Seeing the courageous performances of the Paralympians recently who work so hard at overcoming their disabilities, it got me thinking about how strange it is that the system of assessing your performance in golf is termed a “handicap”?

Wikipedia defines a golf handicap as “a numerical measure of a golfer’s playing ability. It is used to calculate a net score from the number of strokes actually played, thus allowing players of different proficiency to play against each other on somewhat equal terms.” So, in other words, we are given a ‘handicap’ in order to raise us up to a level playing field against the better players. The weaker a player, the higher his/her handicap, as you are obviously more disadvantaged, more handicapped by your poor play. Could this be the origins of the terminology?

But could we be more handicapped by matters other than our poor striking of the ball and faulty technique? How do you measure and compensate for an ADD (attention deficit disorder) type of mental state in golf? Many of us are susceptible to hazy, unfocused thinking (thoughts of whether I paid my last utilities bill on time sometimes pop into my head at the most inopportune moment of carrying out a delicate pitch shot!), or uncontrollable flights of fancy (after somehow miraculously finessing that delicate pitch shot, one starts to count one’s chickens in order to get the birdie!) that contribute to what I feel is a mental handicap. Throw in doddering course management and fumbling strategy, and I become a nervous wreck, leading to feelings of helplessness that warrant a psychiatrist’s couch.  

Can we count also bad posture, slouching, weak knees, myopia and athlete’s foot under physical handicaps that can and do affect our overall game, and could arguably be grounds for an extra stroke or two to bring one up to par with someone who has perfect eyesight, strapping shoulders, tree trunk legs and dry feet?    

Then what about other types of social handicaps, like poor manners and social etiquette during play? Some boors, though hard to believe, actually do find themselves relationally challenged when forced to play in close proximity with other human beings. Could we find it in our hearts to charitably extend strokes to these sorts, when to their despair, they find their coughing fits during another player’s putt was still unable to allow them to take the hole, after they botch up with a 3 putt of their own? I’m being facetious of course, but when there are golfers who so desperately seek to get ahead through fair means or foul are encountered, one does feel some sort of pity for their immaturity.  

Isn’t that a mark of a mature society, when developmentally challenged individuals need our support, understanding and compassion? Should we able to apply these standards to golf as well, with some kind of yardstick to gauge excuses of arthritic hands that can’t grasp the club with that elusive “like cradling a bird” grip, or scoliosis since birth, or fluffy headed temperament, or bad tempered due to childhood abuse? Let me see (hmmm) ……nope, NO WAY! We’ve all got problems that affect us in every aspect of our lives, and golf is no different. Just suck it up already and hit the ball!

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