Comments on: Fit to a “T” http://www.ncga.org/2007/06/18/fit-to-a-t/ Northern California Golf Association Sat, 15 Jun 2013 16:06:51 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jim Cowan http://www.ncga.org/2007/06/18/fit-to-a-t/comment-page-1/#comment-7219 Jim Cowan Tue, 04 Dec 2012 18:40:38 +0000 http://thebacknine.ncga.org/2007/06/18/fit-to-a-t/#comment-7219 Don, thank you for your comment. The golfer's handicap normally drops a stroke or two without a reduction when the low T-scores are recorded. That's the natural consequence of two low scores replacing two higher scores in the "best 10 of 20 most recent" calculation. And at that temporary lower level, the T-scores are not out of whack and a reduction isn't necessary. It's when those low T-scores cycle themselves out of the best 10 of 20 calculation that the handicap shoots up and the reduction is required. In closing, it should be noted that at this moment your reduced Handicap Index is actually 1.3 strokes higher than the non-reduced handicap you were issued in the middle of July (13.2R now vs 11.9 on July 15th). Thanks again, Jim Cowan, Director of Course Rating and Handicapping Don, thank you for your comment. The golfer’s handicap normally drops a stroke or two without a reduction when the low T-scores are recorded. That’s the natural consequence of two low scores replacing two higher scores in the “best 10 of 20 most recent” calculation. And at that temporary lower level, the T-scores are not out of whack and a reduction isn’t necessary. It’s when those low T-scores cycle themselves out of the best 10 of 20 calculation that the handicap shoots up and the reduction is required. In closing, it should be noted that at this moment your reduced Handicap Index is actually 1.3 strokes higher than the non-reduced handicap you were issued in the middle of July (13.2R now vs 11.9 on July 15th). Thanks again, Jim Cowan, Director of Course Rating and Handicapping

]]> By: Don Meehan http://www.ncga.org/2007/06/18/fit-to-a-t/comment-page-1/#comment-7216 Don Meehan Mon, 03 Dec 2012 18:43:51 +0000 http://thebacknine.ncga.org/2007/06/18/fit-to-a-t/#comment-7216 NCGA #4482-508 Jim, I totally understand the Reduction, but to come 4-5 months after the T score is recorded is not fair. It should be done the very next posting session. In July and August there are a lot of Tournaments, yet in Dec.-Apr. there are hardly any. Yet during this 5 month period the handicap is Reduced, and for a "betting man" the reduction hurts. It hurts to the point I don't want to bet with my partners, and if I bow out, then I'm referred as a "P****". I firmly believe the reduction should occur when the golfer is shooting better score than is the typical rainy wet months of Northern California when the ball doesn't travel. Don NCGA #4482-508

Jim,

I totally understand the Reduction, but to come 4-5 months after the T score is recorded is not fair. It should be done the very next posting session. In July and August there are a lot of Tournaments, yet in Dec.-Apr. there are hardly any. Yet during this 5 month period the handicap is Reduced, and for a “betting man” the reduction hurts. It hurts to the point I don’t want to bet with my partners, and if I bow out, then I’m referred as a “P****”. I firmly believe the reduction should occur when the golfer is shooting better score than is the typical rainy wet months of Northern California when the ball doesn’t travel.

Don

]]> By: Jim Cowan http://www.ncga.org/2007/06/18/fit-to-a-t/comment-page-1/#comment-2513 Jim Cowan Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:12:12 +0000 http://thebacknine.ncga.org/2007/06/18/fit-to-a-t/#comment-2513 Don, thank you for your comments though I am confused. Your handicap is not Reduced at this point in time. The 20.6 is based purely on the quality of your best 10 of 20 most recent rounds, so the language regarding middle-ground does not apply to you unless your club has intervened and modified your Handicap Index to a level below 20.6. If that is the case, your club must use its best judgment in setting your handicap, there is no specific formula for this. As to another of your questions, the T should be reserved for the most significant events at the club and should NOT be used for routine weekly or monthly events. If this is a significant event within the club, as determined by the club Handicap and Tournament Committee, the T should certainly be applied. Thanks again - Jim Cowan Don, thank you for your comments though I am confused. Your handicap is not Reduced at this point in time. The 20.6 is based purely on the quality of your best 10 of 20 most recent rounds, so the language regarding middle-ground does not apply to you unless your club has intervened and modified your Handicap Index to a level below 20.6. If that is the case, your club must use its best judgment in setting your handicap, there is no specific formula for this. As to another of your questions, the T should be reserved for the most significant events at the club and should NOT be used for routine weekly or monthly events. If this is a significant event within the club, as determined by the club Handicap and Tournament Committee, the T should certainly be applied. Thanks again – Jim Cowan

