Dear Linda,
Thank you for your quick reply! Just to give you a few more details; The yellow stakes are before the water right in front of the green and the other side (before the green) is staked half yellow, half red. I think the red stakes (used to be yellow) are there in case somebody hits into the water from the next hole (lateral). Normally we just cross the water again, but the other day I played with a lady who wanted to drop on the far side, next to the red stakes and we all love to know what is right. The golf rules are not very clear in this case, have made a lot of research!
We also have an island hole, (the green is on an island). The stakes are yellow in front of the island, but the island itself does not have any stakes. If the ball lands on the island, but rolls into the water, should one cross the water again? That's how we normally play it. Just thought that would be the equivalent to the other hole.
I'm originally from Sweden (married to a South African) and live here since 18 years. Never played golf in Sweden, but started here (in the province of Granada) some 10 years ago. Pity you never played in Sevilla as they have some of the nicest golf courses in Spain. Maybe you will go there one day?
Lulu
Dear Lulu,
It is permissible to define part of a water hazard as a water hazard in the play of one hole and as a lateral water hazard in the play of another hole (Decision 33-2a/7). If this is a permanent designation, then it would probably be best if it were printed on the scorecard.
With regard to your island green, the Committee has several options. If they mark the side of the hazard that abuts the green with yellow stakes, you must return to the tee to hit your next shot; if they mark it with red stakes, you would have the additional option under Rule 26-1c of dropping within two club-lengths and no closer to the hole; if they mark it with red stakes and it is not possible to drop the ball without dropping it nearer to the hole, they can establish one or more dropping zones. Since there is no indication of how the hazard should be treated if you hit the green and roll back into the water, then you are proceeding correctly by returning to the tee to hit your next shot.
You are making it sound very tempting to play golf in Sevilla. Perhaps I will return one day.
Linda
Copyright © 2008 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Ask Linda #71-red- and yellow-staked hazards
Hi Linda,
I've been looking through your blog for an answer to my question, but haven't quite found it. My question is; If you hit a ball over a yellow staked water hazard, reach the other side but roll back into the water through red stakes, where do you drop? Should you cross the water again or drop near the red stakes?
Greetings from Spain,
Lulu
Dear Lulu,
It is not unusual to find a water hazard where one portion is marked with yellow stakes (indicating a water hazard), and another portion is marked with red stakes (indicating a lateral water hazard). This is most common when hazards are L-shaped. The key to understanding whether to take relief under the water hazard or lateral water hazard relief options is paying attention to where your ball LAST CROSSED the margin of the hazard.
If I’m reading your question correctly, your ball passed over the yellow stakes, landed on the other side of the hazard past the red stakes, and then rolled back into the hazard. This ball LAST CROSSED the margin of the hazard through red stakes, so you may drop the ball within two club-lengths of the red stakes, no closer to the hole (Rule 26-1c).
You still have the other two dropping options available to you under Rule 26-1a and b. You may play a ball from where you hit your last shot, or you may drop a ball anywhere behind the hazard on a line that goes from the hole through the point where your ball last crossed the margin of the hazard.
Please remember to assess yourself a one-stroke penalty unless you hit the ball where it lies in the hazard.
While we’re on the topic of water hazards, I would like to remind my readers that if they hit a ball over a water hazard that is marked entirely with yellow stakes and the ball lands past the hazard boundary on the other side and then rolls back into the hazard, you must drop that ball BEHIND the hazard. Perhaps the best way to remember this is to ask yourself: Where is the ball? In this case, it is in the water hazard. The relief options for a ball in a water hazard both require that you hit the ball across the hazard. The only difference when your ball crosses a water hazard and rolls back in is that your point of reference for taking relief is where the ball LAST crossed the hazard. Note where your ball rolled back into the hazard; draw a line from the hole, through that point, across the hazard and back as far as you wish; drop anywhere on that line.
Incidentally, Lulu, I spent my junior year in Spain studying at the Universidad de Sevilla. There are many wonderful golf courses in Spain, but I never played any of them since I didn’t start playing golf until many years later. I hope you are thoroughly enjoying your Spanish golfing experience.
