Divisions In Competitions

[2blue]

Many Clubs have 2 or 3 divisions for results & prize fund. We have 2 divisions fixed at h/cap 15 but the spread of h/caps can often vary greatly so that they're not near equal. Who's Club varyies their divisions from Comp to Comp or has another solution.

 

[fundy]

ours are fixed but we review them each year

 

[Break90]

2 divisions at ours, 12 hcp is the line between the two.

generally 60+ in each division

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Two Divisions

1 - scratch to 14

2 - 15-28


Seems to produce a good spread

 

[mikejohnchapman]

2 Division for us.

upto 12 H/C & 13 & above.

 

[Craigg]

2 Divs. for us.
Up to 14 and 15 upwards

 

[HomerJSimpson]

In medals and stablefords it's three divisions (depending on numbers) and then one (winner takes all) for honour board events, with money for top three

 

[effayjay]

Can someone explain to me the purpose of divisions?

I thought that the handicap system was designed to create a level playing field. Surely just as difficult for an 18 handicapper to score 40 points as it is for a single figure player, providing their handicaps reflect their ability.

Am I missing something?

 

[2blue]

Can someone explain to me the purpose of divisions?

I thought that the handicap system was designed to create a level playing field. Surely just as difficult for an 18 handicapper to score 40 points as it is for a single figure player, providing their handicaps reflect their ability.

Am I missing something?

What you're missing perhaps is that, on a good day, it is quite possible for a CAT 4 player to play 25% better than their handicap i.e. 20H/cap = 41pts.... 8H/cap = 38pts. & the former are largely on a much greater learning path as well as there often being many more of them

 

[Capella]

Ours vary from comp to comp, denpending on the number and handicaps of players who enter. AFAIK, they just try to form two or three more or less equally large groups.

 

[lukeysafc100]

My club has divisions 1 (which include Cat 1 and Cat 2 - so 11 below) and division 2 (cat 3,4,5 - 12 above) for the medal competitions.
Then for the big board competitions its 1 division!

 

[effayjay]

What you're missing perhaps is that, on a good day, it is quite possible for a CAT 4 player to play 25% better than their handicap i.e. 20H/cap = 41pts.... 8H/cap = 38pts. & the former are largely on a much greater learning path as well as there often being many more of them

I get where your coming from but surely everyone is vulnerable to the rapidly improving beginner irrespective of handicap. Also, doesn't CONGU take account of your point by reducing handicaps relevant to category?

 

[hovis]

I get where your coming from but surely everyone is vulnerable to the rapidly improving beginner irrespective of handicap. Also, doesn't CONGU take account of your point by reducing handicaps relevant to category?

not really. a 28 handicaper quite often has a good day and shoots 45 points and finish 19 over. off a 10 handicap you'd have to shoot level par to beet him. alot less likely to happen.


no divisions at our place despite overwhelming requests from members. as a result its rare that single figure golfers play in the comps.

 

[NWJocko]

We have 3, 0-10, 10-18 and 18+ iirc.

Prizes for overall winner (Net and Gross) then winner of each division gets a few quid aswell.

Not sure how much each gets as a rare occurrence for me to be anywhere near!! :rofl:

 

[HomerJSimpson]

We have 3, 0-10, 10-18 and 18+ iirc.

Prizes for overall winner (Net and Gross) then winner of each division gets a few quid aswell.

Not sure how much each gets as a rare occurrence for me to be anywhere near!! :rofl:

We have three divisions 0-12, 13-18 and 19+ but only recognise the nett winners in medals and obviously the points winner in stableford. Payout is top three in each division and winner per division of a monthly medal/stableford qualifies for the end of season Masters (36 holes medal). Board events and a pairs are winner takes all with prize money for top three

 

[Twire]

We have 3 divisions 0-9, 10-13 or 14 and 14 or 15-28 The reason the second division changes is to try and equal out the division sizes. This really is a problem as the monthly Stableford's and Medal's are qualifiers for end of year cups.

 

[Craigg]

My club has divisions 1 (which include Cat 1 and Cat 2 - so 11 below) and division 2 (cat 3,4,5 - 12 above) for the medal competitions.
Then for the big board competitions its 1 division!

12 handicap is Cat 2, not Cat 3

 

[effayjay]

Yes, but all things being equal that person is off 25 next comp.

My reason for asking the question is not to find out how other clubs divide the comp but why they divide at all. We currently have two divisions up to 12 and 13 and over. I have done some analysis and worked out that the higher handicap category are basically subsidising prize money to the lower handicappers given the lower numbers entering from the latter division. I have modelled the effect of changing the divisions and found that changing to up to 13 and 14 and over evens it out pretty much. We are going to look at changing the divisions to take account of this but fundamentally, I am having difficulty getting my head round having divisions at all.

Really interested at your lack of single figure entries, this is something we will have to take into account.

 

[hovis]

Yes, but all things being equal that person is off 25 next comp.

that's if the css is level. even if he's off 25 for the next comp. if he plays the same hell shoot 42 points during his next comp. a ten handicaper would have to shoot 3 over when the 25 handicap only has to manage a 19 over.

it would take 3 or 4 comps for him to get to a realistic handicap. meanwhile his mate who is off 28 has some lessons and shoots a 45. and around we go again.

what I'm saying is its almost impossible for a low handicap golfer to win against a high handicap golfer on a good day. my playing partner who was off +1 shot a course record of - 8. he got 43 points and some 6th!!!!!!!! how's that's right? divisions keep it more interesting imo

 

[LincolnShep]

We used to break at 18, until I "won" the Div2 monthly medal when I was the only entry. Since then, it's been a moving break point depending on who enters.