The Scene:
You are playing with three other people. The feature of the day is best individual gross and net score. After play, you and Nancy post your foursome’s scores in the breezeway for the competition. Then she heads for the handicap computer. You say, “Don’t forget to adjust your score. You had a couple of 9’s and your maximum is 8.” She waved you off and said, “Oh, you don’t have to do that. The computer does it for you.”
What would you do?
A. Shrug and forget it?
B. Insist that she adjust her score?
B is correct.
You are required to adjust your score. On any hole where your score exceeds your maximum, you should reduce it to your maximum. The computer doesn’t do that for you unless you are posting a score, hole by hole.
Just think about it. Let’s say your handicap is 36. Because your handicap is in the 30’s, the maximum score you are allowed to take on any hole would be 9.
If you scored 108, you could have had a double bogey on every hole. And no adjustment would be needed.
But you could have pared the Par 3’s,and had a 14 on one of the Par 4’s. Because your maximum is 9, that would require an adjustment of 5 strokes!
Both scenarios add up to a score of 108. But one requires a big adjustment and the other requires none. How could the computer know that? It couldn’t. The computer knows that your maximum is 9 but it doesn’t know what you scored on each hole.
So, it is up to you. Adjust that 14 to a 9, giving you a total postable score of 103, not 108.
But why is this so important? It is important because if you fail to adjust your scores, the computer can’t calculate an accurate handicap for you.
REMEMBER: Every time you post a score in the handicap computer, if you have a score on any hole that is above your maximum, adjust it.
Showing posts with label Handicap. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Handicap. Show all posts
3.12.07
6.6.05
2005 #9 Posting Tournament Scores
The Scene:
A player I’ll call Mary said, “Sue always beats me but her handicap stays higher than mine. That doesn’t make sense.” So Mary asked Blake why that was so. Blake looked at their handicaps and explained that Mary’s handicap had been reduced because she plays better in tournaments than she does on regular play days. Mary said, “But what about Sue? She beats me in tournaments, too.” Sue hadn’t posted any T (tournament) scores so her handicap hadn’t been reduced. Mary said, “That’s not fair!”
And she is right. It’s fair only if everyone posts their tournament scores properly.
The computer looks for exceptional tournament scores, scores that are at least 3 strokes better than your handicap index. If you have had at least two such scores in the last year the computer will reduce your handicap.
Some players don’t know when they should post these scores and some don’t know how.
In the future, before our major Bay Hill tournaments (President’s Cup, Arnold Palmer Cup, Member/ Member, Club Championship) Blake will announce that scores should be posted as tournament scores.
When posting your score the computer will ask you if this is a Tournament Score. Just click Yes.
REMEMBER: Post all of your tournament scores properly. It is the fair thing to do.
A player I’ll call Mary said, “Sue always beats me but her handicap stays higher than mine. That doesn’t make sense.” So Mary asked Blake why that was so. Blake looked at their handicaps and explained that Mary’s handicap had been reduced because she plays better in tournaments than she does on regular play days. Mary said, “But what about Sue? She beats me in tournaments, too.” Sue hadn’t posted any T (tournament) scores so her handicap hadn’t been reduced. Mary said, “That’s not fair!”
And she is right. It’s fair only if everyone posts their tournament scores properly.
The computer looks for exceptional tournament scores, scores that are at least 3 strokes better than your handicap index. If you have had at least two such scores in the last year the computer will reduce your handicap.
Some players don’t know when they should post these scores and some don’t know how.
In the future, before our major Bay Hill tournaments (President’s Cup, Arnold Palmer Cup, Member/ Member, Club Championship) Blake will announce that scores should be posted as tournament scores.
When posting your score the computer will ask you if this is a Tournament Score. Just click Yes.
REMEMBER: Post all of your tournament scores properly. It is the fair thing to do.
2005 #8 What is your Handicap?
The Scene:
You played on a Thursday play-day and shot a record low score for you. You were excited. You hurried to the breezeway to post your score. The score sheet was broken up into flights A, B, C and D. Your handicap was listed on the handicap sheet (near the computer) as 25.1. So you entered your score in flight B (19-26). But your gross score is higher than most of the others in that flight and your net score is 71, only one below par. There is no way you can win.
What would you do?
A. Throw up your hands and accept it. Golf is just not fair.
B. Recheck your handicap. Make sure you got your course handicap and not your handicap index.
B is correct. If your score is really low for you, your net score should be lower than 71.
