If you are one of the many golfers who have failed to see an improvement in their golf despite tuition from the local pro or have difficulty transferring good shots on the practise range to a good score on the golf course, the problem may not be your swing but in the way you think and this series of articles is designed for you, using techniques used on the PGA tour and with successful Curtis and Walker cup teams.
Mike Probert is a golf psychology advisor and low handicap golfer who relocated to Torrevieja in May 2004 and who offers "mental game" tuition to both individuals and groups.

This series of articles continues with: ‘Handicaps’

Golf is very different to many other forms of sport because our system of handicapping allows beginners to play and compete against much better players.
Like the LRAU the basic concept seems sound but that is where the problems start here in Spain.
Just why is there a problem?
In the UK handicaps are governed by CONGU rules which are based on each course having an SSS (Standard Scratch Score) based on what score a scratch golfer would achieve on that course and a CSS (Competition Scratch score) which is based on the actual scores from all the competitors playing in the competition that day.
In effect the scores of the players set the handicap basis for the day and so if the course or weather conditions vary significantly the players are not too harshly treated with handicap adjustments (in either direction).
However we are not based in the UK we play our golf here in Spain and the Spanish Golf Federation in their wisdom have decided to implement the American SLOPE system.
Without going into too much detail the slope system has two indices based on the SSS plus an arbitrary index based on the difficulty of the course as designed by the course architect taking into consideration hazards such as water, out of bounds, bunkers, course length, etc.
Doesn’t sound too dissimilar to the system employed in the UK does it?
You bet it is!
In many cases the arbitrary indices indicate that the course is much more difficult than it actually is and the player is given additional shots when he plays that course and then the player is severely punished when they score 40 points or more.
However the biggest factors being ignored here are that course and weather conditions DO vary from day to day and the fact that most green keepers here in Spain play our societies off the yellow blocks (not the stones on which the index is based) and these are in many cases closer to the blue tees or the ladies back tees.
In my opinion the result is that when players have a good day they are handicapped down to a level where they are no longer competitive when faced with a genuine player off the same handicap.
Just what sort of impact does the incorrect application of the slope system have here in Spain?
Here is an example.
At the time of writing the Benijofar Golf Society are currently top of the Vega Baja Golf League with a stroke average of 32.9 points against a par of 36 points and the other teams in the league average only 27.9 points against a par of 36 points and this includes additional shots granted by the slope system.
These comments are not targeted at the players here on the Costa’s because there are some hugely talented players here BUT it is important that players are handicapped correctly to avoid unnecessary pressure on their game and their enjoyment of golf.
I firmly believe that golfers handicaps should be based on their normal playing ability and not one or two good days played on short golf courses.
If players or teams can regularly be seen playing to or close to their handicaps they should be congratulated because they have achieved what we are all looking for, competitiveness, consistency and enjoyment.
On the other hand I regularly see clients who have become disillusioned with the game because they have been handicapped down to a level where they no longer look forward to playing this glorious game.
This can’t be right can it?
Well there you are, I can now get off my festive soap box and as a good friend of mine said to me recently, you now live in Spain so just get on with it just get on with playing this wonderful game and just play to the rules given to you, even if they are ridiculous and stupid at times.
If you would like to know more about how to improve the way in which you think on the golf course or would like to improve your golf swing call me today for lessons and see the results for yourself.
The price of the golf lessons start from only 25 Euro’s per HOUR with special discounts for children, pensioners and societies with vouchers available which are ideal as Christmas gifts or birthday presents.
For more information and golf lessons contact 966 704 752 or michael.probert@terra.es