| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 356.1 | how to use slope | PLATA::BILLINGSLEA | Passio Passiva | Tue Aug 09 1988 12:26 | 58 |
| re: < Note 356.0 by TRCO01::ROSS >
� I have recently come across a new golf term. If it is not new,
� it is certainly new to me.
�
� It seems somehow to relate to a course rating and has something
� to do with handicap. (I think)
�
� What the hell is "SLOPE" ???????
I'm not sure I can *really* tell you what it is, but I can explain one
way that it is used.
First, I don't believe it is used in calculating your USGA (or whatever
it is in Canada, CSGA?) Handicap Index. Here's why...
In the Colorado SHAG book (Schedule, Handicap and Association Guide) is
says,
"Since the Slope System is still optional, some state
associations have not yet implemented it. Colorado players
traveling to a region where Slope is not in effect will use
their Home Course Handicap when competing in that region.
Scores made in that region will be posted for handicap
purposes, using an average (113) Slope Rating."
So, I believe it is not used to "calculate" your "official" handicap.
However, if you go to a place where the Slope System is implemented you
would do the following:
1. Look for the Course Handicap Conversion Tables at the
course you are going to play. (I have a copy of the
ratings from SLOPE = 75 through SLOPE =150).
2. Take your USGA Handicap index, and find what that
converts to for the course handicap.
Here is an example,
At Denver Country Club, the Slope Rating from the middle
tees is 131. A player with a Handicap Index of 13.2 finds
the range that includes that Index on the Slope Rating 131
table (12.6 to 13.3) and notes he plays to a Course Handicap
of 15.
The same player from the middle tees at Indian Tree Golf
Course (Slope Rating of 103) would find his Index in the 12.7
to 13.7 range on the Slope Rating 103 table opposite a Course
Handicap of 12.
I don't know how a course gets it's Slope Rating. Maybe the total
yardage has something to do with it. Also, I don't know the formula
for calculating the tables (if someone does, can you place it here?).
It seems to be another variable in the effort to make the competition
more equitable. For me the Slope of a course is a better indication of
how difficult it plays vs. the Course Rating (my $.02).
I hope this helped.
|
| 356.2 | One man's explanation | ENGINE::WARFIELD | Gone Golfing | Tue Aug 09 1988 14:02 | 46 |
|
Let's see if I can explain slope easily. The course rating for a course
is the score that a scratch golfer would average playing that course. Formerly
handicaps were computed just off the course rating. However they found that
a 16 handicap golfer at a difficult course like Cypress Point, Pine Valley,
etc. was consistently a better golfer than a 16 handicap golfer at your
average pitch & putt municipal course. They devised the slope rating system
to even out these inequities based upon the principle that hazards & obsticles
that wouldn't adversely affect the scratch golfer could be very real problems
for a higher handicap golfer. For example a 190 yard par 3 with a tee shot
requiring a long carry over water would be very difficult for your average
bogey golfer but would not be a problem for a scratch golfer.
They compute the slope rating for a course by taking into affect things
like the width of fairways, # & position of bunkers, how much water comes
into play, size of the greens, etc. The theoretical average course would
have a slope rating of 113. More difficult courses (for the high handicap
golfer) have higher ratings; less difficult have lower ratings.
Two handicap numbers are computed. Your USGA handicap reflects what your
handicap would be on the average course. The other handicap is your home
handicap. This is the one that you play off of at your local club. If you
were to go to another club to play a match you would take your USGA handicap
and look up the equivalent home handicap for that course/tees that you were
playing. You would use that number to determine the number of strokes
you would get in your match.
For example I generally play at Stow Acres on the South Course. The course
rating is 70.5 the slope rating is 120 (slightly above average). My home
handicap is 17 and my USGA handicap is 15.5.
The slope rating is calculated into the USGA handicap calculation. A grossly
oversimplified explanation of the handicap calculation is:
.96 * (Score - Rating) * 113
----------------------------
Slope
(I know that this avoids the discussion of averaging 10 of lowest 20
differentials, but that is covered elsewhere in this conference.)
