Tired of sandbaggers blowing the curve in your golf tournaments? Well I just read the latest Golf for Women magazine, and received the most useful tip I’ve ever gotten from a magazine: how to verify handicaps.

That’s right, you can go to the USGA’s Golf Handicap & Information Network, punch in the suspected sandbagger’s name and state, and find out if what they claim as their handicap is the real thing. If you can’t find your man at the GHIN, golfnetonline.net provides the same service.

My husband played in a big tourney not long ago, and was frustrated to no end when a supposedly 20 handicap shot an 82 and took home all the prizes. Not likely. Anyone who’s ever played in a tournament probably has a similar story to share.

Even if you’re not into playing detective, it’s kind of fun playing stalker. For instance, via these sites, I learned that singing sensation Celine Dion is a 16.8 handicap. Donald Trump is a 4.4. Sports Illustrated writer Rick Reilly is a 14.3. I tried stalking our own Tim McDonald, but I was stymied: who knew there were so many Tim McDonalds running around?

And that guy in my husband’s tournament? Turns out he’s actually a 14. Surprise surprise.

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