George - they almost always do in the match play stuff I do. Who's gonna quit when they've paid for the round?
And Rich - I shall leave this to the Senior Doyen to explain, as he is far more eloquent at this than I am, that's for sure. Just remember the idea is an improvement on our current system - not a panacea for all handicap issues - as such does not exist. Handicaps can and will be abused by those who want to do so - here, there, everywhere.
Tom P's idea to me is a just a good start at removing the American idea that every round must consist of 18 completed holes, which leads to slow play, emphasis on "fairness", etc. We need SOMETHING, that's for sure. And the answer isn't competitive gross score only posting - that just plain won't work - people don't play enough competitive rounds and want a handicap to use with their friends. "Official" handicaps work best, though certainly such can be negotiated, and official is necessary when you don't know the people well enough to just establish an agreed-upon number.
TH