Myth 4
Myth…. 'Having to calculate a Competition Scratch Score (CSS) is more trouble than it is worth.'
Research
· The weekly golf returns in the Herald newspaper were again the prime source of information in the examination of the value of the CSS in handicapping.
· The table below tracks the movement in CSS over a wide range of club competitions in the course of a playing season.
Variation of CSS against SSS over Playing Season
|
Month |
SSS-1 |
CSS=SSS |
SSS+1 |
SSS+2 |
SSS+3 |
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% | |
|
April |
1 |
46 |
23 |
15 |
15 |
|
May |
3 |
56 |
25 |
9 |
7 |
|
June |
12 |
63 |
18 |
5 |
2 |
|
July |
30 |
61 |
7 |
2 |
0 |
|
August |
24 |
63 |
7 |
4 |
2 |
|
September |
5 |
69 |
16 |
6 |
4 |
· It can be seen from the above that there is a sensible correlation between movement of the SSS and seasonal weather and course conditions. In the summer months of the year analysed the SSS reduced more often than it increased. Early and late in the playing season the converse was the case.
· It is the reliability of the CSS to reflect course and weather conditions that permits entrants in competitions to compete in less than ideal conditions with the comfort that their handicap is not being put unnecessarily at risk.
· The CSS system is well accepted by golfers and is a fundamental component of the system.