Best regards from New Jersey,
Linda
Copyright © 2008 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
I've been looking through your blog for an answer to my question, but haven't quite found it. My question is; If you hit a ball over a yellow staked water hazard, reach the other side but roll back into the water through red stakes, where do you drop? Should you cross the water again or drop near the red stakes?
Greetings from Spain,
Lulu
Dear Lulu,
It is not unusual to find a water hazard where one portion is marked with yellow stakes (indicating a water hazard), and another portion is marked with red stakes (indicating a lateral water hazard). This is most common when hazards are L-shaped. The key to understanding whether to take relief under the water hazard or lateral water hazard relief options is paying attention to where your ball LAST CROSSED the margin of the hazard.
If I’m reading your question correctly, your ball passed over the yellow stakes, landed on the other side of the hazard past the red stakes, and then rolled back into the hazard. This ball LAST CROSSED the margin of the hazard through red stakes, so you may drop the ball within two club-lengths of the red stakes, no closer to the hole (Rule 26-1c).
You still have the other two dropping options available to you under Rule 26-1a and b. You may play a ball from where you hit your last shot, or you may drop a ball anywhere behind the hazard on a line that goes from the hole through the point where your ball last crossed the margin of the hazard.
Please remember to assess yourself a one-stroke penalty unless you hit the ball where it lies in the hazard.
While we’re on the topic of water hazards, I would like to remind my readers that if they hit a ball over a water hazard that is marked entirely with yellow stakes and the ball lands past the hazard boundary on the other side and then rolls back into the hazard, you must drop that ball BEHIND the hazard. Perhaps the best way to remember this is to ask yourself: Where is the ball? In this case, it is in the water hazard. The relief options for a ball in a water hazard both require that you hit the ball across the hazard. The only difference when your ball crosses a water hazard and rolls back in is that your point of reference for taking relief is where the ball LAST crossed the hazard. Note where your ball rolled back into the hazard; draw a line from the hole, through that point, across the hazard and back as far as you wish; drop anywhere on that line.
Incidentally, Lulu, I spent my junior year in Spain studying at the Universidad de Sevilla. There are many wonderful golf courses in Spain, but I never played any of them since I didn’t start playing golf until many years later. I hope you are thoroughly enjoying your Spanish golfing experience.
Best regards from New Jersey,
Linda
Copyright © 2008 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Ask Linda #70-illegal rangefinder
Linda, I bought a top of the line rangefinder that takes slope into account when measuring distance. I took it to a tournament where they were allowing the use of rangefinders, and was told I couldn’t use mine. Why not? I was really mad.
Lou Lou
Dear Lou Lou,
This is spelled out in the rule book, Lou, but you have to read the Appendix to find it. The use of distance measuring devices, or rangefinders, is still prohibited in the main body of the rule book (Rule 14-3b). However, a Committee is allowed to make a Local Rule that allows players to use devices that measure distance only.
If you look at Specimen Rule 9 in Part B of Appendix I (at the end of the rule book immediately following Rule 34), you will see that the Local Rule for using distance measuring devices specifies that any device used must measure distance only. If the device measures other conditions that might affect play (e.g., slope, wind, temperature), the player is not permitted to use it, even if he doesn’t activate those functions. The penalty for bringing such a device onto the course during a tournament is disqualification.
Distance measuring devices that are not permitted for tournament play should be labeled as such on the packaging. A well-trained and considerate salesman should warn players purchasing these devices that their use is not permitted in tournament play.
Linda
Copyright © 2008 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
Lou Lou
Dear Lou Lou,
This is spelled out in the rule book, Lou, but you have to read the Appendix to find it. The use of distance measuring devices, or rangefinders, is still prohibited in the main body of the rule book (Rule 14-3b). However, a Committee is allowed to make a Local Rule that allows players to use devices that measure distance only.
If you look at Specimen Rule 9 in Part B of Appendix I (at the end of the rule book immediately following Rule 34), you will see that the Local Rule for using distance measuring devices specifies that any device used must measure distance only. If the device measures other conditions that might affect play (e.g., slope, wind, temperature), the player is not permitted to use it, even if he doesn’t activate those functions. The penalty for bringing such a device onto the course during a tournament is disqualification.