I hope this expalnation helps. I have found that slope ratings are a good
guage of how difficult a course is. The better your game the less difference
you'll find between your USGA & Home handicap.
Larry
|
| 356.3 | First timers get a discount. | BIGALO::FREEMAN_KEVI | The Squeeky Wheel = Neglect | Tue Aug 09 1988 14:47 | 10 |
| My interpretation is simular but for different reasons. I was under
the impression that the course rating determined the difficulty,
based on a scratch/USGA PRO interpretation of the course,
and the slope factor was to indicate how difficult the course was
to an individual who was unfamiliar with the course. As an example
the course where a portion of our league plays is in an ole' cow
pasture 8^) and has rolling hills resulting in hidden hazards, and
you must place a shot to get a good lie. So you see, for the first
timer at the course, it's at least an indicator that you're in for more
than lesser sloped courses. Kevin,
|
| 356.4 | Straight fromt Golf House | RANGLY::STEVENS_JIM | | Tue Aug 09 1988 14:52 | 206 |
| For a detailed description, see section 4 and 5 of the USGA Handicap
System and Golf Committee Manual.
To quote from the front cover:
"The Slope System produces a USGA Handicap Index rather than
simply a USGA Handicap. It is expressed in strokes and decimal
fractions of a stroke. A USGA Handicap Index is converted to a "Course
Handicap" by means of a Course Handicap Table."
I realize most people don't have the above manual. I'd suggest you
write to the USGA and get one. It only costs $1 and is well worth
it.
For those of you who do not want to spend th dollar, here is section
4 and 5 prited WITHOUT permission.
Section 4
Handicap Differentials
1. How to determine handicap differentials - Slope System.
A handicap differential is computed by determining the difference
between the adjusted gross score and the USGA course rating,
multiplying the difference by 113, dividing thee resulting figure
by the USGA Slope Rating and rounding off to the nearest tenth.
a. PLUS DIFFERENTIAL
When the adjusted gross score is higher than the COurse Rating,
the handicap differnetial is a plus figure. Following is an example
for a course with a USGA Course Rating of 71.5 and a USGA Slope
Rating of 125.
Adjusted Score 95
USGA Course Rating 71.5
-----
Differennce 23.5
Handicap Differntial 113 x 23.5
---------- = 21.2
125
b. MINUS DIFFERENTIAL
When the adjusted gross score is lower than the Course Rating,
the handicap differential is s minus figure. Following is an example
for a course with a USGA Course Rating of 71.5 and a USGA Slope
Rating of 123:
Adjusted gross score 69
USGA Course Rating 71.5
----
Difference -2.5
Handicap Differential 113 x (-2.5)
------------ = -2.3
125
2. How to determine Handicap Differentials - Pre-SLope System
A handicap differntial is the difference between a players adjusted
gross score and the USGA COurse Rating. Handicap Differntials are
expressed in strokes and decimal fractions of a stroke.
a. PLUS DIFFERENTIAL
When the adjusted gross score is higher than the course rating,
the handicap differntial is a plus figure, as follows:
Adjusted gross score 95
USGA Course Rating 71.5
----
Handicap Differential 23.5
b. MINUS DIFFERENTIAL
When the adjusted gross score is lower than the course rating,
the handicap is a minus figure, as follows:
Adjusted Score 69
Course Rating 71.5
----
Handicap Differential -2.5
SECTION 5
USGA Handicap Formula - Slope System
1. USGA Handicap Index
A USGA Handicap Index is determed as follows:
a. Dtermine the handicap differentias by subtracting the
corresponding USGA Course Rating from each of the last 20 adjusted
gorsso scores and multiply each resulting value by 113. Divide this
result in each case by the corresponding USGA SLope Rating and round
off to the dearest tenth.
b. Total the lowest 10 handicap differentials and multiply the
result by .096. Delete all numbers fter the tenths digit (do not
round off the nearest tenth).
