Equitable Stroke Control – Why the Change?

January 11, 2012
Sandbagger

Effective March 1st, 2012, Canadian Golfers will adjust their scores using the same method as adopted by the USGA. Click here to compare the methods. Our offices have been inundated with questions as to why the change?

Matt McKay, Manager of Rules and Handicap with the Golf Canada provided the following:

“I’ve attached two graphs…one mapped using the current ESC, the other with the new ESC. Here is an explanation:

On the x-axis (the horizontal axis), we have the factors calculated without using ESC. Assuming that the handicap factor has merit, the values on the x-axis represent how “good” golfers really are because these values are based on golfers’ actual (gross) scores.

On the y-axis (the vertical axis), we have the factors calculated using the methods of ESC, current and new.

A point on the graph refers to a particular golfer, both his factor with ESC (y) and his factor without ESC (x). We expect points to lie below the line y=x (which is superimposed) because ESC reduces strokes from golfers’ scores.

If all of the points were about the same distance below the line y=x, this would be good because it means that ESC affects all golfers in the same way. However, what is troubling with the former RCGA version of ESC, is that golfers with factors roughly 14-18 fall significantly further below the line. That is, their reported handicap (y) is meaningfully lower than their true ability (x). For example, a 18 handicapper may be actually a weaker player than a 19-handicapper.

To illustrate this further, suppose that an 18-handicapper and a 19-handicapper have identical rounds, a gross score of 93 with three triple-bogeys. The 18-handicapper enters an adjusted score of 90 but the 19-handicapper enters an adjusted score of 93.

The same issue still exists with the new ESC but is mitigated by the fact that the handicap ranges are smaller in the new ESC.”

If you have any questions or comments, you may contact Matt MacKay at mmackay@golfcanada.ca or 1-800-263-0009  ext. 209.

Posted in Education, Featured (Secondary)

  • anonyomus

    I hope Golf Canada will assess this new method of equitable stroke control towards the end of next year, to see how well it is working after it has had some time to be implemented.  Many of my golf friends feel this isn’t as far as the old way of doing the esc.  I’d like to think Golf Canada is big enough to recognize if they’ve made a mistake, to go back to what was working before.
    My group has approx. 25 players 3 times a week, and caps range from 5 to 25.  With this diversity of caps one would think the guys with higher caps will be taking most of the change off the table at days end!

  • Gary Brothers

    The reasoning here is flawed because it presents a case of with or without ESC, when most regular players are using ESC.  You should be graphing new vs, old ESC.  With the new ESC, the majority of mid to high handicappers will see handicap increases since the majority of holes on any course are Par 4′s,  As a 22 current handicapper, I will be taking a max. 8 on a Par 3 instead of a max. 6: a max. 8 on a Par 4 instead of a max. 7.  I don’t mind, but the low cappers that I play with will have even more to complain about.

    In addition, these new ESC rules will further delay the pace of play since players will be hitting more shots before picking up.

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  • Graham Gilbert

    I thought I was going to use this info in the spring newsletter to explain the ‘why’ but now that I have read it the answer is not there, as far as I am concerned

  • Marlymatt

    These graphs are certainly not helpful to the average golfer.  Explanation leaves a lot to be desired too.
    Can’t you simplify?

    • susan

      The first graph confirms that under the existing method, the average golfer’ handicap factor falls significantly below what their actual potential would be. The second graphs provides under the new method, where the player is going to be posting a more accurate score as they will be throwing away less strokes, their handicap factor will be just slightly below their actual potential for all players across the line.

      A players handicap factor is made up of the average x .96 of a players lowest differentials in the scoring record. If you post your scores on the RCGA, you can check this out under your scoring record. Open up your scoring record, and under “Helpful Links” select “how is My factor Computed”.

      If you are a fairly consistent golfer, your factor should stay close to where it is – or may go up a few points. If you are an erratic golfer, you may find your factor goes up more so.

    • Mark

       My cap varies between 7 and 11 usually 9-10 so one day I’m to take max double and the next round as high as 4 over on a par 3? Makes no sense, and hard to keep track, I think once I hit 10 I may never get back to a single digit cap again.

      • Doug

        I’m with Mark….the border to get down below a 10 index has become incredibly wide…especially on a course with tough(with hazards) par 3′s. Thought the system was working fine as previous with ESC stroke control and has been the same since I started golfing back in the 60′s! What’s up with the change? Shud put more money in my pocket as a 10.5 index …probably on my way to a 12 as a direct result of this change. My higher handicap golf partners will love me! I think Golf Canada should stand on their own feet and not bow to the USGA!   