Distance measuring devices that are not permitted for tournament play should be labeled as such on the packaging. A well-trained and considerate salesman should warn players purchasing these devices that their use is not permitted in tournament play.
Linda
Copyright © 2008 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
Ask Linda #69-donuts and devices
Linda,
I played in a tournament this week and noticed another player slipping a donut on his club and taking a few swings before hitting his drives. Is this allowed?
Lou Lou
Dear Lou Lou,
Once a player has begun his round he is not permitted to use any device that is designed as a training or swing aid. Rule 14-3 prohibits the use of an artificial device that assists the golfer in his play. If a player uses such items as weighted headcovers or donuts during his round, he is in breach of Rule 14-3 and will be disqualified (Decision 14-3/10).
Linda
Copyright © 2008 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
I played in a tournament this week and noticed another player slipping a donut on his club and taking a few swings before hitting his drives. Is this allowed?
Lou Lou
Dear Lou Lou,
Once a player has begun his round he is not permitted to use any device that is designed as a training or swing aid. Rule 14-3 prohibits the use of an artificial device that assists the golfer in his play. If a player uses such items as weighted headcovers or donuts during his round, he is in breach of Rule 14-3 and will be disqualified (Decision 14-3/10).
Linda
Copyright © 2008 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Ask Linda #68-computing Handicap Index®
Ask Linda #68-computing Handicap Index®
Linda,
I thought you might know the answer to this question. I just got a new index run. Do you know why there is an R after my index?
Thanks,
Lulu
Dear Lulu,
In order to answer your question, Lulu, I will have to take you on a brief tour of how your Handicap Index is computed.
If you will take a look at your most recent score history, you will notice a column on the far right called “Diff.,” which is short for “differential. The differential is based on the difficulty of each course you play; simply put, it is the difference between your score and what you might be expected to shoot if you were a scratch player. [The formula is as follows: Handicap Differential = (Adjusted Gross Score – USGA Course Rating) X 113 / Slope Rating. Your handicap computation service –GHIN, in your case– does the math for you, thank goodness!]
In computing your Handicap Index, your best (lowest) ten differentials of your last 20 scores is averaged. That average is then multiplied by .96. The most important thing to learn from this computation is that your index does not represent an average of how you usually play, but rather the score you might be expected to shoot on your best day. It is your dream score, and you are not expected to score that well more than 25% of the time.
Most players do not score as well in tournaments as they do in regular, daily play. But every rule has its exception, and for those players who score significantly better in tournaments, the USGA uses a formula for reducing those players’ Handicap Indexes to more accurately reflect their potential.
Take another look at your score history. At the bottom, you will notice a section called “Two Lowest Eligible Tournament Scores.” These scores are kept around for one year. They will figure in the calculation of your Handicap Index at each revision if the differential (that pesky number in the far right column) is as low or lower than your ten lowest differentials of your last 20 scores.
Now that you understand how your Handicap Index is calculated, I can explain why it has been reduced and now sports that “R” next to it. The USGA reduces your Handicap Index if you have what they consider to be “exceptional tournament scores.” A tournament score is “exceptional” if the differential is at least 3.0 lower than your Handicap Index. Once you have two such exceptional tournament scores, your Handicap Index is reduced according to a complicated mathematical process. If you would like to read about that process, paste the following link into your web browser:
http://www.usga.org/playing/handicaps/manual/manual.html
On the left, click on Section 10, USGA Handicap Formula. On the right, click on Section 10-3, Reduction of USGA Handicap Index Based on Exceptional Tournament Scores.
So, Lulu, this is a good news-bad news story for you. The good news is you have played very well in a couple of tournaments this year – congratulations! The bad news is that your handicap computation service has noticed your success and has adjusted your index to reflect your true potential. If you think about this for a moment, I hope you will agree that this is a fair system with the lofty goal of making competition between golfers of varying skills fair and equitable.
Linda
Copyright © 2008 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
Linda,
I thought you might know the answer to this question. I just got a new index run. Do you know why there is an R after my index?
