Could the new WHS combat bandits

sweaty sock

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Before it was implemented I spoke to a group of US golfers about this. Had some worrying findings...

Firstly a caveats, the behaviours and social norms are different in the US.

Most of yhe insight was how golf was played, and its effect on handicap maintenance. In the UK, I think its very common for players to go the season playing 100% competition golf sticking rigidly to the rules. The weekend and mid week comps could see someone going the whole season without a bounce game. In the US singles, handicap competitions are comparitively rare, with maybe one a month being seen as a lot! The reason for this is a lack of interest due to handicap variance (bandits etc).

The reason for the handicap variance (aside from ego and plain banditry) can come down to how golf is played.

Its regular (as it is in the uk) for groups of players to run their own sweep, group competition etc. And its very usual all the resulting rounds in these sweeps are entered as the equivalent of pre-registered rounds. All seems fine. Until you find out that the rules imposed on these impromptu sweeps can vary widely, and rarely follow strict rules of golf. So gimmies, mulligans, dropping in the fairway after lost balls can all be allowed to increase enjoyment, but obviously change the resulting scores and makes handicaps rather specific to the group. A bit like a society handicap in the UK!!

The above will probably seem like a mockery to the die hard UK types. But in the US the handicap itself is seen as a less important thing than just having a game. Probably because of the inherent variance between groups / sweeps / types of play... I'd propose that US singles handicap competitions are less popular as the handicaps of players are less comparable!! Similarly the very popular "member/guest" better ball, is regularly used for handicap purposes and repeat winners with poposterous scores are common place.

Look at the pebble beach pro am scores. Amatuers regularly have multiple rounds in the 40 points range, and also consider the regular scratch golfers who cant break a hundred on holiday visits to the uk....
 

jim8flog

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Per the other thread, all you have to do is NR your round and it will count as a net double bogey on each hole. Build up a collection of NR's and watch your handicap soar!

When I am doing the cards if I spot a scorecard entry with all NRs I cancel the inputted scores and enter the scores as recorded on the card. I had one recently with all NRs 0.1 increase with all scores input buffer zone (mind you I knew the person and would double check what he does for things like this).

Our office handicap sec was always moaning at the guys who did this (particularly the low handicappers) as it often meant they would not get a 0.1 if all scores were entered.
 

BubbaP

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I'll ask our Pro about the process for this when I am there on Saturday. No mention of it has been made in the missives from the club about WHS. I suspect the answer will be, don't worry about it till next March when qualifiers resume!
The Scottish app thread has mentioned a "general play" button/option for registering but don't think all the details are clear yet. Something similar may be added to the EG app. No idea about darkest Wales though ??
 

nickjdavis

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Per the other thread, all you have to do is NR your round and it will count as a net double bogey on each hole. Build up a collection of NR's and watch your handicap soar!

I'm not sure what thread you are referring to but your assumption that scores will be logged as Nett Double Bogey is not necessarily correct.

If a player does not start any holes then for handicapping purposes the first hole that you NR without playing, will be scored as a nett par plus one stroke, and all subsequent holes not played will be counted as a nett par.

The only time a hole is counted as a nett double bogey is when you start the hole but do not finish it.
 

IanM

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The Scottish app thread has mentioned a "general play" button/option for registering but don't think all the details are clear yet. Something similar may be added to the EG app. No idea about darkest Wales though ??

We used Master Scoreboard pre whs..and still do for booking in and entering scores.

No facility for general play cards as yet..or if there is , I've not seen it. Currently you can on entering scores for events created on the system
 

BubbaP

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We used Master Scoreboard pre whs..and still do for booking in and entering scores.

No facility for general play cards as yet..or if there is , I've not seen it. Currently you can on entering scores for events created on the system
Yep also on masterscoreboard currently, and we'll need to see how this pans out but what is to stop you submitting a 'general play' score at an away course. Hence why the unions may be providing facilities (to register) centrally.
I know HDID are offering it (post above) but wasn't really what the post was about.
 

woofers

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clubchamp98

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Before it was implemented I spoke to a group of US golfers about this. Had some worrying findings...

Firstly a caveats, the behaviours and social norms are different in the US.

Most of yhe insight was how golf was played, and its effect on handicap maintenance. In the UK, I think its very common for players to go the season playing 100% competition golf sticking rigidly to the rules. The weekend and mid week comps could see someone going the whole season without a bounce game. In the US singles, handicap competitions are comparitively rare, with maybe one a month being seen as a lot! The reason for this is a lack of interest due to handicap variance (bandits etc).

