Ever since England Golf introduced an app that allows casual golfers like me to get a handicap rating, I’ve noticed something curious: handicaps don’t always reflect a golfer’s true ability. While the logic behind handicaps is sound—they represent your potential rather than your average ability—they can sometimes feel misleading.
To get a handicap, you simply register on the England Golf website (www.englandgolf.org), pay a registration fee, and you’re all set. As of now, the fee is £44 per year. When I first joined in 2022, it was £40, which I already thought was steep. It seems to creep up by £2 every year! Despite this, I renew annually, hoping to play more and achieve a more accurate handicap.
Having a handicap means I can finally answer the classic golf question: “What’s your handicap?”
In a previous post, I talked about the importance of consistency in golf for improving your game. But consistency alone doesn’t necessarily translate to better handicap scores. Here’s why.
To submit a scorecard, you need to play with another golfer who can validate your score using the England Golf app, MYEG. This means that even if you play frequently, your handicap may not reflect your true skill unless you play with others who also use the app. For example, a skilled player’s handicap might seem inflated if they haven’t registered enough rounds.
The MYEG app is, unfortunately, far from perfect. It’s buggy, prone to losing scores, and overall lacks polish compared to other apps. That’s why I always use two scorecards: the MYEG app and GolfPad, my trusted companion. (I even prefer it to Arccos, but that’s a discussion for another day!)
When I started using the MYEG app in 2022, I recorded only 5 rounds out of about 33 I played that year. It wasn’t until 2024—after almost 90 rounds over two years—that I finally logged 20 scores. That’s what it takes for the app to calculate your handicap based on your best 8 rounds. The remaining 70 rounds? Lost opportunities to reflect my real skill level.
I’ve been trying to convince more of my golfing buddies to use the app, so we’re all on the same playing field. (Cough, Ajay, cough! Still waiting for you to download it! And yes, even our less tech-savvy Jamaican friend has managed to install it. No excuses, Ajay!)
Recently, I played on a new course with golfers who had a 28 handicap. My official handicap is 37. From the start, it was clear their skill level was only slightly better than mine. Yet, even without taking extra shots, I outplayed them, showing how my handicap doesn’t truly reflect my ability.
The course itself was flat, which I’ve learned isn’t great for skill development. Playing on varied and challenging terrains forces you to adapt and grow. That said, the course wasn’t difficult in layout either, and I walked away with one of my best scores for a first-time visit. My playing partners jokingly called me a bandit until they realized I simply hadn’t logged enough rounds.
Next time you’re on the course and someone tells you their handicap, ask them this: “How many scorecards have you handed in this year?” You might be surprised at the answer!
