Stableford - full hcap or 7/8ths?

[Canfordhacker]

Interesting debate in a large society I play in. Historically we play singles stableford in the morning off 7/8ths handicap, but it has been proposed to make this full handicap. This gives the higher handicappers in some cases 3 shots back, with 2 for the majority and only 1 to some of the lower guys. In club comps we play off full handicap for stableford, but this is mitigated by separating into divisions.

CONGU says full handicap, but I'd be interested to hear views.

Cheers

 

[rgs]

I say full handicaps split the society into a number of classes, thereby offering prizes for the low handicappers and the high handicappers.

 

[golfer1]

The society i'm in, usually plays 9 holes Stableford in the morning, off full Handicap, with everybody in.

The afternoon is 18 holes medal, split into A & B divisions, the cut depends on who turns up. i.e if there are 24 players then we try to have 12 in each, and the cut is usually around 18/19.

We also have a longest drive comp. which is again split into the 2 divisions.

Works really well.

 

[viscount17]

I'll go back to the old argument, I'm afraid.

1. why give handicaps if you are then not going to play to them.

2. 7/8, 3/4 handicaps benefit the low handicapper at the expense of the high handicapper, who may be penalised as much as 6 shots to the low handicappers 1 or 0.

 

[Wildrover]

7/8ths for me I think. If you pander to the high handicapper all the time (yes I know we've all been there) then where is the incentive to improve? Also there is nothing worse than playing well and being beaten by 8 points by some bandit off 27. 7/8ths or even 3/4rs reduces the chances of bandits and we all know that all societies have them.

 

[toonarmy]

CONGU have made it quite clear that full handicaps are by far the fairest method in any format and are quite adamant that fractions of handicaps should not really be used, especially in comeptition

http://www.congu.com/faqDetail2.asp?id=174

 

[3636]

If you play of 7/8 its NOT a qualifying comp,so you cannot
have your h/c adjusted. To adjust some ones h/c the comp
has to be played of FULL h/c.
3636 billy

 

[DCB]

Surely as a strokeplay event you are recording the gross score per hole and if so that should be used for any adjustment.

 

[Canfordhacker]

Hmmm, no easy answers and split opinions. As it's a society we control our own handicaps (lower of club or society, reduced for a year if you win etc). As I'm on the committee and have to organise some meetings I'm loathe to complicate by adding divisions - extra prizes, card checking etc etc.

Thanks for the input, appreciated.