Well Played
Golf club comes up with genius way to combat sandbaggers at annual member-guest
Ronnie Kaufman
If you've played in a member-guest, you know the feeling. Your group comes in off the course feeling good about the day and your score. And then you see the leaderboard.
Oh, you guys shot 65? That's cute, because there are multiple scores in the 50s. Not only didn't you win, but you didn't even sniff the podium. Hopefully, the food is good and the drinks are free. Otherwise, things have taken a sour turn. And you blame the sandbaggers in your midst for killing the vibe.
There are ways of combatting this scourge of (net) golf, including a sophisticated computer algorithm we wrote about a couple years ago. But at least one golf club is trying to curb this in a different way at its annual member-guest. By pairing up potential sandbaggers.
That is a genius idea, indeed. And it might be worth other clubs trying. In addition to having potential sandbaggers eliminate themselves from the event, it also helps spread the wealth around a bit.
Of course, not everyone who wins a net competition is a sandbagger and the past champs might not be thrilled about this wrinkle. But pretty much everyone who wins a net competition gets accused of being one. Such is life.
Anyway, if you want to learn more about obtaining and maintaining a proper handicap, check this out. And if you already have one, good luck in whatever event you play in next. Unless you're one of the sandbaggers we're talking about.
