Foresomes Handicap Calculation

mikejohnchapman

Challenge Tour Pro
Joined
Oct 5, 2011
Messages
2,009
Location
Dorset
Visit site
Could someone please help me as I can't find a specific reference.

We have a foresomes competition where the standard 50% of the combined difference applies.

I had assumed the calculation was: work out the course handicap for each player, add them together, divide by 2 & round. Do the same for the opposition and establish the difference.

One of the teams insisted it was; work out the course handicap for each player, add them together, eastablish the difference between the 2 teams and calculate 50% of the difference (rounding if necessary).

Needless to say the 2 calculations provide different answers.

I'm sure the first one is correct but can't find the correct reference in the CONGU manual.
 

rulefan

Tour Winner
Joined
Feb 21, 2013
Messages
15,215
Visit site
Could someone please help me as I can't find a specific reference.

We have a foresomes competition where the standard 50% of the combined difference applies.

I had assumed the calculation was: work out the course handicap for each player, add them together, divide by 2 & round. Do the same for the opposition and establish the difference.

One of the teams insisted it was; work out the course handicap for each player, add them together, eastablish the difference between the 2 teams and calculate 50% of the difference (rounding if necessary).

Needless to say the 2 calculations provide different answers.

I'm sure the first one is correct but can't find the correct reference in the CONGU manual.
You will see in the table that Foursomes are not differentiated between stroke and match play. So the formula must apply to both. Therefore, your method must be correct as in stroke play you can't play off a decimal value.
 

wjemather

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 3, 2020
Messages
3,860
Location
Bristol
Visit site
Could someone please help me as I can't find a specific reference.

We have a foresomes competition where the standard 50% of the combined difference applies.

I had assumed the calculation was: work out the course handicap for each player, add them together, divide by 2 & round. Do the same for the opposition and establish the difference.

One of the teams insisted it was; work out the course handicap for each player, add them together, eastablish the difference between the 2 teams and calculate 50% of the difference (rounding if necessary).

Needless to say the 2 calculations provide different answers.

I'm sure the first one is correct but can't find the correct reference in the CONGU manual.
You are correct. See appendix C: "In general, after handicap allowances have been applied in match play formats, the player with the lowest Playing Handicap plays off zero strokes relative to the other player(s). The other player(s) receive(s) the difference between their own Playing Handicap and that of the player with the lowest Playing Handicap." (just substitute "team" for "player")

In other words, strokes received is the full difference in Playing Handicaps from the lowest; i.e. not a % of the difference in (combined) Course Handicaps.
 

rulefan

Tour Winner
Joined
Feb 21, 2013
Messages
15,215
Visit site
You are correct. See appendix C: "In general, after handicap allowances have been applied in match play formats, the player with the lowest Playing Handicap plays off zero strokes relative to the other player(s). The other player(s) receive(s) the difference between their own Playing Handicap and that of the player with the lowest Playing Handicap." (just substitute "team" for "player")

In other words, strokes received is the full difference in Playing Handicaps from the lowest; i.e. not a % of the difference in (combined) Course Handicaps.
And that is consistent with other formats eg scrambles
 

jim8flog

Journeyman Pro
Joined
May 20, 2017
Messages
15,878
Location
Yeovil
Visit site
From the rule book (guidance) in case of further query

page 42

Foursomes

Playing Handicaps for each side in Foursomes are 50% of the combined Course Handicaps of the two players concerned.

Adjustments are required if it is mixed comp.
 
Top