Handicaps

[WWG]

Apparently men can soon have a handicap of 36, as from 1st of March 2016. This is only at club level, and is reduced to 28 for open competitions. The choice to do this is at the discretion of the individual club. Apparently this is already the case in the USA, and there is a push to unify handicap rules world wide. It becomes progressively harder to play golf as you get older, so I believe this to be a good idea.

On another point. At my local club we play a bash every Monday morning, and our handicap is reduced to three quarter. Sorry, but what the hell for. The whole idea of a handicap is to level things up, and if the parameters are moved it makes a mockery of the system. Of course, those of you with a lower handicap may think it is a good idea, but what if I suggested the handicap be increased by 50% to help the lesser players. I have pointed this out to the club captain (a really nice bloke) who poo pood it, manly because he has the lowest handicap I suppose.

 

[jdpjamesp]

What format's the match in?

 

[Capella]

In Germany beginners used to start with an unofficial (meaning club internal) handicap of -54. The official handicaps did start at -36 (and for most open comps that was what higher handicappers would be playing off if they wanted to take part). With the beginning of 2016 it has now been changed so that the official handicaps go all the way up to -54, but as a beginner you are not granted the -54 automatically but have to actually play to that score in an event.

In Denmark, handicaps go even higher, I think up to -72.

 

[jdpjamesp]

I should probably move to Denmark then...

 

[AMcC]

On another point. At my local club we play a bash every Monday morning, and our handicap is reduced to three quarter. Sorry, but what the hell for. The whole idea of a handicap is to level things up, and if the parameters are moved it makes a mockery of the system. Of course, those of you with a lower handicap may think it is a good idea, but what if I suggested the handicap be increased by 50% to help the lesser players. I have pointed this out to the club captain (a really nice bloke) who poo pood it, manly because he has the lowest handicap I suppose.

I think that your " bash" may be off the yellow tees ?? but the thinking may be that the course is easier off those rather than the whites which are where the counting medals are played. Could that be the case ?

 

[Old Skier]

I think that your " bash" may be off the yellow tees ?? but the thinking may be that the course is easier off those rather than the whites which are where the counting medals are played. Could that be the case ?

A measured course is a measured course no matter what colour the tee markers are and the SSS is adjusted to account for it.

 

[patricks148]

A measured course is a measured course no matter what colour the tee markers are and the SSS is adjusted to account for it.

but if its a role up, lowest score wins the SSS does not come into it surely? our roll up is adjust to 3/4 off the yellow for the winter course and half if we are on winter greens

 

[Old Skier]

but if its a role up, lowest score wins the SSS does not come into it surely? our roll up is adjust to 3/4 off the yellow for the winter course and half if we are on winter greens

If it's a roll up fun game you can do what you like. Think the old 3/4 handicap melarky is a bit unfair for the higher and possibly less able golfer.

 

[patricks148]

If it's a roll up fun game you can do what you like. Think the old 3/4 handicap melarky is a bit unfair for the higher and possibly less able golfer.

this time of year you have to take into consideration the conditions; greens slow and soft, short course with little or no rough and if its winter greens none of the green side bunkers are in play.

 

[delc]

If it's a roll up fun game you can do what you like. Think the old 3/4 handicap melarky is a bit unfair for the higher and possibly less able golfer.

On the other hand, high handicappers have more potential for improvement, especially the younger ones!

 

[louise_a]

A couple of points regarding the first paragraph in the OP.

As far as I am aware (although it is something I want to clarify at the CONGU roadshow in a couple of weeks) if someone has a Club handicap of over 28 (over 36 for ladies) they are not eligible to play in Opens as they do not have a "competition" handicap.
Also as well as the club having the option, individual players can ask to have a club handicap if they merit one.

 

[Old Skier]

A couple of points regarding the first paragraph in the OP.

As far as I am aware (although it is something I want to clarify at the CONGU roadshow in a couple of weeks) if someone has a Club handicap of over 28 (over 36 for ladies) they are not eligible to play in Opens as they do not have a "competition" handicap.
Also as well as the club having the option, individual players can ask to have a club handicap if they merit one.