Following is the scoring record of a player which shows how
his USGA Handicap Index is determined:
Score
Date Adjusted USGA Minus USGA Handicap
Score Course Course Slope Differentials
Rating Rating Rating
12-21-96 90 70.1 19.9 116 19.4
12-12-86 91 70.1 20.9 116 20.4
11-24-86 94 72.3 21.7 123 19.9
11-20-86 88 70.1 17.9 116 17.4*
11-18-86 89 70.1 18.9 116 18.4
11-17-86 90 72.3 17.7 123 16.3*
11-16-86 91 72.3 18.7 123 17.2*
10-12-86 91 70.1 20.9 116 20.4
10-10-86 91 70.1 20.9 116 20.4
9-08-86 86 68.7 17.3 105 18.6
9-04-86 90 70.1 19.9 116 19.4
9-01-86 92 72.3 19.7 123 18.1*
8-24-86 85 68.0 17.0 107 18.0*
8-16-86 78 68.7 9.3 105 10.0*
8-12-86 82 70.1 11.9 116 11.6*
8-02-86 84 70.1 13.9 116 13.5*
7-14-86 94 72.3 21.7 123 19.9
7-05-86 93 72.3 20.7 123 19.0
7-04-86 89 72.3 16.7 123 15.3*
7-1-86 88 70.1 17.9 116 17.4*
* 10 lowest handicap differentials
Total of 10 lowest handciap differentials 154.8
Total mulitplied by .096 14.861
Delete all number after the tenths digit 14.8
USGA Handciap Index 14.8
2. Fewer than 20 available Scores
a. Fewer than 5 scores - No handicap
A USGA Handicap Index shall not be issued to a player who has
turned in fewer than five acceptable scores.
b. 5 to 19 scores
When at least 5 but fewer than 20 acceptable scores are available,
the formula used to determine a USGA Handicap Index is as follows:
(1) Determne the number of handicap differentials to be used
from the following table:
COLUMN 1 COLUMN II
-------- ---------
Differentials Differentials
Available To Be Used
----------- -----------
5 or 6 lowest 1
7 or 8 lowest 2
9 or 10 lowest 3
11 or 12 lowest 4
13 or 14 lowest 5
15 or 16 lowest 6
17 lowest 7
18 lowest 8
19 lowest 9
(2) Dtermine handicap differentials in accordance with the
procedure in section 4-1.
(3) Average the lowest handicap differentials to be used from
column II.
(4) Multiple this result by .96
(5) Delete all numbers after the tenths (do not round off)
EXAMPLE: 11 scores available (Column 1)
Total of lowest 4 differentials (Column II) 103.5
Average (103.5 divided by 4) 25.875
Multiple average by .96 24.84
Delete all numbers after the tenths digit 24.8
USGA handicap Index is 24.8
__________________________________________________________________
Wow, are my fingers tired...I think I need to hit the links...
Later,
Jim Stevens
Digital Augusta Golf League Handicapper
|
| 356.5 | Thanks for the info | ENGINE::WARFIELD | Gone Golfing | Tue Aug 09 1988 18:33 | 13 |
| > For those of you who do not want to spend th dollar, here is section
> 4 and 5 prited WITHOUT permission.
> Wow, are my fingers tired...I think I need to hit the links...
Thanks a lot for typing that in it answered several minor questions
that I was curious about.
> Jim Stevens
> Digital Augusta Golf League Handicapper
Now if it gets too cold in Augusta this winter you could always type
in the Decisions of Golf!
|
| 356.6 | moved here by moderator... | MSEE::KELLEY | Custom clubs/club repair | Fri Aug 11 1989 11:41 | 11 |
| <<< USER$1:[NOTES$LIBRARY]GOLF.NOTE;1 >>>
-< The Good Game >-
================================================================================
Note 715.0 Slope rating No replies
CSCMA::WHITE 4 lines 11-AUG-1989 10:34
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I played a course in Mashbee, called Willowbend, with a slope rating
of a 131. How does the slope rating work???? By the way it is a
super course if you get a chance to play it.
|
| 356.7 | | COMET::DVORAK | | Mon Aug 14 1989 14:02 | 8 |
| "SLOPE" is the rating of a course. The higher the "SLOPE" the tougher
the course. Using the handicap index from your USGA card and slope
rating listings will give you the strokes you get for each particular
course.
