Being a coach that specialises in introducing women to the game, beginners and high handicappers are my bread and butter and something I am very passionate about. I often liken learning golf to learning to drive. You look around and it seems everyone can do it, so how hard can it be? Then you stall at the front of the queue at traffic lights and all hell breaks loose! Like new drivers, it doesn’t take much for experienced golfers to get frustrated by the antics of those new to the game.
When you have been doing something for a long time, it is all too easy to forget the difficulties of learning something new, so much so that there is a cognitive bias that explains this phenomenon called the ‘curse of knowledge,’ which is essentially, once you know something, or in this case, how to do something, it can be hard to put yourself in the shoes of those who don’t. I think this feeling can also apply to those who are off high handicaps, averagely good golfers can’t comprehend why all those extra shots are required.
Emma Booth teaching a group of female golfers
(Image credit: Emma Booth)
The introduction of the World Handicap System in 2020 saw the highest handicap available increase from 36 to 54, which works out roughly as 3 shots over par on each hole. It’s a move which disgruntled many with concerns that if you need that amount of shots, you are simply not good enough to be out on the course, along with the other worry being they will win every nett competition going. To be fair, that has been the experience of some club sections.
As a pro at a driving range, this means I’m no longer being immersed in golf club life, but I can only imagine how frustrating that must be for mid and low handicappers who lose out week after week to high handicappers, and there has been much discussion around this very issue.
From my perspective as a coach, my thoughts are…everyone has to start somewhere, or maybe they are exactly where they need to be. Having stood in a bay for thousands of hours with every level of golfer out there, I’m convinced more than ever that we are all bad at this game, just at different levels.
(Image credit: Emma Booth)
Before 54 was brought in, the highest handicap was 36, but there would still be golfers who were unable to play to 36. The truth is, those that have needed higher handicaps have always existed, it is just now they have a handicap where they have a chance of playing near par and in contention.
Overall, that is a good thing and…
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