Is Your Handicap a Handicap?

Last Friday I overheard a couple of players checking in for their round and it was apparent that this was the first time they were playing together because one of the players asked the other, "what's your handicap?". The response was very typical, "I'm a 15". Normally this wouldn't grab my attention, but it seemed to me that this player defined himself as a golfer (I am a 15) by his handicap. I turned to the Associate Professional who was also in the shop and said that I would be very surprised if that player scored better than his handicap. I think that many players define themselves as a golfer by their handicap or scores they have shot in the past. I hear so many stories about playing great golf only to double bogey 17 and 18 and end up playing right to their handicap. At a certain place in many players games there seems to be a spot where we get out of our comfort zone and begin playing with fear. I find, and have observed in other players, that defining ourselves in relationship to our golf game and playing with fear pose limits on what we can achieve. Are you your handicap? Ask yourself that question before your next round, and maybe even during the round if you feel your grip slightly tighten.