So this year I was drafted onto our club's handicap committee and I was told there would be almost nothing to do, but I've been asked to look at multiple players already and so far I have only agreed with one ruling. Maybe my decision making is bad, but wondering what you guys think.

First guy we had to evaluate was one that requested a 2 stroke increase coming off back surgery this winter. I'm sympathetic and like the guy, but I said no as we don't have tournaments early in the year, he plays a lot and I figured if he struggles his handicap will rise like it should. I was the only no, they raised him and he did nearly win one of the first tournaments. I don't know that HC increase helped him win at that point and it was a team event.

Second guy is someone everyone suspects of sandbagging for years now. He never breaks 90 until he is in a tournament. He has an unusually high winning % in the weekend Pal (best ball) with his father over the last 5 years and there was other incriminating data. We all voted to drop him down. I've played with the guy and I believe he is a bagger.

Next player I play with regularly. To me he has a lot of ability but is streaky. He won regularly last year (first great year) but his handicap dropped the whole season. He started this year badly, HC increased, but has been dropping again and just won a 2-person event. The USGA HC tool flagged him as he had 4 "low" rounds. So I was suspect but then realize he shot 78 and 78 2 weekends in a row and then won with another 78 a week later. The score before the first 78 was 82. I don't see the 3rd 78 as "low" since he had already shot it twice in casual rounds. And honestly what sandbagger shoots 82, 78, and 78 right before a tournament? He also posted another 78 in casual round after the tournament. The only odd thing I see is that he keep shooting the same exact score. I was the only vote to NOT drop him down. I felt the GHIN would do what it's supposed to assuming he is posting honest scores.

Now we have another guy with a bad back asking for 2 more strokes and he is playing worse so I think his HC will adjust, but everyone else wants to give him the 2 stroke increase. Maybe I am just too cruel? I know 2 guys that had eye surgeries that are struggling and playing a lot worse and they are not asking for strokes.

There are a few more cases, but they are similar

Thoughts? You can tell me I'm jerk as I probably am but am old enough not to care 😉