Minnesota Golfer - Summer 2012 - 17

lower, and women, 14 or lower. The club also collects cards
from golfers with handicaps 15-20 strokes higher on the average
than the first group (20-28 for men and 26-40 for women).
The average from each group is calculated (considering course
conditions, obstacles and how golfers of differing abilities
would play each hole), and it's determined on which holes
higher-handicapped golfers get an extra stroke. The regression
method requires collecting 400 scores from golfers with handicaps
across the board and then applying a mathematical equation.
Each method lists the holes in order, one to 18, by the
average score differential for each hole; the highest differential
is the No. 1 handicap stroke hole.
Q Does the Golf Handicap and Information Network (GHIN) computer
routinely collect and recalculate handicap allocations?
A The committee would decide when to start the review process
and switch the computer to hole-by-hole to collect scores. (Or they
collect actual scorecards and transfer the data to a spreadsheet.)
It is recommended that they review their hole allocations every five
years, unless there have been major renovations to the course.
Q Is there just one set of hole allocations per course?
A Many courses have one handicap allocation printed on the scorecard,
but there should be two-one for men and one for women.
Q Why are the front and back nines split between odd and even
number allocations?
A Higher-handicapped golfers are going to need their first
stroke on the front nine when they are playing in a match;
this prevents the match from ending before the first stroke is
received. The odd-even distribution equalizes the strokes over
the entire 18 holes. If you only receive two strokes, it wouldn't
be equal if they were applied to the first two holes. You want to
make sure the match is equitable, so on the back nine you will
also receive a stroke.
Q The Handicap System celebrated its centennial in 2011. What
was the celebration like?
A It was an honor to be part of the celebration (at Baltusrol
GC, where the Handicap System was implemented on October
11, 1911). The room was packed with golf administrators
from more than 50 state and regional golf associations, USGA
Committee members and special guests who have contributed
to the success of the system. Among those in attendance was
Dr. Lou Riccio, an original member of the Handicap Research
Team, which the USGA formed in the 1970s to study and improve
the inequities and inefficiencies of the Handicap System.
Their efforts resulted in the Slope System, which allowed the
Handicap Index to become portable.
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Minnesota Golfer - Summer 2012

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