GM Article - Handicap System Ruining Comps for Low Handicaps

[PJ87]

Out of interest I just checked the last medal results

Par 72 course

First place

Net 71 handicap 6

Second place

Net 72 handicap 3

3rd place

Net 72 handicap 6

Infact in the top 10 only two handicappers over 20

The stableford before

42 handicap 14
38 handicap 10
38 handicap 7

The one before that

36 handicap 21
35 handicap 17
34 handicap 16

The 42 points one came after April so handicaps went up for us

I'd say it's a nice spread of results

 

[clubchamp98]

Out of interest, how large are the fields where high handicap players are winning disproportionately often?
At my small club with most competition fields being fewer than 30, the R&A guidance HERE actually suggests we should so be playing off 100% CH rather than 95%, but I haven't heard anyone complaining.
Ironically, the highest Stableford comp score in the last 12 months was 43 by a 7-handicap player going round in gross par for the first time in his life, the filthy bandit.

We have about 180 entrants in comps in summer.

 

[clubchamp98]

Every comps a trophy, I'd have thought that would be the exception. Plush club

I don't know but I'd have guessed that worldwide most comps aren't trophy comps and don't require an overall winner

All our comps have an overall winner!
Divisions are only for money.

 

[Whereditgo]

GP cards.
I have always thought bogey comps against the course the hardest format as the course always gets par and dosnt make mistakes.

We've had a couple of guys, one of whom only started playing last year, pretty much clean up between them through the winter, neither of them have had a handicap adjustment throughout this time because the course has been non qualifying owing to the weather. The winter competitions are just a few medals, pro Stablefords and roll ups, their winning scores have been mid 40's week in week out, with a nett 61, CR of 73.2 off the tips in a gale in the first serious competition of the year.

But now the board competitions have started they are still cleaning up as their handicaps will take a little time to react to their results, what bugs me is that neither are putting GP cards in for casual rounds when they both play multiple times per week

 

[clubchamp98]

We've had a couple of guys, one of whom only started playing last year, pretty much clean up between them through the winter, neither of them have had a handicap adjustment throughout this time because the course has been non qualifying owing to the weather. The winter competitions are just a few medals, pro Stablefords and roll ups, their winning scores have been mid 40's week in week out, with a nett 61, CR of 73.2 off the tips in a gale in the first serious competition of the year.

But now the board competitions have started they are still cleaning up as their handicaps will take a little time to react to their results, what bugs me is that neither are putting GP cards in for casual rounds when they both play multiple times per week

I think 11 under par is a bit out of reach for most people assuming it’s 72 par.

It’s the up and down nature of WHS I suppose.
It will put people off entering comps if some high handicappers are winning everything just as much as it would if low handicappers are doing all the winning.!

But at my club it’s the teens cappers doing all the winning.

 

[RichA]

We have about 180 entrants in comps in summer.

Wow. Are the organisers reducing the handicap allowance, as recommended, or just playing 95% of CH?

 

[nickjdavis]

Wow. Are the organisers reducing the handicap allowance, as recommended, or just playing 95% of CH?

What recommendation is that?

I only know of the recommendation to use 100% of CH for small fields of <30 players. Was not aware there was a recommendation for very large fields.

 

[Alan Clifford]

Wow. Are the organisers reducing the handicap allowance, as recommended, or just playing 95% of CH?

I find it strange in view of the recent "machine precision" changes that the world class statisticians arrived at 95% rather than something like 93.397452899%

 

[RichA]

What recommendation is that?

I only know of the recommendation to use 100% of CH for small fields of <30 players. Was not aware there was a recommendation for very large fields.

It's here... https://www.randa.org/en/roh/appendices/appendix-c

 

[D-S]

It's here... https://www.randa.org/en/roh/appendices/appendix-c

View attachment 53251

Don't EG mandate 95% though? If so this option is not open to clubs.

 

[RichA]

Don't EG mandate 95% though? If so this option is not open to clubs.

Does a local club comp have to follow the rule England Golf applies to its own competitions? The guidance is from R&A and WHS.

 

[D-S]

Does a local club comp have to follow the rule England Golf applies to its own competitions? The guidance is from R&A and WHS.

Yes, EG (CONGU) Handicap allowances are mandatory even for things like local club fun Texas scrambles.

I believe 95% mandatory for all Individual Strokeplay comps, irrespective of field size, is one of the many local options adopted by EG.

 

[jim8flog]

Does a local club comp have to follow the rule England Golf applies to its own competitions? The guidance is from R&A and WHS.

yes .

It is part of the agreement that the club makes when it is affiliated.

Rules of golf guidance
GC (Appendix C) Handicap Allowances
The WHS Handicap Index calculation, by design, provides equity for singles match play. The 95% allowance is needed to provide equity for singles stroke play, as this must also take into account the probability of a steady golfer gaining a leader board position.
The National Associations within GB&I have determined that allowances set out in the table in Appendix C are mandatory.

 

[RichA]

From what I've read on the EG and R&A websites, they use the word "recommended" repeatedly, not mandatory or must.

 

[jim8flog]

It's here... https://www.randa.org/en/roh/appendices/appendix-c

View attachment 53251

Rules of golf guidance


GC/1 (Appendix C/1) Handicap Allowance for Small Fields
The recommendation to increase the allowance to 100% for field sizes of fewer than 30 players is not being adopted in GB&I. The allowance for single stroke play events is 95% regardless of the field size.

 

[RichA]

Rules of golf guidance


GC/1 (Appendix C/1) Handicap Allowance for Small Fields
The recommendation to increase the allowance to 100% for field sizes of fewer than 30 players is not being adopted in GB&I. The allowance for single stroke play events is 95% regardless of the field size.

Thanks for enlightening me. So what exactly is the point of the R&A Rules of Handicapping that I'm led to through the England Golf app if England Golf choose to ignore bits of it?
And are there any other rules in the Rules of Golf that are different for club golf?

 

[Deleted member 23344]

What? Is that just you at your Club? Disgraceful!!!

I have reread my post and I can’t find where I am supposed to have said it only applied to me. I was merely making a statement of fact that matched the experience of another poster. Btw, do you have to work hard at being supercilious and obnoxious, or does it just come naturally?

 

[D-S]

Thanks for enlightening me. So what exactly is the point of the R&A Rules of Handicapping that I'm led to through the England Golf app if England Golf choose to ignore bits of it?
And are there any other rules in the Rules of Golf that are different for club golf?

For example, you will be able to see Most Likely Score in the Rules of Handicapping - this is not adopted by CONGU (which includes EG). EG have introduced the scale up for 4BB scores, this is not applicable in many other countries as they use MLS.

Note these are not Rules of Golf, they are Rules of Handicapping.

 

[RichA]

For example, you will be able to see Most Likely Score in the Rules of Handicapping - this is not adopted by CONGU (which includes EG). EG have introduced the scale up for 4BB scores, this is not applicable in many other countries as they use MLS.

Note these are not Rules of Golf, they are Rules of Handicapping.

But the England Golf version of the Rules of Handicapping, which differ slightly from the R&A Rules of Handicapping, which the England Golf app on my phone takes me to rather than their version.
You can see why new folks like me get confused, I hope.

 

[D-S]

But the England Golf version of the Rules of Handicapping, which differ slightly from the R&A Rules of Handicapping, which the England Golf app on my phone takes me to rather than their version.
You can see why new folks like me get confused, I hope.

Too right its confusing and where to find specific rulings and guidance is a nightmare.

For your info, you always need to look at the EG Guidance on the Rules of Handicapping a mere 50 odd pages after looking at the USGA/R&A document with its over 100 pages.