tagnut69
Assistant Pro
Stroke Index, what the hell is is ?
Cheers
Chris
Cheers
Chris
Stroke Index whats it all about?
- Thread starter tagnut69
- Start date
wolfie
Assistant Pro
Its basically the difficulty level of each hole. For example stroke index 1 is the hardest hole on the course. if you have a handicap of 18 you get a shot at each hole but say you play off 15 you get a shot at the 15 hardest holes on the course ( stroke index 1 - 15 )
ash01
Assistant Pro
Thread on this a while back fella, have a search for it.
Although, the index is meant to be for the spread of shots received over a course rather than difficulty level.
However in most cases it seems they represent the difficulty level alot more than the attempt to spread strokes around.
Ash!!
Although, the index is meant to be for the spread of shots received over a course rather than difficulty level.
However in most cases it seems they represent the difficulty level alot more than the attempt to spread strokes around.
Ash!!
Doon frae Troon
Ryder Cup Winner
It is a listing of holes on that course in degree of difficulty.
1 will be the easiest and 18 will be the toughest hole.
When you play match play and give four shots they would be on holes 1,2,3 and 4 on the stroke index.
If you were getting 17 shots from an opponent the only hole where you would not get a shot would be Stroke Index [SI] 18.
1 will be the easiest and 18 will be the toughest hole.
When you play match play and give four shots they would be on holes 1,2,3 and 4 on the stroke index.
If you were getting 17 shots from an opponent the only hole where you would not get a shot would be Stroke Index [SI] 18.
pbrown7582
Money List Winner
There is an element of spread by keep odd numbers on one nine and even on the other. There seems to be a very complicated set of guidelines drawn up by congu for the allocation of stroke index.
Foxholer
Blackballed
Other way around. And not quite right either.
Here's the R&A Guide. http://www.randa.org/en/Rules-and-Amateur-Status/Guidance-on-Running-a-Competition.aspx?chapter=7§ion=4
Typically, The Old Course SIs completely ignores those guidelines
I had heard that there is a (recent) Stableford SI allowed - which does reflect the (average) difficulty of each hole, but have not yet seen an instance.
Crow
Crow Person
The following is taken from the R & A website:
Traditionally there has been no one basic principle for fixing the order of the Stroke Index. Some have based it on match play where Stroke Index 1 is assigned to the hole at which it is most likely to be needed, whereas others have based it on stroke play, allocating the holes in the order at which it is considered most difficult to achieve par. There are also those who have merely based it upon a mathematical formula and some separate the stroke index for match play and stroke play.
However, certain other factors have always been taken into consideration. The very early or very late holes should not be assigned to a low Stroke Index. The reason being that if a game were to finish all square and the players were required to go on to the 19th and subsequent holes to determine the winner, a player in receipt of very few strokes would gain an unfair advantage if he were to receive a stroke at the 19th or 20th. Similarly, if a low Stroke Index were assigned to a hole at the very end of the round, a player in receipt of very few strokes may not have the opportunity to use them as the game may be over by that stage. In general, therefore, Stroke Index 1 to 4 should not be on holes 1, 2, 17 or 18, or at courses where matches are likely to start at the 10th hole, holes 8, 9, 10 or 11.
The other important factor to be taken into account in fixing the order of the Stroke Index is that the strokes should be fairly evenly spread out over the 18 holes. If Stroke Index 1 is in the first 9 holes, Stroke Index 2 should be in the second 9 holes and so on.
Traditionally there has been no one basic principle for fixing the order of the Stroke Index. Some have based it on match play where Stroke Index 1 is assigned to the hole at which it is most likely to be needed, whereas others have based it on stroke play, allocating the holes in the order at which it is considered most difficult to achieve par. There are also those who have merely based it upon a mathematical formula and some separate the stroke index for match play and stroke play.
