re: How do you identify a sandbagger?

Ok but in Worm’s suggestion, their course handicap for that tourney would be based strictly off of their lowest differential on their card, not an average of their lowest 10 differentials (*0.96). So, the odds of them beating that one low score by 4 or 5 strokes would have to be less than the odds of them beating the average of their best 10 out of 20, right? Thus…the score that they would ultimately turn in for that tourney would be closer, and in most cases higher, than their cap which is the way it should work.

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The entire system is based on honesty and integrity

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I really don't believe this is the issue with this group. I don't believe anyone is intentionally trying to cheat the system. I go back to the idea that they simply approach and play a round differently whether it is a friendly or a tournament. When they are standing over the ball, I believe they are trying to hit the best shot they can regardless. I think the difference is in the strategy of the round.

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Another change we are considering is having photo evidence of all scores posted.

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You don't have to turn cards in to the proshop for handicap purposes? That's the first place to start. At least make baggers document their dishonesty.

Agreed Worm. That is why we are going to insist on the cards being turned in or photo evidence of the cards.

As do I. I'm not part of that group, I'm just trying to help out...whether they want it or not.

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I would feel better knowing our cap czar put his eyes on every scorecard to be sure everyone is posting an esc adjusted score.

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It's not about the scores they do enter/turn in... it's about the ones they don't. Just a heads up there. While it may sound good in practice, these people are not necessarily lying. They're just not being totally honest.

Also, play a few of your tournaments by USGA rules, including no gimme, appropriately penalizing yourself when you do anything wrong, like roll the ball, misplace it, OB, grounding the club, incorrect drops, etc.. If they sign an incorrect scorecard, they get DQ'd, in front of everyone.

Truly, this separates the real players from the casual players. Oh, they'll whine about pace of play, local conditions and whatnot, but if you are a player that plays it down and through, it won't affect your game. If not, then expect an elevated score.

His tournament scores are part of his index calculation.

We play by all (at least I believe "all") USGA rules. Down and dirty, appropriate penalties and drops, all the way into the hole (no gimmes). Trust me, I've made that drive of shame back to the box because I couldn't find my drive which was striped!

Not as shady as a 16 cap shooting 78.

In 15mph wind

On greens like Edward James Olmos' face.

Definitely a sandbagger. I played at a club for a couple years that did tons of tournaments and I always noticed that during the "shitty tournaments" some guys who were 10-15 handicaps would shoot in the high 80s and then magically when the big prize tournaments came about, they were ALWAYS shooting in the high 70s and low 80s.

That or they just fricking cheat, which is also a possibility.