Thanks,
Lulu
Dear Lulu,
In order to answer your question, Lulu, I will have to take you on a brief tour of how your Handicap Index is computed.
If you will take a look at your most recent score history, you will notice a column on the far right called “Diff.,” which is short for “differential. The differential is based on the difficulty of each course you play; simply put, it is the difference between your score and what you might be expected to shoot if you were a scratch player. [The formula is as follows: Handicap Differential = (Adjusted Gross Score – USGA Course Rating) X 113 / Slope Rating. Your handicap computation service –GHIN, in your case– does the math for you, thank goodness!]
In computing your Handicap Index, your best (lowest) ten differentials of your last 20 scores is averaged. That average is then multiplied by .96. The most important thing to learn from this computation is that your index does not represent an average of how you usually play, but rather the score you might be expected to shoot on your best day. It is your dream score, and you are not expected to score that well more than 25% of the time.
Most players do not score as well in tournaments as they do in regular, daily play. But every rule has its exception, and for those players who score significantly better in tournaments, the USGA uses a formula for reducing those players’ Handicap Indexes to more accurately reflect their potential.
Take another look at your score history. At the bottom, you will notice a section called “Two Lowest Eligible Tournament Scores.” These scores are kept around for one year. They will figure in the calculation of your Handicap Index at each revision if the differential (that pesky number in the far right column) is as low or lower than your ten lowest differentials of your last 20 scores.
Now that you understand how your Handicap Index is calculated, I can explain why it has been reduced and now sports that “R” next to it. The USGA reduces your Handicap Index if you have what they consider to be “exceptional tournament scores.” A tournament score is “exceptional” if the differential is at least 3.0 lower than your Handicap Index. Once you have two such exceptional tournament scores, your Handicap Index is reduced according to a complicated mathematical process. If you would like to read about that process, paste the following link into your web browser:
http://www.usga.org/playing/handicaps/manual/manual.html
On the left, click on Section 10, USGA Handicap Formula. On the right, click on Section 10-3, Reduction of USGA Handicap Index Based on Exceptional Tournament Scores.
So, Lulu, this is a good news-bad news story for you. The good news is you have played very well in a couple of tournaments this year – congratulations! The bad news is that your handicap computation service has noticed your success and has adjusted your index to reflect your true potential. If you think about this for a moment, I hope you will agree that this is a fair system with the lofty goal of making competition between golfers of varying skills fair and equitable.
Linda
Copyright © 2008 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Ask Linda #67-flagstick etiquette
Dear Linda,
What should I do with the flagstick after I take it out of the hole? I notice people just dropping it on the green. Is it okay to do that?
Lulu
Dear Lulu,
Dropping the flagstick on the green is a no-no, Lulu. Players should be very careful not to damage the putting green when they lay the flagstick down. Dropping it is bound to leave a dent on the green.
Ideally, the flagstick should be removed and gently laid on the fringe. That procedure has two clear benefits: (1) no chance of damage to the green, and (2) the flagstick will be out of everyone’s way.
As long as we’re discussing flagstick etiquette, I’m going to sneak in a pace of play suggestion. Once everyone’s ball is on the green, the player whose ball is closest to the hole should remove the flagstick (and place it on the fringe). The first player who holes his putt should retrieve the flagstick and replace it as soon as the last person holes out.
I’m glad to see you’re concerned about taking care of the course, Lulu. Your fellow golfers and your course greenkeeper will appreciate your efforts.
Linda
Copyright © 2008 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
What should I do with the flagstick after I take it out of the hole? I notice people just dropping it on the green. Is it okay to do that?
Lulu
Dear Lulu,
Dropping the flagstick on the green is a no-no, Lulu. Players should be very careful not to damage the putting green when they lay the flagstick down. Dropping it is bound to leave a dent on the green.
Ideally, the flagstick should be removed and gently laid on the fringe. That procedure has two clear benefits: (1) no chance of damage to the green, and (2) the flagstick will be out of everyone’s way.
