Does your handicap really matter for golf?

Question

other than bragging.

Answer 1

If you are a golfer who is honest with his score keeping, plays competitively through a men's club or country club, the handicap is very important. First of all, it gives you the opportunity to play against  any golfer on an almost equal basis. It classifies one  as to his ability. It also restricts him from participating in golf tournaments which are beyond his capability, especially on a state or regional level. In some cases it also gives him " bragging rights." Unfortunately, two conditions exist which distort handicaps. The person who wants to win will" sandbag" by turning in only the poorer scores so that he will have a higher playing handicap. The other extreme is the " Vanity" handicap where the player doesn't record his higher scores indicating he is better than he really is. You  find both everywhere where the game is played.

Answer 2

No it doesn't. I know a ton of my friends that just play golf to play. They have no idea what score they had last round, don't have a 'goal' for a score, they just want to play each hole as best as they can.

Those who want to improve, shoot scores by beating the last, sure, handicap is important to them because as their game improves, their handicap will show it.

Answer 3

Unless you play competitive golf ( tournaments)......No.