Match play rules.

[Deleted Member 1156]

Surely this all depends on why we play the game. Most of us is for nothing more than light entertainment and enjoyment, for us the handicap system works well and we have no problem with players of all abilities receiving their full allowance. For others though its more about the winning and fame/fortune, if that is you then you should try your hand and the professional game and leave the amateur game to the rest of us.

Your argument is fine for social golf but as soon as you enter a matchplay knockout competition it changes from being social golf to competitive golf.

 

[rosecott]

If a player works hard on his game to improve and get his handicap down, why should he give that all away to someone who isn't prepared to work as hard on their game?

I don't have an issue with people of all abilities being able to compete against each other but it's only fair that the advantage should lie with those that put more effort into their games.

So you shouldn't get shots in a matchplay knockout against a 2 handicap as he has possibly worked harder on his game?

 

[Foxholer]

Your argument is fine for social golf but as soon as you enter a matchplay knockout competition it changes from being social golf to competitive golf.

Even more reason why you should restrict yourself to Scratch competitions.

Handicap competitions allow players of different abilities, fir whatever reason, to compete, though the result does not mean the winner is the 'better' player, nor played better, just 'relatively better on the day'.

And check out the link in my sig!

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

So you shouldn't get shots in a matchplay knockout against a 2 handicap as he has possibly worked harder on his game?

That isn't what I said.

What I did say is..... 3/4 difference is ample and if a match is all square after 18 then the sudden death holes should be played off scratch.

 

[pbrown7582]

It would definately favour the lower h/cap player if there is no shots on extra holes much the same as 3/4 difference does.
The differiantial in handicap is still the same on hole 19/20 as it is on holes 1 and 2.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

It would definately favour the lower h/cap player if there is no shots on extra holes much the same as 3/4 difference does.
The differiantial in handicap is still the same on hole 19/20 as it is on holes 1 and 2.

True. But the higher handicap player has already had full allowance as it is and if he/she can't take advantage of that over 18 holes then they have had their chance in my opinion. If they do go on to win over extra holes without getting additional shots then fair play to them.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Even more reason why you should restrict yourself to Scratch competitions.

Handicap competitions allow players of different abilities, fir whatever reason, to compete, though the result does not mean the winner is the 'better' player, nor played better, just 'relatively better on the day'.

And check out the link in my sig!

Why should I restrict myself to scratch competitions?

And I've read the article you refer to and I don't agree with it.

 

[rosecott]

True. But the higher handicap player has already had full allowance as it is and if he/she can't take advantage of that over 18 holes then they have had their chance in my opinion.

So what you are saying is that, if the knockout competition rules say that, in the event of all square after 18 holes. you must replay over 18 holes, you then play off the stick?

 

[NWJocko]

Are you conveniently ignoring my question because it doesn't fit your argument?

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

So what you are saying is that, if the knockout competition rules say that, in the event of all square after 18 holes. you must replay over 18 holes, you then play off the stick?

No. I've never seen or played in a competition that has those rules, all that I have played in are sudden death. And the handicap allowance is over 18 holes, what happens if you are receiving 1 shot and SI 1 happens to be on the first or second hole? (as it is at one of my former clubs)

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

There's an assumption there that low handicap = someone who practices....

I have a low handicap and never, ever, practice. Many of my friends at the club are high teens/20's handicaps and do work hard.

What happens there?

Are you saying that you have NEVER practiced to achieve your low handicap or that you don't practice now?

 

[1GG_Grumps]

Then your friends have to face the reality that you're one of those annoying gits that has great natural ability. They also have to accept that, despite their supposed hard work, they're just not suited to golf and so really should take up tennis or badminton instead.

 

[rosecott]

No. I've never seen or played in a competition that has those rules, all that I have played in are sudden death. And the handicap allowance is over 18 holes, what happens if you are receiving 1 shot and SI 1 happens to be on the first or second hole? (as it is at one of my former clubs)

That is why CONGU SI recommendations were framed - SI1 should be holes 4,5 or 6.

