’t gamble, and I don’t play tournament golf, so I stopped even calculating my handicap. It just doesn’t matter to me. I know when I finish a round if I played well or poorly. I’m just out to have fun with my friends. We laugh at each other when we get an 8 and celebrate each other’s birdies.
If you are having fun, you are winning. The way you are calculating your handicap sounds fair to me. Don’t let others rain on your parade. ⛳️
I was looking at how people measure success in golf. One of the things about senior golfers is just showing up is an automatic win 👍 👍 👍
Fabulous guy, great golfer and a truly aspirational mindset. I was surprised you would address this in a video... who cares about handicap when you can get in the hole without wanting to throw your clubs. It seems about right, James ❤
Cheers Jon, I do get the odd comment asking about handicaps so thought I'd address it in a vid 👍 👍 👍
I think your handicap is probably more accurate than those that just play the same course over and over.
I agree
James, some lovely shots there buddy. Love watching your vids. I have to say as well some great comments from others below too. Keep em coming pal!
Nicely done as always James. You only hit a couple of wayward drives but still recovered nicely. Your shot out of the bunker was indeed worldly! It’s always enjoyable watching your videos, great attitude and manners, and your playing continues to go up and up. The second course could be scary in a golf cart ( buggie), but sure looked like a cardio workout, you managed it really well. Judging by the comments sections in all your videos, you are providing a ton of enjoyment for your viewers, all the way to Canada. Looking forward to your next video.
Cheers man, thanks for the kind words 👍 👍 👍
Great views and narrative James.
I have planned a trip in July based on your videos.
-19c with the wind chill in Montreal as I watch the green hills of Wales.
Cheers Michael, enjoy your trip 👍 👍 👍
Beautiful courses and another enjoyable video. Cheers 😄
Loving your putting. Very consistent and smooth.
👍 👍 👍
Nice work James. You really do know how to play to your strengths 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
The lag putting often bails me out 👍 👍 👍
Well played! You seem to be much more consistent of late. Helps that your drives are nearly always in play. Well done!!
This was the end of the golf season so everything was sharp. I surprised myself with those 2 bunker shots lol :)
Well played James and Happy New Year!
Cheers Peter same to you! 👍 👍 👍
I think your handicap is probably about right. Some good golf in there. As long as you are enjoying it that is the main thing. Using less loft around the greens makes a lot of difference to you. As a very wise man once said to me “only a fool chips over nothing”
I played cricket a lot in Mochdre I had no idea there was a golf course there 😄
Great round james. Your hard work is paying off.
nice to see you enjoying this great game.
That’s some of the best golf ⛳️ I’ve seen you play mate! Well done. 👏
78 over 18 holes I'll definitely take it! 👍 👍 👍
That pint looked so good, well deserved!
It was a half time pint. That might have been why the 2nd course was a bit ropey at the start haha :)
I think your handicap is accurately calculated. Another really good course blog
I belong to a golf club. I've been a member for 6 years, and I don't have a handicap. I just play usually on my own because I enjoy my own company. Keep going and enjoy.
Great bunker play James, and I agree the short puts are on the improve. I think your handicap is spot on! Thanks for another great video
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From what you said the app does exactly what the official England Golf app does. Whilst yours might not be recognised it would take a bit of an arse to consider it false in my opinion.
You're a bit of an inspiration to be fair, you're not using all the latest and greatest gear yet put in some damn fine honest golf.
Yes totally agree with this. Same criteria as myEG. Having watched most of your videos I’d say your handicap is accurate. Keep
Up the good work! ⛳️
James from the videos I've watched your hcap looks about spot on. And agree with a lot of the other comments regarding how enjoyable the videos are and unlike some other channels illustrates what mid hcap golf really looks like. So many of the "how to break 80 90......" are by low hcap golfers who seldom hit an awful shot. Keep the videos coming they're a staple in my golf viewing!!!