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  • Anonymous

    I think everyone is worrying about what may amount to a small increase in handicap factor for some of us. Your factor is .96 of the average of the best 10 differentials in your scoring record (last 20 games) – with some accounting taken in for any eligible tournament scores. Thus if you have some those poor rounds where you may have an inordinate amount of holes in which you must post a double, 7, 8, 9 or 10 over, there should be a negligible bearing on the end result. “Steady Eddy” will probably see his factor stay close to the same or may trend slightly upward, whereas “Wild Bill” who has a couple of blow up holes every round is apt to see more of an impact.

  • Henryzee

    This will make the “sandbaggers”happy. The old system controls the method and is better. Your graphs are poor.

  • Derek Chapman

    Both the graphs and explanation are poor. I think that handicaps will go up.

    Playing more strokes before reaching the cap must result in slower play and that is already a problem.

    It would be helpful to know how well the system works in the US where it was adopted a few years ago.

    You need to promote the new system better if you want a happy membership giving it a fair trial.

  • SHAZZAM

    I WOULD LIKE TO NOW HOW THEY DID THIS WITHOUT ANY CONSULTATION WITH INDIVIDUAL GOLF CLUBS OR ZONES. I BELIEVE WE ARE THE ONES WHO PAY  THE DUES TO GOLF CANADA. OUR REP FROM ZONE 3 NEW NOTHING ABOUT THIS.

    • Anonymous

      The handicap system and the applicable Rules, like the Rules of Golf, are discussed by a Committee who makes the determination as to how they will be changed. The Golf Canada Handicap Committee, mad of of Association Staff and Volunteers, conducted the research and determined the move to the method as used by the US since 1998 made a fairer representation of the player’s actual potential. 

      Zones and clubs through out the province (and Canada) have been notified of the changes in advance. Unfortunately we cannot confirm who actually reads what was sent to them. I do know that the Zone 3 Men’s Chair did receive the notification, as did the Women’s Chair. 

  • G Key

    I like the new system. It will give a truer picture of a golfer’s real abilities. The old system stroked the ego more by only allowing a +2 on any given hole(in my case) but being a 12 handicap always means I have that one or two blow up holes which I don’t get credit for, or better yet lack of credit, therefore my real abilities are not being shown for what they are. It’s all going to even out for everyone. Personally, I will just have to work harder to maintain my 12, since my pride is at stake. I think people are fearing that their handicap is going to raise, which is probably true, but will be more realistic anyways so what exactly is the problem?

  • Dale

    Golf just got SLOWER. This decision will have one definite result, which was conceded to by Mr. Matt Mckay.  What this rule change will FOR SURE do is add time to every non-competitive round of golf.  With out a doubt.  Mr. Mckay agreed when I mentioned this to him but he siad the time added would not be ”
    signifcant

    “  only time will tell how time it will add, but I think adding any time is two much.

    • susan

      Dale – I’m not sure why you think golf will become slower. The majority of people tend to putt out or get very close to the hole before taking that “gimmee” often one or two strokes beyond their “max”. They just make their equitable stroke adjustment when they post their score.

    • Anonymous

      Dale – I’m not sure why you think golf will become slower. The majority of people tend to putt out or get very close to the hole before taking that “gimmee” often one or two strokes beyond their “max”. They just make their equitable stroke adjustment when they post their score.

      • Mark

         Susan in our group of mostly 7-12 cap we usually pick up after our double. It will for sure be slower as we have 5 par 3′s and now we will need to wait until we get out 7 before we pick up.

      • Derek Chapman

        Susan, I have to agree with Mark and Dale. The groups I play in are in the 12 to 25 range and we pick up when over our max. We often play team games against others in the group and select games that will not slow up play. Stableford is one of the best for this or games where only 2 or 3 scores count.
        Slow play was one of my original comments.

  • red_bc_golfer

    Two problems would seem to be pretty inescapable under the new system – sandbagging just got a lot easier, and rounds will be getting longer.

    I play at a course with a lot of older members, and while I’m not aware of anyone there with a reputation for adding extra shots deliberately, there will be a lot more legitimate 7th, 8th, and 9th shots being played than there were previously, which cannot do anything but slow things down.

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