Reverse Sandbaggers

[westbeach]

We've all played with sandbaggers I'm sure but there are many ways to deal with it. However, how do you deal with a 'reverse' sandbagger? I'm talking about the guys who shoots 80's, 90's but claims to be a scratch golfer. Personally, I just let them be and smile inside when they blow up.

I'm just curious though, we know how sandbaggers benefit by claiming a higher handicap but how does a 'reverse' sandbagger benefit? Aren't they really setting themselves up for failure?

[Thimble]

they'll just claim they're having an abnormally poor round.

it's all about ego, isn't it?

[Bellyhungry]

What is there to deal with? The only person he or she is fooling is him/herself.

As for tournament plays, they are typically new to competitions, and they will eventually learn that they are screwing themselves, and will revert back to be a 'proper' sandbagger.

I know someone who claims he is about 10 shots better. Of course, I play less and less golf with him.

[goshawk]

I was friends with this couple for a couple of years (another story entirely). They were fairly good golfers, but he was always telling our other non-golfing friends how good he "thought" he was. To his bad fortune, he entered a tournament last year with several people who knew him. It was a 2 day tourney. When it was all over, he was making every excuse known to golfers (and a few that weren't known!) why he ended up in last place. What's the point? The truth will come out and all you'll would have achieved is total self-embarassment. It that is your aim, it can be accomplished without even picking up a club!

[el tigre]

In my experience, the "reverse sandbagger" is far more common than an actual sandbagger. The majority of golfers do not enter tournaments, so they rarely get called on it. And it is not usually a mid-handicap claiming to be scratch (unless he's trying to play a tournament he is not qualified for), but somebody claiming to shoot in the 80's who actually has trouble breaking 100.

Its all about ego, vanity and self-esteem for the "reverse sandbagger". Some people just love to boast, even when they have very little to boast about. They are full of excuses for their poor play, and invariably they improve their lies, take "free" relief from all trees and bushes, drop on the most-favourable side of a cart path, ignore the "lost ball/OB" rule, drop 20 yards ahead of where their ball entered the hazard, complain about the course conditions and request gimmies and mulligans regularly. And they still shoot 10 strokes over their "handicap" - because they're having an "off" day.;)

[Big Shooter]

I was a Reverse Sandbagger until this year when I started tracking my stats/handicap for REAL! What an eye-opener! ;)

[openflows]

I know a few reverse sandbaggers and for them it's really a vanity issue. They don't use their handicap for competitive purposes, since they never play competitively. Neither do they gamble. Rather the purpose of their handicap is really for the other members to see. So it conveys a false sense of skill, that they have no desire to test or demonstrate. A general culture of private clubs is to look up other people's index number to get a sense of how good a player they are. So it's a way for non-competitive players to make themselves appear better than they are. I'm not endorsing or condemning it, just observing how and why it takes place. I personally keep an accurate handicap (http://www.starplan.com/member/LookUp/ScoreHistory.aspx?ID=c39811e0y&EGLNumber=418677), and often feel I could make use of some sandbagging especially when the 16 index player I'm competing against breaks 80.

[Dan_L]

I rant about this all the time. I think EVERYONE knows my position. :rofl:

[corchard]

Some of it is ego but there are a few places: tourneys, courses etc that require a certain level handicap. For example Toronto star Ameture requires 8 or under and I've heard that the auld course at St. Andrews requires 7. Reverse sandbagging allows you to play.

If I had the opportunity to play St. Andrews and I needed a certain handicap I would certainly declare it even though my caddie would probably bust a gut at my expense.

[abz-pete]

If I had the opportunity to play St. Andrews and I needed a certain handicap I would certainly declare it even though my caddie would probably bust a gut at my expense.
You require a certificate for the Old Course, but the handicap limit is 24, I think.
The set up in Scotland is totally different - almost everyone who plays regularly is a member of a club (semi-private or municipal) and most play in club competitions to receive an official handicap.

[wrigley]

I love reverse sandbagers that like to gamble. What's the saying: "A fool and thieir money are soon departed"

[East Coast Golfer]

I too love the ones who claim to be single digit handicappers and I know very well that they struggle to break 80. I find once you get them to put some money where their mouth is, they quickly find a variable of excuses as to why they think they won't play well that day.

The proof is in the pudding.

[Golfer18]

I agree. I recently played match play against a supposed 2hdcp and im a 4. He shot 82 and I went 74 and he just made up excuses saying that he had the shanks and yet he didn't even shank one.:confused:

[Focker Singh]

I also think Reverse Sandbaggers dont really know how to keep a proper handicap and dont know alot of the common rules of golf, thus they think they have a lower handicap than they really do.

I know some guys who say they shoot low 80`s or low 90`s but when I play with them, they break so many rules of golf, that they should have a handicap way higher. (no not you Ego Woods and Jaydog :rofl: )

[Ego Woods]

I also think Reverse Sandbaggers dont really know how to keep a proper handicap and dont know alot of the common rules of golf, thus they think they have a lower handicap than they really do.

I know some guys who say they shoot low 80`s or low 90`s but when I play with them, they break so many rules of golf, that they should have a handicap way higher. (no not you Ego Woods and Jaydog :rofl: )

Please don't single out other golfers when you don't even take the proper drop when you hit your ball OB or lose it! :rofl:

I shoot 100's and yet when I ask you for strokes, u never give it! :mad:

[hogannut]

We've all played with sandbaggers I'm sure but there are many ways to deal with it. However, how do you deal with a 'reverse' sandbagger? I'm talking about the guys who shoots 80's, 90's but claims to be a scratch golfer. Personally, I just let them be and smile inside when they blow up.

I'm just curious though, we know how sandbaggers benefit by claiming a higher handicap but how does a 'reverse' sandbagger benefit? Aren't they really setting themselves up for failure?

Absolutely they are!!! There is no advantage for entering scores lower than the truth. If these players play in amatuer events they will be killed by the competition. I bet you if you know someone who falls into this category they don't play in any competition. Funny thing is if you do this and then realize what you have done it takes another 20 scores just to get back to a the correct level. 20 games is a lot in fact it is almost an entire season if you play once a week.