Where should you look? There are two places that have your course handicap. One is the computer and the other is the list in the handicap book near the computer.
Both give you two numbers, your handicap index and your course handicap. You want your course handicap, the number without the decimal place. But what’s the difference? Why do they have two numbers?
Your handicap index is the true measure of your golfing skills. It is the same no matter where you play. Your course handicap is the number of strokes you are given to play a particular course, like Bay Hill. If the course you are playing is difficult you’ll be given more strokes; if it is easy you will be given fewer strokes.
For example, suppose your handicap index is 25.1. When you play Bay Hill your course handicap will be 28. When you play Tuscawilla your course handicap will be 27; when you play Grand Cypress GC your course handicap will be 25. But at every one of those courses your handicap index will be the same 25.1. If you had given your course handicap in the scenario above (instead of your handicap index) your net score would have been 68. And you probably would have won your flight.
If you play as a guest at another course and are asked for your handicap, give them your handicap index (the number with the decimal place). They will use that to calculate a course handicap for you to use there.
REMEMBER: On any playday when you are asked for your handicap, give your course handicap.
You played on a Thursday play-day and shot a record low score for you. You were excited. You hurried to the breezeway to post your score. The score sheet was broken up into flights A, B, C and D. Your handicap was listed on the handicap sheet (near the computer) as 25.1. So you entered your score in flight B (19-26). But your gross score is higher than most of the others in that flight and your net score is 71, only one below par. There is no way you can win.
What would you do?
A. Throw up your hands and accept it. Golf is just not fair.
B. Recheck your handicap. Make sure you got your course handicap and not your handicap index.
B is correct. If your score is really low for you, your net score should be lower than 71.
Where should you look? There are two places that have your course handicap. One is the computer and the other is the list in the handicap book near the computer.
Both give you two numbers, your handicap index and your course handicap. You want your course handicap, the number without the decimal place. But what’s the difference? Why do they have two numbers?
Your handicap index is the true measure of your golfing skills. It is the same no matter where you play. Your course handicap is the number of strokes you are given to play a particular course, like Bay Hill. If the course you are playing is difficult you’ll be given more strokes; if it is easy you will be given fewer strokes.
For example, suppose your handicap index is 25.1. When you play Bay Hill your course handicap will be 28. When you play Tuscawilla your course handicap will be 27; when you play Grand Cypress GC your course handicap will be 25. But at every one of those courses your handicap index will be the same 25.1. If you had given your course handicap in the scenario above (instead of your handicap index) your net score would have been 68. And you probably would have won your flight.
If you play as a guest at another course and are asked for your handicap, give them your handicap index (the number with the decimal place). They will use that to calculate a course handicap for you to use there.
REMEMBER: On any playday when you are asked for your handicap, give your course handicap.
23.11.04
2004 # 11 When can you pick up your ball and take your maximum as your score?
THE SCENE:
You are not in a tournament today. This is a regular Tuesday play day. You are playing hole #3 on the Charger. You tee your ball up, hit it high and watch it splash into the water. You tee another ball. This time it hits the ground then bounces into the water. Thank goodness for the Special Rules for the Nine Hole Group. You know that now, after two tries, you can drop a ball on the other side of the water hazard. You will be lying 5 and hitting 6. So you hop into your cart, ride over to the fairway, drop a ball and hit it. Actually you chunk it. The turf flies and the ball runs about 20 yards. You catch up with it and hit it again. The ball heads straight for the flag then takes a bad bounce to the right then rolls even further right and keeps rolling all the way into the water. You now lie 7. One penalty stroke for the hazard gives you an 8 and you will be hitting 9. Eight is your personal maximum.
What would you do?
A. You have been playing well and want to stay in the competition so you will keep playing. You will putt out on this hole and take your full score.
B. Announce that you will take your maximum for the hole, then grab your ball retriever and begin searching for your balls while the others finish playing the hole.
B is correct.
What would you do?
A. You have been playing well and want to stay in the competition so you will keep playing. You will putt out on this hole and take your full score.
B. Announce that you will take your maximum for the hole, then grab your ball retriever and begin searching for your balls while the others finish playing the hole.
B is correct.
Thank goodness for the Special Rules for the Nine Hole Group. This is not a tournament. You can take your maximum and remain in the competition. Not only is this permitted, it is encouraged because it will speed up play.
Your Niners’ handbook says: During regular Play Days you may pick up your ball upon reaching your handicap maximum. If you have not holed out when you reach your maximum, place an "X" on the scorecard next to your score for that hole. YOU WILL STILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR PRIZES.
