Handicaps-are they all created equal?

[groundskeeperwilly]

I have had the opportunity to play a few courses that I had never been to this past few weeks and judging by the difficulty it made me wonder about handicaps.

For example I played one links course where I was fairly sure I would have a higher handicap-the course, weather etc meant I didn't really see the potential for me to play to my handicap!

Similarly I played on an inland course which to me seemed quite 'getable' and I fancied I could have a lower handicap there!

Has anyone else found that?

 

[palindromicbob]

I do think there is an element of truth to that. I often think that many links players I know would be able to tear my course apart when it is dry and firm because of the lack of penal rough although I do forget about the trees and the longer fringes around the greens that may be a big enough difference to maybe hold them back a little.

I do feel confident and happy that my handicap is a decent reflection on my ability because I play quiet a few opens throughout the year at other courses and of the 4 cut's I've recieved this year only two have been at home.

 

[TheClaw]

Are all courses the same difficulty? Absolutely not.

 

[duncan mackie]

I have had the opportunity to play a few courses that I had never been to this past few weeks and judging by the difficulty it made me wonder about handicaps.

For example I played one links course where I was fairly sure I would have a higher handicap-the course, weather etc meant I didn't really see the potential for me to play to my handicap!

Similarly I played on an inland course which to me seemed quite 'getable' and I fancied I could have a lower handicap there!

Has anyone else found that?

as long as you are looking at SSS for the tees you play then the answer is 'a lot more equal than most people keep trying to make out' as long as the yardage is in the 6000 to 6800 range.

whilst SSS tries to rate courses outside this range fairly, the reality is that for handicap golfers (rather than scr - think an 18) there is a world of difference between having 150 or less into every green and 180/190; huge difference.

obviously the condition of the course, especially the rough, will also matter - and potentially differently to different golfers. Again, rating tries to take this into account but the reality is that for some slightly wild hitters having their handicap based on a tough rough course will mean that playing a wide open no real rough course will be easier for them even if it's a bit long.

 

[Foxholer]

Wot Duncan said!

My experience is that those who play tough inland courses or most links courses tend to have handicaps that 'travel well'. The consistency and variety of shots required means that they are 'better equipped' to handle the inevitable need to recover.

SSS above Par is my definition of 'tough'.

 

[CMAC]

One of my last courses afaik was par 71 SSS 73, meant a decent round you could get a serious cut

 

[Slab]

Although in a recent thread some low-mid handicappers were suggesting an additional 20-30 shots a round for themselves to go round Muirfield! (as it was set for The Open)

 

[MashieNiblick]

whilst SSS tries to rate courses outside this range fairly, the reality is that for handicap golfers (rather than scr - think an 18) there is a world of difference between having 150 or less into every green and 180/190; huge difference.

Absolutely right. Something I'm not sure the SSS calculations fully take into account. 25 yards off 8 par 4's = 200 yards. Maybe only a stroke or 2 (if that) off SSS but 8 holes where I'm going to have a much better chance of making par.

I always feel though that this is where CSS has it's place, as by being based on actual scoring on a particular day it can even up those variations in difficulty that SSS maybe doesn't quite take account of.

 

[Mungoscorner]

CSS has a big influence on handicaps, I've played against players from course's where the CSS is normally over par, and to be honest i didn't think their game was as good as there handicap would suggest.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

If you think of Gullane No3 as an example.
Short fairly easy course if played on a mild midgey free September evening.
But.
Small greens with difficult links bunkers, sits on top of a hill, plays very fast in drought conditions, rough can at times be very penal, generally windy occasionally very windy.

Same course......so many playing conditions to consider.
One day 69 is a good score the following day it could be 79.

 

[duncan mackie]

Although in a recent thread some low-mid handicappers were suggesting an additional 20-30 shots a round for themselves to go round Muirfield! (as it was set for The Open)

whilst it was only set up to around 7200 yds the real issue for most would be the carry from the tees.

I suspect if rated it would be around SSS 79, Hoylake is I believe 78 from the v back in normal mode and the CSS often goes out...but if you can't carry 240 you are going to drop about 15 shots up front - and that assumes you find the ball each time!

I disagree with DV's implication - my experiences all suggest that players based on courses with the par under the SSS have stronger handicaps than those on courses the other way round, and the latter always think they are better than they really are

 

[Birchy]

I think all the handicap travels well stuff is a load of old cobblers imo.

 

[RGDave]

Are all courses the same difficulty? Absolutely not.

There is the answer.

There could be ways of evening out the peculiarities of each course (and the members handicaps), but either the low or high players will get a bad deal out of a different system.

 

[FairwayDodger]

It also depends on your own strengths and weaknesses. I've had a few cuts at a local course that has practically no trouble if you miss any fairway right. However, it's longer than my course so some of my straighter but shorter hitting friends might struggle.

Same course is often OOB or deep deep trouble if you go left but that's not generally an issue for me!

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Wot Duncan said!

My experience is that those who play tough inland courses or most links courses tend to have handicaps that 'travel well'. The consistency and variety of shots required means that they are 'better equipped' to handle the inevitable need to recover.

SSS above Par is my definition of 'tough'.

I would agree through experience. My previous club handicap didn't travel well to my current club. But my current handicap seems to travel well as Just over 6600yds; greens are relatively very small, our fairways are narrow; we have a lot of doglegs and some long blind shots; and deep heather all over the place. Scrambling is us.