As part of the transition to the World Handicap System, we will be changing our maximum score allowed per hole, with effect from 1 October 2019, to a Net Two Over Par (sometimes referred to as a Net Double Bogey).
The current method of determining your maximum score for the hole is a maximum of 2 over par, unless you have two Course Handicap strokes on a hole, in which case you must enter a 3 over par.
From 1st October 2019, the maximum score on any hole for your Handicap Score will be a Net Two Over Par (or Net Double Bogey), which is equal to Zero Stableford points. (Note: a net score on a hole is your Gross Score less any Course Handicap Strokes you have on that hole, while a Bogey is a 1-over-par score.)
Example:
If a golfer has a Course Handicap of 18, they get 1 handicap stroke per hole, so they must enter a maximum score of 3 over par on any hole where they blow out.
If a golfer has a handicap of 9, then on stroke holes 1 to 9 they must enter a maximum score of 3 over par on those holes and, on stroke holes 10 to 18, a maximum of 2 over par.
The following table gives a simple overview of the maximum score allowed for Handicap score entry purposes, based on the number of strokes the player receives on a hole.
If you are in any doubt about maximum scores, please ask your club to assist you. Alternatively, you can enter your actual gross score on each hole on your HNA Phone App, the club terminal or at www.handicaps.co.za. The system will automatically adjust your score to your maximum allowed on a hole according to your Course Handicap when you press “Enter Score”.
The effect of this change to the maximum score allowed on a hole will result in Handicap Indexes, on average, going up. However, the simultaneous change of the Handicap Calculation to the average of the best 8 of the last 20 scores on the 1st of October (as covered in this previous newsletter), should ensure that the overall effect on your handicap over time will be minimal.
This change should also have a negligible effect on the speed of play because currently most golfers continue to play until they have no Stableford points.
Quote of the Month
“Golf tips are like Aspirin: one may do you good, but if you swallow the whole bottle you’ll be lucky to survive.” – Harvey Penick
So effectively guys who have a 18 handicap must enter scores of +3 on all holes they ring. What happens if they ring 9 holes and par 9 holes. Effectively they would have shot their handicap. Now however, it will appear that they shot 36 and 63 = 99 – which is 27 over par… a far cry above 18. How do you stop the high handicappers, who already win most competitions, from increasing their handicaps even more? What am i not understanding here?
Hi Damian, assuming they’re playing to the best of their ability, players’ HI will be precisely what it has to be—whether that’s 0 or 54. Many low-handicapped players seem to be sceptical of this notion, but some players can legitimately only compete off a very high handicap, and it would be very unfair to deny them that handicap simply because low-handicapped golfers want to be protected from the small minority of golfers who are dishonest. Moreover, the scope for handicap manipulation is just as large among the lower handicaps. The better solution here, we believe, is for golfers to check up on their fellow players and hold them accountable for any irregularities. But even then, unfortunately, it would be possible for a player to manipulate their HI if they really wished to. I mean, it’s very difficult to prove that a player is playing badly on purpose…
It is essential for every Club to have an active Handicapper who has the respect of his fellow Members. One who has the skill to communicate effectively, act responsibly, with discretion and without fear or favour. It is very important that the Members know they can bring any information to the attention of the Handicapper and it will be dealt with in total confidentially. The Handicapper should ideally have contacts with other clubs so important information is shared. This brief ‘job’ description will make every golfer think very carefully about any oversight on their part.