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Handicaps

• B336659 6 Posts

  Fri, May 3 2013 2:06 PM

  It sure would be nice if, in addition, to various tiers, WGT would handicap players as is done in real life.  This would allow better competion across tiers and at tournaments.

• alosso 21,094 Posts

  Fri, May 3 2013 2:55 PM

  Amateurs have handicaps, not pros in Open Championships.

  Late edit: The average serves quite well as a substitute, IMHO.

• Wheels65 744 Posts

  Fri, May 3 2013 5:39 PM

  Agree - but this raises the issue of when do you start calculating the handicap - when you 'tier up', last 2 tiers, or last (X) number of rounds?  How do you account for people who punt a ranked round when they are doing poorly (My answer - include all up to the punt).
  
  IRL do 'practice rounds' count toward your handicap (I'm serious here people - I don't play because I'm too darned old {68} to start trying to dislocate my back to get some Vitamin D and fresh air)?
  Ifso - why not count them and produce a 'HANDICAP' number that, (at the very least,) indicates that you have a 'chance' in the match?  To me, if you pick up the club,  head for the course, and hit the 1st ball  - IT COUNTS!!
  
  I can understand that it is easier to avoid controversy (and potential lawsuits) by avoiding the 'handicap' issue - but also think that most of  the lower tier players would like to see it.

• PaulH0070 1,339 Posts

  Sat, May 4 2013 7:41 AM

  B336659:

   This would allow better competion across tiers and at tournaments.

  And that's the reason why it'll never be introduced. The big boys would have such a massive + handicap they'll never win anything.

  I run a handicap comp in my CC,  mainly to try to promote a level playing field (like you say) so everyone of all abilities can compete. It seems to work pretty well and over the last 20 odd games we've had I'd say we've had 14 different winners, from masters all the up to tour legends. In theory everyone has an equal chance.

  As above though, it is harsh on the better players. In our last round one of our TL's with a +12.67 handicap had a 54 and only came 6th after the handicaps were applied. The round was won by a tour master with a -0.48 handicap.

  But the theory is the better player will consistently hit around their handicap while the higher player will be a bit up and down, just like in real life. Swings and roundabouts really

• DAZZA501 5,972 Posts

  Sat, May 4 2013 7:51 AM

  Then players would sandbag their handicap as well as their tier.

  My advice is find a CC where everyone is of roughly the same ability and compete with them.

• courteneyfish 15,796 Posts

  Sat, May 4 2013 8:39 AM

  DAZZA501:

  My advice is find a CC where everyone is of roughly the same ability and compete with them.

  Do you happen to run such a club Dazza? :-)

• DAZZA501 5,972 Posts

  Sat, May 4 2013 8:43 AM

  courteneyfish:

  DAZZA501:

  My advice is find a CC where everyone is of roughly the same ability and compete with them.

  Do you happen to run such a club Dazza? :-)

  No not at all. Too many pesky Tour Legends shooting 26's :)