I am in the UK where handicaps are based on competition rounds. I don;t get to play as much golf as I used to, so therefore I try to focus my game, such as it is, on competitions, and at my home club, Bearwood Lakes, previously discussed here, I tend to play almost only competitions. I will play a few causal rounds on holiday or at other courses, but I try not to let an opportunity to get my handicap down go past. That strategy has not been successful in recent years as the handicap has remained resistant, not going up but not going down either. My 6 month winter break may not be helping.