Good point especially if the player has played the relevant number of qualifiers. One more for the note book. Our road show is on 25 Jan.

 

[WWG]

What format's the match in?

Stableford

 

[WWG]

I think that your " bash" may be off the yellow tees ?? but the thinking may be that the course is easier off those rather than the whites which are where the counting medals are played. Could that be the case ?

Yes, off of the yellows, however, being as crap as I am, red would be even better

 

[NWJocko]

A couple of points regarding the first paragraph in the OP.

As far as I am aware (although it is something I want to clarify at the CONGU roadshow in a couple of weeks) if someone has a Club handicap of over 28 (over 36 for ladies) they are not eligible to play in Opens as they do not have a "competition" handicap.
Also as well as the club having the option, individual players can ask to have a club handicap if they merit one.

Sorry to go off topic, but do the individuals have the option of maintaining their competitive handicap of 28 (whether they can play to it or not) so they can enter opens etc rather than have a "club" handicap of >28?

Seems a bit unfair if folk are paying their CONGU fees but won't be able to enter away comps as their handicap isn't valid!?

I may have got the wrong end of the stick though, apologies if that's the case!

 

[WWG]

I think the point is that higher handicappers (like me) are encouraged by winning the occasional games. If I play against a low handicapper with my full handicap I am still likely to lose the match, if it is reduced to three quarters I have almost no chance at all, so what is the point ?

 

[louise_a]

Sorry to go off topic, but do the individuals have the option of maintaining their competitive handicap of 28 (whether they can play to it or not) so they can enter opens etc rather than have a "club" handicap of >28?

Seems a bit unfair if folk are paying their CONGU fees but won't be able to enter away comps as their handicap isn't valid!?

I may have got the wrong end of the stick though, apologies if that's the case!

The main reason for the club handicap is to encourage new players to enter competitions, once their handicap drops to 28/36 they then get a competition handicap and will then not go up above 28/36 unless they request it.
People who are currently on the maximum 28/36 will not automatically be given a higher club handicap, but they could request one.

 

[NWJocko]

The main reason for the club handicap is to encourage new players to enter competitions, once their handicap drops to 28/36 they then get a competition handicap and will then not go up above 28/36 unless they request it.
People who are currently on the maximum 28/36 will not automatically be given a higher club handicap, but they could request one.

Cheers Louise, makes sense :thup:

 

[Region3]

Before I start I want to make it clear that I agree with full handicap for any form of individual competition.

I'm only guessing, but I'd say the theory is that higher handicaps are more likely to have hole scores that are higher than the minimum number that would score you 0 points.
For example, stroke index 1 that anyone over 18hc would get 2 shots on. If it's a par 4 then a 6 scores 2 points, 7 is 1 point and 8 is 0 points.
If the player has a mare and takes 10 shots it's still 0 points, whereas in a medal it's 4 shots gone to handicap, making the player instantly 2 shots better off due to it being stableford.

I hope that makes some sort of sense.

I could be way off the mark, and just to reiterate - I don't agree with it.

 

[Slab]

Before I start I want to make it clear that I agree with full handicap for any form of individual competition.

I'm only guessing, but I'd say the theory is that higher handicaps are more likely to have hole scores that are higher than the minimum number that would score you 0 points.
For example, stroke index 1 that anyone over 18hc would get 2 shots on. If it's a par 4 then a 6 scores 2 points, 7 is 1 point and 8 is 0 points.
If the player has a mare and takes 10 shots it's still 0 points, whereas in a medal it's 4 shots gone to handicap, making the player instantly 2 shots better off due to it being stableford.

I hope that makes some sort of sense.

I could be way off the mark, and just to reiterate - I don't agree with it.

Worth remembering though that handicaps are issued and maintained with an artificial shot reduction to double bogey already factored in i.e for anyone scoring a 10 or indeed anything more than double bogey, all those 'shots' were never included in setting/maintaining the playing handicap of any of the players in the first place, so making is sensible that full handicap would still apply in singles