Handicaps in a Fourball Match Play

[J Heagney]

Folks,

I am having some difficulty understanding how this is fair and equitable;

 

The USGA says that handicaps in a fourball match play are based off of the low handicap in the group.

 

For example; players A and B are partners, C and D are partners, Handicaps are A = 18, B = 23, C&D are both 19. therefore B gets 5 strokes and C&D both get 1 stroke.

Player B gets 5 strokes even though C&D, his opponents, are only 4 strokes less in handicap. Somehow, to me, this doesn't seem fair and equitable. 

 

Anyone have clarifying thoughts?

 

Hopefully I got the terminology correct.

 

[J Heagney]

I think I have figured out the handicap issue.

 

Problem or issue;

For example; players A and B are partners, C and D are partners, Handicaps are A = 18, B = 23, C&D are both 19. therefore B gets 5 strokes and C&D both get 1 stroke.

Player B gets 5 strokes even though C&D, his opponents, are only 4 strokes less in handicap. 

 

Here's my answer;

one of Player B strokes is basically nullified by the fact that players C&D are getting one stroke. Therefore player B is only actually getting 4 strokes from C&D.

 

any thoughts and or comments?

[iacas]

19 minutes ago, J Heagney said:

one of Player B strokes is basically nullified by the fact that players C&D are getting one stroke. Therefore player B is only actually getting 4 strokes from C&D.

23 - 19 = 4

I don't understand the issue.

Also, have you looked at Appendix C?

https://www.usga.org/handicapping/roh/rules-of-handicapping.html#cshid=appC

[billchao]

6 hours ago, J Heagney said:

one of Player B strokes is basically nullified by the fact that players C&D are getting one stroke. Therefore player B is only actually getting 4 strokes from C&D.

B, C, and D all get strokes on the same hole. I’m not sure what your question is.

[J Heagney]

Sorry guys,

I just had some initial misunderstanding of how the handicaps were applied. 

I think I understand now.