Drive4show

I don’t know you and you may well be someone I would be very happy to have a round of golf with, but you are coming over as someone whose thinking is:

1. I’m happy to play you in matchplay and reluctantly concede however many strokes the system allows you.
2. If, however, we are all square after 18 holes, I have proved I am a better player than you because the handicap system is faulty and you should never have had those strokes in the first place.
3. Despite the fact that I am a better player than you, I will insist that the handicap system should no longer apply after 18 holes and that any “advantage” originally provided by the handicapping system (which you should never have had in the first place) should no longer apply, therefore I am bound to win.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

That is why CONGU SI recommendations were framed - SI1 should be holes 4,5 or 6.

Drive4show

I don’t know you and you may well be someone I would be very happy to have a round of golf with, but you are coming over as someone whose thinking is:

1. I’m happy to play you in matchplay and reluctantly concede however many strokes the system allows you.
2. If, however, we are all square after 18 holes, I have proved I am a better player than you because the handicap system is faulty and you should never have had those strokes in the first place.
3. Despite the fact that I am a better player than you, I will insist that the handicap system should no longer apply after 18 holes and that any “advantage” originally provided by the handicapping system (which you should never have had in the first place) should no longer apply, therefore I am bound to win.

That is all very well and good but you haven't even considered the other side of the argument where I may be the higher handicapper who is receiving the shots. If you care to read back to one of my first posts on this thread, I stated quite clearly that the current system has worked both for and against me in the past. But my stance is still the same, the advantage should lie with the lower handicap player because golf is a sport and I believe the advantage should lie with the one who puts the most work into their game.

(And before anyone says 'I'm a low handicapper and I never work on my game' well you are very fortunate and also the exception to the rule)

 

[doublebogey7]

Your argument is fine for social golf but as soon as you enter a matchplay knockout competition it changes from being social golf to competitive golf.

Sorry but I and I believe most other golfers play both competitive golf and social golf for enjoyment and light entertainment. Please can you explain how this differs from your main reason for playing competitive golf.

 

[Imurg]

See why I hate Matchplay.......?

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Sorry but I and I believe most other golfers play both competitive golf and social golf for enjoyment and light entertainment. Please can you explain how this differs from your main reason for playing competitive golf.

If you enter a competition, you go in with the mindset of doing as well as you possibly can ie. trying to win the competition. If you are playing social golf then you are probably not playing for anything more than the cost of a drink or bragging rights over your mates. To me, competitive golf is about winning (within the rules and spirit of the game) and social golf is about having a laugh with my mates.

 

[doublebogey7]

But my stance is still the same, the advantage should lie with the lower handicap player because golf is a sport and I believe the advantage should lie with the one who puts the most work into their game. (

There are plenty of opportunities fro the best players to pitch themselves on an equal footing against similar standard players, there called scratch competitions, perhaps you should devote yourself to those. For the the majority of us who are less competent the handicap system serves its purpose in allowing all of us to enjoy some competitive sport on an equal footing.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

There are plenty of opportunities fro the best players to pitch themselves on an equal footing against similar standard players, there called scratch competitions, perhaps you should devote yourself to those. For the the majority of us who are less competent the handicap system serves its purpose in allowing all of us to enjoy some competitive sport on an equal footing.

I've played in 12 competitions this year, 9 scratch and 3 handicap. In scratch competitions, I'm usually towards the top end of the handicap range but I enjoy playing against the best players to see how well I can do against them.

Unfortunately, I don't do as well as I would like.................. :-(

 

[doublebogey7]

If you enter a competition, you go in with the mindset of doing as well as you possibly can ie. trying to win the competition. If you are playing social golf then you are probably not playing for anything more than the cost of a drink or bragging rights over your mates. To me, competitive golf is about winning (within the rules and spirit of the game) and social golf is about having a laugh with my mates.

I am as competitive as the next man and winning is a joy, i.e a means to an end. I still don't understand how this can be different for others unless they are seeking fame and fortune.