I can never watch those videos. People off scratch or single digit hcps just don't understand mid to high handicap golf 👍 👍 👍
Really enjoy your videos! Unorthodox swing but it works! Handicap doesn’t matter if you’re not playing competitively, but it seems to be right anyway! Keep up the fantastic content! ⛳️👏
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Stay safe during Storm Eowyn! Hope your courses don't sustain too much damage!
First time watching, that was brilliant. It was like I was playing the rounds myself. You look like a natural putter
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I think the more relevant question is "what kind of golf do I want to play?" If you're content to play off the yellow tees, with a 14 hdcp, and score reasonably well, swing the club well, make consistent contact with the ball - then that's the way to go.
If you want to know what your hdcp is relative to other golfers then you'd need to play from the whites/back tees more often. I'd imagine you'd be playing off 15/16 if you played from competition counting tees? Maybe try to find out what score won a recent stableford/medal at a course you're going to play and try better that from the same tees. That extra incentive/pressure might also be beneficial in highlighting which parts of your game could benefit from further practice?
Don't you worry about the haters mate. I love your casual approach. Ive only been watching you for 4 months and ive seen a heap of improvement with your game, you love the game and that's all that matters. Cheers from down under. 👍
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cheers James and well done...2 courses in one day...no drama...
Well played. Both courses were tight and hilly. Chipping and putting were good. You got slighted on five or six putts. Your bunker play was incredible. Keep up the good work.-Mark in Alabama, USA.
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Brilliant golf-well played james
Great video James. Keep at It mate. No dramas mate.
Nice round, keep up the good work. Golf delivers honesty. Don’t know if you practice, alignment issues. You’re an excellent putter. Best wishes …
Well played once again, your 'unofficial' World Handicap Index is exactly right with you playing to the sum of both separate course handicaps. It was refreshing to see the greens at Old Colwyn hand mown and then recut at right angles. It would have been interesting if you played your driver rather than your putter after the GUR free drop at Penmaenmawr from the top of the bank!
Old Colwyn is a little rough around the edges with birds pecking at the greens etc... I think it adds a little to the charm 👍 👍 👍
Nice play 👏
Good stuff mate
You're chipping was amazing today, James! That app is fine. Cheers!
You’re doing my head in with these one handed tap ins! Nothing to gain, but shots to lose 😂😂😂
If I miss one I'll stop haha :)
Your short game is great.
I agree it's a good proxy measure using that app but probably not a true handicap. You need someone to verify your scores to validate your handicap. There are a lot of intangibles by playing with others and playing in competitions including handling the pressure but also having other players lifting up your game. Great video!
You're fine. Keep having fun, improving your game. Best golf videographer on yotube.
I use the same app and go off my last ten scores, you’re a better player playing different courses rather than the same one every week. Your handicap is more a real indicator of where you are at, I think your handicap is spot on, only the golf snobs who play the same club would challenge it….golf is for everyone. 👍🏼
great up and down!!
I am also not a member at any golf club mainly because I like to play different courses. Enjoy your content.
Is gaining a handicap really necessary? Sure - it’s a good guide and fun to play for, but for yourself and many like you, playing golf is for fun…otherwise you’d be entering tournaments all over the place.
I shouldn’t think there is anyone shouting at the screen saying that you are lying about your “handicap” because you can play!
Anyway, your niche is different to many others…Ive said previously that your videos are “nice” - and nice is good, we can watch you in those lovely courses in North Wales and THINK that we could do better than you…the reality is that you are like us and this is why we tune in and subscribe. Just carry on doing what you do, your videos are very enjoyable and most of all…they are real. If you told us that you were a 28 or 6 handicap we might not believe that, but the handicap that you go by seems about right.
without watching a full 18 hole round, 14 looks about right mate.... with 18 holes, tiredness, breaks of concentration etc all come into it. I do like that you've got a shorter swing and aren't trying to belt the daylights out of it. It keeps you out of trouble most of the time etc. Keep it up mate.
I will say, these courses look absolutely incredible.
The hillier courses look better on camera 👍 👍 👍
James all that matters about golf my friend is you are enjoying it! Nothing else.
