Changes in handicap index limit for public links

[doublesuited77]

not sure if this is a good or bad thing, but they change the max handicap for PubLinx from 8.4 to 4.4. It will definitely improve the quality of the qualify fields, but will eliminate lots of people who just want to play in a USGA event (even if it is just qualifying).

http://www.usga.org/championships/ap...y_to_play.html

[neudi]

I like the rule a lot, because honestly a person with a higher handicap like an 8 is not going to realistically make it to match play, and if they do it will be tough to get through, on that note it confused me because if people with higher handicaps are going to be elimated anyways why wouldn't the USGA just let everyone in because that is a lot of money to be made.

[Big_M]

I guess I'm not playing this year... an 8 was possible by summer, but not a 4. It does make sense though, as neudi points out, an 8 isn't going to get very far.

[hawkeye]

What sort of numbers play in the public links? is it state by state or are there just regional qualifiers?

In Ireland - all of the top amateur events are done on a handicap system - as in the lowest 150 handicaps get in and the next 10 go on a waiting list. So the quality of the field dictates the cut off/limit. It can change from year to year and competition to competition but it insures the best golfers get in.

Wondering why they don't do that for the Public Links. Perhaps it's because of the size of it.

[doublesuited77]

I guess I'm not playing this year... an 8 was possible by summer, but not a 4. It does make sense though, as neudi points out, an 8 isn't going to get very far.

for that matter, neither is a 4. personally, i liked the old rule because it opens the tourney up to people who can't play in any other USGA event.

[neudi]

What sort of numbers play in the public links? is it state by state or are there just regional qualifiers?

I know that 2 years ago, you play in your local qualifier, and then I would have gone down to North Carolina where you play 2 stroke play rounds and I think the top 64 make it to match play, and the winner then usually gets invited to the Master's. or something like that.

[Shindig]

I know that 2 years ago, you play in your local qualifier, and then I would have gone down to North Carolina where you play 2 stroke play rounds and I think the top 64 make it to match play, and the winner then usually gets invited to the Master's. or something like that.

Public Links champion goes to the Masters, provided he is still an amateur.

[JonnyGolf]

In CA we have Publinks qualifiers with multiple flights. I thought that the Championship flight, played at scratch, was the only one that was eligible to go to the National Championship. Anyone that has an 8 shouldn't being playing in that category.

[neudi]

I like the way your qualifier works b/c that gives everyone the ability to play in the tournament where as the qualifier I play in doesn't allow higher handicappers to play, which doesn't make sense.

[Shindig]

In CA we have Publinks qualifiers with multiple flights. I thought that the Championship flight, played at scratch, was the only one that was eligible to go to the National Championship. Anyone that has an 8 shouldn't being playing in that category.

Are these Publinks qualifiers for the US Amateur Public Links, or is there a flighted California Public Links?

[bca42]

Though I'd be excluded with my current index, I think it's a good idea. There are too many people who play in these types of events that really don't have the game. I wish they'd lower the max limit for my State Pub Links too.

It's important to say, this isn't being done to keep certain people out, it's done to make the fields as competitive as possible and have the best golfers available. If you want to play in it, improve your game.

This sort of thing is also being done on Champ and regular Tour event qualifiers.