


	Site last updated on: 02 January 2009

Most members will have a clear understanding of the simple system used to calculate the society averages. Indeed many will use this knowledge in their selection of events and even adjust their tactics during the round to take advantage of the subtleties of the system.

For those of you who don’t - the 2004 explanation is set out below.

Has it changed since then? You’ll have to ask the handicap committee.




	Working out the numbers after the match

HRCHGS HANDICAPPING SYSTEM

Overview

The system attempts to give everyone a handicap which reasonably reflects their golfing prowess.
The system penalises winners and runners up so that they have less chance of winning again during a season.
Handicaps are based on the average of a member’s 6 best scores during the last 24 months. Thus, hopefully, handicaps will reflect a member’s (proven) capability.
Handicaps are recalculated after each HRCHGS match, based on a 24 month rolling average.
Handicaps can go up as well as down.
Maximum handicap is 36.
Handicaps cannot exceed a member’s official club handicap.
Division 2 is for handicaps of 26 and above.

DETAILS (for those who like the numbers)

For each match, we start with shots taken in excess of par. For example, a 24 handicapper who scores 28 points is deemed to have taken 32 shots over par. (In theory, people should score 36 points which, for this player, would mean 24 over par).
This figure is then adjusted to reflect the degree of difficulty of each course on the day. For example, if the average stableford points scored for a particular match is 24 whereas the average for all competitions during the last 24 months is 26, we add half of (24-26).
We then take the average of the six best scores in the last 24 months and multiply by 90% (don’t ask).
The resulting figure, which is set to a minimum of any official club handicap or a special cut handicap following a win, is then the player’s handicap for the next outing.
For members who have played less than 6 matches, their handicap is based on the average of all their scores.

WINNERS AND RUNNERS-UP

Match winners in both divisions receive a cut of 15%, and Runners Up a cut of 10%.
This (cut) handicap lasts for the remainder of the season, unless of course a recalculated HRCHGS handicap or an official club handicap becomes lower, or he gets cut yet again. A season runs from the first match after a Tour to the last match of the next Tour - normally 9 matches.
At the start of every season, handicaps are reworked ignoring any cuts imposed as a result of winning or coming second during the previous season.

Chris Wright
January 2004


	[Home] [Contacts] [Bike Ride] [Social Events] [Constitution] [Archives] [Golf Tour] [Events] [Results] [Handicap System] [Standings 2008/9] [Match Manager] [Minutes] [AGM]