Slope of 131 and an index of 25=29 course handicap
Slope of 121 and an index of 25=27 " "
Slope of 111 and an index of 25=25 " "
|
| 356.8 | Seems counter intuitive. | DECWET::COLGATE | | Fri Oct 18 1991 15:16 | 18 |
| I don't have the original rule book (from where note .4 cam from), but the
formula for a negative differential seems counter intuitive.
On a hard course (where slope is > 113), one is penalized for scoring
a negative differential. The formula tends to move a differential towards
zero when the slope is > 113.
Using the example in the .4, if someone shot a 69 on a course whose
rating is 71.5 (slope is 125)(differential -2.5),the score gets
shifted towards zero. (handicapped differential -2.3).
If I shot a 69 on a course whose rating is 71.5, but whose slope is 100,
by handicapped differential would be -2.8, yet the course is considered
easier!!
Inquiring minds want to know.
Wim
|
| 356.9 | | NEWPRT::JOHNSON_DO | | Mon Oct 21 1991 14:25 | 14 |
| WIM,
I believe that the harder the course, the higher the slope, so it would
be very difficult tohave a course with a 71.5 course rating and a 100
slope.
Basically, a low score shot on the >113 slope courses is weighted more
than the scores shot on the <113 slope courses. The logic is that a
player shooting to a scratch handicap on >113 courses still gives
strokes to the player shooting scratch on <113 courses. Prior to
slope, I have seen guys with 15 handicaps on >125 courses come in and
kill similar (-15 handicaps) players on an average (113) course.
SoCalDandy
|
| 356.10 | | MKNME::DANIELE | | Mon Oct 21 1991 15:25 | 30 |
| > Basically, a low score shot on the >113 slope courses is weighted more
> than the scores shot on the <113 slope courses.
Well, this may just be semantics, but a score shot on a difficult course
is weighted LESS. That is, the differential computed for calculating
your index will be less.
Back to the question of negative differrential. I agree with .7 (or
thereabouts), it sounds wrong.
Course A is rated 70, slope 120, and course B is rated 70, slope
130. I shoot 80 on both courses. The slope will weight the 80 at
course B less (I get less of a positive differential), reflecting that
I (probably) played better to achieve the 80 at course B.
But now someone good shoots 68 at both courses. It seems like they
should get a larger (more negative) differential for shooting 68 at B,
since that would tend to drag their handicap down more. According
to the formula in .4, that doesn't happen. In fact, the harder the
course you shoot below par on, the less effect it has on your index!
Betcha it's a typo in .4, and the formula for negative index is
( score - rating ) x slope
--------------------------
113
Mike
|
| 356.11 | Rating versus slope | SONATA::FEENEY | non golfers live half a life | Tue Oct 22 1991 09:16 | 7 |
| The way it was explained to me is that the rating reflects what would be expected
of a scratch player and largely depends on distances and general degree of
difficulty for a scratch player. The slope reflects the number of traps, water
hazards, green slope etc..type of difficulty which give fits to the bogie golfer
but the scratch golfer avoids and/or deals with more effectively.
Regards Phil
|
| 356.12 | Try this Formula. | CTHQ3::OCONNOR | | Wed Oct 23 1991 09:59 | 7 |
| Mike, I think the formula is as follows:
(Adjusted score - course rating) X 113
--------------------------------------
Slope of the course
|
| 356.13 | negative formular... | TRLIAN::GORDON | | Wed Oct 23 1991 09:59 | 8 |
| re: .10
the formular for negative differential:
(score - rating) x 113
----------------------
slope
|
| 356.14 | go figure | MKNME::DANIELE | | Wed Oct 23 1991 10:54 | 30 |
| I can read too ;-) My point ( and I believe the point of the person
who opened the discussion on negative differentials ) is that that
formula doesn't seem to make sense when you shoot BELOW the rating.
