US GA Handicapping system.

Should we in the UK move to a similar handicapping system as the USGA?

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seochris

seochris

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What do people on here think about the US GA handicapping system? handicap index, slopes and differentials etc.

Having used here and in Europe i believe that its quite good. However it is flawed as it does lend itself to sandbagging, manipulation and general banditry.....but then what system doesn't?

Is there any merit in changing out the somewhat complicated and un-fathomable system that is CONGU and its associated SSS and CSS etc etc....and moving to a similar (or identical) system to that of the USGA?
 
seochris said:
What do people on here think about the US GA handicapping system? handicap index, slopes and differentials etc.

Having used here and in Europe i believe that its quite good. However it is flawed as it does lend itself to sandbagging, manipulation and general banditry.....but then what system doesn't?

Is there any merit in changing out the somewhat complicated and un-fathomable system that is CONGU and its associated SSS and CSS etc etc....and moving to a similar (or identical) system to that of the USGA?
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If you played anywhere in Europe, you probably were using the EGA handicapping system, which is a sort of hybrid between CONGU and USGA. I don't think I like the idea of the USGA system where every round has to count, because I sometimes like to play just for fun without worrying about my handicap. On the other hand, strict qualifiers only, as in CONGU, means that some players do not put in enough returns to give a meaningful handicap!
 
I REALLY like the 'Slope' system of Course rating but, like most who have commented, would prefer that he handicap system wasn't an 'every round counts' one. That said, a couple of the guys I play most often with, who don't maintain Congu handicaps (even though 1 is a club member) maintain their own 'handicap' with another hybrid method!
 
delc said:
If you played anywhere in Europe, you probably were using the EGA handicapping system, which is a sort of hybrid between CONGU and USGA. I don't think I like the idea of the USGA system where every round has to count, because I sometimes like to play just for fun without worrying about my handicap. On the other hand, strict qualifiers only, as in CONGU, means that some players do not put in enough returns to give a meaningful handicap!
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Again....you don't have to register every game...i know i don't and nor do 100% of the others on the system here...and why would you worry about your handicap? It is what it is....

I think you make a valid point about qualifiers in CONGU. It seems to me that the USGA and EGA systems are a little more 'dynamic'.

The system here which is USGA uses the last 20 scores but uses the ten best scores to work out the handicap.
 
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I don't know enough about the USGA system to make a vote. What are the main differences? The handicap is based on 10 rounds right?
 
seochris said:
Again....you don't have to register every game...i know i don't and nor do 100% of the others on the system here...and why would you worry about your handicap? It is what it is....

I think you make a valid point about qualifiers in CONGU. It seems to me that the USGA and EGA systems are a little more 'dynamic'.
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As I understand USGA it allows even golfers playing by themselves, with no marker, to put in a return, which sounds open to abuse to me! OK for Billy No Mates I suppose! I like CONGU, but you should be allowed and required to put in more returns per year, either in comps or as properly scored supplementary cards.
 
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delc said:
As I understand USGA it allows even golfers playing by themselves, with no marker, to put in a return, which sounds open to abuse to me! OK for Billy No Mates I suppose! I like CONGU, but you should be allowed and required to put in more returns per year, either in comps or as properly scored supplementary cards.
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I'm sure I read that recent changes have removed solo rounds from the calculation
 
Like Foxy I really like the idea of rating a course so that handicaps can travel and still be a fair competition, although I'd imagine going up a few shots (or even a category) might not sit well with some players who might be a little precious about the level or category they've achieved on a benign course suddenly finding out they're back up to a cat 3 or 4 player for example ;)
 
Slab said:
I'm sure I read that recent changes have removed solo rounds from the calculation
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From what I have read it allows you to register your round if you have been accompanied by anyone, literally anyone, even if they haven't got a scooby doo about golf and only accompanied for at least 13 holes. Pointless in making the rule to stop banditry if you can even just say you had someone with you.
 
If its a club organised event the club will actually register the game on your behalf, the penalty for no returns is a gross score of even par for the round. So this is quite an incentive to register your score.

During the weekends (usually) there is a category called 'general play', (i.e. no competitions) and you can if you wish register your game and enter a score (bounce games). Not sure what happens if you are on your own here....I believe you can still enter a score.

In addition I can see on the website all the members handicaps and registered scores that have been entered so if you suspect some manipulation is going on the trail can be audited.....
 
I like the system we have as it's a decent long term reflection of handicap but it could be improved with course ratings. Not going to get all bothered if it does change as I'll just play the course regardless and hope the system allows for parity - I have better things to worry about in life. Bandits will find their way regardless although the US system would help them allowing for greater propensity to adjust them upwards quicker in readiness for competitions.
 
Not sure that changing to a system that allows someone to manipulate their handicap much much faster can be considered good.

Saying that people can't enter enough competitions to have a valid handicap under Congu has been dealt with numerous times, but some people still seem to want to use it as an excuse. Supplementary cards have been around for a while now, so nobody has that excuse anymore! If they play golf then they can have a valid handicap.
 
Slab said:
Like Foxy I really like the idea of rating a course so that handicaps can travel and still be a fair competition, although I'd imagine going up a few shots (or even a category) might not sit well with some players who might be a little precious about the level or category they've achieved on a benign course suddenly finding out they're back up to a cat 3 or 4 player for example ;)
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your handicap can already travel if you are playing comps, its call CSS and for non comps sss
 
I have voted no but I'm in favour of the the course slope rating and the adjustment of handicap to reflect the course you are playing. The posting of general playing rounds at your own will seems too airy fairy to me. If like supplementary scores at present where you declare before the start of your round your intention to record the round was the rule then I would happier. Solo round accompanied by any man and his dog ... No way!! Also the10 out of the last 20 rounds is too variable.
 
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