Spinn77
Challenge Tour Pro
Can someone explain how these figures work and impact on handicaps?
Does a lower SSS mean its an easy course? I havent a clue!
Does a lower SSS mean its an easy course? I havent a clue!
CSS / SSS
- Thread starter Spinn77
- Start date
rickg
Money List Winner
What is a SSS?
A SSS (Standard Scratch Score) is the score in which a scratch golfer is expected to return in ideal conditions. The SSS may differ to the par of the course.
Higher SSS = harder course than a lower SSS
What is a CSS?
A CSS (Competition Scratch Score) is the SSS after it has been adjusted due to scores returned in the competition. Handicaps are then adjusted if the nett differential is higher or lower than the CSS.
Your handicap is adjusted compared to the CSS of the day. On a difficult day, eg windy & rainy, the CSS is usually higher than on a dry calm day as the general scores returned will be higher.
Spinn77
Challenge Tour Pro
Thanks Rick, just what i was looking for.
And thanks Ian too, i'll bookmark that site
And thanks Ian too, i'll bookmark that site
RGDave
Money List Winner
In short, yes. The trouble is it's so bloomin arbitrary. If I play a low scratch course chances are I'll play better than the scratch would suggest and vice versa.
Last two games on a high scratch course (1) I've played 15 + 18 (w.t.h?) over SSS. Last two games on low scratch courses (2) I've played 7 and 9 over SSS. Surely if I play to my h'cap on both in relation to scratch I should play to 12 on either, regardless of par?
Truth is SSS is for scratch players, not for hackers like me.
I'm depressed t.b.h. I can't get cut at mine unless I play to about 9 or less gross. Mine is an easy course for scratch players, less so for anyone mortal.
Golfman
Assistant Pro
During a stableford conpetition last Autumn I came in with 39 points off the back tees and thought I would be in with a reduction of a 0.2 or 0.4 (possibly even 0.6) off the handicap. Unfortunately the CSS came out lower than par and no reduction was made and I stayed at 9.2. Came 5th in competition out of about 60 players so confused as to how the CSS came out so low. Very frustrating.
Fyldewhite
Tour Winner
You don't say what the SSS for the course you played but from what you say I'm assuming the CSS was lower on the day. It often confuses players who think there have to be a lot of very low scores for the CSS to go down. This is not the case. The calculation is based just on the proportion of scores under SSS+2 so in theory (unlikely I know) a large number of scores of par and just over par could result in the CSS going down with no red scores at all on the day.
RGDave
Money List Winner
Very frustrating indeed.
I know how you feel.I rather like the idea of a "handicap slope system scratch". It could be expressed as a number around 1 to reflect the difficulty/ease for a h'cap player.
As an example, on a hard course you could have a HSSS of index of 1.2
a player off 10 could aim for 10 x 1.2 = 12 over par.
a player off 20 could aim for 20 x 1.2 = 24 over par.
on an easy course you could have a HSSS of 0.8
a player off 10 could aim for 10 x 0.8 = 8 over par
a player off 20 could aim for 20 x 0.8 = 16 over par.
This would set a target to aim for......
off 20 (as per theory) a player would be looking to play to 16 on an easy and 24 on a hard course. This seemingly enormous 8 shot difference would be closer to the truth than a SSS.
Why? because it might help put good and bad scores for h'cap players into some perspective.
Last weekend, me and the team played a par 72 SSS 73. Nearly everyone struggled, but the higher the handicap the worse they seemed to score.....no surprise.
It's only a vague idea in my crazy mind, but I was trying to find words to comfort the less able players.
If this course was par 72, SSS 73 and HSSS 1.3 then a player off 20 shooting a 26 over par round could take some positive out of the day.
