CSS at St Andrews

[SharkAttack]

Boy have I got a gripe about CSS. Why do they use it? Surely SSS is all that is needed.

I mean how would you like to have played at St Andrews this afternoon, struggle to play to the buffer only to be told that CSS is coming down because it was so easy in the morning. I know I have said this before in another post but surely today at The Open proves my point.

Shark

 

[brendy]

I'd say that it may only be a shot of a difference tops so wouldn't be bothered.

 

[Split_Fairway]

I hate to show any ignorance of anyhting related to golf, but whats CSS and SSS?

 

[viscount17]

ok, I'll fall for it, but off 11 I can't believe you're serious

SSS = Standard Scratch Score

CSS = Competition Scratch Score

 

[Fyldewhite]

Doesn't prove any point at all because you simply don't have one. Fact is the course played easy. If I'd played to 2 under my handicap round there last week when the wind was up you seem to be saying I should get just the same cut if I'd scored the same today when it was effectively a putting contest.

Surely the handicap system (if it is to be fair) has to recognise that a good round in difficult conditions is actually harder to achieve, and is worth a bigger cut than the same round in easy conditions. Can't see the problem at all.

 

[JustOne]

you seem to be saying I should get just the same cut if I'd scored the same today when it was effectively a putting contest.

I thought he was saying that it was easier in the morning than the afternoon so why should any afternoon player have to effectively face a lower css before even teeing off....

or wasn't he saying that?

 

[GRAEMBO]

you seem to be saying I should get just the same cut if I'd scored the same today when it was effectively a putting contest.

I thought he was saying that it was easier in the morning than the afternoon so why should any afternoon player have to effectively face a lower css before even teeing off....

or wasn't he saying that?

thats the point he was trying to make I think, how can you have 1 CSS when there were differing weather conditions. i think.

 

[Imurg]

So was Peter Hansen's 66 better than John Daly's 66? They went out at different times, in different weather and came in with the same score. In a club comp they'd be the same amount under CSS.

To me, a good round is a good round regardless of weather conditions. You could argue that on a windy day a nett par is similar to a nett 2 under on a calm day but you can only play against what you are faced with. Courses have already been rated by SSS. You know what you're playing against. CSS is movable, albeit by only a few shots. So you have no idea what you're playing against. Illogical Captain!!

How many other sports have movable goalposts that move during the game??

If its fair weather and everyone scores well - then cut them.
If its lashing down and everyone plays crap then they all go up .1

Where's the problem? Where's the issue?

You've played well on the course presented to you so you deserve the appropriate cut.

 

[Smiffy]

What was interesting was hearing Tiger Woods interview after his round yesterday when the weather was mentioned.
He said how it felt "weird" (or words to that effect) playing with no wind at all, and how different it is. They are used to playing with some type of breeze or wind and shape shots accordingly.
So what might seem ideal conditions for us mere mortals could have the opposite effect on the touring pro's.
Me? I personally prefer playing with a "little" wind (not too much, just enough to flutter the flags every now and then) than a flat calm day.

 

[viscount17]

Me? I personally prefer playing with a "little" wind (not too much, just enough to flutter the flags every now and then) than a flat calm day.

me too, otherwise I have trouble seeing them

 

[HawkeyeMS]

My point about CSS has always been that it is "supposed" to be an indication of the difficulty\ease of a course on a particular day depending on things such as weather when in fact it is governed almost entirely by the fact that club golfers are inconsistent and play the way they play regardless of the weather\conditions.

However, CSS could only go down 1 so it wouldn't make much difference in your example of St Andrews.

 

[SharkAttack]

Doesn't prove any point at all because you simply don't have one. Fact is the course played easy. If I'd played to 2 under my handicap round there last week when the wind was up you seem to be saying I should get just the same cut if I'd scored the same today when it was effectively a putting contest.

Surely the handicap system (if it is to be fair) has to recognise that a good round in difficult conditions is actually harder to achieve, and is worth a bigger cut than the same round in easy conditions. Can't see the problem at all.

You don't seem to be getting the point. I am saying that the difference in playing conditions between the morning and afternoon can be huge and if you played out of your skin to play to the buffer zone in the afternoon, handed your card in and were told "The weather was so easy this morning that your buffer zone score is now one above buffer and your handicap is now going up" you would feel hard done to.

I think the buffer should still go up to allow for bad weather, I just don't believe it should come down below SSS. It seems unfair to me that you could even get a cut one below SSS and lose it.

 

[JustOne]

I think the buffer should still go up to allow for bad weather, I just don't believe it should come down below SSS.

Totally agree, they should not allow CSS to go below SSS ever.