Happy Handicapper Notes  

In the early phase of the new handicap system, handicaps will jump around, some dramatically.  So, please ensure that you check your handicap immediately prior to the AUVGC game.

For non-Golf Link members that means reading the latest edition of the Newsletter.

Summarising the major changes: 

·        For the AUVGC the new handicapping system commenced in May.  All players’ handicaps will be calculated using the new system.

·        The new system is based on averaging the player’s best scores.

·        The concept of CCR no longer exists.

·        Golf Link members must use their most current handicap in AUVGC games.  If they fail to do so they will be disqualified. 

·        Non-Golf Link members will have their handicaps calculated by the Handicapper. These will be listed in the Newsletter.   Failure to use up-to-date handicaps will mean disqualification. 

·        Non-Golf Link members handicaps will take some time to ‘settle'.

·        The Handicapper can only work with official game cards.

·        Members require a minimum of 3 cards to translate to the new system.  Members who have not submitted the required number of cards will continue to play off their previous AUVGC ‘Playing Handicap” (marked with a #).

Further detailed information is available from:  www.golfaustralia.org.au

Handicaps are meant to be accurate, fair, visible and be based on factual information for golfers to obtain maximum satisfaction from their games. Your handicapper will be aiming to achieve these objectives via the following procedures.

Golf is all about numbers:-- number of holes per game, par number per hole, number of shots to complete a hole, a par number for the course, a handicap number, a course rating, a number on the ball, etc. This issue of the Happy Handicapper will be all about numbers.

1. Out with the Old

Since October all players have been using an AUVGC „Playing Handicap‟ system which allowed Golf Link card holders to have an AUVGC handicap a maximum of 2 above or a maximum of 2 below their Australian Golf Union handicap.

A statistical analysis of members Golf Link handicaps and their equivalent monthly AUVGC handicaps over the past year showed that, on average, Golf Link members played on AUVGC handicaps that were one shot lower than their Golf Link handicap eg a Golf Link handicap on say 16 translated to an AUVGC handicap of 15.

This, no doubt, explains all the grizzles that the Handicapper received from Golf Link members. However, an analysis of the winners over that period showed that the system seemed to be fair !! 45% of AUVGC members have a Golf Link card.

47% of grade winners over this period were Golf Link members. Conversely, the 55% of members who do not have Golf Link cards won 53% of the grade competitions. Pretty even !!

2. In with the New

Golf Australia commenced a phased implementation of a new „rolling sample‟ method of handicapping from the 9th of April this year.

Our club will also be phasing in this new system of handicapping from the MAY monthly game onwards. From May, members who have Golf Link handicaps will be expected to play off their most current up-to-date handicap prior to the AUVGC game.

For non-Golf Link handicaps this same new system will also be used. Basically, the system averages the best 10 scores ( „differentials‟ ) over the last 20 games and multiplies this by 96%, that being the „bonus for excellence factor‟ – an incentive for players to improve their game.

 However, as the Handicapper does not as yet have 20 cards for these players a sliding scale of games, proposed by Golf Australia, will be used. With the smaller number of cards with these players there is likely to be more „bounce‟ in their handicaps month to month.

Technically, once non-Golf Link players have submitted 20 cards, their handicapping system will be identical to the Golf Link card holders. Therefore, it is in the member‟s interest to submit as many cards as possible to obtain a more accurate handicap.

For players who have less than 20 official cards submitted the following is the Golf Australia „sliding scale‟ to be used for the calculation of handicaps:

Members require a minimum of 3 cards to translate to the new system. Members who have not submitted the required number of cards will continue to play off their previous AUVGC „Playing Handicap” ( marked with an # ) The Handicapper will calculate the handicaps of members who do not have Golf Link handicaps and these will be listed in the monthly Newsletter.

Golf Link members will have their handicaps calculated by Golf Link and must ensure that in AUVGC games they play off their most current handicap or they will be disqualified. Disqualification can and will be backdated !!

Summary:

For the AUVGC the new handicapping system commences in May. The new system averages the best „handicap differentials‟ ( handicap differential = gross score – Men‟s Australian Course Rating ( MACR ) ). This average is multiplied by 0.96.

The concept of CCR does no longer exist . Golf Link members will use their most current handicap in AUVGC games. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.

Non-Golf Link members will have their handicaps calculated by the Handicapper. These will be listed in the Newsletter. Non-Golf Link members handicaps will take some time to „settle'.

Translation to the new handicap system has resulted in handicap changes across the board – some gained handicap, some lost handicap and some stayed the same. The Handicapper can only work with official game cards.

The Handicapper has little control over players who „manage‟ their handicaps. System looks complex and will take some time to settle in. Players ( GL and non-GL ) MUST check their handicaps prior to the AUVGC games as the handicaps will ‘jump around’.

Further detailed information is available from: www.golfaustralia.org.au

 3.    ‘Handicapper’s Discretion’ will apply in extraordinary situations 

Note:The ‘Playing Handicap’ is the handicap that members will be required to use during their AUVGC games

SUMMARY: 

Each player will use the ‘Playing Handicap’ as listed in latest Newsletter !!