The reason for the handicap variance (aside from ego and plain banditry) can come down to how golf is played.

Its regular (as it is in the uk) for groups of players to run their own sweep, group competition etc. And its very usual all the resulting rounds in these sweeps are entered as the equivalent of pre-registered rounds. All seems fine. Until you find out that the rules imposed on these impromptu sweeps can vary widely, and rarely follow strict rules of golf. So gimmies, mulligans, dropping in the fairway after lost balls can all be allowed to increase enjoyment, but obviously change the resulting scores and makes handicaps rather specific to the group. A bit like a society handicap in the UK!!

The above will probably seem like a mockery to the die hard UK types. But in the US the handicap itself is seen as a less important thing than just having a game. Probably because of the inherent variance between groups / sweeps / types of play... I'd propose that US singles handicap competitions are less popular as the handicaps of players are less comparable!! Similarly the very popular "member/guest" better ball, is regularly used for handicap purposes and repeat winners with poposterous scores are common place.

Look at the pebble beach pro am scores. Amatuers regularly have multiple rounds in the 40 points range, and also consider the regular scratch golfers who cant break a hundred on holiday visits to the uk....
Totally agree.
I have played with lots of yanks and have only ever met one who had an official handicap.
When you ask them their cap they laugh and say “ About 12 to 16 “.
 

brickie

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I think that once up and running WHS will lead to demise of open pairs competitions. Low to mid handicappers will in my opinion, soon get fed up of trying to complete with "players" who receive 2 shots on the majority of holes.
There may be a case for 2 or more divisions in such competition but this of course would necessitate the reduction of the value of prizes which in itself may discourage the pot hunters.
On another note, most of the "board competitions" at my club have a maximum handicap for entry purposes. I can see this being a more common solution as handicaps creep up towards the 54 mark for some players.
I know that handicaps are there to level the playing field but from experience, it is extremely difficult to complete with someone who gets a ton of shots, especially in Stableford competitions.
 

clubchamp98

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I think that once up and running WHS will lead to demise of open pairs competitions. Low to mid handicappers will in my opinion, soon get fed up of trying to complete with "players" who receive 2 shots on the majority of holes.
There may be a case for 2 or more divisions in such competition but this of course would necessitate the reduction of the value of prizes which in itself may discourage the pot hunters.
On another note, most of the "board competitions" at my club have a maximum handicap for entry purposes. I can see this being a more common solution as handicaps creep up towards the 54 mark for some players.
I know that handicaps are there to level the playing field but from experience, it is extremely difficult to complete with someone who gets a ton of shots, especially in Stableford competitions.
Agree it happened when 90% was introduced scores went up in opens.
This will only make it worse imo.
We go for a day out nothing more to opens now.
 

Old Skier

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I think that once up and running WHS will lead to demise of open pairs competitions. Low to mid handicappers will in my opinion, soon get fed up of trying to complete with "players" who receive 2 shots on the majority of holes.
There may be a case for 2 or more divisions in such competition but this of course would necessitate the reduction of the value of prizes which in itself may discourage the pot hunters.
On another note, most of the "board competitions" at my club have a maximum handicap for entry purposes. I can see this being a more common solution as handicaps creep up towards the 54 mark for some players.
I know that handicaps are there to level the playing field but from experience, it is extremely difficult to complete with someone who gets a ton of shots, especially in Stableford competitions.
What’s to stop opens having divisions.
 

Swinglowandslow

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What’s to stop opens having divisions.
What's to stop Opens from having non value prizes, l.e. Cups and shields?
Pros play for money and prizes of intrinsic value.
Why don't amateurs play only for the glory?
I know it's "business ", but maybe enough would play for the value -day -out, if the prize hunters stayed at home.
 

Old Skier

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What's to stop Opens from having non value prizes, l.e. Cups and shields?
Pros play for money and prizes of intrinsic value.
Why don't amateurs play only for the glory?
I know it's "business ", but maybe enough would play for the value -day -out, if the prize hunters stayed at home.
I go just to play other courses at a good price
 
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No system will stop a “bandit”

But then all the people that get accused of being bandits 99% of them aren’t actually bandits. There always seems to be a bit of mistrust towards fellow golfers from some - mainly happens when they have a big win etc and it’s normally from people who are jealous etc

There will always be the very small percentage of “pot hunters” who manipulate handicap to be competitive in Opens etc but it doesn’t take long before they get found out - we all know the short game wizard who ended up being banned

Opens will still happen and they will still mainly be won by the low to mid HC guys
 
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