Player A shoots 20 rounds, all 4 strokes below the course rating at a
course with slope = 110. Player B accomplishes the same feat, but his
course is Shattuck, rating = 148.
By this formula, A has an index 1 full stroke better (stronger) than B.
Clear nonsense.
Player A has a USGA index of -3.9 ...
Total of 10 lowest handciap differentials: 10 x { -4 x 113 } = -41.091
-----------------
110
Total mulitplied by .096: -3.945
Delete all number after the tenths digit: -3.9
Player B has a USGA index of -2.9 ...
Total of 10 lowest handciap differentials: 10 x { -4 x 113 } = -30.541
-----------------
148
Total mulitplied by .096: -2.93
Delete all number after the tenths digit: -2.9
Mike
|
| 356.15 | B is better what nonsense??? | TRLIAN::GORDON | | Wed Oct 23 1991 11:53 | 31 |
| > Player A shoots 20 rounds, all 4 strokes below the course rating at a
> course with slope = 110. Player B accomplishes the same feat, but his
> course is Shattuck, rating = 148.
> By this formula, A has an index 1 full stroke better (stronger) than B.
> Clear nonsense.
>Player A has a USGA index of -3.9 ...
>Player B has a USGA index of -2.9 ...
index
- 5.5
- 4.5
- 3.9 player A in example
- 3.5
- 2.9 player B in example
- 2.5
- 1.5
- 0.5
0.0 scratch golfer
+ 0.5
+ 1.5
+ 2.5
+ 3.5 pro golfer
+ 4.5
+ 5.5
|
| 356.16 | | MKNME::DANIELE | | Wed Oct 23 1991 12:29 | 58 |
| re: <<< Note 356.15 by TRLIAN::GORDON >>>
-< B is better what nonsense??? >-
index
- 5.5
- 4.5
- 3.9 player A in example
- 3.5
- 2.9 player B in example
- 2.5
- 1.5
- 0.5
0.0 scratch golfer
+ 0.5
+ 1.5
+ 2.5
+ 3.5 pro golfer
+ 4.5
+ 5.5
I don't think you follow the logic here...
Most players have a positive USGA index, since they shoot scores
higher than the course ratings. This *positive* index is then
used to figure out how many strokes are *deducted* from their gross
score on any particular course.
Players who shoot below course ratings end up with a *negative*
rating, which is then used to determine how many strokes they must
*add* to their gross score for handicapping purposes. Hence the
phrase "Lee Trevino is a plus 3." His index (if he really has one)
is -3.
You have switched the 2 sides of scratch in your chart.
It really looks like:
- 5.5
- 4.5
- 3.9 player A in example
- 3.5 average pro
- 2.9 player B in example
- 2.5
- 1.5
- 0.5
0.0 scratch golfer
+ 0.5
+ 1.5
+ 2.5
+ 3.5 good amateur
+ 4.5
+ 5.5
+ 12.1 Mike Daniele
and hence the point that the formula for *negative* differentials
(those usually recorded by pros) doesn't SEEM to make sense.
Maybe I'm missing something basic?
|
| 356.17 | B still comes out better..??!! | TRLIAN::GORDON | | Wed Oct 23 1991 13:07 | 16 |
| either way you switch it player B comes out better as "scratch" is the
reference....
as for pro's having a negative differential..golf digest usually list
pro's handicap index a couple times a year and I've never seen a
negative one yet...most pro's have a +5.5 to +2.5 handicap index
I'll check but I thought the index range given on the chart at my
club was
handicap handicap index
n -n.n to - n.n
where n is the handicap for the course
and n.n is a range of indexes...i.e. -5.5 to -7.5
|
| 356.18 | forget it | MKNME::DANIELE | | Wed Oct 23 1991 13:36 | 9 |
| re: <<< Note 356.17 by TRLIAN::GORDON >>>
-< B still comes out better..??!! >-
either way you switch it player B comes out better as "scratch" is the
reference....
