hey all Ive lost my handicap of 9.5 as i haven’t played golf for over 12 months,, im renewing my membership on Wednesday and im going to do the usual 5 cards for the handicap, im wondering what you guys thinking about whether practising until my hands bleed then getting a new handicap of probably where i was or lower, or going at it now and working my way back down? and after a year should i see a coach straight away to get rid of my old traits, or teach myself my old swing?

cheers, Phil

You will only need 3 cards Phil, they changed if from 5 to 3 back in April.

Personally I would get your handicap now, then you are measuring against something. I would also see a coach now, if your old swing had bad traits why get them back. To me fresh start with positive planned actions and goals.
Now I only write this from someone with a far bigger handicap than yours, but as it is my second anniversay of taking up this great game I look back on what I have achieved in the last year and reset the goals.
Good luck with however you go Phil.

I went through the same thing recently. Three years away from the game and had to put 3 card in. Handicap cards can be a bit of joke sometimes, some handicappers don’t seem to look very carefully at them.

I would go with the advice above and put the cards in and whatever they give you so be it.

mate get it stright away, it gives you a reference point, and GREATER COMP SCORES :P

thanks everyone, gonna have a hit in a comp tomorrow as my first card

yeah, get it straight away… you’ll prob find your shooting double your old handicap for a few weeks, but you should bring that down quick…

i had a 3 month break at the start of the year. i play off 14.. first game back i shot 96, 2nd game i shot 86.