re: How do you identify a sandbagger?

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Their excuse is they play better when money is on the line

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I believe that this is truly the issue here. When you have relatively nothing to lose, you play differently than you would if there was something on the line. You try to work the ball when you really can't. You try to carry water that 3 out of 4 times you can't (even though in your mind the stats are the other way). Hit an iron off the box to the fat part of the fairway instead of trying to drive that short par 4? Never. Then there is the adult beverage consumption factor. When you are playing a friendly round with your boys, I would venture to say most people are more willing to partake in a few more adult beverages than they would if they were playing for money. Most people deny this fact, but "I seent it."

So in a sense, I believe these players are sandbagging but I believe it is unintentional sandbagging. They are not purposely missing putts or blowing chip shots 20 feet past the hole. They simply play differently. They play dumber and they post higher scores. When there is something on the line, they play smarter, more focused which tends to lead to better scores.