Official WHS Survey

[clubchamp98]

There are many at my club who view social golf as their main hobby.
Thy love the cut-and-thrust of a fiercely contended 2 vs 2 betterball matchplay game. They get a "buzz" from this.

They view individual club comps as a boring soulless uninteresting way to play. They play a few, but get little enjoyment from doing so.

They enjoy team matches, AmAms, scrambles, 5 day trip to Turkey or Portugal with mates etc.

They like "winning" in social golf and team events so have little desire to see their handicap come down. I call these "vanity handicaps".

To be honest .
Most golfers I talk to are starting to think like this.

 

[clubchamp98]

Except that in social golf it will often be the case that your putt will be conceded and you don't get it in the hole.
Or you've messed up, pick up, and hope your partner does well on that hole.

Wait until MLS comes.
You won’t need to bend down at all to get your ball out of the hole,.
“ just put me down for a par”

 

[clubchamp98]

Yes, the point is to get the ball in the hole. If you don’t, you don’t score. Not that difficult toy understand.

Genuine question.
Given what you say here how are you with Most Likley Score.!

I think it’s an abomination

 

[Arthur Wedge]

So hopefully to bring it back to the start

When do we think they will show the results or will they even publish it

And as we know in the past what the “golf public” say doesn’t really matter do we think this time there may seem some changes to WHS based on the survey

 

[Deleted member 36483]

So hopefully to bring it back to the start

When do we think they will show the results or will they even publish it

And as we know in the past what the “golf public” say doesn’t really matter do we think this time there may seem some changes to WHS based on the survey

I hope there will be changes in the HI calculation at the very least. Maybe the answer to that aspect is to give jurisdictions more power to select the method that suits them best?

I also hope that the results of the survey will be published soon but I think they'll have to have their solution in place beforehand so may take longer than expected.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Is it some of us don't care or no one else that doesn't care?

Is it only me that cares and no one else?

I would think that more than 95% who have their name on a board care and a significant number who have yet to get their name on a board also care.

I don't really care about those who don't care.

I am very proud to be on the winners board in a number of our "major" events. I also get a buzz about winning a monthly medal or stableford. It vindicates the practice and shows I am doing things right with my game and thinking on the course (old cliche of one shot at a time). I also know a lot of people are trying to improve their handicaps as that is the name of the game - trying to get better - and many would love to win something

 

[WorldHandicapSystem]

Genuine question.
Given what you say here how are you with Most Likley Score.!

I think it’s an abomination

I would agree.

 

[Deleted member 30522]

So hopefully to bring it back to the start

When do we think they will show the results or will they even publish it

And as we know in the past what the “golf public” say doesn’t really matter do we think this time there may seem some changes to WHS based on the survey

I don't think the results will be published

I do think they will make bad reading for the authorities, but, maybe not the R&A, I still feel they've been somewhat railroaded by the Yanks who've essentially thrown out everything the congu nations had, in favour of a system not designed for competitive golf that the yanks are used to

Perhaps they feared the USGA breaking away entirely, who knows, but I'd be astonished if the R&A weren't the ones who initiated the survey seeing as the congu nations are the ones seemingly screaming loudest at WHS and they're right in the thick of it

 

[WorldHandicapSystem]

I am very proud to be on the winners board in a number of our "major" events. I also get a buzz about winning a monthly medal or stableford. It vindicates the practice and shows I am doing things right with my game and thinking on the course (old cliche of one shot at a time). I also know a lot of people are trying to improve their handicaps as that is the name of the game - trying to get better - and many would love to win something

Would not beating your lowest score be enough vindication?

What if you did and still didn’t win?

 

[clubchamp98]

So hopefully to bring it back to the start

When do we think they will show the results or will they even publish it

And as we know in the past what the “golf public” say doesn’t really matter do we think this time there may seem some changes to WHS based on the survey

It will be a PR exercise imo.

Admitting they’re wrong and changing things to suit a minority of players will be a disaster for their reputation.
Even if those players are the lower handicap ones, what did they expect ? That we would not complain!

They should have seen this coming if they have the best golfing brains available .
They need to do something but what.?