]]> By: Don Scully http://www.ncga.org/2007/06/18/fit-to-a-t/comment-page-1/#comment-2505 Don Scully Mon, 06 Jul 2009 17:05:35 +0000 http://thebacknine.ncga.org/2007/06/18/fit-to-a-t/#comment-2505 Jim, Read through some other responses and see the answer to the match play question. I guess not understanding how I should have recorded the "Gmmees" is my mistake and I should bear that cost. Above you indicate that "Take a close look at the two T-scores causing your reduction and you will see that they are way below the handicap you would have been issued this month without a reduction. All the System did was find some middle-ground to set your Index at, it did not pull you all the way down to the quality of the two tournament rounds" However in my case it looks like they have pulled my index down to the average of my two Match play rounds and not some middle ground. How would the "middle ground" be calculated? Jim,

Read through some other responses and see the answer to the match play question. I guess not understanding how I should have recorded the “Gmmees” is my mistake and I should bear that cost. Above you indicate that

“Take a close look at the two T-scores causing your reduction and you will see that they are way below the handicap you would have been issued this month without a reduction. All the System did was find some middle-ground to set your Index at, it did not pull you all the way down to the quality of the two tournament rounds”

However in my case it looks like they have pulled my index down to the average of my two Match play rounds and not some middle ground. How would the “middle ground” be calculated?

]]> By: Don Scully http://www.ncga.org/2007/06/18/fit-to-a-t/comment-page-1/#comment-2504 Don Scully Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:22:30 +0000 http://thebacknine.ncga.org/2007/06/18/fit-to-a-t/#comment-2504 Should match play events be recorded as part of your handicap, and if so should they be tagged as a "T" score. Match play has many aspects where yo are just picking up the ball,either becasue you have no chance to wint eh hole or no chance to lose the hole. This will always lead to a lower total score. Additionally if the club is not posting a score a a tournamnet on the NCGA site under my index, should they be using these to adjust my index? Should match play events be recorded as part of your handicap, and if so should they be tagged as a “T” score. Match play has many aspects where yo are just picking up the ball,either becasue you have no chance to wint eh hole or no chance to lose the hole. This will always lead to a lower total score.

Additionally if the club is not posting a score a a tournamnet on the NCGA site under my index, should they be using these to adjust my index?

]]> By: Jim Cowan http://www.ncga.org/2007/06/18/fit-to-a-t/comment-page-1/#comment-2369 Jim Cowan Mon, 08 Jun 2009 14:58:25 +0000 http://thebacknine.ncga.org/2007/06/18/fit-to-a-t/#comment-2369 Miguel - thank you for your comment. First of all, your Handicap Index has been Reduced, not restricted. Secondly, a reduction is not going to kick in every time you shoot below your handicap in a tournament. Playing a little bit below one's handicap in a tournament from time to time is not rare and will not cause a reduction. Playing many, many strokes below one's handicap at least twice within a twelve month period will. Take a close look at the two T-scores causing your reduction and you will see that they are way below the handicap you would have been issued this month without a reduction. All the System did was find some middle-ground to set your Index at, it did not pull you all the way down to the quality of the two tournament rounds. Lastly, I do not see where this System encourages cheating at all. And if someone does cheat, they should have their handicap withdrawn by their club. Thanks again - Jim Cowan. Miguel – thank you for your comment. First of all, your Handicap Index has been Reduced, not restricted. Secondly, a reduction is not going to kick in every time you shoot below your handicap in a tournament. Playing a little bit below one’s handicap in a tournament from time to time is not rare and will not cause a reduction. Playing many, many strokes below one’s handicap at least twice within a twelve month period will. Take a close look at the two T-scores causing your reduction and you will see that they are way below the handicap you would have been issued this month without a reduction. All the System did was find some middle-ground to set your Index at, it did not pull you all the way down to the quality of the two tournament rounds. Lastly, I do not see where this System encourages cheating at all. And if someone does cheat, they should have their handicap withdrawn by their club. Thanks again – Jim Cowan.

