Road Bike Racing - Apples & Oranges: What golf handicap = Cat 3 racer?

Title says it all.

Like +10 to +15

So does Cat 1 = scratch?

I've explained this to golf buddies from time to time like this.

Cat 4 = 10+
Cat 3 = mid to high single digit
Cat 2 = low to mid single digit
Cat 1 = scratch or smaller club/teaching pro
Domestic pro on small team = Asian or European tour mid pack golfer
Domestic pro on larger team = European tour golfer
European pro = PGA Tour
Guys you've heard of = top professionals (woods, els, mickelson, etc.)

Lance Armstrong wasn't Tiger Woods. other than that it makes sense

What chess ranking would Armstrong have?

What chess ranking would Armstrong have?

Funk Master.

Armstrong is obviously a top pro. I'm just saying Woods is the all time great, not just 'a guy you've heard of.' He's the golf equivalent of Merckx.

That makes my own Velo Handicap +30. And Chipcom's is + google (the number, not the search engine).

I had a similar conversation recently comparing rock climbing ability to bike racers.

A climber that can climb 5.12 sport routes clean, is about equivalent to a Cat 2 racer.

I shot a 45 on a par 3 9-hole course. Does that put me at Cat 5 or the guy that rides his bike to work due to too many DUIs?

I had a similar conversation recently comparing rock climbing ability to bike racers.

A climber that can climb 5.12 sport routes clean, is about equivalent to a Cat 2 racer.

I shot a 45 on a par 3 9-hole course. Does that put me at Cat 5 or the guy that rides his bike to work due to too many DUIs?

same guy, right?

somebody get WFAN on the line, we have a sports talk radio quality thread going here!

Tiger Woods wasn't Lance Armstrong.

Fixed. Nothing against golf, I enjoy the game, but let's not confuse the level of athleticism with a hard sport.

Ummm, yeah you didn't fix anything. It has nothing to do with how hard a sport is. Lance simply didn't have the same level of dominance that Tiger has, and no where near the dominance over an extended period of time that Tiger has or will continue to have.

Lower category racing is about the equivalent to the recreational golfer that can shoot a good score, probably does not know all the rules and does not count all his strokes...and I don't mean cheating, but they simply do not know how to penalize themselves, make the proper drops when they hit into a water hazard, unplayable lies etc...nobody wants to take "stroke and distance" on a Saturday afternoon on a busy public golf course.

Tournament golf is a whole different arena. Guys that supposedly shoot low 80's suddenly balloon up to big numbers. Courses are tougher, they get penalized for making incorrect drops when needed, etc.

Cat 1 road racing is tournament golf. Lower category crits that last less than an hour are like muni nine hole rounds.

I'm on the senior tour!

Ummm, yeah you didn't fix anything. It has nothing to do with how hard a sport is. Lance simply didn't have the same level of dominance that Tiger has, and no where near the dominance over an extended period of time that Tiger has or will continue to have.

I'd disagree. In relative terms, Lance's domination was unprecedented. You won't see that again.

Besides. It's friggin GOLF. I mean, who cares? And if they do, why?

incorrect.

Where have you been b?

You broke my heart.

if people cared about cycling like they do golf we'd have really hype schwag

Golf is for Wussy.

Lower category racing is about the equivalent to the recreational golfer that can shoot a good score, probably does not know all the rules and does not count all his strokes...and I don't mean cheating, but they simply do not know how to penalize themselves, make the proper drops when they hit into a water hazard, unplayable lies etc...nobody wants to take "stroke and distance" on a Saturday afternoon on a busy public golf course.

Tournament golf is a whole different arena. Guys that supposedly shoot low 80's suddenly balloon up to big numbers. Courses are tougher, they get penalized for making incorrect drops when needed, etc.

Cat 1 road racing is tournament golf. Lower category crits that last less than an hour are like muni nine hole rounds.

I've played tournament golf at the club handicap level and race lower category and respectfully disagree with this. Both sports are hard, but to compare competing even at the lowest level USAC race with someone shooting 9 with their buddies at the local muni is absurd.

Where have you been b?

You broke my heart.

No kidding. I went so crazy I bought a Trek while you were gone.

I've played tournament golf at the club handicap level and race lower category and respectfully disagree with this. Both sports are hard, but to compare competing even at the lowest level USAC race with someone shooting 9 with their buddies at the local muni is absurd.


I'd agree. I think that a Cat 3 racer would at least be the equivalent of a single digit.

You can be a decent golfer without tremendeous work. You can't be a Cat 3 without a fair amount of training.

My current handicap is a 12. Yesterday, I played the second round of golf I played this summer, and still played ok. You simply can't race if you only ride once every eight weeks.

I'd say, the guys playing in the Saturday Men's Golf Association games are the recreational riders.

The guys competing in the club championships are the 4/5's.

The guys in the first flight of the club championship, and competing in the local amateur tournaments are the Cat 3's. and up from there.

if people cared about cycling like they do golf we'd have really hype schwag

Correct.

No kidding. I went so crazy I bought a Trek while you were gone.

welcome to the wonderful world of mcbicycle. I'm a member also. congratulations. now maybe you'll actually get some decent race resu...... oh never mind.


good purchase, have fun with the new toy!

welcome to the wonderful world of mcbicycle.

Do want Apple Pie with that Trek RW?

I'd disagree. In relative terms, Lance's domination was unprecedented.

Eddy

In comparison to Merckx Lance wasn't dominant

In comparison to Merckx Lance wasn't dominant

exactly.

I did some work for Titleist about 5 years ago and I followed DL the 3rd during the Pro Am on the practice day at the Buick Open. It was like being Eddy M. on a Fred-a-thon. He was such a gentleman but he did burst out loud laughing when one member hit a boulder with his ball and it came back almost as far as he hit it. I think these club members paid $5,000 to play a round with the pros! It did come with some awesome swag though, including a Scotty Cameron putter with oil-can finish.

http://www.photomob.com/work_titleist_fit_play.html

Dl?

Davis Love III, I assume.

Davis Love III, I assume.

:thumb:

My handicap dropped today