Scorecard Variables

[Slab]

Prompted by the discussion on scorecards on the other Rules thread

While I don't have any particular aversion to the scorecard system (but given the importance of accurate information on this piece of card and its place within the RoG) it does surprise me that there isn't a single standard approved template in use across the entire golfing world

It’s not even a standardized size or indeed whether the layout is presented horizontally or vertically, let alone the dozens of other variables in each layout.....

I happen to have cards from 4 different courses in my desk and I've just looked at one single aspect on them:
The location and layout of the area/s designated for player & marker signatures (a pretty important item in the scheme of things)

Just on these 4 random scorecards I see:

• player sig left with marker sig right of it
• Marker left, player right
• Player top, Marker underneath
• The signature area itself located top right, bottom right & bottom left

This seemingly haphazard approach to the Holy Grail of submitting an accurate/validated golf score is continued with the location of the date box, tee-time, handicap box, comp name etc etc, and I could list all those differences too. (remember this is just 4 cards from courses I happen to have in my desk when reading the other thread)
It’s basically just whatever a club wants to do and all this on top of the layout of the actual hole information/score box on the card

With the above its easy to see how a signature or handicap might be more easily missed when card layouts differ so much (but as I understand it you don’t actually have to put your signature in the box or indeed your handicap in that box, they just have to be ‘somewhere’ on the card, which doesn't help the Comp Sec i'm sure)
Side note: does this mean its ok for player & marker to sign in each others box?

Yes it’s still the player/markers responsibility to complete it accurately but it sure doesn't aid correctness

Why is there no template scorecard format stipulated by the R&A/USGA that could help identify omissions and reduce errors?

 

[backwoodsman]

I think you're over egging this one Slab?

It's one piece of card, of variable size but uually about 10x15 cm or thereabouts, and as often as not, the business end is all on one side. How difficult can it be to work out what to write where?

 

[Slab]

I think you're over egging this one Slab?

It's one piece of card, of variable size but uually about 10x15 cm or thereabouts, and as often as not, the business end is all on one side. How difficult can it be to work out what to write where?

I was immersed in the 8 pages of 'Scorecard: to have or not to have' and it just popped in my head... perhaps you're right though

In my head i've also developed a frame that's attached to the scorecard submission box that you slide your card into before you deposit it and its blanked out for everything except the mandatory boxes so you can see at a glance if you've missed anything

 

[rulefan]

I was immersed in the 8 pages of 'Scorecard: to have or not to have' and it just popped in my head... perhaps you're right though

In my head i've also developed a frame that's attached to the scorecard submission box that you slide your card into before you deposit it and its blanked out for everything except the mandatory boxes so you can see at a glance if you've missed anything

I'm sure the technology exists for a sophisticated scanning system which could be capable of identifying the significant data on the card. Put the card through a slot scanner and Bob's your uncle. Data in the computer, cards in the box.

 

[backwoodsman]

l say "how hard can it be" - but l guess I have to accept that it is too hard for some folk. Else we wouldn't have the various "l got DQ because ..." threads.

And long may it last. A few incomplete cards helps keep me off the bottom of the leaderboard

 

[upsidedown]

I'm sure the technology exists for a sophisticated scanning system which could be capable of identifying the significant data on the card. Put the card through a slot scanner and Bob's your uncle. Data in the computer, cards in the box.

Saw one in use in NZ 6 years go , very simple . You blocked out your score on that particular hole, much like the old lottery slips ( may well be still the same , do online now) your NZ number was already printed on it from when you signed in with your handicap index and all you had to do was sign as did your marker. Into the reader in the clubhouse and done

 

[*TQ*]

Saw one in use in NZ 6 years go , very simple . You blocked out your score on that particular hole, much like the old lottery slips ( may well be still the same , do online now) your NZ number was already printed on it from when you signed in with your handicap index and all you had to do was sign as did your marker. Into the reader in the clubhouse and done

What did the scores go up to?

Not sure it'd work for 54 handicappers playing medals!

 

[chrisd]

Given that the majority of club members play the majority of their competitive golf at the one course I would assume that it would only take a couple of comps to be aware of the right boxes to fill in and where the spaces for signatures are - it really isn't difficult😁

 

[rulefan]

Given that the majority of club members play the majority of their competitive golf at the one course I would assume that it would only take a couple of comps to be aware of the right boxes to fill in and where the spaces for signatures are - it really isn't difficult

I think the discussion is about excuses not reasons

 

[Slab]

Given that the majority of club members play the majority of their competitive golf at the one course I would assume that it would only take a couple of comps to be aware of the right boxes to fill in and where the spaces for signatures are - it really isn't difficult😁

Ah forgot that (but hopefully with more away scores counting that might change) I rarely play the same course more than a couple of times in a row before playing elsewhere



There's another off topic idea....

If half a dozen local courses got together would you be happy to rotate your monthly medal around the different venues?
(and what do you think would happen to your handicap)

 

[jim8flog]

There's another off topic idea....

If half a dozen local courses got together would you be happy to rotate your monthly medal around the different venues?
(and what do you think would happen to your handicap)

One aspect of this that does not quite 'work' is that the club has to calculate two CSSs. One for the home players and one for the away players. This happens at all opens when the club do it correctly.

 

[Slab]

One aspect of this that does not quite 'work' is that the club has to calculate two CSSs. One for the home players and one for the away players. This happens at all opens when the club do it correctly.

No I mean their members play your course while your club goes to theirs, still totally independent medals, just alternating the venue

 

[jim8flog]

Might work in some areas but I am sure that there area lot of areas where the 'half a dozen' would not work. Where I live the clubs are approximately 10 miles apart and there are only 3 of comparable quality and difficulty. That may well mean a travelling round trip distance of 60 miles for some players.

 

[rosecott]

Side note: does this mean its ok for player & marker to sign in each others box?

Yes - no penalty.

 

[rosecott]

There's another off topic idea....

If half a dozen local courses got together would you be happy to rotate your monthly medal around the different venues?
(and what do you think would happen to your handicap)

Clubs are not authorised to run qualifiers at another course.

 

[Slab]

Clubs are not authorised to run qualifiers at another course.

all hypothetical, but I assume if the demand was there the rules would then facilitate it

 

[rulefan]

all hypothetical, but I assume if the demand was there the rules would then facilitate it

The rules do facilitate it. Each course runs it as an 'open' comp. The away players are entered as away and the system calculates 2 CSSs.

 

[duncan mackie]

(but hopefully with more away scores counting that might change)

No more away scores counting in this context - handicap committees are simply supposed to take into account performance in non qualifying events. Don't need a card returned either (many times you can't get it) and for some events there will be more than one players scores on the card as well (and they may play at different clubs...)

 

[rulefan]

No more away scores counting in this context - handicap committees are simply supposed to take into account performance in non qualifying events. Don't need a card returned either (many times you can't get it) and for some events there will be more than one players scores on the card as well (and they may play at different clubs...)

I don't understand your first sentence. The post is about medal play. There is no reason for them not to be qualifiers.

Why would there be more than one player on a card?

 

[rosecott]

The rules do facilitate it. Each course runs it as an 'open' comp. The away players are entered as away and the system calculates 2 CSSs.

I don't think Slab was talking about Opens. He was suggesting that a club took their members lock stock and barrel to another course to organise and play a medal purely for their own members. In that case it could not be a qualifier.