Has the Elimination of Solo Rounds Affected Your Handicap?

[BamaWade]

Me:  "Something else".

It has decreased the sample size, which statistically makes my index less relevant and reflective of my ability.  That's because, these days, I play a majority of my golf after work at my home CC, which almost always = solo.

Interestingly, my lowest scores (both ever, and recent) are with playing partners.  I'm a guy that's always needed competition to help me focus.  In pretty much everything.

I don't approach solo play any different.  I want my true score, so I always play by the rules whether there's anyone else there or not - for what I write on the card.  Of course, I'll sometimes play a 2nd ball to try different shot types and approaches (or because the last one sucked), but the ball in play accounts for my score.  Not allowed if posting, but then I'm not posting them, huh?

So, as it relates to me, I don't like the new rule because, by decreasing the sample size, it makes my index much less statistically relevant, and I'd like to have it reflect my game as a whole, not my game ~35% of the time I play; I'd like to use my index as a way to measure my progress.  Not saying I don't understand or disagree with the change's purpose.

My golf buddies have all moved away from the game, just away, or play much less often than me.  I'm new to my CC as of this summer.  I guess as I'm there longer, and begin playing more weekends as daylight dwindles, I'll meet more people and will play solo less often.

BamaWade

[CCC]

Because of the new rule, I no longer have a H.I. anymore.

For better or worse?

Yes, I play golf. Alone. I'm working on my game, but I still keep score when I'm out on the links.

I could tell my CC Golf Professional what I normally score, but it would not matter.

[iacas]

40 minutes ago, CCC said:

Because of the new rule, I no longer have a H.I. anymore.

You'd still have your old one. It didn't go away. Even if you don't update it in months…

[Hardspoon]

On ‎10‎/‎17‎/‎2016 at 2:51 PM, BamaWade said:

So, as it relates to me, I don't like the new rule because, by decreasing the sample size, it makes my index much less statistically relevant, and I'd like to have it reflect my game as a whole, not my game ~35% of the time I play; I'd like to use my index as a way to measure my progress.  Not saying I don't understand or disagree with the change's purpose.

So...here's the funny thing: by definition, your USGA index doesn't reflect your game as a whole.  It's just 50% (and a very cherry-picked 50% at that!) of the time you play.

If you want to track progress, your index is, and always was, a bad way to do it.  It's intended as a method of equalizing competitions, and is therefore intentionally not trying to measure your game as a whole.

I think this is one of the best opportunities allowed by this rule change.  People who have been using their handicap to track progress will start using a much more accurate representation (a simple average of their differentials).

[BamaWade]

12 hours ago, Hardspoon said:

So...here's the funny thing: by definition, your USGA index doesn't reflect your game as a whole....

If you want to track progress, your index is, and always was, a bad way to do it.  It's intended as a method of equalizing competitions, and is therefore intentionally not trying to measure your game as a whole.

I think this is one of the best opportunities allowed by this rule change.  People who have been using their handicap to track progress will start using a much more accurate representation (a simple average of their differentials).

John, you're absolutely right - great points.  I see my post was littered with "I'd like to have it..." and "I'd like to use it..." type statements.  Re: that, it's just going to take a mindset change on my part.  

I do stand by my central statement re: sample size & statistical relevance as it relates to me, given my heavy bias towards solo rounds.  My best 10 of the last 20 could well span 12-24 months(!), even though I'm constantly playing.  And since I lost my old GHIN profile & index when I left my previous club and was thus "inactive" for 3 years, I recently had to start completely from scratch.  Oh well.  Like I said, I need to meet folks & get into groups ASAP.

BamaWade

[Braivo]

I play most of my rounds alone, therefore I stopped keeping an official handicap due to this change. No big deal really, I still track one for my own purposes and count my solo rounds. meh. 

[Strandly]

On 10/12/2016 at 9:02 AM, bkuehn1952 said:

I post scores, including solo rounds, to a website that calculates an unofficial handicap.  They use the USGA formula...

