Are the way 9 hole scores fair to other players

[Westy]

Over the past month I haven't had a time for full 18 holes so I've been competing in some 9 hole comps at our club. Due to the way the 9 hole diff is calculated for the second 9 even though when I've been scoring 19 and 20 points for 9 holes my hcp has been going up. Probably gone up 2 shots now. (There have been some good scores dropped out the 20 which contributed a bit to that)

I'm probably playing some of my best golf right now which is a bit annoying from a hcp point of view.

But got me thinking on the other side. If I played in one of the clubs match play comps I recon I'm getting 2 shots more that I probably should be for where I think my hcp should be right now.

So taking that into account how the second 9 holes is calculated seems a bit harsh.

I know there's no guarantee a good front 9 leads to a good back 9.

 

[BobbyA]

I agree,

I'm a '9 hole Member' at a 9 hole golf course so regularly put in 9 hole GP cards. (Not allowed to go round twice)

I didn't actually realise how the 9 hole differential was calculated until recently when me and my playing partner shot the same score but his differential was lower. It made no sense until I googled that it gives you a score equivalent to 17 points on the back 9.

I played 9 holes today and had a great round, shot a 40 off of a 22.4 handicap (23 points) With the back 9 it will give me 40 points, this has led to a score differential of 19.3 for the round.
In reality if I played 18 I might have scored say an 85, which according to a calculator I used online gives me a score differential of 14.5. That's a 5 shot difference!

I also play some 18 hole rounds as well but I put in at least 1 9 hole round a week.

 

[Neilds]

I agree,

I'm a '9 hole Member' at a 9 hole golf course so regularly put in 9 hole GP cards. (Not allowed to go round twice)

I didn't actually realise how the 9 hole differential was calculated until recently when me and my playing partner shot the same score but his differential was lower. It made no sense until I googled that it gives you a score equivalent to 17 points on the back 9.

I played 9 holes today and had a great round, shot a 40 off of a 22.4 handicap (23 points) With the back 9 it will give me 40 points, this has led to a score differential of 19.3 for the round.
In reality if I played 18 I might have scored say an 85, which according to a calculator I used online gives me a score differential of 14.5. That's a 5 shot difference!

I also play some 18 hole rounds as well but I put in at least 1 9 hole round a week.

Not strictly true. Much more complicated than that - as is everything in golf

Here is a good explanation of the process:
https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/handicapping/world-handicap-system/2024-revision/2024-treatment-of-9-hole-scores-FAQ.html#:~:text=Based%20on%20Course%20Rating%E2%84%A2,the%20player's%20scoring%20record%20immediately.

 

[jim8flog]

I agree,

I'm a '9 hole Member' at a 9 hole golf course so regularly put in 9 hole GP cards. (Not allowed to go round twice)

I didn't actually realise how the 9 hole differential was calculated until recently when me and my playing partner shot the same score but his differential was lower. It made no sense until I googled that it gives you a score equivalent to 17 points on the back 9.

I played 9 holes today and had a great round, shot a 40 off of a 22.4 handicap (23 points) With the back 9 it will give me 40 points, this has led to a score differential of 19.3 for the round.
In reality if I played 18 I might have scored say an 85, which according to a calculator I used online gives me a score differential of 14.5. That's a 5 shot difference!

I also play some 18 hole rounds as well but I put in at least 1 9 hole round a week.

From memory, that was the old system. I.e one net bogey and 8 nett pars.
The new system Neilds has quoted is the new one.

 

[BobbyA]

Not strictly true. Much more complicated than that - as is everything in golf

Here is a good explanation of the process:
https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/handicapping/world-handicap-system/2024-revision/2024-treatment-of-9-hole-scores-FAQ.html#:~:text=Based%20on%20Course%20Rating%E2%84%A2,the%20player's%20scoring%20record%20immediately.

Ok makes sense,

Either way i think it is pegging back handicaps as you can never have a phenomenal 18 hole differential, you get your good one form the front 9 then an expected on the back 9.

I guess it goes both ways because a rubbish 9 holes will give you a better differential then if you doubled the 9 hole. As we all know 2 9 holes rarely follow each other.

 

[IanM]

Regardless, the process allows 9 hole cards, so go and play, key them in, and the number at the end is your HI

 

[Westy]

I'm not overly bothered by whatever my handicap is tbh. It is whatever it is.

The way it's done just seemed a bit harsh to me.

I know there are guys at the club who are a bit precious about their's that flatly refuse to play in 9 hole comps because of how it impacts their hcp.

 

[abjectplop]

The new calculation makes it really difficult to get a decent differential.....I just don't bother with it now.