American Handicapping system - explain please.... ???

[sevenfourate]

Over here in the UK are handicaps are adjusted by comparing our net scores against the standard scratch score (best expalined like a stroke index but for the course as a whole - not each single hole,and can also move 2 shots either way depending on weather,other scores in etc etc ),and as a catagory 1 player (5 handicap and below) i personally potentially lose .1 of a shot for every shot i am under that standard scratch score for the day.However many over our handicaps we are you only ever get .1 back

For example: My course is par 72.The standard scratch is 71 - meaning its deemed to be slightly "easier" than some par 72 courses.So being off scratch if i shoot a two under par 70 and because its a fairly "easy day" and others shoot some good scores,the standard scratch may come down another shot to 70.Therefore all i would do in that case would be hold my handicap.

I know a teeny little bit about slope ratings etc but could someone explain in in a little more detail please ??????

Thanks.

[Slicer]

Well, if you really want to know all about the USA's handicap rating system you can go to http://www.usga.org/playing/handicaps/handicaps.html

But essentially you need to be a rocket scientist to have a grasp of how it really works.

Here is how it works for me. To get a full handicap here in the states you need at least 20 regulation 18-hole rounds played. Your best 10 rounds are then added up and each given a handicap differential. Handicap differential for each round is computed by taking the score you post minus the course rating from the tees that you played from that course. Once you get that you then multiply that number times 113, and then divide all that by the slope of the course you played for the tees that you played.

As an example, yesterday I shot a 79 at my home course, which has a 73 rating and a 136 slope from the back tees. 79-73 = 6, which I then multiply by 113 and then divide by 136, which gives me a 5.0 handicap differential for my round yesterday.

You need to compute your round differential for all 20 of your rounds posted for handicap and take the 10 best rounds, according to their differential. Add up the differentials for those 10 rounds and then divide them by 10. Once you do that you then multiply that number by 0.96 and that will give you your USGA handicap index.

Now, believe it or not you are not done yet. Once you have your index you then need to determine what your handicap is for whatever course and tees you are playing (so you can tell your buddy how many strokes a round he needs to give you - or vice versa). You take the index you just figured out above and multiply that by the slope rating for whatever course you are playing, and then divide that number into 113, which is the USGA standard.

As an example, My present USGA handicap index is 8.6. My home course slope rating is 136 from the tees I play. When I put those numbers into the above formula I come out with a course handicap of 10 (rounded to the nearest hole number).

So if I were playing a buddy I would get 10 strokes a round if he were a scratch golfer (like my brother is). Obviously if my buddy is a 12 handicap I need to give him two strokes.

I know this is WAY too much information this early in the morning (here in the States anyway). But that's pretty much how it works here in the states. Like I said - rocket science. The guy that thought this stuff up had WAY too much time on his hands, and obviously didn't get laid quite enough.

Hope this helps.

[Rafcin]

...fairly "easy day" and others shoot some good scores,the standard scratch may come down another shot to 70....

I like that idea, somehow understandable due to dominant weather conditions in UK. USGA system does not reflect weather and predefined course rating value is a fixed factor (revised every 2 years, based on collected scorecards during the 2 year period).

It's hard to argue which system works (better or at all) - I personally hate hcp, it takes money out of my pocket every weekend The weakness of the system is perfectly exposed at my home course. It's fairly low slope/rating course, but we have 4 "joke" holes, where drives 10 yds left of right off the target will end up in a lost ball scenario. Players w/o good control are scoring 10's, 11's etc. on these four holes, which baloons their handicaps. Since they're in the high teens-twenties, they are allowed to post these scores as recorded, while myself (being below 5 at the time) I've to adjust prior to post to a max of 7. The problem is, that the other 14 or so holes - each of these boozoo's can par or even birdie, however due to the balooned hcp - they're getting strokes on these holes in match play (nassau) and cleaning me up. It's getting so rediculous, that last weekend a dude scored 107... and collected $24 from other players in the group playing $2 skins. Of course there is the other problem - once in a while the high hcp player goes through the "tough" holes w/o problems... and that's how you have a 28 hcp recording an 80 round.... always in a big tournament.... In case you still didn't read into it - I HATE HANDICAP SYSTEM ! I use it strictly to have a indicator where my game is, trying to stay away from any handicapped events.

[Slicer]

Those buddies of yours who "balloon" on several holes would fall into the category of what is known as "Equitable Stroke Control" for handicap purposes under USGA rules.

In my situation, being an 8.6 handicap, I cannot record, for purposes of handicap, a score of more then double bogey on any hole. So, say I shoot a triple bogey on one or more holes, I can only record a double bogey for my handicap record.

