Golf Forums - Handicapping system

We all know that there are a few people who do not enter their scores, for handicap purposes, particularly when they have had a great day. May I suggest that the handicap of anyyone failing to enter a score, following a game, is automatically reduced by 0.5. Additionally, the scores entered should be available for viewing by their playing partners.  I'm not saying that players are cheating...simply forgetful.

I have to agree with Alan.

You could play the game of your life but if you don't put the scorecard in then your handicap will remain the same.

As an organiser of a golf league I would like to be able to put all the scores in for everyone who plays in my league, but at the moment I have to rely on each individual putting their own card in.

It would be interesting to see how many people play in games organised here but don't put a scorecard in for that game.

Russ

Ah, a question I can answer!

If you look at any members Profile Page (by clicking on their photo or finding them using the member search) half way down the right hand side there is a section called 'Scores/Handicap' which shows the summary of their latest scores but if you click on the 'view all' link you can see the summary details from every game they have entered including a checkbox showing whether they used it for handicap adjustment.

Plus if you then click on a game you get to see their scorecard as well.

Sadly a 0.5 reduction to someones h/c for not entering a score is not feasible, handicaps are reduced by groups, cannot remember what the actual groups are but something like :-1-5 h/c's group 1, 6-10 group 2, 11-18 group 3 and 19-18 group 4. your group is what your h/c is reduced by so a group 3 player score would be reduced by 0.3 per a pt reduction, group 4 by 0.4 Failure to hand in a card after a golf club competition results in an increase of 0.1 the same as failing to play to the standard scratch score for that comp. what could be used would be similar to "active member" for people who do not enter scores after playing a posted TSG game, Failure to enter scores from any three games could result in a "inactive h/c" status under a persons profile, which is only removed after their next three played games scores are entered.

Thanks Mark, but I wasn't aware that this was the method of handicapping.It does make sense though - the lower the handicap, the lower the reduction. Oh! well, the only way then is for members to police their own games, and check to ensure that all players at a particular event enter their cards, unless they specify beforehand that the game is not to be used for handicap purpposes. Members take note.

It's an interesting one because (using exactly the same scorecards) the discrepancy between your handicap when calculated under Congu & when calculated under PGA could be even bigger (none of the UK courses have a 'Slope' rating and so it's not used!)

Congu uses a simple 'one game at a time' assessment (cutting you savagely, 2, 3, 4 shots if you have a great round but only raising your hanciap 0.1 or 0.2 if you have an terrible game)

The US PGA system reassesses your handicap after every game using an average of the best 10 or your last 20 games (or a similar percentage if less games available). So if you have a great game it gets included but if you have a terrible game it's probably ignored (not one of your best 10 games etc) and even if used it's only included as one of your best 10 games from which an average is calculated (so less volatility movements). The other major difference (and it's potentially a biggy) is that the US courses have an additional 'tweaker' called 'Course Slope Rating' which is an assessment of how difficulat a course is to play for a higher handicap player. The Slope Rating of a course is used to adjust your handicap for that specific course. A value of 113 is 'neutral' ie doesn't adjust your handicap. So an open field would probalby have a Slope Rating of 100 meaning you get cut when playing that course, but a course rating of 130 means that your handicap is increased because the course is rated as bloody hard! (forced carries over water, lots of rough etc).

I must admit I quite like the US system because I think it makes more effort to be fair and, as long as people enter every card, being based on an average of your best cards is gives for a steadier handicap.
   

Just as a Juxtapose to players not entering Good scores, I wonder how many (& I know of a few!) who won't enter scores because they are too low. I assume sometimes it can become embarrasing entering your round of 106 shots & 18 stableford points if you play of 18! I also wonder if most golfers want their handicap to be low, so they can tell their mates they play off 13 etc, or whether they want it to stay high because the have more chance of winning comps?

Yes Roly,
thereby hangs the dilemma! Do you go up the practice ground religiously to work on your game and maintain or improve your handicap - only to be thrashed in matchplay when your opponent then smugly tells you 'I get a shot on this hole' - on every other damn hole! Yes, it's quite a good feeling when someone is surprised at your handicap, but you certainly don't need a wheelbarrow to collect your prizes at the end of the year!
In all fairness, you expect the majority of competitions to be won by people who are improving their game much faster than the handicapping system allows for ie a high handicapper will only be cut 0.5 for each shot they are under handicap, so they've always got a few 'in the bag' . When you reach the stage when you are only cut 0.1 or 0.2 per shot, the chances are you are not regularly playing below your handicap, but it takes a long time to gain a shot back!