Am I a golfer? Absolutely. But do I regard myself as a proper golfer? I've wrestled with this question occasionally since leaving West Essex Golf Club a few years ago, which led to my handicap lapsing. Technically, I’m still a member under the PlayMoreGolf scheme, which allows me to use credits for play, but it’s not quite the same.
I gave up my membership because I couldn't justify the cost, given how infrequently I was playing. So far, not having an official handicap hasn’t been a problem for me. When playing in friendly competitions, I’ve granted myself a few extra shots, realising my handicap isn’t what it used to be. I should be more lenient with myself, but I have no desire to be tagged as a trophy hunter or a bandit if I have a magical round.