And just between you and me, if a buddy of mine that I play with a lot pulls the "sandbagging" routine on 2 or 3 holes on a course consistently, but still manages to win bets consistently I would question his integrity and ask him to play you straight up, with no strokes given or taken either way.

And in case you weren't aware, "sandbagging" is when someone intentionally raises their handicap, by shooting high scores intentionally. Equitable stroke control is a means to effectively reduce the odds that someone will score higher intentionally by limiting their ability to do that, at least for handicap purposes.

I don't get involved in money rounds very often, but if I know of someone who has a "reputation" as a certain type of golfer, and then he shows up claiming his handicap is higher then we think it is, then I always have the option of contesting his handicap and challenging the integrity of his stated claim. Granted, I would have to know that person well enough to challenge his integrity as far as golf goes.

Short answer for you - if I were involved in a group where guys would have 2 or 3 bad holes but were paring or birdying everything else, and they claim a 20 handicap - I wouldn't play with them....EVER. They are "sandbagging", which is a special word for someone who is a liar and a cheat.

[Slicer]

Before this gets confusing, here is the USGA's official rules on "Equitable Stroke Control"

Section 4 ADJUSTING HOLE SCORES 4-3. Equitable Stroke Control Equitable Stroke Control (ESC) is the downward adjustment of individual hole scores for handicap purposes in order to make handicaps more representative of a player’s potential ability. ESC sets a maximum number that a player can post on any hole depending on the player’s Course Handicap. ESC is used only when a player’s actual or most likely score exceeds his maximum number based on the table below but is applied to all scores for handicap purposes, including tournament scores. There is no limit to the number of holes on which a player may adjust his score. A Handicap Index determined from scores to which ESC has not been applied may not be termed a USGA Handicap Index. EQUITABLE STROKE C0NTROL Course Handicap Maximum Number On Any Hole 9 or less - Double Bogey 10 through 19 - 7 20 through 29 - 8 30 through 39 - 9 40 or more - 10 Example: A player with a Course Handicap of 13 has a maximum number of 7 for any hole regardless of par. A player with a Course Handicap of 42 has a maximum number of 10 for any hole. A player without an established USGA Handicap Index shall use the maximum Handicap Index of 36.4 for men, or 40.4 for women, converted to a Course Handicap to determine his maximum number. When conditions of a competition reduce a player’s USGA Handicap Index or Course Handicap, he uses the Course Handicap derived from his actual USGA Handicap Index for ESC purposes, rather than the reduced Handicap Index that he uses for the competition. Example 1: A player with an Handicap Index of 35.4 and a Course Handicap of 39 might enter a competition in which the conditions of the competition establish a maximum Handicap Index limit of 25.4, which would give a Course Handicap of 28. When applying ESC that player uses the Course Handicap of 39. Example 2: A player with a Course Handicap of 30 might play in a four-ball stroke play competition in which he is allowed only 90% of his handicap, which is 27 strokes. When applying ESC, he uses the Course Handicap of 30. When conditions of a competition increase a player’s Course Handicap, the player uses the Course Handicap derived from his actual USGA Handicap Index for ESC purposes. Example 3: A player with an Handicap Index of 25.4 and a Course Handicap of 28 might enter a competition in which players are competing from different tees with Course Ratings of 71.2 and 73.0 (73.0 - 71.2 = 1.8 or 2 strokes). If the player plays the course with the Course Rating of 73.0, he should receive two additional strokes (difference between the two Course Ratings), which would give him a Course Handicap of 30. However, when applying ESC he uses a Course Handicap of 28. Under no circumstances shall the procedures of this section be used by a player to manipulate his Handicap Index. If a player uses this section for such purposes, his Handicap Index shall be adjusted or revoked by the Handicap Committee under Section 8-4.

[Rafcin]

...I wouldn't play with them....EVER. They are "sandbagging", which is a special word for someone who is a liar and a cheat....

It's not much about the ESC and sandbagging, as getting unfair advantage

on a course with very uneven holes - if (like my course) 4 or 5 out of 18 are really tough, rest is ok - even if you're honest you'll get awarded for it. Keeping their handicap high, by very often scoring high on the tough holes, they're ending up getting strokes on easier holes, where 0-5 guy needs a birdie to tie in a match play.

[sevenfourate]

Slicer - THANKS for the explanations - gives me "more" of an idea than i previously had.Im sure like ours its way more comlicated than can be written here easily / understood easily.