]]> By: Miguel http://www.ncga.org/2007/06/18/fit-to-a-t/comment-page-1/#comment-2361 Miguel Sun, 07 Jun 2009 00:34:20 +0000 http://thebacknine.ncga.org/2007/06/18/fit-to-a-t/#comment-2361 I have read the explanation of the R Restricted Handicap. My handicap has been restrcited a couple of times in the last two years. If at any time during the year I shoot below my handicap in a tournament i can expect my handicap to be restricted? It seems to me with this restriction you are encouraging people to cheat since their handicap will be flagged for an entire month and can be perceived incorrectly by the handicapping committe in their respective club. I have read the explanation of the R Restricted Handicap. My handicap has been restrcited a couple of times in the last two years.
If at any time during the year I shoot below my handicap in a tournament i can expect my handicap to be restricted? It seems to me with this restriction you are encouraging people to cheat since their handicap will be flagged for an entire month and can be perceived incorrectly by the handicapping committe in their respective club.

]]> By: Jim Cowan http://www.ncga.org/2007/06/18/fit-to-a-t/comment-page-1/#comment-1855 Jim Cowan Tue, 31 Mar 2009 22:52:20 +0000 http://thebacknine.ncga.org/2007/06/18/fit-to-a-t/#comment-1855 Delton, thank you for your comment. The USGA Handicap System is very proactive when it comes to the posting of scores when Preferred Lies are in place. In short, the System requires the posting of such rounds unless conditions are so poor as to warrant no posting at all ("so poor" meaning that the course cannot play to its ratings). So full steam ahead, post them and apply the T if they represent significant events within the club. Thanks again - Jim Cowan. Delton, thank you for your comment. The USGA Handicap System is very proactive when it comes to the posting of scores when Preferred Lies are in place. In short, the System requires the posting of such rounds unless conditions are so poor as to warrant no posting at all (“so poor” meaning that the course cannot play to its ratings). So full steam ahead, post them and apply the T if they represent significant events within the club. Thanks again – Jim Cowan.

]]> By: Delton Price http://www.ncga.org/2007/06/18/fit-to-a-t/comment-page-1/#comment-1851 Delton Price Tue, 31 Mar 2009 14:56:13 +0000 http://thebacknine.ncga.org/2007/06/18/fit-to-a-t/#comment-1851 Many of our NCGA qualifying tournaments are played early in the Spring while the course is still wet and mushy. Most are played under "Winter Rules". Should scored made in major Club tournaments when played under "Winter Rules" be posted as Torunament Scores? Many of our NCGA qualifying tournaments are played early in the Spring while the course is still wet and mushy. Most are played under “Winter Rules”.

Should scored made in major Club tournaments when played under “Winter Rules” be posted as Torunament Scores?

]]> By: Jim Cowan http://www.ncga.org/2007/06/18/fit-to-a-t/comment-page-1/#comment-1620 Jim Cowan Mon, 09 Mar 2009 23:21:08 +0000 http://thebacknine.ncga.org/2007/06/18/fit-to-a-t/#comment-1620 Ralf - The R handicap is an automatic part of the USGA Handicap System meaning that it is one of the normal calculations that goes into the production of a Handicap Index each month. Every handicap in the entire country is calculated in this manner. In order to trigger an R, the golfer must have at least two low T-scores recorded within the past twelve months that are much lower than their normal scores. At any given point in time, only about 1% of golfers have T-scores low enough in their record to cause an R. The NCGA has its own program for golfers that compete in NCGA events that are played with handicaps. We collect and analyze all the rounds played in such NCGA events and, for lack of a better term, develop player profiles. If a profile reveals that the golfer has outperformed their handicap in NCGA play with great frequency or by great margins, we require that golfer to play to a lower "number" in our own tournaments only. The NCGA does NOT have the authority to adjust a golfer's real Handicap Index, so in no way, shape or form is our "number" to be confused with the golfer's Handicap Index issued each month or an R handicap. Thanks - Jim Cowan Ralf – The R handicap is an automatic part of the USGA Handicap System meaning that it is one of the normal calculations that goes into the production of a Handicap Index each month. Every handicap in the entire country is calculated in this manner. In order to trigger an R, the golfer must have at least two low T-scores recorded within the past twelve months that are much lower than their normal scores. At any given point in time, only about 1% of golfers have T-scores low enough in their record to cause an R.

The NCGA has its own program for golfers that compete in NCGA events that are played with handicaps. We collect and analyze all the rounds played in such NCGA events and, for lack of a better term, develop player profiles. If a profile reveals that the golfer has outperformed their handicap in NCGA play with great frequency or by great margins, we require that golfer to play to a lower “number” in our own tournaments only. The NCGA does NOT have the authority to adjust a golfer’s real Handicap Index, so in no way, shape or form is our “number” to be confused with the golfer’s Handicap Index issued each month or an R handicap. Thanks – Jim Cowan

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