The 'Woof Handicap' or 'Boo Handicap' in Golf

In the golf game named Woof or Boo, two golfers are playing a match, with the less-accomplished of the two getting to use his handicap. But that golfer doesn't get his traditional handicap. No, instead he gets to distract his more-accomplished foe at critical moments in the match. He does this by invoking his "woof handicap" or "boo handicap" — literally by shouting "woof!" or "boo!" just as his opponent is about to strike the ball.

You might know this game by its more modern name, which is Noonan. The "Noonan" name derives from the movie Caddyshack (affiliate link). In one scene, the caddie named Noonan is about to attempt a winning putt, and the other caddies are shouting out things (including "Noonan") in an effort to startle and distract him.

Woof and Boo are much older names for it, and a golfer's "woof handicap" or "boo handicap" refers to the number of times he is allowed to yell out "woof!" or "boo!" during the match.

And how many times is that? Calculate your course handicaps as usual and determine the number of strokes given/received as usual. And that's your woof handicap or boo handicap (or noonan handicap, if you'd rather use that term). If Golfer A is giving Golfer B 11 strokes, then instead of applying those strokes in the normal manner, Golfer B instead gets 11 woofs or boos to use throughout the round.

That means that 11 times during the round, Golfer B gets to yell out "woof!" or "boo!" just as Golfer A is about make contact, or at any other point in Golfer A's swing when Golfer B feels it will cause Golfer A to hit a terrible shot. For maximum effect, give out a maximum yell.

But because this game involves shouting, be very considerate of any groups or other golfers on nearby holes. It's best to only use your "woof handicap" or "boo handicap" on days when you and your buddy pretty much have the course to yourselves.

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