The Unsung Hero of Golf: Why Posting Your Handicap Matters (Even After the PGA Championship)
Alright, let’s talk golf. Specifically, let’s talk about something most of us do without thinking, but very few pros ever bother with after a major. We’re talking about the handicap. Yeah, that little number that tells everyone how bad you *really* are. Most weekend warriors live and die by it. But what happens when you’re actually playing in the freaking PGA Championship? Do you still care about your handicap? Most guys? Nah. They’re too busy trying not to embarrass themselves. But then there’s this one dude, Ben Kern, who goes and does something… well, something damn rare. Something that actually makes you think.
This guy, Kern, he’s a club pro. Not some tour hotshot. He qualified for the PGA Championship. That’s already a big deal. Most club pros, they play in these things once. Maybe twice if they’re lucky. Kern’s already played in three. And get this: he was the only club pro to make the cut this year. The only one. He shot decent rounds, finished 80th, pocketed a nice chunk of change – almost $24,000. Played the final round with Luke Donald, no less. That’s legit. You’d think after all that, after battling with the big boys on a major stage, he’d just pack it in, maybe take a long vacation. But nope. This guy goes back to his day job – he’s a general manager at a golf club in Ohio – and you know what he does? He posts his scores.
The Post-Major Scorecard Dilemma
Think about it. You’re playing in the PGA Championship. The pressure is insane. The course is set up like a beast. You shoot a 74, then a 67 – a killer round, by the way, one of the best of the day – then a 77, and a 72. You’ve just played four rounds of high-stakes, major championship golf. Your brain is probably fried. You’ve got emails piling up, members waiting for you back home. Most guys? They’re probably just happy to have survived. They’re not thinking, “Gotta get that score into the system.”
And honestly, why would they? Their handicap index is probably already pretty low, maybe a plus handicap. What’s a few more strokes going to do? It’s not like they’re playing in the club member-guest next week. They just played the PGA Championship. That’s the pinnacle. The ultimate bragging rights. Who cares about some number on a piece of paper or an app?
But here’s where Kern is different. He actually took the time. He logged in. He put those scores in. And the USGA – the folks who run the whole handicap system – they noticed. They actually tweeted about it. How often does that happen? Probably never. It’s like the ultimate endorsement of a golfer’s commitment to the game, even when they’re not chasing world No. 1 status.
Why Does a Handicap Even Matter to a Pro?
So, why would a guy like Kern, who just played in a major, bother with his handicap? It’s not just about having a number to play casual matches. It’s about a few things. First off, he mentioned he plays with members at his home club. And those members, they’re not playing in majors. They’re playing for pride, for bragging rights over their buddies. Kern wants to be able to compete with them. And if his handicap is way off, he’s giving them way too many strokes. That’s no fun for anyone. It’s like playing against a toddler – you’re going to win, but it’s not exactly a challenge.
Then there’s the aspect of golf integrity. The handicap system is designed to level the playing field. It’s supposed to reflect your actual playing ability over a period of time. When you play in a tournament, especially a major one, those are your best performances. They’re the most accurate reflection of what you can do under pressure on a tough course. To not post those scores? It’s almost like cheating the system, even if it’s unintentional. It’s not giving the system – and your fellow golfers – the full picture.
Kern’s 67 in the second round? That was a -6.7 differential. Let that sink in. A differential is basically how much better or worse you played compared to the course rating and slope. A negative number means you played significantly better than your handicap would suggest. On a course rated 75.5 with a slope of 144, shooting a 67 is damn good. He basically played golf at a level that would make most scratch golfers look like hackers. And he recognized that. He knew that score was important. It wasn’t just a good round; it was a data point. A crucial one.
The Handicap System: More Than Just a Game
The handicap system, when used correctly, is a beautiful thing. It allows players of all abilities to compete against each other. It adds a layer of strategy and excitement to casual rounds. You can play with your buddies who shoot in the 70s, and you can still have a meaningful match, even if you’re shooting in the 90s. That’s the magic of handicapping. But it only works if people are honest and diligent about posting their scores.
Think about the folks who don’t post. They might have a great day, shoot a 78 when their handicap is 15, and then play their next round shooting 95. But their handicap stays at 15. That’s not fair. The system is meant to adjust. It’s meant to be dynamic. When you have a really good stretch of golf, your handicap should go down. When you struggle, it should go up. It’s a reflection of your current game.
Kern’s decision to post his scores, especially after a major, highlights this. He knew it would “absolutely destroy” his handicap, as he put it. He was sitting around a +6 handicap. That’s serious. That means he’s expected to shoot 6 over par on average. Posting those major championship scores would likely push him even lower, maybe to a +6.4 as it reportedly did. This means he’ll have to give up more shots to his members back home. But he’s okay with that. He understands the purpose of the handicap system. It’s about accuracy. It’s about fairness. It’s about playing the game as it’s meant to be played.
What This Means for Your Game
So, what’s the takeaway for the average golfer? It’s simple. Post your scores. Every single time you play a round where you’re trying to play your best, put that score into the system. Don’t just play it and forget it.
- Be Honest: Play by the rules. Don’t go easy on yourself just to keep your handicap low. The system is there to help you play with others, not to inflate your ego.
- Play Your Best: When you’re playing a casual round with friends, try your best. Don’t deliberately throw shots away. The handicap system works best when it reflects your true potential.
- Understand the Numbers: Familiarize yourself with your course handicap and the course rating/slope. It’ll help you understand why you get the number of strokes you do.
- Embrace the Adjustment: If you have a great round, don’t panic when your handicap drops. It means you’re playing better golf! That’s a good thing.
The handicap system isn’t just for club tournaments. It’s for making golf more enjoyable for everyone. It’s for creating fair matches. It’s for tracking your progress. And seeing a guy like Ben Kern, after playing in the PGA Championship, still take the time to log his scores, it’s a powerful reminder of that. It shows a respect for the game and for the handicapping system that’s frankly, pretty damn rare.
So next time you finish a round, don’t just head for the clubhouse bar. Take a few minutes. Post your score. Your handicap will thank you. And who knows, maybe you’ll even get a tweet from the USGA. Probably not, but hey, you’ll be playing golf the right way. And that’s what really matters, right? You can learn more about getting your own Handicap Index through the USGA.