World Handicap System - FAQ’s

[duncan mackie]

I specifically asked at a recent WHS seminar, how the system would work at clubs that currently run a standalone computer system for managing comps and handicaps and how any player entry terminal could communicate back when there was no network infrastructure within a club. Was basically told that the player entry terminal could also (as well as being part of a local network) operate as a totally standalone device using a 4G mobile signal to report scores back to the "central system", using its down dedicated software (i.e. different software than that a club might run to administer its competitions).

So the terminal could report scores to the central system that the local club computer will never know about. It is my belief therefore that the entire handicapping process will be centralized away from local club computers, whose sole purpose in the future will be to run competition management software and report score data directly entered into the local computer back to the central system. They themselves will do no handicap calculations.

I suggested at the meeting that this could potentially impact the business models of many ISV's, and it was confirmed that a couple had decided to withdraw from the business as a result of the centralization.

Yes - although this is the model is only a very slight extension of the existing model involving CDH.

 

[rulefan]

Thanks for sharing! Frustratingly highlights some of the reservations I've had about the readiness of the implementation with the frequency of terms like "it is hoped 'x' will be developed", "we anticipate 'x' being done", "this is still being discussed", "as technology develops" ...

Would MUCH rather they firmed this all up before setting a date for implementation. Changing something which affects every club member in the UK so dramatically without every scenario being covered is slightly bonkers!

Most, if not all will be available as apps on phones, PCs etc. There is a massive investment by the ISVs around the world to provide cloud based systems for start up.Different handicap regions will be ready before others. Golf Australia are proposing to start sometime in 2019 as they are so advanced and have fewer software changes to make.
As has been indicated before, different regions will implement different parts at different times, as and when they can. Pre-declare recreation play on your phone wherever you are. Enter your score on any PC available or when you get home. But midnight is the deadline for any Daily Score Adjustment to be taken into account

 

[Aussie Swinger]

Lots of questions and the ‘usual fear of the unknown’. As I posted previously I have been on the WHS here in Australia since when I arrived from Trinidad. They would not accept the handicap I had from there (I think a slightly modified USA handicapping system) so had to go through the whole process of regaining handicap. In a nutshell, it is your best 8 from 20, multiplied by 0.93 to get a ‘playing’ handicap. They do give you a handicap after 3 cards to get you going, but expect you to try and get your 8 in a period of 3 months if at all possible.
I have played at some tougher tracks (higher slope) and some easier tracks (lower slope) than my home course. On the tougher track I have generally received an extra shot st times.
After 9 months I’m within .5 of the handicap I had when I left the UK 3 years ago to initially go trinidad.
IMHO it is a far fairer system. You do go up and down based on your current ability slightly more than and this is better reflected. It’s easier to play at any other course in a comp. I ring up, pass them my Aus golflink number and the instantly get my name and exact handicap on that day. When I arrive a computerised card is given to me with my handicap and handicap I receive for that course based on slope compared to my home course.
No one likes change, but in this change I have only seen the benefits.
I would be amazed if anyone’s handicap is different by morethan 2 strokes either side of what they are on now if they already hold a handicap and play regularly.

 

[chrisd]

Great to hear.

I’ve played the slope system in Spain quite a few times and it works well especially as you can have comps where players pick the tee they want to play from and the number of shots you get is adjusted.

I’m all for this change, and eventually we might even be able to do away with a scorecard and use our phones instead step too far..?

Don t tell Richart this, he still uses pay phone boxes!

 

[Aussie Swinger]

I might also mention that the score I shoot that day is updated by 6pm local. I can log on golflink with my unique number and see the update as well as go back and look at all my data, handicap score, DSR, SR, Par of that course, adjusted gross, played to, slope played to and new handicap based on all these factors. I can go over any of this data for any round and it’s all presented in an easy to read table, newest at top, flowing to oldest at the bottom.

 

[rulefan]

Lots of questions and the ‘usual fear of the unknown’. As I posted previously I have been on the WHS here in Australia since when I arrived from Trinidad.

You have been using the GA system in Australia. WHS has not yet been implemented.
GA have a significant advantage over many other organisations as the changes they have to make to the software and culture are relatively few.

A WHS handicap index (ie GA Handicap) will be calculated by averaging the best 8 of the most recent 20 scores. GA will continue to use the .93 multiplier. Stableford handicapping of all Stroke competitions will continue. GA’s existing pre-nominated social scores regulation will continue without amendment. The WHS will include a statistical daily rating mechanism (which will feature different formulas to the existing DSR formulas) and Slope. Updates will take place at midnight subject to local time zones.

