(ask the expert ) HOLE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 BLUE WHITE Learning the Hole System Y Stacy Sazama ou're negotiating strokes with your brother at the first tee, and he is offering only five (naturally)-on the first five handicapped holes. But the holes marked one through five on the scorecard may not be the five toughest holes on the course. Stacy Sazama, MGA member services director and handicap guru, explains why that is, plus other facts about the handicap hole allocation process. Q So, the No. 1 handicap hole isn't necessarily the hardest hole? A Right. The No. 1 handicap hole is where the higher-handicapped player most needs a stroke from a lower-handicapped 493 172 346 350 549 351 150 299 443 157 339 318 460 344 142 266 MEN'S HCP 15 7 9 17 6 3 11 13 Stacy Sazama warns golfers not to make a wager until they understand the handicap hole allocation process. Interview by Joseph Oberle golfer to halve the hole. Think of it as the equalizer. This is the hole where the higher-handicapped golfer gets the first stroke in a match. Q How is that determined? A The USGA has used two different formulas: the comparison and regression methods. The comparison is most common and recommended. The handicap committee at each course makes the determination. Some committees look at both methods and then use the regression method as their tie breaker. Q What is the difference? A For the comparison method, clubs collect about 200 scorecards from at least 50 players-men, eight handicap or PLAN A GRAND DAY OF GOLF! Play & Stay packages start at $ 57.50 t 0OFIPMF SPVOE PG HPMG t 4IBSFE QPXFS DBSU XJUI (14 t 0OFOJHIU BDDPNNPEBUJPOT BU UIF (SBOE /PSUIFSO *OO For more information or to learn about other packages, call 1-800-468-3517 or go to grandnationalgolf.com and click on Stay & Play packages. 14 MINNESOTAGOLFER Summer 2012 www.mngolf.org PHOTO BY PAUL MARKERThttp://www.grandnationalgolf.com http://www.mngolf.org