Well played James. I think your handicap is about right. Don’t worry about anyone else. As per other comments, you were given duff info about your plugged ball.
I belong to a golf club, and there are a lot of handicaps that aren't right. Whether it's people putting in supplementary cards to get their handicap down (because of ego?), or farming their handicap up so they can have more shots when the competitions come around!
Your rounds are on camera, and you're working it out the official way, so I'd say yours is more official than most 🤣
The app is giving you your handicap index, your handicap is different on every course ,depending on the slope of the course and course rating
Me and my mate are big fans! We are members at Rhos and would love to see you play it again! It’s in great condition even after the bad weather!
Second this! Play rhos!!
This summer hopefully. Rhos has the best putting green for miles around!
Good golf, good lad.
not a lie. and keep making these, your vids are great.
great video as usual...ty
Here's the difference between a 'real' handicap and one from an app:
your 'real' handicap is calculated and adjusted each time you play a club comp;
every shot is a pressure shot, your're nervous, 4 foot breaking putts look impossible, you 'just need a par on the last to win, no pressure haha',
your playing partners are standing watching you, and they are hoping with every fibre of their being that you miss that short putt, or that tricky chip - etc etc etc.
or you use an app.
Spot the difference?
He's playing in front of a few thousand folk to be honest. Deffo pressure, filming etc. Why not use an app if you're not a member anywhere. Makes sense to me and even Golf England do it.
Whilst I understand your comment I still believe an 'app' handicap, if calculated to WHS, is still accurate. It's no different than submitting cards from casual play to your club surely?
Enjoyed that
Great content, thk u...
I use Igolf, which is run by england golf, i dont know there is similar in Wales. However it’s calculated in the same way, average score differential of best 8 rounds in the last 20.
igolf is recognised as an offical Handicap and can be used to enter competitive golf at the golf clubs discretion
Don’t you also have to play with someone who is also subscribed to iGolf? Judging from James’ content he plays alone so wouldn’t be able to submit the scorecards. I am in a similar situation to James, so please correct me if I’m wrong
You are correct, i do need to play with another affiliated golfer.
But the calculation seems the same, that was more to my point…. you are right with James playing alone 👍🏻
Great video James fairplay
Your handicap is as accurate as anyone using the whs system. Playing different courses will make it more accurate.
What you don’t do is convert you handicap index,13.6, to your course handicap, looks like your app can do this, course handicap was 5 for the first 9 holes. Try playing to this rather than your index.
To his credit I think he did convert his course handicap and calculated it as a 5. It’s was around the 11:20 mark. Cheers!
Nice work James, not played these two yet but your videos have inspired me to do so. If venturing into Wirral again try Eastham (nice parkland course not expensive). Warren is a 9 hole municipal links that is best booked online, can get busy as you found out so would recommend midweek pm.
Cheers Geoff, I'll add Eastham to the ever growing list for 2025! :)
I suppose if I pro on say +3 just turned up to an alien course, without practise etc, then I'd certain they would not shoot +3. I suppose, because they're better golfers, they would get closer to their handicap compared to an average golfer with a handicap of say 16. Great video as always, great seeing a course with an honesty box this day and age!
James - not a lie at all. Even under WHS it takes the best 8 x scores out of your latest 20, so your App works the same. Nice video by the way - well shot 👍
I've been occasionally watching your magnificent golf play making sure I click like but I've never subscribed. Well now that I've subbed we can finally move along. I've been watching you from when you were a 24hcp I think? And it struck me that I've watched you improve quite quickly going from +24hcp down to 13hcp or so? I'm wondering if by playing by yourself you can actually improve quicker. Imagine playing & listening to a bunch of 20 hdcpers giving you golf instructions with every mishit.
You hit the ball fairly straight and away from hazards. And that's something I'd like to see in my game. You have a very non-drama like game and you have some awesome editing showing the flag on the green from where you're at and the tracers makes your channel a pleasure to watch. Oh and l forgot to mention I make sure after you make your putt that you toss the ball up in the air and catch it at least twice. Thanks for putting this up!