There will be two changes of substance.
1. There will be a Hard Cap of 5 strokes as per GA’s current regulation. There will also be a Soft Cap currently set at 3 strokes which will be a new regulation for Australia.
2. The Daily Handicap calculation will be changed to incorporate the difference between the Scratch Rating and the Par.

 

[rulefan]

I’m all for this change, and eventually we might even be able to do away with a scorecard and use our phones instead step too far..?

That is part of the plan. As the system will be cloud based, data entry can be by any 'computerised' method. However cards will still be required initially as the marker has to confirm your score somehow. Presumably digital signatures will feature later.

 

[jim8flog]

I am interested in how the CCA will work.

Is it envisaged that the computer system will generate this at the end of the day automatically and for handicaps to be adjusted immediately. (assuming all card have been entered in to the system.

for example our current system for Suplementaries is that they are returned to the office and the Handicap secretary enters them when convenient she does not work on Fridays, only One Saturday a month and very rarely on a Sunday.

We have 3 comps on a weekend inc Friday and they are not normally closed until Monday afternoon.

 

[jim8flog]

Great to hear.

, and eventually we might even be able to do away with a scorecard and use our phones instead step too far..?

As I understand Intelligent Golf allows you to input your score on a hole by hole basis as you play the round and then download the info to the computer at the end of the round.

 

[Jacko_G]

I'm going to sit back and chill till it comes in. It'll work out eventually, and hopefully my handicap doubles to 12.

 

[patricks148]

As I understand Intelligent Golf allows you to input your score on a hole by hole basis as you play the round and then download the info to the computer at the end of the round.

but surely someone else is marking your score so how can you use your own phone to put your score it, might be fine in the US where you can mark your own card, but over here maybe not?

 

[patricks148]

I'm going to sit back and chill till it comes in. It'll work out eventually, and hopefully my handicap doubles to 12.

Jacko, don't sell yourself short, i'm going for 16 at least

 

[rulefan]

but surely someone else is marking your score so how can you use your own phone to put your score it, might be fine in the US where you can mark your own card, but over here maybe not?

They haven't been able to do that for a couple of years now but they don't have to pre-declare

 

[Imurg]

for example our current system for Suplementaries is that they are returned to the office and the Handicap secretary enters them when convenient she does not work on Fridays, only One Saturday a month and very rarely on a Sunday.
.

Bloody luxury
Ours can take a month or more.....

 

[jim8flog]

but surely someone else is marking your score so how can you use your own phone to put your score it, might be fine in the US where you can mark your own card, but over here maybe not?

I was just commenting on the fact that the software is already in place to do this. It saves the hassle of waiting for your turn at the computer to enter the score. Currently you could just pop the card in the box.

 

[nickjdavis]

I am interested in how the CCA will work.

Is it envisaged that the computer system will generate this at the end of the day automatically and for handicaps to be adjusted immediately. (assuming all card have been entered in to the system.

for example our current system for Suplementaries is that they are returned to the office and the Handicap secretary enters them when convenient she does not work on Fridays, only One Saturday a month and very rarely on a Sunday.

We have 3 comps on a weekend inc Friday and they are not normally closed until Monday afternoon.

Effectvely...yes.

In respect of how your club handles supplementaries you are exactly the same as my club....in the scenario you describe, the supplementary scores will not be considered for any CCA calculation.

Regarding competitions...as it was explained at the WHS meeting...it doesn't matter if a competition has been closed or not...as long as the scores for the day have been entered on the day they were played, they will be uploaded that night and will contribute to any CCA adjustment. If you play a comp on say a Sunday and your Competitions Committee don't input the scores until Monday then the scores will not count towards Sundays CCA....there will be no retrospective recalculation...if the scores are entered on the Sunday (by committee or player terminal) then they will contribute to Sundays CCA, even if the comp hasn't been formally "closed". It doesn't matter if all the scores from a comp are entered, or only some of them, the central system will "work with what its got".

Effectively what people need to get their head around is the fundamental separation of the Handicapping Process from the Competitions Administration Process. Currently we see them as "integrated", in that the CSS, players adjustments for blow up holes and that players handicap adjustments are not known until the comp is closed. In the future they will be separate independent processes.

 

[jim8flog]

Thanks

 

[duncan mackie]

yes, intelligent golf allows this. At my place they call it a 'Personal Scorecard'. I've never used it yet so not sure how it works given you are marking your own virtual card?

You are returning a score to the system. Your card is still returned (to the box or wherever designated by your club) where it is supposed to be checked before being filed and retained for a significant period. This isn't designed to trigger a debate on whether they still are by most clubs; just highlighting the current rule book!
As highlighted earlier, the challenging equation is going to be the smooth and easy return of scores against the robust nature of those scores (put another way, why gaff around with a CCA if people can return scores than in themselves have any element of risk.

It will get sorted - there's no turning back now.