| Following much deliberation Golf Australia have formally announced that Australia will be gradually implementing a new handicapping system based upon the United States Golf
Association's Slope system.
The three initial changes are as follows:
A: 1st February 2010: Calculation of handicap will be based upon a "rolling sample" method.
From 1 February 2010 your handicap will be calculated from a rolling sample of your
previous 20 scores. If your record contains 20 scores, the best 10 handicap differentials will be used to calculate your handicap. As the number of scores in the players handicap record increases (starting at a minimum of 3 rounds), the % of these scores that are used to
calculate your handicap also increases. Once 20 scores are recorded the oldest round will drop off as new rounds are added to your record.
Your average differential is then multiplied by 0.96 (This is considered the "bonus for
excellence" factor. As your handicap gets lower it is calculated to provide you a slightly
better chance of recording a winning score).
The average is then not rounded but rather all digits after the tenths' digit is deleted (e.g. 23.6983 becomes 23.6). This is then rounded to the nearest whole number to become your current playing handicap.
B: 1st February 2010: Removal of the CCR (Calculated Course Rating)
This will be removed due to inaccuracy in the calculation of a courses difficulty. An example of this can be seen when the Black Tee course at Avondale rates easier on the same day then the White Tee course.
C: Date to be advised: For handicapping, all eligible scores to be converted to and
processed as Stableford scores.
This will be introduced to reduce the effect of high hole scores for handicap purposes in
order to make the handicaps more reflective of a players scoring potential. Another reason for this introduction is to ensure all handicaps are calculated in an equitable manner. It
currently could be the case where one player on a 10 handicap only plays Stroke events and another player on 10 only plays Stableford events and therefore the handicaps do not accurately reflect the skill levels of the two players.
Before this change is implemented it is likely in preparation we will need to introduce a kiosk style score entry station to allow for hole-by-hole scores to be entered by players for the
calculation of Stableford scores in all events.
The best known component of the USGA system is 'Slope'. However, until all course have been re-rated under the 'Slope' system other relevant changes such as those detailed above will be incrementally introduced. In summary, the 'Slope" rating will mean your
handicap will go up or down depending on the difficulty of the course you choose to play (e.g. If you play off 10 at Avondale your handicap may be reduced at a much simpler course or go up at a much more difficult course, this can also occur on the same course if you switch from playing the white tees to the black tees for instance).
For further information please visit www.golfaustralia.org.au or Google "Pope of Slope". |