👍 👍 👍
The game is really looking solid James and no chance you HCP is a lie. But the main thing, keep enjoying it. Because we enjoy watching.
How often do you play/practice? Been watching you for a while now and you’ve definitely improved.
Amazing value courses and very scenic. I would have thought your handicap about right but obviously in club competitions there is more pressure.
Some people miss the value of a par. For us weekend warrior golfers a par is basically a birdie, or we should at least view it that way. A bogey is most of the time what are average should be if not double bogey. I celebrate every par I get. And the birdies feel like Eagles to me. I just try to enjoy the good holes and learn from the bad ones. Those courses look amazing and fun. Another great video.
According to golf shot I’m off 14, I also don’t have a membership.
I find it’s a decent guide but your excellent lag putting is something I dream of.
I mostly play a par 3 too which makes it really hard as I only get two shots per 19 holes!!!
Yeah those par 3 courses really mess up the hcp ratings!
In the US, you don't have to be a member of a club to have a handicap. They have regional "clubs" that aren't tied to a course and don't have membership fees. Our handicaps are just as official as anyone else's.
My Garmin reckons I'm about a 13 but I usually seem to play about 20 over with the occasional good round thrown in. At the end of the day, my golf is so inconsistent, it makes no difference :)
HCP very true I think,as you say best 8 rounds from 20 is the same as England Golf calculates it . Matters not though as you don't play competitions anyway. Certainly not a bandit !!
your handicap is a proper habdicap i play off 10 at my club Trethorne Cornwall but its a course i know well, you are playing many unknown clubs and doing well.
Those members sold you a lie there mate on that plugged ball. If your ball is plugged you can roll it out of its mark and play it where it falls and that would have meant you’d have been putting from the lower tier.
It's GUR so drop at nearest point of complete relief no nearer the hole.
@@shane329 potentially, however if ground was from that would’ve rolled back onto the green, as it’s plugged it can be rolled out of the hole and play where it lies
The ball is lodged in the bank where play is prohibited as shown on the sign. Presumably to protect the course and for player safety. Ball must be played from nearest point of relief. Even with embedded ball placing, the next shot can't be be closer to hole.
I have the Golfshot and USGA handicap, they’re the same.
I really like these two courses and you played well especially on the greens.I think your handicap is an honest one,you always try your best unlike a lot of club golfers I have played with who will happily cheat and 'sandbag' to keep their handicap high and you are consistently there or thereabouts.
Not 100% sure about the advice about relief from GUR,the rule says to drop within one club length of the nearest point of complete relief away from GUR and not nearer the hole,the top of that bank didn't look to be the nearest point 😕
Callaways ride again!
Well done!
Cheers man I've heard there are a few bandits around cleaning up in the comps! :)
Always enjoy watching your videos James as a non golfer. I do ,however know about birds and the one swooping past you on the par 4. 8th was a Wood Pigeon with a couple of its tail feathers missing . Maybe it performs this trick regularly and has been unceremoniously plucked by intimidated golfers ?
Cool spotting well done.
@@chr970 😄
That was some really steady golf mate. Your app seems to follow the R&A world handicap system loosely. We don't have the same in RSA so can't test it. The real trick to the system is the Course rating, if you play on a course with a "Course Rating" of 69.5 (ignore the SLOPE) and a par 72 then when you score 85 which is 13 over par BUT the rating makes the differential score is +15.5 . The handicap indexes are based on the average of the best 8 differentials from the last 20 rounds. Any way what does it matter when you are not in competitions.
Handicap is correct I believe. and thank you for showing the interior of the clubhouse. It feels like I'm there!
Nobody else films those parts :)
I think your handicap and the way it is calculated is right James, and in fact playing more courses makes a lower handicap more awkward
Handicap a lie?? Nonsense, love your content… relatable 😅
One can only estimate, but although you don't play off competition tees, you play many courses, so don't get the detailed local knowledge from playing one course. So I'd say it's about right.
