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Handicap and what you should expect to know it round in

SwingsitlikeHogan

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Handicap secretary told me that on average in comps you should expect to knock it round in handicap + 1/4 x handicap + 1.5

So for me off 12 I shouild expect on average my medals cards to be 12 + 3 + 1.5 = 16.5

Our club has done an analysis of all of last year's medal cards and that little algorithm appears to be pretty much spot on. Further for me in stableford my average golf should then see me with 32 pts - which for me (and probaly many of us) is about right. Stresses how the handicap system is aimed at giving us a handicap that is a stretch target for us - reflecting how well we can play - not how we should expect to play.

The analysis was done to support moving from 3/4 handicap to full handicap difference in singles matchplay.

But the above is apropos not very much at all except that I found it interesting (but I am a mathematician) as it tells me that to get my handicap down from 12 to 9 I have to be knocking it around in 13 (9+2.25+1.5) on average in medals (1 over my 12 handicap so in the zone) - because in that average will (hopefully) be the 3 or 4 under that will start to bring my handicap down.
 

BTatHome

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Just done a quick check on HDID stats pages and my average for all comps since Oct/2010 is 81.8 (SSS 72), for the last year my average is 81.1, for the last 6 months is was 79.7

Not sure that helps at all with understanding how accurate your formula is :)
 

timchump

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interesting formula, i think the only it might break down is depending on the variance in the golfer's score.
if you scored 16.5 in every round, you're handicap would go up, so i wonder what sort of variance they're factoring in for the average golfer. on a good day a 12 handicap could go round in 8 over?.......or if it's just a formaula that roughly works
 

FairwayDodger

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I expect to knock it round better than or equal to my handicap every time I step on the course. What actually happens doesn't quite live up to that.....
 
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Calculated my average score on HDID for last season and it's damn close.
I should average 78.75 per that formula, actually averaged just over 78.
 

MashieNiblick

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I believe CONGU may use/suggest a similar formula as part of annual reviews to identify where adjustments may be needed.

Over the last 2 years my average score has been 16.4 so it seems to work, although during that time I have gone from 11.4 up to 12.6 and back to 11.8.

It scotches the idea that you should on average play to your handicap. If you do then it would seem that, arguably, your handicap is too high.
 

HawkeyeMS

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I believe CONGU may use/suggest a similar formula as part of annual reviews to identify where adjustments may be needed.

Over the last 2 years my average score has been 16.4 so it seems to work, although during that time I have gone from 11.4 up to 12.6 and back to 11.8.

It scotches the idea that you should on average play to your handicap. If you do then it would seem that, arguably, your handicap is too high.

If you do on average, play to our handicap, it is too high in my opinion.
 

lyden

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If your theory is right then why would you need to submit 3 cards and average them for a handicap? Surely they would just take the best card?
 

rosecott

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Hmmm that changes things for me, I've only ever used golf shake and they use an average of 3. I might be in for a lower handicap than I thought!

Sorry, we were talking about official handicaps. What Golfshake do is entirely up to them, we have to kowtow to CONGU.
 

lyden

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So am I, I'm getting my official handicap hopefully all 3 cards next week, but I thought I needed 3 good similar scores. But from what your saying if I shoot 9 over I'll be a 9 handicap roughly speaking ?
 

HawkeyeMS

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So am I, I'm getting my official handicap hopefully all 3 cards next week, but I thought I needed 3 good similar scores. But from what your saying if I shoot 9 over I'll be a 9 handicap roughly speaking ?

Indeed, my 3 cards were +9, +13 & +16, 1st handicap of 9. My first comp I went up to 9.1 and been fighting to get back to 9 for the last 8 years
 

HomerJSimpson

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I am nowhere near playing to my handicap at the moment. Combination of lack of games, poor short game and a putter that has gone AWOL. Playing to about 20 at the moment so long way to go and way over the average based on the calculations. Tomorrow I'm hoping is the start of the comeback. My competitive season starts at 8.48
 

upsidedown

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Due to weather have only managed two of my 3 cards so far and best is looking at being +7 of ssc of 70 as was off the yellows. Handicap sec knows I was off 3 in NZ and Captain has suggested having seen me play that 5 would be good, so they may well set at a lower figure as I belive they can do under Congu guidelines.
If I do get a 7 I'm going to have some fun hopefully.
 
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