However, certain other factors have always been taken into consideration. The very early or very late holes should not be assigned to a low Stroke Index. The reason being that if a game were to finish all square and the players were required to go on to the 19th and subsequent holes to determine the winner, a player in receipt of very few strokes would gain an unfair advantage if he were to receive a stroke at the 19th or 20th. Similarly, if a low Stroke Index were assigned to a hole at the very end of the round, a player in receipt of very few strokes may not have the opportunity to use them as the game may be over by that stage. In general, therefore, Stroke Index 1 to 4 should not be on holes 1, 2, 17 or 18, or at courses where matches are likely to start at the 10th hole, holes 8, 9, 10 or 11.
The other important factor to be taken into account in fixing the order of the Stroke Index is that the strokes should be fairly evenly spread out over the 18 holes. If Stroke Index 1 is in the first 9 holes, Stroke Index 2 should be in the second 9 holes and so on.
rosecott
Money List Winner
It is not the difficulty level of each hole.
There are many factors CONGU recommend to take into account but difficulty , or otherwise, of playing the hole to its par is at the bottom of the list. Among the more important considerations are:
Even numbers on one 9, odds on the other 9 - normally the longer 9..
Stroke index 1 and 2 towards the middle of the 9 holes.
No two SIs from 1 to 6 on adjacent holes
No SI from 1 to 8 on first and last hole
etc. etc.
These allocations are geared towards matchplay and CONGU now suggest that clubs might want to have separate scorecards and SI allocation for Stableford and Bogey competitions.
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wolfie
Assistant Pro
What do you use the stroke index for??
USER1999
Grand Slam Winner
Allocating where you get shots in stableford, bogey and match play.
wolfie
Assistant Pro
Is that not more or less what I said. Depending on your handicap you get shots at the hardest holes.
Doon frae Troon
Ryder Cup Winner
Oops sorry senior moment.
That's very interesting Rosecott, didn't know about the placement of where they go etc etc
I wonder if the difficulty must feature higher though as I've never seen a short par 3 or 4 as stroke index 1 for example
rosecott
Money List Winner
Wolfie - no it isn't. Read my post again - it's all about the even spread of SI numbers throughout the 18 holes. It could happen that the 4 most difficult holes on the course were the last 4 holes. How would you feel if you were playing a singles matchplay and you were receiving 4 shots?
rosecott
Money List Winner
Perfectly true on the vast majority of courses. If the guidelines are used intelligently, then some element of playing difficulty can be factored in - and, of course, there is always the swings and roundabouts argument.
wolfie
Assistant Pro
Think I understand now. Cheers. But you do find that on most courses the SI indicates the order of difficulty
USER1999
Grand Slam Winner
Does it really matter where you get your shots?
Assuming that you are vaguely competent, then if you get 10 shots in a stable ford, it is effectively the same as getting 10 shots added to your score at the end, similar to getting 10 shots chopped off in medal.
In match play, you could argue that you should win your shot holes, so it doesn't matter which holes they are on, provided thney aren't all used at the end, when the match may be over. If SI 1 was the hardest hole, and you only got 1 shot, then in theory, you should win it, as both players are likely to make bogey. If it was SI 18 where you got the shot (not the rules, but bear with me), then both players are likely to make par, and the player getting the shot would still win it. No real difference then.
It probably only makes a real difference when there is a huge disparity in handicaps, when in theory, all things being equal, the higher handicap golfer loses.
Assuming that you are vaguely competent, then if you get 10 shots in a stable ford, it is effectively the same as getting 10 shots added to your score at the end, similar to getting 10 shots chopped off in medal.
In match play, you could argue that you should win your shot holes, so it doesn't matter which holes they are on, provided thney aren't all used at the end, when the match may be over. If SI 1 was the hardest hole, and you only got 1 shot, then in theory, you should win it, as both players are likely to make bogey. If it was SI 18 where you got the shot (not the rules, but bear with me), then both players are likely to make par, and the player getting the shot would still win it. No real difference then.
It probably only makes a real difference when there is a huge disparity in handicaps, when in theory, all things being equal, the higher handicap golfer loses.
