Ask Linda #140-Fair play for outings

Hi Linda,
We are holding a golf outing that will that will have prizes which include the low gross score and the longest drive on a specified hole. The gold tee is about 70 yards forward on the specified hole and the course rating differential is 4 strokes. We consider players that opt to play from the forward tees as ineligible in these 2 categories. Some forward tee players disagree. What do you think is the best way to handle this?
Here is some additional information:
We do not intend to offer a separate prize for long drive-gold tee. There are also net prizes as well as 4 closest to the pins in which the forward tee player has a huge advantage.
The only criteria required to play forward is age (over 65). We will have 40 entries with 32 playing from the middle tees and 8 from the forward tees.
As always, I appreciate your opinion.
Lou Lou

Dear Lou Lou,
Even though you are calling this an “outing,” rather than a “tournament,” I believe you should still try to maintain the integrity of the competition.

The award for low gross score should go to a player who competes from the regular tees. Any player eligible to compete from the gold tees should be offered the option to compete from the regular tees if he wants to contend for the low gross prize. Players competing from the gold tees are playing a course that is rated four strokes easier. It is not a fair gross competition when all the competitors are not playing the same distance

With regard to the longest drive contest, I would suggest that you place it on a hole where the gold and regular tees are on the same tee box and the distance between them is no more than ten yards. You certainly cannot allow the seniors to compete in a long drive contest where they have a 70-yard advantage – that would be undeniably unfair. If it is not possible to move the contest to a more appropriate hole, and you cannot shorten the 70-yard difference on the hole you selected to ten yards, then your seniors should not be allowed to compete in this contest. Such a decision, of course, will not make them happy. Since an outing should be a fun experience for all the participants, do your best to find a more suitable hole and allow everyone to compete.

With regard to your closest-to-the-pin contests, you might want to try to set up those holes so that the advantage from the gold tees is not so dramatic (perhaps by shortening the distance from the regular tees). If most of those contests end up being won by the seniors, and the younger men feel that they were at a decided disadvantage given their much longer distance, you may end up listening to an excessive amount of justifiable griping. Your participants will be much happier if they feel the competition was fair.

Where you will have no problem conducting a fair competition is on the net side. This is the beauty of course and slope ratings. Each competitor will get his Course Handicap from the Slope Rating. With a Course Rating from the gold tees that is four strokes easier, you will then either subtract four strokes from the Course Handicap of each of the seniors or add four to the Course Handicap of each of the younger men. Since the majority of your field is playing from the longer tees, I would recommend that you subtract the four strokes from the men playing the gold tees. Assuming that your players have been properly recording their scores, their Handicap Indexes should accurately reflect their current skill level and the winners of the net competition will be those men who play best on the day of your outing in relation to their potential ability.

I have a great deal of respect for people who put a premium on fairness. I am happy to include you in this group, Lou. I hope all the players have a terrific day, and that they don’t forget to thank you for your efforts.

Linda

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