Could you post a link to this website?  I'd be curious to use something like that next year assuming I don't go the official route.

[bkuehn1952]

34 minutes ago, Strandly said:

Could you post a link to this website?  I'd be curious to use something like that next year assuming I don't go the official route.

I sent you a PM.

[easyjay39402]

My HI has gone up about 3 points under the new rule. I never really noticed that my scores were lower when I play alone, which is about half of my rounds. Usually I walk playing alone and ride in a cart with a group. I think that when playing alone I am able to establish a tempo and routine that stays consistent throughout the round. When playing in a group, usually in a senior league, every hole is a new adventure and I never get into a good tempo of play, which carries over into the tempo of my swing.  

On the plus side, I am now more consistently competitive in league play. On the negative side, my HI is no longer a useful way to track whether or not my game is improving (or d clining).

[iacas]

2 hours ago, easyjay39402 said:

On the plus side, I am now more consistently competitive in league play.

Cool. I think that was kind of the point.

2 hours ago, easyjay39402 said:

On the negative side, my HI is no longer a useful way to track whether or not my game is improving (or d clining).

I don't know if that's true. Why do you say that? You could argue it's more accurate now.

[cutchemist42]

Last year was the first year I had a club where Golf Canada fees were included. I play probably 95% of my rounds alone with not many being from this year. I've played alone enough that I wouldnt even be eligible for Golf Saskatchewan events this year if I wanted to play.

Anywho...I have Gamegolf and still use an unofficial handicap tracker alongside the Golf Canada app/website.

GG  16.7  (Just noticed I'm missing a few rounds there actually)

Unofficial HI   15.6

Golf Canada HI   19.7

 

 

[bkuehn1952]

@cutchemist42, thanks for reviving this thread.  I don't recall ever posting it.

2+ years in, my unofficial handicap tracker has me at 9.2 and my Trend Index is 9.3.  At least for me, I think I can state that solo rounds have no affect on my index.  Equal opportunity choking, I guess.  😉

[Double Mocha Man]

I use solo rounds for practice.  Even though my score is honest.  Shivas Irons verifies my score and signs my scorecard.

[TRUCKER]

I selected "something else" because I post all my rounds. I play by the same rules whether I'm alone or with a group. That rule doesn't apply to me because I never sandbagged and never will. Why should everybody who posted honestly have to adjust for the lowest common denominator instead of bringing them up to our standards?

[ghalfaire]

I voted something else.  That's because I don't know but I do care.  Most of my "single" rounds were in Winter and there is  only one course open within driving range.  Very few play here in winter so finding a partner is difficult, but there are a few "nice" days so out I go when I can.  The course is usually in tough shape and even nice days might get up to 45 50  F, but with cloudless skies and sunshine.  So if I had to guess I'd think my handicap index is higher when I included the Winter rounds because of the less than perfect course condition and cold weather.  But since I can' turn the rounds in anymore, I often don't keep score and I practice a lot on the course so any score I might keep would be meaningless.
 

[tehuti]

On 10/12/2016 at 8:17 AM, drmevo said:

Very interesting. My blow-ups are definitely worse when I play with other people. One really bad shot and I don't know if it's the embarrassment or what, but I struggle to recover, especially if it involves OB or a hazard. It's like I can't think straight.

When I'm by myself I seem to be able to talk myself back into the right mindset, and I make better choices and shots after a mistake.

Exact same for me.

[Patch]

A guy at my #2 home course got caught manipulating that rule. 

When playing solo, he would put a second set of stroke numbers below his, scribble in a 2nd signature, and turn his correct score in. 

Not sure what happened to him, and if there was any punishment involved. 

[iacas]

2 hours ago, TRUCKER said:

I selected "something else" because I post all my rounds. I play by the same rules whether I'm alone or with a group. That rule doesn't apply to me because I never sandbagged and never will.

The rule applies to you too. You're breaching the rules.

Your handicap is, now, by rule only for rounds played with others.