Tree Tops STABLEFORD Handicapping Policy

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New Change (9 July 2023):

Fair golf handicapping is always a challenge and must be done with good and shared (by all) data.  Balancing this need with the realities of the different types of Tree Tops golfers, (beginning with the Aug 16 2023 Stableford)– 

1. All top flight golfers must have a valid GHIN handicap, have posted at least 2 rounds in the 4 weeks leading up to the Stableford, and share their GHIN number (when asked upon signup of the event),

2. All other flights will continue as before (see below)– GHIN takes precedence over GSIPC but, either is fine.

 

If a regular lower handicap player (that would have played in the top flight) would like to still play in the Tree Tops Stableford and not have a GHIN, they may play in the second tier flight.

 

As with other GHIN based competition, the top flight golfers (with their GHIN handicaps) will also play to their course handicap as computed by the GHIN course calculator.  Lower flights will play to their expected points as before  (described below).

 

For only the Aug 16 2023 Stableford:  Given this change is one month in advance of the Aug 2023 Stableford and players may not have time to record 10 rounds to have a valid GHIN handicap, top flight “new GHIN golfers” need only share their GHIN number.   Future Tree Tops Stablefords will not have this provision.

 

This two tier approach applies:

• more rigor to the top flight players (GHIN is the official way and its data is shared by all GHIN players) while,

• providing more leeway to the less serious players (use of their own provided GSiPC).

Thus, this is the reason for the change.
 

—-- The prior policy below applies to the non top flight players. —---

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Background:

For the past few Stablefords, we’ve used the following to determine players’ expected Stableford points:: 

1. Official handicaps if available– i.e, Global Handicap Information Network (GHIN) handicaps,, and if not…

2.  Peoples’ provided Good Score in Perfect Conditions (GSiPC).

 

While the above worked relatively well, I've heard some questions/concerns before & after the events by both a) players about their own expected points, and b) by players questioning others’ expected points.   

 

So I believe I should evolve/set formal policy, explain, be more transparent on past performance & how the Stableford points are determined, and provide a review period about the expected points so that people have more confidence in the handicapping.  

 

Policy: (only adds a “Review Period” for questions/petitions)

Goal:  Enable a friendly competition that balances ease/”good enough info” vs rigor/correctness to make a fair and enjoyable Tree Tops Stableford Competition.

 

Data Used for Determining Expected Points:(stays the same)

• Official handicaps if available– i.e, Global Handicap Information Network (GHIN) handicaps,, and if not…

• Peoples’ provided Good Score in Perfect Conditions (GSiPC).

 

How Will the Above Data Be Used to Determine Expected Points: (stays the same)

• Par Points (36) - GHIN  – e.g., GHIN = 12, 

     36-12=24 expected points.,

• Par Points (36] - [GSiPC - Par Score (72)] – e.g., GSiPC = 90, 

    36-[90-72)= 18 expected points.

 

For Transparency & “Review Period” of Expected Points: (new) 

a) 14 Days Before Competition = Initial Listing:  Each player’s expected points, how they were determined, and past Stableford performance will be published.  These will be the “Initial Expected Points List”.

 

b) Up Until 7 Days Before Competition= Question/Petition Period:  People may ask questions, petition to change their own or other players’ expected points (but only within their own flight).  A multi-person board (Mike Tracy, Jim McIver, and Alan Welch) will review any questions/petitions and make a final decision.

 

c) 5 Days Before Competition= Final Listing:  The “Final Expected Points List” will be published and used for the competition.

 

Recommendations

Data is “King” in Handicapping: As you know, “current & correct” data drives handicapping and keeps competitions fair. Thus…

 

Recommend to all, either--

1. Get a real GHIN handicap and keep it current with all your scores– but, this requires cost and you need to join a club, even if it is a virtual club.

or

1. Keep your GSiPC current and accurate.

and

1. If you want to sway any potential conflicts over your GSiPC, please record and be able to show your scores– i.e., cheap solutions include using: a) a spreadsheet with scores, courses, & tees =  GSiPC ;  or b) a free handicap calculator/app and keep it current with scores =  resembles a GHIN. Note, this will also inform you of what your GSiPC or near GHIN should be. 

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For the Record– More Information

GHIN Handicaps vs GSiPC (or average good or nominal scores) are actually very different and I’ve accounted for that–

 

GHIN Handicaps– “A Handicap Index, in basic terms, is a numerical value that represents a golfer’s demonstrated ability”-- and is reached only about 1 in 6+ tries.  See this reference. 

 

GSiPC– From observations, most players are treating it closer to average “good or nominal” round.  Probably reached 1 in 3 rounds (or better).

 

Accounting for Their Differences to Make Them Useable Together:

    GHIN Correct Usage:  GHIN’s + Course data = Player’s Calc. Course Handicap

    Alan’s Example: GHIN =10.6,  Lancaster Gold Tees=  65.1 rated par/112 slope/72 par 

      Players Calculated Course Handicap = 4    Thus, should score 72+4= 76

But, I only do this in about 1 in 7 rounds.  ;>(

From my GHIN stats of last 21 rounds:  Low 76, High 92, Avg 83.5

Now, drop 1-2 strokes because I play White or Silver tees= 81 or 82

Or,  roughly the same as 10.6 (GHIN) + 72 par = 82.6

 

I’ve found this correlation to be true/consistent and it played out pretty closely in the past two Stablefords that

• GHIN + 72 = Expected Score  equivalent to GSiPC.

• Then of course, translating both of these scores into expected Stableford points is the same.