Moment in Time
New Handicapping System for Golf Australia
The New Handicapping System
How it Affects You
How it Affects You
(social) Golf Concentrate
(social) Golf Concentrate
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Social Golf by Social Golfers
Change from ACR to USGA System
Golf Australia is adopting the USGA system for golf handicapping. The plan is for all metropolitan courses rated for difficulty by the end of 2010, and all courses rated by the end of 2011. It is envisaged that the new handicapping system will be in use by start of 2012.
Golf Australia is adopting the USGA system for golf handicapping. The plan is for all metropolitan courses rated for difficulty by the end of 2010, and all courses rated by the end of 2011. It is envisaged that the new handicapping system will be in use by start of 2012.
Course Rating vs Slope
The current Australian system factors in a Course Rating which, while beneficial in comparing courses, does not really assist a golfer at the more difficult tracks. For example, if your handicap is 15, then under the current system you will play at a 15 at any course, regardless of its level of difficulty. In the USGA-based Slope system, however, your 15 would be converted to a “course handicap” based on the difficulty of the course. (Slope can range from 55 to 155, with 113 being considered a course of average difficulty.) So on a local/easy track, your handicap for the day may be, say, a 12, while on a monster it could be a 17 or 18.
The current Australian system factors in a Course Rating which, while beneficial in comparing courses, does not really assist a golfer at the more difficult tracks. For example, if your handicap is 15, then under the current system you will play at a 15 at any course, regardless of its level of difficulty. In the USGA-based Slope system, however, your 15 would be converted to a “course handicap” based on the difficulty of the course. (Slope can range from 55 to 155, with 113 being considered a course of average difficulty.) So on a local/easy track, your handicap for the day may be, say, a 12, while on a monster it could be a 17 or 18.
In Practical Terms
Each golf course will have a Slope Index. Each course will have a reference grid-like board (hopefully and or an automated system) where you can find your handicap for that course. You need to know the Slope Index of your home course (let’s say it 113), and your handicap for your home course (let’s say 15). On the grid-like board, you need to find where 113 and 15 intersects. The number on that intersection will be your handicap for that course.
Each golf course will have a Slope Index. Each course will have a reference grid-like board (hopefully and or an automated system) where you can find your handicap for that course. You need to know the Slope Index of your home course (let’s say it 113), and your handicap for your home course (let’s say 15). On the grid-like board, you need to find where 113 and 15 intersects. The number on that intersection will be your handicap for that course.
For example; if your handicap of 15 is based on Woodville Golf Course (relatively easy course), and you are playing at Glenmore (hard course), you will find that your handicap for Glenmore will be higher, say 16. But if you are playing at Fairfield (easy course), you will find that your handicap will be lower, say 13. It will be based on the Slope Index of the course that you are playing. By the way, each tee box will have its own slope rating too. That means, if your handicap is based on the white tees, and you play off the blues, your handicap for the day may be higher.
Calculating your Handicap
Your handicap will be calculated by averaging the best 10 of your last 20 scores. All in all, this is a fairer reflection of your current/recent playing status as well as your future potential. The new handicapping system includes an Equitable Stroke Control System that reduces handicap “manipulation” by dishonest players. This control system sets a maximum score per hole when calculating handicaps. It is used to minimise the effects of “blow-out holes”. For example, say you take an 8 on a par-3 (you did not have a good day). On its own, that number could potentially throw your handicap well out of kilter. With ESC, the 8 will count towards your total score for the daily comp, but not all of those extra strokes will count towards your handicap. Depending on your course handicap, the maximum you could claim towards your handicap might be a double-bogey 5. After subtracting all the “extra” shots from your round, the resulting score is your adjusted gross score, which is what is used to calculate your handicap. If this sounds complicated, do not worry, there will be an automated system for processing.
Your handicap will be calculated by averaging the best 10 of your last 20 scores. All in all, this is a fairer reflection of your current/recent playing status as well as your future potential. The new handicapping system includes an Equitable Stroke Control System that reduces handicap “manipulation” by dishonest players. This control system sets a maximum score per hole when calculating handicaps. It is used to minimise the effects of “blow-out holes”. For example, say you take an 8 on a par-3 (you did not have a good day). On its own, that number could potentially throw your handicap well out of kilter. With ESC, the 8 will count towards your total score for the daily comp, but not all of those extra strokes will count towards your handicap. Depending on your course handicap, the maximum you could claim towards your handicap might be a double-bogey 5. After subtracting all the “extra” shots from your round, the resulting score is your adjusted gross score, which is what is used to calculate your handicap. If this sounds complicated, do not worry, there will be an automated system for processing.
What does it mean for Social Clubs?
For member competition within the same club, there should not be any difference. When they play on a different course, all they need to do is find their handicap from the board, using the slope index of their “home course”.
For clubs playing against other clubs, there might be some issues. As there are clubs who only play once a month. That will make 12 games per year. The new handicapping system will be based on the best 10 out of 20 games. There will not be much movement of handicaps. That will place a large emphasis on the starting handicaps (based on the index of the “home course”) as well as players reporting their scores for all games that they play, competition or not. These issues will have to be discussed and agreed upon by all competing social clubs.
For member competition within the same club, there should not be any difference. When they play on a different course, all they need to do is find their handicap from the board, using the slope index of their “home course”.
For clubs playing against other clubs, there might be some issues. As there are clubs who only play once a month. That will make 12 games per year. The new handicapping system will be based on the best 10 out of 20 games. There will not be much movement of handicaps. That will place a large emphasis on the starting handicaps (based on the index of the “home course”) as well as players reporting their scores for all games that they play, competition or not. These issues will have to be discussed and agreed upon by all competing social clubs.
The above is just a simple explanation of the new system. If you want the official word and the technicalities, visit Golf Australia here.
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