Anyway who cares!! Keep up the content James. Love the 7th at Old Colwyn btw.
Your handicap is more accurate playing different courses.
Enjoy watching your ventures at different courses. I’m not bothered about your handicap.
Putting and chipping very good across those 2 9 holes 👍🏻
14 looks fine for me, I wish I could hit the ball as consistantly as you do.
Here in Austria without membership you can only play a few public courses ... (or when the secretary doesn't ask)
All this handicap talk from amateurs does my head in. It’s rife on RUclips and at golf clubs. It’s all they talk about. James, you’re doing fine mate, continue to film your rounds, show us each shot and enjoy your golf as you do!
Golfshot calculates the handicap correctly by taking your best 8 scores from last 20 rounds. It should figure in the individual course difficulty as well by factoring in the course rating and slope. so the rating on the first 9 hole course was 32.5, so your course handicap would by closer to 6.5 based on your 9 hole score.
Thanks for the vids James but unfortunately your handicap may be far from right, to get a handicap you need to be a member of a golf club enter 3 comps send in your score card for each round then they will calculate your handicap. Believe me James playing in a comp with 3 other players watching you is very nerve racking at best. it`s another ball game altogether. but carry on James and enjoy yourself.
Keep doing what your doin , love your videos . Only clubs that require an official handicap are usually those charging £200 + a round ... no thanks :)
Yes
*SAY IT ISN'T SO Mr. NPG!!!* ⛳
Not too keen on using the word “lie” in relation to your handicap James, perhaps “accurate” would be a better choice. There’s no way on earth you’d lie.
Think your Handicap is about right for the courses you play because they are only very short in terms of distance, think you would be nearer 20 on a course with more length, but must say you chipping and putting reasonably well vast improvement from your early vlogs....
James I just like the way you record your golf adventures. The keyboard worriers love to criticise Apply and join England Golf, its not expensive, and they will calculate your handicap.
I agree, the MyEG app was designed to take out some of the old elitism and allow players that either don't want to shell the out for membership or like to play different courses to get a handicap. It's no more or less accurate than the traditional method and playing different courses certainly adds an additional test
About that plugged ball...you get relief which is nearest point not closer to the hole and one club length...you could drop that ball on the lower level moving a little left or right to stay no closer to the hole.. if the members drop it way up on top, that is not the closest point.
Cheers Steve, good to know for the future 👍 👍 👍
Your handicap is being calculated the same as if your were enrolled at a club. I’ll bet that there are folks with club handicaps that manipulate their numbers by excluding some scores or doing other shenanigans to ‘cheat’ the system., so I don’t think “club handicaps” should be held up as a gold standard. Yours seems a good honest accounting of your skill, and you use it only to help viewers have an expectation of what your round should look like. Forget any snide remarks and just keep cracking on.
Cheers!
You can get an official handicap via England Golf if you want to, you don't have to be a member of a club. Not much point if you're not playing club tournaments though, tracking on an app like you do is just fine for most people!
Agree but I guess the EG app makes it official if it's ever needed. I believe it's £48 a year now and does include the insurance that you'd get as a club member so pretty decent value
Looks pretty good to me
If you don’t play in competitions then a golf handicap is completely irrelevant! I’m like you, I don’t have a handicap because I’m not a member of a club nor do I want to be! I like playing wherever I feel like playing. Plus here in the US not many courses offer memberships anymore.
In the words of George Constanza It’s not a lie, if you believe it. All kidding aside it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. You just keep playing and enjoy yourself.
I think you'd be much lower if you had a home club. All round game seems very solid
Nothing wrong with getting an "online" handicap, I know some clubs require you to provide proof of said handicap and you can get one from these online apps which are widely recognised.... anyway you're not entering competitions so I don't see a problem and you're only cheating yourself so go forth and enjoy this crazy game...... you've actually improved quite a bit from the early days James...🌟🎊🤩🥳