But 'closer to scratch' isn't 'better', if you're shooting less
than par, it's worse. That's the whole point.
|
| 356.19 | it's forgotten | TRLIAN::GORDON | | Wed Oct 23 1991 14:08 | 7 |
| re: -1
so what we're being told is that when totaling the
handicap differentials for purposes of getting a handicap index
adding a -3.9 is going to be better than adding a -2.9....
ok...I've forgot it...
|
| 356.20 | Well, I'm STILL a 12. | MKNME::DANIELE | | Fri Oct 25 1991 10:12 | 40 |
| I asked Craig (head pro @ Passaconaway CC, Litchfield, NH) about this
yesterday. He agreed that when shooting less than the course rating,
the use of slope is incorrect.
First, some nomenclature. When your total of 10 best differentials
is less than zero (like the pros), the resulting index is called
"plus". ( This is just for convention. The great mass of us whose
total of 10 best differentials are greater than 0 do not posess "minus"
handicaps. ) "Good" or "better" mean "in the direction of more negative
total differential.
So:
Total Diff: +20 +10 0 -10
Me Scratch Lee Trevino
"Better"------------->>>>
<<<<--------"Worse"
A golfer with a 10 is "better" than a golfer with a 30. Similarly,
a pro with a "plus 5" ( total diff = -5) is better than a pro
with a "plus 3" (total diff = -3).
If I shoot 10 strokes more than the course rating @ A, where the
slope is 113, that 10 strokes is wieghted by a slope factor of 113/113,
I have a differential of 10. If I do the same at harder course B, with
slope 130, I played "better", and my 10 strokes are adjusted "better"
by a factor of 113/130, I only get a differential of 8.7.
Now suppose I shot 5 below the rating at both courses. At A I get
a differential of -5. At B, I only get -4.3. My differential has
been adjusted in the direction of "worse" when in fact I played
"better".
Craig also said that he intends to bring this up at the next meeting of
the New Hamphsire Golf Association, and he doesn't expect any one
there to understand it either ;-)
Mike
|
| 356.21 | Ratio | SONATA::FEENEY | non golfers live half a life | Fri Oct 25 1991 12:03 | 4 |
| Your ratio calculation has been incorrectly inverted. It should be 130/113 for
course B under both scenarios. The calculation does not penalize a player who
shoots under par at a higher slope course because the differential is a greater
negative.
|
| 356.22 | from where? | MKNME::DANIELE | | Fri Oct 25 1991 12:21 | 14 |
| I agree!
<<< Note 356.10 by MKNME::DANIELE >>>
> Betcha it's a typo in .4, and the formula for negative index is
> ( score - rating ) x slope
> --------------------------
> 113
What is your source for this info?
Thanks,
Mike
|
| 356.23 | HOW DO THEY FIGURE SLOPE! | MRKTNG::WHITTEN | David Whitten @TTB | Mon Dec 09 1991 16:57 | 54 |
| I have been confused a few times by the slope at different courses when
they seemed to be the reverse in order of difficulty the way they
played to me. For example, Pleasant Valley = 131 & Wentworth By The
Sea = 121 yet I found Wentworth much more difficult. I've always
attributed this to the fact that I may have had a better or worse day
by my standards (in either case bad by most other golfers standards!)
when I played each.
Last weekend I played two courses in Phoenix, with a much better golfer
than I am, & we were both amazed at the relative slope ratings. We
played Stonecreek, middle tee slope = 126 & The Pointe at South
Mountain, middle tee slope = 100 & both are convinced that The Pointe
at South Mountain is a much, much, harder course.
Stonecreek (6,280 yds) is quite a bit longer than The Pointe (4,999
yds) & the front 9 at The Pointe seemed to be about the same level of
difficulty as Stonecreek, both relatively tame but interesting.
However, the back 9 at The Pointe seemed incredibly hard by comparison:
narrow fairways with lots of desert washes cutting in/out/across; blind
shots to small landing areas; island greens surrounded by desert; one
green tucked into the side of a mountain; one landing area sloped
downhill & sidehill back into the dessert; one elevated green (about 30
ft high) with a staircase of bunkers up the face; etc..