 

[IanM]

All the WHS threads demonstrate the diversity of opinion on the issue, and related challenges.

Success depends on acceptance of this range of views and stakeholder requirements.

Sadly, I fear the folk in the "office" are not that way inclined. But I'm happy to be proven wrong.

 

[Deleted member 36483]

All the WHS threads demonstrate the diversity of opinion on the issue, and related challenges.

Success depends on acceptance of this range of views and stakeholder requirements.

Sadly, I fear the folk in the "office" are not that way inclined. But I'm happy to be proven wrong.

The R&A is just another golf club. Golf clubs used to connect and organise themselves through a collegiate system referred to as a union. Somehow we've lost that approach and are now prepared to have a pyramid organisation. Modern thinking maybe but not sustainable unless those in power are liberal and selfless.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Would not beating your lowest score be enough vindication?

What if you did and still didn’t win?

Yes if it affected my handicap. We are (or should be imo) trying to get as low as we can. I shot a gross 75 in a medal this year. My lowest at my course off the whites and came 2nd with a massive cut. Yes a tad frustrated I lost on last 6 countback but happy with my score and a cut to as low as I've been for many years. Still wanted to win though

 

[rulie]

The R&A is just another golf club. Golf clubs used to connect and organise themselves through a collegiate system referred to as a union. Somehow we've lost that approach and are now prepared to have a pyramid organisation. Modern thinking maybe but not sustainable unless those in power are liberal and selfless.

There is an R&A golf club, but it is separate from the R&A which is the governing body of golf everywhere in the world except the USA and Mexico.

 

[PJ87]

My real-life golf friends certainly seem more positive about it than negative. The survey is a good idea as it seems to be human nature to vocalise complaints more than praise; so forums and socials are always skewed to towards the negative.

My dad always said it's the silent majority as opposed to the vocal minority that make the difference

 

[Deleted member 36483]

My dad always said it's the silent majority as opposed to the vocal minority that make the difference

A lot of majority/minority posts throughout this thread.

My first point would be to ask what is a suitable percentage for the majority? Is it simply over 50%?

My second point is one where I would suggest the handicap system designers shouldn't be content to simply get a majority of golfers on board but should be focused on designing a system that solves the problem a handicap system is required to solve.

For example, if a public transport system satisfies a majority of the public is that acceptable?

 

[Deleted member 36483]

There is an R&A golf club, but it is separate from the R&A which is the governing body of golf everywhere in the world except the USA and Mexico.

Yes, the cooperative union that used to be there to help clubs work together has gradually been allowed to evolve into a small group of people who have enough power to make a mess of things. It's a tricky business being in charge of the world of golf I would have thought. Maybe better not to have that opportunity? I mean, for example, does it really matter that your handicap works all over the world? There needs to be a sense of what level of control is actually needed. Look at the way politics is going, exactly the opposite is happening, devolution, Brexit, independence votes etc. These things happen when people feel disconnected from those making up the rules that affect their life/game.

I know, maybe overkill, but you get my point I hope.

 

[rulie]

A lot of majority/minority posts throughout this thread.

My first point would be to ask what is a suitable percentage for the majority? Is it simply over 50%?

My second point is one where I would suggest the handicap system designers shouldn't be content to simply get a majority of golfers on board but should be focused on designing a system that solves the problem a handicap system is required to solve.

For example, if a public transport system satisfies a majority of the public is that acceptable?

Could well be acceptable, no system will ever satisfy everyone.

 

[Deleted member 36483]

Could well be acceptable, no system will ever satisfy everyone.

What if wheelchair users can't get onto the buses? They are in the minority, and quite a small minority at that.

No need to answer that specific example but my point is that for a system to be fit for purpose it should cater for all, not just certain groups who might well be the majority.

 

[PJ87]

What if wheelchair users can't get onto the buses? They are in the minority, and quite a small minority at that.

No need to answer that specific example but my point is that for a system to be fit for purpose it should cater for all, not just certain groups who might well be the majority.

Buses round here lower and have a retractable ramp for wheelchair access...

Trains on the other hand aren't are forgiving but they were built so long ago it's difficult to adapt them to modern needs