Golf League Association * Handicaps

Golf League Association

HAND-I-CAP
Pronunciation: 'han-di-"kap
Function: noun
A race or contest in which an artificial advantage is given or disadvantage imposed on a contestant to equalize chances of winning. An advantage given or disadvantage imposed usually in the form of points, strokes, weight to be carried, or distance from the target or goal.

Marriam-Websters' Collegiate Dictionary

By far the best handicap formula for a golf league contains these 3 characteristics:

* Establishes a handicap quickly
* Gives every skill level a fair chance to win
* Is simple enough so that the players understand how their handicap was computed

The handicap formula created by the United States Golf Association endeavors to compute the most accurate handicap possible. Unfortunately, what has resulted by including all of the possible variables is that, 1) the formula requires 5 rounds to produce a handicap and 2) understanding the formula well enough to follow how a handicap is computed is more effort than the average league player cares to spend.

League players want to play golf and have fun. They want to start competing as soon as possible, not wait until the 6th round to begin applying handicaps. Also, they don't want to feel cheated. This can occur when another player has a larger handicap and yet both players seem to be about the same ability. To solve this problem, keep the calculation simple enough so that all players understand the handicap calculation. When this happens, there is feeling of satisfaction that the league is fair.

The argument against keeping the formula simple is that you loose accuracy. Let's talk about accuracy. The average league player shoots about 50 for 9 holes. The range for this average player is about plus or minus 8 shots. Take any 2 rounds, our average league player's score could be 16 strokes different from one round to the next. Will the added accuracy of the USGA's formula (which amounts to less than 1 stroke) really make enough of a difference that the benefits of a simple formula should be lost?

Simple Handicap Formula:

Rounds Played	Rounds Used	Percentage Applied
1	1	80%
2	2	80%
3	2	85%
4	2	90%
5	3	90%
6	4	95%

So, if 1 round has been played, you use it to compute the handicap and you take the amount over par times 80%. If six rounds have been played, you take the 4 lowest scores and figure the average over par per round and multiply that times 95%.

If you want the handicap to be a whole number, it is customary to truncate instead of round up to the next whole number.

If more than 6 rounds have been played, only the last 6 rounds are looked at in determining a handicap.

For the first round, no handicaps have been established so there are no net scores. The first round of a league is used to establish handicaps. The competion starts beginning with the second round.

leage