A handicap in golf is a number that lets you know where you stand compared to other golfers who play the game regularly. A handicap index is acquired when you turn in five scores or more from a United States Golf Association-accredited course. When you are a bogey golfer, your handicap will reflect that you average one over par on every hole.
Handicap Index
The handicap index is a function of your scores acquired over a period of time at approved USGA golf courses. A handicap is a way of leveling the playing field when you compete with other golfers. Generally, your handicap index represents a percentage of the number of strokes above par that you regularly shoot. If you have a handicap of 15 and the golfer you are playing against has a handicap of 20, he would be getting five strokes from you at the end of the round. If you shot an 88 and he shot a 91, you would have a net score of 73 and he would have a net score of 71. That would give him a two-stroke victory.
Bogey Golfer
A "bogey" golfer means that the golfer has become solid in his all-around game. A bogey is a score of one over par on a given hole. If you are playing a 423-yard par 4, a bogey golfer could be expected to score a 5 on that hole. If par for the 18-hole course is 72, a bogey golfer could be expected to score 90 for his round. While professionals and excellent amateurs would be horrified with a score of 90, the majority of golfers are not able to break 100. A score of 90 would be a good round for them.
Considerations
Bogey golfers often have a solid swing but need help with the short game. That means that the bogey golfer is usually somewhat inconsistent with the pitching wedges, the sand wedge and the putter. When par is established on any hole, the golfer is expected to take two putts on every hole. On a par 3, you are expected to get to the green on your first shot and take two putts to get in the hole. On a par 4, it should take two shots to get to the green and two putts to get the ball in the hole. On a par 5, it should take three shots to get to the green and two putts to get in the hole. Bogey golfers often have a hard time on the greens and need to develop a more consistent putting stroke.
Competitive Purposes
Since your handicap is a reflection of your average score, many golfers are pleased when their handicap number goes down. That means they are improving in their scoring and they are shooting closer to par. However, when your handicap gets reduced that means you get less strokes from your opponent or you have to give more strokes in a competitive match. So, if you have had a handicap of 18, but a series of excellent rounds has dropped your handicap to 16, you will have lost some of the competitive edge you had previously. If you are playing a golfer with a handicap of 20, you now have to give four strokes instead of two.
Misconceptions
While high-level golfers want to have scores that are close to par on a consistent basis, a bogey golfer is playing respectable golf. Many casual golf fans see a professional golfer on television shoot a bogey and think that he has had a poor hole. For a professional, an ill-timed bogey can be disastrous. However, a bogey golfer is in an excellent position to enjoy the game. A bogey golfer plays respectable golf and is also in position to improve. It is much easier for a bogey golfer with a handicap ranging from 15 to 21 to improve than a golfer who is averaging 75 through 79 to improve. That golfer has almost always reached his peak and will plateau at that level.
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