REMEMBER: When you are not playing in a tournament and you reach your maximum, PICK UP your ball and take your maximum as your score for that hole.
Your Niners’ handbook says: During regular Play Days you may pick up your ball upon reaching your handicap maximum. If you have not holed out when you reach your maximum, place an "X" on the scorecard next to your score for that hole. YOU WILL STILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR PRIZES.
REMEMBER: When you are not playing in a tournament and you reach your maximum, PICK UP your ball and take your maximum as your score for that hole.
2004 #6 Should you post a score?
The Scene:
You are playing in the 3 day Member / Member. The first day is Alternate shots and the second day is a Scramble. You know you can’t post either of those scores because they weren’t played according to the principals of the Rules of Golf. But today was Best Ball of the Twosome and you played very well. Someone teased you and said if you didn’t post your score she’d call you a sandbagger. But how can you post it? You picked up on 6 holes when you were ‘out of the hole’.
What would you do?
A. Ignore the teaser. Your score is not acceptable. You don’t have to post it.
B. Post a 9-hole score?
C. Post an 18-hole score?
C is correct.
If you begin a hole but don’t complete it you should record a score (for handicap purposes) that is the score you most likely would have made. And place an X next to that score.
For example, if on hole #2, you and your partner are both lying 2. Her ball is 4 feet from the hole and yours is 2 feet. She sinks her putt for a 3. You pick your ball up. Your most likely score for the hole would be a 3. So record X3 on your scorecard.
A harder example: On hole #17 your partner’s ball sails onto the green and stops near the hole. Your tee shot dives into the water. Of course you pick up. But you can still estimate your most likely score for the hole. Think of it as the number of strokes it would take you to complete the hole from that position more than half the time. And you are the best judge of that so do your own estimating. Just don’t exceed your maximum.
In the Member/Member above, if you estimated properly you would have 6 scores with X’s but you still would have an 18-hole score to post.
REMEMBER: Estimate your most likely scores. There is no limit to the number of unfinished holes a player may have in a round and still post her score.
You are playing in the 3 day Member / Member. The first day is Alternate shots and the second day is a Scramble. You know you can’t post either of those scores because they weren’t played according to the principals of the Rules of Golf. But today was Best Ball of the Twosome and you played very well. Someone teased you and said if you didn’t post your score she’d call you a sandbagger. But how can you post it? You picked up on 6 holes when you were ‘out of the hole’.
What would you do?
A. Ignore the teaser. Your score is not acceptable. You don’t have to post it.
B. Post a 9-hole score?
C. Post an 18-hole score?
C is correct.
If you begin a hole but don’t complete it you should record a score (for handicap purposes) that is the score you most likely would have made. And place an X next to that score.
For example, if on hole #2, you and your partner are both lying 2. Her ball is 4 feet from the hole and yours is 2 feet. She sinks her putt for a 3. You pick your ball up. Your most likely score for the hole would be a 3. So record X3 on your scorecard.
A harder example: On hole #17 your partner’s ball sails onto the green and stops near the hole. Your tee shot dives into the water. Of course you pick up. But you can still estimate your most likely score for the hole. Think of it as the number of strokes it would take you to complete the hole from that position more than half the time. And you are the best judge of that so do your own estimating. Just don’t exceed your maximum.
In the Member/Member above, if you estimated properly you would have 6 scores with X’s but you still would have an 18-hole score to post.
REMEMBER: Estimate your most likely scores. There is no limit to the number of unfinished holes a player may have in a round and still post her score.
2004 #5 What score should you post?
The Scene:
It is a Thursday playday and rain is predicted. As you begin play the sun peeks through but a couple of hours later black clouds move in. You are on hole #14 when the deluge finally begins, bringing lightning and bucketfuls of rain. You drive back to the clubhouse and dry yourself off, glad to get out of the storm. Your scorecard is dry and legible but should you post a score?
What would you do?
In the breezeway record N/C and
A. Toss your scorecard in the trash?
B. Post a 9-hole score?
C. Post an 18-hole score?
C is correct.
If you play 13 or more holes you should post an 18-hole score. For each of the unplayed holes (in this case #14 - #18) post a score equal to par plus any handicap strokes you are entitled to receive on that hole.
If you play between 7 and 12 holes you should post a 9-hole score. If you had played only 7 holes before the rains came down you would post a 9-hole score. For each of the two unplayed holes, #8 and #9, you would record par plus any handicap strokes you are entitled to receive on that hole.