Rafcin - Like your system,ours is way more complicated than my 5 lines of ramblings before work !
Let me also make it clear our standard scratch is variable (like a day to day course rating).It can go up or down a maximum of two hole strokes before the competition is then declared a "non-qualifier" for handicap purposes and if you are way under or way over your personal handicap it wont be adjusted either way.However my weather example was just that :
Typically,quite clearly,if its a nice day and there are lots of good scores in - the variable standard scratch is likely to come down.If the weather is grotty - then sure most people are likely to score badly and the variable standard scratch will go up.This means that for the examples above your handicap will be adjusted less/more in that order for the two situations.

What i hate about this system is to some degree my handicap is dependant on what the rest of the field shoot.

To me its like sitting an exam where the correct answer is based upon what the majority write as an answer.......

Oh well.

[iacas]

This article may help you as well.

[sevenfourate]

Even more interesting and easier for me to understand - thanks.The slope rating for scratch and bogey golfers makes sense.

Do you guys "believe" in your handicapping system ?

[iacas]

Do you guys "believe" in your handicapping system ?

Yep. I do.

[Rafcin]

...What i hate about this system is to some degree my handicap is dependant on what the rest of the field shoot.To me its like sitting an exam where the correct answer is based upon what the majority write as an answer.......

that's kind of cool. It's like waiting friday afternoon to see if you made the cut

[sevenfourate]

The fact the course standard scratch,and thus my handicap is affected by (with all due respect)what a 28 handicapper or infact anyone may shoot is not cool believe me.

Although i do believe a % of scores from different handicap catagories are used to work out the standard scratch,so a high handicapper - who may be more prone to greatly different scores - isnt affecting the result so much as someone (ie: lower handicap player) who is considered a more consistent player.

[Rafcin]

... is not cool believe me....

Don't get me wrong - I'm 100% against handicap system.

I understand the idea - trying to make a mass sport competitive for everybody regardless their skill level. Isn't an oxymoron though? Let me see - I'll challange Michael Johnson to a 100m sprint, but I'll cut off his left leg first. I'll challange Michael Schumacher to a race at Hockenheim, but he can only shift up to 3rd gear. WTF? There should be a clear cut between competitive golf and "recreational" golf. The idea of COMPETITION is comparison of skills and talent, isn't? I'm sick and tired of people whining "but w/o strokes I'll have no chance to beat you". Tough luck - don't compete then.

[Slicer]

Do you guys "believe" in your handicapping system ?

I have a hard time believing I'm an 8.6 handicap when 9 out of 10 of my rounds consist of a bogey average on just about every hole I play. But that's just my thoughts on it.

When I first looked into getting a handicap I thought it was simple - if you average 15 over par for 18 holes you would be a 15 handicap. Heck, what did I know.

[sevenfourate]

Rafcin - im sure it wasnt aimed at me,i aint taking it personally anyway,but i never whinge about trying to compete or giving guys shots.

Just like slicer is seems difficult to contemplate at times that shooting 3 80's on a par 72 layout DOESNT = a handicap of 8 !!!

I just find it weird that my personal handicap can be so influenced by how OTHER PEOPLE play ! Not weather,not atmospheric conditions,not the fact the fairways aint been cut since last Tuesday due to soggy ground,but to some degree based around the rest of the fields performance.

As i said,an exam based around the general populas and most scored "answer".

[Rafcin]

Rafcin - im sure it wasnt aimed at me...

Of course not :) I guess it was just a bad timing - I was just told, that I can't compete in our regional net-team tournament, because they've a limit of "USGA Index 5.0 or higher". Me and my buddy made it to the finals last year, I was looking forward to it - so there was a touch of frustration in my post

Generally though I'm against any handicap system, I think it undermins the idea of competition. Times and times again I'm being punished for being able (on occasion) of shooting really low rounds. It takes a lot of "bad" rounds to offset it. It's frustrating when you eagle a hole to push it in a matchplay. I will play in 4 big tournaments this year - thank God they're all scratch. I most likely will get "my ass handed over", but at least I'll feel good about it, the reason I get beat is beacause someone played better that day, not beacause some stupid adjustments.

[sevenfourate]

EXACTLY - and like you if i get whooped by a better golfer on the day,i'll applaud every good shot he plays,say "fantastic" to every long putt he holes,shake his hand at the end of the round and say "well played mate" !!!

Nothing worse than playing bad and getting beat by a single shot.Id rather play MY best and lose.I think !

[Rafcin]

...if i get whooped by a better golfer on the day,i'll applaud every good shot he plays,say "fantastic" to every long putt he holes,shake his hand at the end of the round and say "well played mate" ...

hm...nah, I usually say something like - it's your lucky day bastard, I can't belive the bounces you got, this course sucks, I played out of the divots whole day long, my back hurts, there were spike marks on the green...

and about 10 other lines