New SSS,

[chrisd]

We've just had an email to say that, after a reassessment, our SSS from the whites and yellows have been increased by one shot which now makes our SSS the same as our course par. I'm looking at this as better chance of a handicap reduction after a good round

Any comments?

 

[Old Skier]

All affiliated clubs are being re assessed of the next few years. Just had the paperwork through from our county.

 

[duncan mackie]

We've just had an email to say that, after a reassessment, our SSS from the whites and yellows have been increased by one shot which now makes our SSS the same as our course par. I'm looking at this as better chance of a handicap reduction after a good round

Any comments?

I'm not surprised; they were previously tough beyond the yardages and your club handicaps traveled well!

It will take a long time to have any practical effect on the club's handicaps overall (because of CSS and drag) but, theoretically, everyone should really be off 1 lower with immediate effect!

 

[MadAdey]

I still think they need to move to the slope and index rating they have over here and forget that antiquated CSS & SSS system that is still being used. It means that no matter where you play no one has a handicap that "travels well". I can go to one place and be given an extra 3 shots if the course is really tough, vice versa I could go elsewhere and have 2 shots less.

I think it is a really great system and all the people I have played with out here so far seems to be playing from a spot on handicap, because you submit every card you play. Out of the dozens of people I have played I have not seen one yet that shoots 5/6 shots under their handicap, the only bandit was me using my UK handicap. The old theory of you should only play to your handicap now again is working as I am normally within 3 shots of it, not matching it or breaking it most of the time.

 

[duncan mackie]

I still think they need to move to the slope and index rating they have over here and forget that antiquated CSS & SSS system that is still being used. It means that no matter where you play no one has a handicap that "travels well". I can go to one place and be given an extra 3 shots if the course is really tough, vice versa I could go elsewhere and have 2 shots less.

.

If you take out the handicapping mechanism (adjusted or average - and both have about a 13% reward for excellence) and the small differences in the current course rating systems where there is a greater emphasis on hazards and carries in the US application than there was in the CONGU one, there is no practical difference for a scratch handicap golfer.

Where slope comes in is for the bogey (18) handicap golfer where the course is effectively re-rated especially for his playing characteristics (as defined and different from a scr golfer) as a bogey index which is then factored in to the slope rating matrix for any given course/tees.

Bandit elements are present as ever but are a function of the application of any system; and the working party on the introduction of a single international system accepts that. As simple examples you can estimate your scores in a matchplay situation before submitting the card under the USGA, let alone the cards that simply don't exist; clearly you have the opportunity to weight the estimate as you choose.

Whether you normalise to the course or the player doesn't make any difference to these elements. equally those whose handicap index is derived from performances, especially in difficult conditions, at the extreme of the indexed courses will have stronger handicaps in the US - if only temporarily!

In Chris's case the handicaps traveled well because the ratings were wrong - same would apply in the US

 

[chrisd]

I'm not surprised; they were previously tough beyond the yardages and your club handicaps traveled well!

It will take a long time to have any practical effect on the club's handicaps overall (because of CSS and drag) but, theoretically, everyone should really be off 1 lower with immediate effect!

At least the low guys won't keep moaning that they are one shot down before they tee off!

I'd happily take the one shot reduction as i'm sure fellow member MashleyR7 would too!