jim8flog
Journeyman Pro
So, this is my major golfing irritation actually.
I used to play most winter stablefords under the old handicap system, as they were often non-qualifiers or “cuts only” - which I believe was standard.
These days, our winter stablefords are qualifying competitions, so I don’t bother. I’m not at all interested in having my handicap for the summer months dictated by winter golf. My last qualifying round was 4th October.
The winter stablefords have often been impacted by the weather, there’s temps or trolley restrictions, and they get turned into a non-qualifier. Therefore the field is full of people who wanted to post qualifiers so they’re upset, and all the people who didn’t want to play are sat at home and they’re upset they didn’t enter.
I feel like I lose out on playing golf as a result of this compared to the old ways. I also feel like the above results in essentially no one being satisfied? Surely this is not ideal for anyone, and is there not a better suggestion for winter comps, like people having a choice over whether they want it to qualify or not?
Many years ago they bought in variable/competition standard scratch which was supposed to take care of playing conditions and clubs were asked not to have non qualifiers particularly where the decision is made in advance. They now have playing conditions calculations (PCC) which in theory should do the same.
We run qualifiers all year round with the only reason for them not being so is too many temp greens.