As long as we’re discussing flagstick etiquette, I’m going to sneak in a pace of play suggestion. Once everyone’s ball is on the green, the player whose ball is closest to the hole should remove the flagstick (and place it on the fringe). The first player who holes his putt should retrieve the flagstick and replace it as soon as the last person holes out.
I’m glad to see you’re concerned about taking care of the course, Lulu. Your fellow golfers and your course greenkeeper will appreciate your efforts.
Linda
Copyright © 2008 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Ask Linda #66-moving a tee marker
Dear Linda,
One of my buddies popped up his tee shot and it landed right next to one of the red tee markers. Is he allowed to move the tee marker to hit his ball?
Lou Lou
Dear Lou Lou,
Before you hit your tee shot, you are not permitted to move the tee markers that are on your tee box (Rule 11-2). If you move those tee markers because they interfere with the stance you wish to take, you will incur a two-stroke penalty (loss of hole in match play). If you move them because you don’t like where they are placed (perhaps you think they’re too close together, or too far back, or aimed in the wrong direction), then you would have to replace them before you or any other player teed off (and incur a two-stroke penalty or loss of hole in match play) or you would be disqualified (Decision 11-2/2).
However, the tee markers that are located on another tee box are not your tee markers. When your buddy’s ball landed next to the forward tee marker, that marker was considered an obstruction. Since tee markers are designed to be movable, he was entitled to move that tee marker before hitting his ball. Please remind him to replace the marker in its same location after the shot.
While we’re on the subject of moving tee markers, please note that there is no penalty for moving a tee marker if you trip over it or even if you kick it intentionally or hit it with a club. Just make sure you replace it.
Linda
Copyright © 2008 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
One of my buddies popped up his tee shot and it landed right next to one of the red tee markers. Is he allowed to move the tee marker to hit his ball?
Lou Lou
Dear Lou Lou,
Before you hit your tee shot, you are not permitted to move the tee markers that are on your tee box (Rule 11-2). If you move those tee markers because they interfere with the stance you wish to take, you will incur a two-stroke penalty (loss of hole in match play). If you move them because you don’t like where they are placed (perhaps you think they’re too close together, or too far back, or aimed in the wrong direction), then you would have to replace them before you or any other player teed off (and incur a two-stroke penalty or loss of hole in match play) or you would be disqualified (Decision 11-2/2).
However, the tee markers that are located on another tee box are not your tee markers. When your buddy’s ball landed next to the forward tee marker, that marker was considered an obstruction. Since tee markers are designed to be movable, he was entitled to move that tee marker before hitting his ball. Please remind him to replace the marker in its same location after the shot.
While we’re on the subject of moving tee markers, please note that there is no penalty for moving a tee marker if you trip over it or even if you kick it intentionally or hit it with a club. Just make sure you replace it.
Linda
Copyright © 2008 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Ask Linda #65-competing from different tees
Dear Linda,
At our course we play a lot of net tournaments where three different sets of tees are in use. The men play from the White tees, the senior men from the Gold tees, and the women from the Red tees. There is some disagreement as to how to fairly set the handicaps, with some people insisting that we use only each player’s course handicap, and others suggesting that we also have to take the course rating into consideration. Is there a set procedure for assigning handicaps to players of both genders playing from different tees?
Lulu and Lou Lou
Dear Lulu and Lou Lou,
One of the beauties of golf is that players of both sexes and any playing ability can compete fairly. In order to level the playing field in a net tournament, you must take into account both the player’s Course Handicap® and the Course Rating®.
I am going to skip the philosophy lesson and take you straight to the solution.
Step 1: Look up each player’s Course Handicap (CH). Remember that you have players on three different sets of tees, each of which has a different slope rating, so be sure that you find each player’s Course Handicap for the particular set of tees from which he or she is playing. If there is no chart at your golf course, you can find a Course Handicap Table online at usga.org. Paste this link into your web browser:
http://www.usga.org/playing/handicaps/calculator/course_handicap_calculator.asp
If you want to do the math yourself, here is the formula to find a player’s CH:
Handicap Index x Slope Rating of tees played, and then divide by 113. Round the result to a whole number (.5 or more rounds up; .4 or less rounds down).
