Newbie with a handicap query

[TheKiwi]

Kia Ora guys.

Been a regular reader of GM for some time (even though we are invariably 2 months late over here), so I thought I would take the plunge with the forum.

I play at Northland GC, Whangarei (couple of hours north of Auckland) off an 18.9 index. Northland is around the 5,600 metre mark with a 71 par.

My guess is that this would be equal to a 6,100 yard course in the UK.

Our handicaps are calculated on the USPGA Slope Rating and I was wondering if anyone knew of a way to calculate what my handicap would be in the UK?

Or would it still be 18.9?

 

[Ethan]

Hard to say for sure. The UK handicap system is based on a different set of course ratings called Standard Scratch Scores (and in each specific competition, its cousin the Competition Scratch Score). I have played a lot of golf in the US, and with a lot of US handicappers of varying ability, and it seems to me that US course ratings and slope set a higher course rating than the UK would have, hence it drives handicaps down a couple of shots. I would say, therefore, that your handicap might be a shot or two higher in the UK.

There are a few statistical differences between the way handicap is calculated based on scores, but I don't these make a great deal of difference. The course rating seems to be a bigger driver of difference.

 

[freddielong]

Imposible to say as the systems are so different but I suppose you could argue that if both systems work then your handicap would be very similar

Welcome along by the way

 

[slugger]

Welcome along...

Lovely country with some very nice courses. Not been, but my brother spent a year and a bit living down in Dunedin on the south island. I've seen so many of his photos that i feel i lived there with him!

Anyone fancy organising a forum meet in New Zealand

 

[Ethan]

Imposible to say as the systems are so different but I suppose you could argue that if both systems work then your handicap would be very similar

Welcome along by the way

They do both work, but based on different assumptions, so it is generally agreed that US handicaps are lower than UK handicaps for players of similar ability. 2 shots is the most common differential cited, and that is mostly due to course ratings being a couple of shots higher in the US.

 

[viscount17]

I read an article by the guy who invented the USGA system, bloke called Pope. He admits that the Slope Rating system won't work on links as it was based on parkland with its mix of rough, bunkers, trees, etc. Consequently links might score high on rough, difficulty of recovery and bunkers but low on other hazards, trees etc - so it gives a falsely low Slope Rating.

 

[HRC99]

So the morale of this story is play a Yank or Kiwi for money any chance you get?

 

[Ethan]

I read an article by the guy who invented the USGA system, bloke called Pope. He admits that the Slope Rating system won't work on links as it was based on parkland with its mix of rough, bunkers, trees, etc. Consequently links might score high on rough, difficulty of recovery and bunkers but low on other hazards, trees etc - so it gives a falsely low Slope Rating.

I think you mean Dean Knuth, nicknamed the "Pope of Slope". Not called Pope nor a resident in the Vatican.