For golf handicaps, why is there a maximum score for a hole?

Question

Don't your really bad holes reflect what kind of golfer you are too?

Answer 1

Its to keep your handicap from being falsely inflated.  Handicap is based on potential, not average.  It keeps a person from having 15 great holes with 3 horrible ones from having an innaccurate handicap.  Remember, if you are competing, you can make a 15 for purposes of competition. You just cant take 15 on that hole when you post your score for handicapping purposes.  To quote the USGA Handicap Manual "This mandatory procedure reduces high scores for handicap purposes in order to make handicaps more representative of a player's potential ability"

Answer 2

The reason for adjusting scores for holes in accordance with handicap is to eliminate " sandbaggers". People who intentionally inflate scores to receive higher handicaps, so they get more strokes in handicap tournaments, are called " Sandbaggers". Person at our club shot 78 and posted a 82 so that he could remain in the "B" flight to defend his title. Now has the reputation of being the best "A" player in the "B"Flight. Was disqualified from playing in the club championships this past year and any plaque tournament for a year.