Step 2: If the competition is a team tournament, then the Committee in charge of the competition may determine that men will play to 90% of their CH, and women to 95%. You would apply that reduction in this step. Remember to round the result to a whole number.
Step 3: Now that you have established a CH for each player (which is based on the slope rating from each set of tees), you must next take into account the other measure of difficulty, which is the course rating. (If the White tees, for example, are rated 68.5/118, the 118 represents the slope rating and the 68.5 represents the course rating). Compute the difference in the course rating from one tee to another (remember to round), and then add the extra handicap strokes to the player playing from the higher rated set of tees. Alternately, you can subtract the difference in handicap strokes from the player playing from the lower rated set of tees.
When you have three sets of tees, you have to choose one set to serve as your standard tee, and then add or subtract strokes to players on the other sets of tees based on whether their course rating is higher or lower.
All of this may be easier to understand if I provide an example. Let’s use the following ratings:
White tees: 70.2/121
Gold tees: 68.4/114
Red tees: 71.5/124
I am going to choose the White tees for my standard tee, since the rating from the Red tees is a little harder and the rating from the Gold tees is easier. [You may choose any tee to serve as your standard tee.]
My imaginary tournament will be an individual (not a team) tournament. Players should get their full handicap in an individual tournament, so I am not applying a handicap allowance and will skip Step 2.
Step 1: Look up each player’s Course Handicap using the slope rating for his or her assigned tees.
Step 2: Skip this step in an individual tournament.
Step 3:
• All men playing from the White tees (my standard tee) receive their full Course Handicap.
• For men playing from the Gold tees, subtract 2 points from each player’s Course Handicap (70.2 – 68.4 = 1.8 rounded to 2).
• For women playing from the Reds, add 1 point to each player’s Course Handicap
(71.5 – 70.2 = 1.3 rounded to 1).
Here is how it would work for three players with the same handicap index playing from the three tees on my imaginary course, using the White tees as the standard:
• Bill, with a Handicap Index of 15.3, playing from the White tees where his Course Handicap is 16, will have a handicap for this tournament of 16 (no adjustment for the difference in course rating, since the White tees are the standard tees in this tournament).
• Jack, with a Handicap Index of 15.3, playing from the Gold tees where his Course Handicap is 15, will have a handicap for this tournament of 13 (the course rating from the Gold tees is two strokes easier than the course rating from the White tees.)
• Amy, with a Handicap Index of 15.3, playing from the Red tees where her Course Handicap is 17, will have a handicap for this tournament of 18 (the course rating from the Red tees is one stroke harder than the course rating from the White tees.)
For a more detailed explanation of how to adjust the handicaps for players competing from different tees, or for men and women competing from the same tees, you can read Section 3-5 in The USGA Handicap System manual which is available online at the USGA website. Paste this link into your web browser:
http://www.usga.org/playing/handicaps/manual/manual.html
Click on Section 3 (The Player) on the left side, and then click on Section 3-5 on the right side.
If you take the time to accurately adjust each player’s handicap, you should have a fair and equitable tournament for everyone. Remember, it’s at least a two step process. You must first establish each player’s Course Handicap, and you must then add the difference in Course Rating to the Course Handicap of the players playing from the higher rated set of tees (or subtract the difference in Course Rating from the Course Handicap of the players playing from the lower rated set of tees). With three sets of tees, there is the possibility that both addition and subtraction will be involved.
I hope you were paying attention in school when they taught you how to add and subtract decimals!
Linda
Copyright © 2008 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
At our course we play a lot of net tournaments where three different sets of tees are in use. The men play from the White tees, the senior men from the Gold tees, and the women from the Red tees. There is some disagreement as to how to fairly set the handicaps, with some people insisting that we use only each player’s course handicap, and others suggesting that we also have to take the course rating into consideration. Is there a set procedure for assigning handicaps to players of both genders playing from different tees?
Lulu and Lou Lou
Dear Lulu and Lou Lou,
One of the beauties of golf is that players of both sexes and any playing ability can compete fairly. In order to level the playing field in a net tournament, you must take into account both the player’s Course Handicap® and the Course Rating®.
I am going to skip the philosophy lesson and take you straight to the solution.