These are scores to be posted on the computer, not to be entered as a score for the competition.
REMEMBER: If you play 13 or more holes, in the breezeway you can write N/C or the score the Playday Chair tells you to write. But when you get to the computer post a full 18-hole score.
It is a Thursday playday and rain is predicted. As you begin play the sun peeks through but a couple of hours later black clouds move in. You are on hole #14 when the deluge finally begins, bringing lightning and bucketfuls of rain. You drive back to the clubhouse and dry yourself off, glad to get out of the storm. Your scorecard is dry and legible but should you post a score?
What would you do?
In the breezeway record N/C and
A. Toss your scorecard in the trash?
B. Post a 9-hole score?
C. Post an 18-hole score?
C is correct.
If you play 13 or more holes you should post an 18-hole score. For each of the unplayed holes (in this case #14 - #18) post a score equal to par plus any handicap strokes you are entitled to receive on that hole.
If you play between 7 and 12 holes you should post a 9-hole score. If you had played only 7 holes before the rains came down you would post a 9-hole score. For each of the two unplayed holes, #8 and #9, you would record par plus any handicap strokes you are entitled to receive on that hole.
These are scores to be posted on the computer, not to be entered as a score for the competition.
REMEMBER: If you play 13 or more holes, in the breezeway you can write N/C or the score the Playday Chair tells you to write. But when you get to the computer post a full 18-hole score.
2004 #2 Slope and Handicaps
The Scene:
You arrive at Beech Mountain to play golf. The course has been re-rated. You didn’t have a chance to play all winter so you had no scores to bring back. But the handicap they give you is two stokes higher than the one you had when you left here last fall.
C is correct.
Your handicap index is the true measure of your golfing skills. It is the same no matter where you play. Your course handicap is the number of strokes you are given to play a particular course.
The Slope indicates the difficulty of the course you are playing. The average Slope for a course is 113. If your golf course is of average difficulty your course handicap (the number of strokes you are given) will be the same as your handicap index. If your golf course is harder (the Slope is higher) you’ll be given more strokes and if your course is easier (the Slope is lower (under 113)) you will be given fewer strokes.
Last year the Slope at Beech Mountain was 113. If your handicap index was 25.1, your course handicap would have been 25. This year the Slope is higher, 120. If your handicap index is still 25.1 your course handicap would now be 27. You are still just as good a golfer as you were last year. You are just being given extra strokes to play a harder course.
Note: If you are a 27 and a friend of yours at a different course is a 25, that doesn’t mean she is a better golfer than you. Ask what her handicap index is. That is the only thing you can compare.
REMEMBER: It is your handicap index that indicates your golfing skills, not your course handicap. Your index is the number with the decimal place.
You arrive at Beech Mountain to play golf. The course has been re-rated. You didn’t have a chance to play all winter so you had no scores to bring back. But the handicap they give you is two stokes higher than the one you had when you left here last fall.
What would you do?
A. Tell the Pro that the handicap computer is broken.
B. The Slope is higher than last year. That means the course is harder. That’s what increased your handicap. But that means that you are not as good a player as you thought you were.
B. The Slope is higher than last year. That means the course is harder. That’s what increased your handicap. But that means that you are not as good a player as you thought you were.
C. Your handicap index is the same as it was last year. You get a higher course handicap (and more strokes) because the courseis harder.
C is correct.
Your handicap index is the true measure of your golfing skills. It is the same no matter where you play. Your course handicap is the number of strokes you are given to play a particular course.
The Slope indicates the difficulty of the course you are playing. The average Slope for a course is 113. If your golf course is of average difficulty your course handicap (the number of strokes you are given) will be the same as your handicap index. If your golf course is harder (the Slope is higher) you’ll be given more strokes and if your course is easier (the Slope is lower (under 113)) you will be given fewer strokes.
Last year the Slope at Beech Mountain was 113. If your handicap index was 25.1, your course handicap would have been 25. This year the Slope is higher, 120. If your handicap index is still 25.1 your course handicap would now be 27. You are still just as good a golfer as you were last year. You are just being given extra strokes to play a harder course.
Note: If you are a 27 and a friend of yours at a different course is a 25, that doesn’t mean she is a better golfer than you. Ask what her handicap index is. That is the only thing you can compare.
REMEMBER: It is your handicap index that indicates your golfing skills, not your course handicap. Your index is the number with the decimal place.
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