golf handicap calculation usga
Is the USGA handicap system fair to older golfer`s?
Course ratings are based on a “scratch” golfer and the course rating figures into the calculation of handicaps for all tees at a particular golf course.
The difference in tees at almost every course ever built is one of distance. When a course is rated the differential between tees does not make that much of difference for a scratch player and the ratings tend to show that there is only 1 or 2 strokes different between tees.
At the course where I and about 150 other senior`s play there is mass confusion on what our handicap really should be when we ; 1) play from longer tees in a tournament consisting of senior`s and non seniors who normally play the longer tees and 2) When our better playing senior`s,who normally play the longer tees, play the shorter tees during a “senior only tournament”.
In both cases the shorter hitting senior loses.
He only gaines 1 stroke for a +600 yard increase in total course distance in 1) above. In 2) above the better player only loses 1 stroke.
I don’t see what the problem is. With most handicapping systems in most sports (i.e. bowling, pool, etc) the best player still usually wins. And in golf, longer hitters usually win at every level, including the PGA Tour. If you feel the better players are winning too often, maybe you should suggest tournaments that separate players based on their handicap levels.
My guess is that the short hitting seniors probably have handicaps that are too low, but not because the system isn’t fair. The USGA’s calculations factor in which tees you’re playing from, but if the weakest part of their game is their overall distance, their handicap may (in theory) be too low. If they feel they’re not getting the appropriate advantage when playing from the short tees, they need to play from the back tees to get their handicap higher.
Caddy 04 USGA Handicap