We wondered why the two groups in front of us suddenly started to speed
up until I heard them talking in the bar afterwards & found out that
they'd merged into a single foursome when two players from each decided
to call it a day after either running out of balls or patience! The
twosome we were paired with were locals (one a ranger at the course &
the other a two handicapper - that's another story, what a treat to
play with someone that good who was also laid back & good company).
They were telling us that this happens all the time.
Anyway, after this experience I am now totally baffled by slope. I
know it wasn't the difference in the kind of day either myself or the
guy I was playing with was having, I actually scored 9 strokes better
on the harder course & he was 2 strokes worse. I felt that I played
about as good as I ever have on the hard course (my partner agreed) &
also had a good share of lucky bounces, so this certainly isn't a case
of sour grapes.
The only thing I can think of is that either the USGA assessment of
difficulty is so subjective that the person who rated The Pointe would
have rated Shattuck Inn only about 115, or that he/she is simply a
sadist! I took a look back at the slopes of other courses around here
& it makes no sense to me that The Pointe is 100 & Brettwood in Keane
is 120, Wachusett Country Club is 117, Falmouth Country Club is 114,
etc. etc..
By the way, I'd go back & play it again in a minute if I had the chance,
but the guy I played with said he wouldn't (he had an 88 & I had a
101).
Confused Hacker!
|
| 356.24 | This MIGHT Help... | MRKTNG::VARLEY | | Tue Dec 10 1991 16:27 | 39 |
| This may not be much of an answer, Dave (And I know we've talked about
it), but - here goes.
A few years back, the USGA wanted to standardize handicaps a bit more
- fine tuning them, in effect, to make them more accurate. Previously
the best they could do would be to say "You're a 10 from a par 72 rated
72.5, Jack's a 10 from a par 72 rated 71.0, therefore (Using some table
they constructed), you give Jack x strokes (Probably 1, in this case).
The problem with this is that course rating takes into consideration
several variables, and human beings interpret them. More specifically,
human beings from State Golf Associations interpret them, and we all
make mistakes. Now, in an attempt to further refine this process, they
consider more and different variables (Like "Speed of greens,
Placement of fairway bunkers, speed of fairways, target area for drive,
etc.) and assign mathematical values to each. Ultimately, all this gets
extrapolated into slope.
In my experience, some States seem to "Grade" courses tougher than
others, so the same course in 2 different states might vary in slope.
It's as if it is becoming a badge of honor to have a high slope course
or courses in your State. I like the idea - but not until every State
does it (They don't), and every State does it the same way. PerhAPS IF
THE USGA HAD ONE TEAM THAT DID SLOPE FOR (oooops) every course, the
problem would be solved. Naturally, that isn't feasible, because you'd
have to do every course in the country from each set of tees.
I like the ultimate in subjectivity that I encountered in Muirfield
(Scotland) years back. They don't have a registered par (They call it
"Bogey") for the course, believing that conditions change the
difficulty of the course. Hence, after we played on a windy day, I
asked a member what "Bogey" was for that day. He said that, given the
wind, and where the tees were, that he reckoned it to be about 73. If I
asked another member, and he said 75, he'd have been right too. Their
view is that as members of The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers
at Muirfield, all members are gentlemen - and gentlemen do not lie. I
believe the only time they use "Par" at Muirfield is for medal
tournaments, like the British Open.
--Jack
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| 356.25 | | NEWPRT::JOHNSON_DO | | Mon Dec 16 1991 13:43 | 16 |
| Re: Stonecreek and The Pointe
Still today, the biggest factor is length. At Stonecreek(which I
played from the tips) you need a combination of length and accuracy.
At The pointe (Also from the tips) you need mostly accuracy...target
golf. Plus, the hazards at the Pointe are mostly obvious and avoidable
with straight shots. The wash/riverbed at Stonecreek seems to follow
you and the flight of the ball.
Both courses are gorgeous examples of Desert golf, The Pointe being
much prettier. Consider also, that the Pointe is a resort course and
may have "campaigned" for a lower slope due to the nature of the player
that they want to attract to the resort. Stonecreek is a public course
and therefore less able to "campaign" for their image.
SCD
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