US Handicap System

[CowtownTexas]

Ways to improve/change it

It's my belief the handicap system is flawed and it's been discussed too many times to count on this forum. So, what's the solution? Here's my take.

I say instead of counting the lowest 10 scores out of the last 20, change it to the lowest 10 out of the last 40. That would eliminate massive swings other than from the most frequent of players. Maybe even more drastic. Count the lowest 5 of the last 25. That allows a handicap to be posted quickly, but even better illustrates a players potential.

You'll still have vanity handicaps and sandbaggers, but it would level the field even more. We had a long discussion over this tonight at my club and I think it has a great deal of merit. Maybe even adding that a person can't swing more than 2 strokes in a given 12 month period.

Thoughts?

[greenail]

I'd imagine it would reduce your participation considerably, not only that but if you are artificially a 10 but have improved to a 5 that guy would make a ton of $$$. If your swing is F-ed up and you are playing at a 15 but are forced to try to play to a 10, why throw any money in you'd never have a chance.

[Bite Bite]

No point in trying to fix something that really isn't broken. :D

[AirTime23]

Do away with a player being able to post scores without a proper marker playing with him. Sure, there still will be some sandbagging going on, but it'll be harder.

Also maybe make a player advertise before a round that he's playing, to make sure all rounds are posted.

[wedgetoafoot]

The underlying problem is that people aren't truthful about their scores. If everyone is actually using the same system, ability levels should be even within small handicap ranges no matter what timeline and score criteria you use. Better or worse play over time should average out eventually as everyone has this ebb and flow to their season to some degree. I think the answer is to admit that when it comes to handicaps, golf is not a game of honor to everyone anymore, and recorded rounds should be signed off on by a witness if they are going to be used within some type of league/club standing.

[K2_2]

Can anyone from Australia/UK shed more light on their system? I never carried a formal handicap in Oz (infrequent play and no friends who bet on course) but I understood that your handicap was based on scores in 'comp' rounds where you had to keep a pretty accurate score.

 

I don't know how much more accurate they would be - I guess you can sandbag in a comp round as well as in a casual round - but the handicaps seemed more indicative of what players would typically shoot.

[Taylormadematt]

My handicap only gets adjusted in Medal rounds. These happen once a month and never in the winter, so if you play well you might have it reduced, but it seems a high handicap will win the comp so therefor you won't get cut. A good example is my index is 11.2, i normally shoot in the mid to high 70's so should play off single figure's but havn't been cut for 6 mnths. My index in the states would be about 4.3 and thats the difference between us and the usga system.

[golfdad907]

No point in trying to fix something that really isn't broken. :(

 

Bottom line is, the only thing broken is the integrity of those posting scores, or keeping score for that matter.

 

Have known countless dudes who have to bag so they can win a nassau, that's the only problem I see,

 

Purely from a stats standpoint, shooting more than 3 below your handicap is like a 800:1 (so 800 rounds, that's a few years), but I've played with 13s who card a 75....not regularly do they, but the fact the can (then of course don't post) proves it's all down to the person.

 

Thought the GD article about the handicap police at the World Amateur was pretty interesting, at least they try to weed out the baggers.

 

Best thing is those baggers, who have a bad day, lose ton of cash, then accuse their opponent of bagging. :russian_roulette: Maybe it's true, what goes around comees around. That's why I dont' really play for cash unless I know the people, I will play for bragging rights though.

[AirTime23]

The german handicapping system works like this:

 

All handicap adjustments are made via the stableford scoring system. When you start out playing golf you have to find a club to maintain your handicap. After getting your license to play in that club (theoretical and practical test) you'll start off at hcp 54.

 

You can only lower your handicap in tournament rounds or turn in "extra day scores" up to hcp 11.5. For the EDS rounds you have to have a marker with a handicap of less than 36.

 

Now for the adjustment. For every stableford point more than 36 your handicap gets lowered by one point. (e.g. start at 54, shoot 40net points: new hcp 50). This factor is reduced the lower your handicap gets (36-54: 1, 36-27: 0.5, 27-18: 0.4, 18-11: 0.3, 11-4: 0.2, 4-+4: 0.1) (e.g. start 9.5, shoot 40 net points: new hcp 8.7).

 

There is a safety net if you don't shoot 36 net points. Depending on your handicap class you are awarded buffer shots, within those

points your handicap will stay where it is. Shoot less points than that and your handicap will increase by 0.1, regardless of how low your points are.

 

This system is rather a means of estimating the average score than scoring potential like with the USGA system. There obviously are pros and cons:

pros:

-hardly any sandbagging possible (there is a slight chance with the EDS rounds, as you may choose your marker, but no EDS rounds below hcp 11.5)

-easier to shoot better than your handicap

 

cons:

-works only if there are numerous tournaments to play (we usually have a weekly medal game, a monthly medal game and several other tournaments, easily 30+ tournaments in a year)