Step 1: Look up each player’s Course Handicap (CH). Remember that you have players on three different sets of tees, each of which has a different slope rating, so be sure that you find each player’s Course Handicap for the particular set of tees from which he or she is playing. If there is no chart at your golf course, you can find a Course Handicap Table online at usga.org. Paste this link into your web browser:
http://www.usga.org/playing/handicaps/calculator/course_handicap_calculator.asp
If you want to do the math yourself, here is the formula to find a player’s CH:
Handicap Index x Slope Rating of tees played, and then divide by 113. Round the result to a whole number (.5 or more rounds up; .4 or less rounds down).
Step 2: If the competition is a team tournament, then the Committee in charge of the competition may determine that men will play to 90% of their CH, and women to 95%. You would apply that reduction in this step. Remember to round the result to a whole number.
Step 3: Now that you have established a CH for each player (which is based on the slope rating from each set of tees), you must next take into account the other measure of difficulty, which is the course rating. (If the White tees, for example, are rated 68.5/118, the 118 represents the slope rating and the 68.5 represents the course rating). Compute the difference in the course rating from one tee to another (remember to round), and then add the extra handicap strokes to the player playing from the higher rated set of tees. Alternately, you can subtract the difference in handicap strokes from the player playing from the lower rated set of tees.
When you have three sets of tees, you have to choose one set to serve as your standard tee, and then add or subtract strokes to players on the other sets of tees based on whether their course rating is higher or lower.
All of this may be easier to understand if I provide an example. Let’s use the following ratings:
White tees: 70.2/121
Gold tees: 68.4/114
Red tees: 71.5/124
I am going to choose the White tees for my standard tee, since the rating from the Red tees is a little harder and the rating from the Gold tees is easier. [You may choose any tee to serve as your standard tee.]
My imaginary tournament will be an individual (not a team) tournament. Players should get their full handicap in an individual tournament, so I am not applying a handicap allowance and will skip Step 2.
Step 1: Look up each player’s Course Handicap using the slope rating for his or her assigned tees.
Step 2: Skip this step in an individual tournament.
Step 3:
• All men playing from the White tees (my standard tee) receive their full Course Handicap.
• For men playing from the Gold tees, subtract 2 points from each player’s Course Handicap (70.2 – 68.4 = 1.8 rounded to 2).
• For women playing from the Reds, add 1 point to each player’s Course Handicap
(71.5 – 70.2 = 1.3 rounded to 1).
Here is how it would work for three players with the same handicap index playing from the three tees on my imaginary course, using the White tees as the standard:
• Bill, with a Handicap Index of 15.3, playing from the White tees where his Course Handicap is 16, will have a handicap for this tournament of 16 (no adjustment for the difference in course rating, since the White tees are the standard tees in this tournament).
• Jack, with a Handicap Index of 15.3, playing from the Gold tees where his Course Handicap is 15, will have a handicap for this tournament of 13 (the course rating from the Gold tees is two strokes easier than the course rating from the White tees.)
• Amy, with a Handicap Index of 15.3, playing from the Red tees where her Course Handicap is 17, will have a handicap for this tournament of 18 (the course rating from the Red tees is one stroke harder than the course rating from the White tees.)
For a more detailed explanation of how to adjust the handicaps for players competing from different tees, or for men and women competing from the same tees, you can read Section 3-5 in The USGA Handicap System manual which is available online at the USGA website. Paste this link into your web browser:
http://www.usga.org/playing/handicaps/manual/manual.html
Click on Section 3 (The Player) on the left side, and then click on Section 3-5 on the right side.
If you take the time to accurately adjust each player’s handicap, you should have a fair and equitable tournament for everyone. Remember, it’s at least a two step process. You must first establish each player’s Course Handicap, and you must then add the difference in Course Rating to the Course Handicap of the players playing from the higher rated set of tees (or subtract the difference in Course Rating from the Course Handicap of the players playing from the lower rated set of tees). With three sets of tees, there is the possibility that both addition and subtraction will be involved.
I hope you were paying attention in school when they taught you how to add and subtract decimals!
Linda
Copyright © 2008 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
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