Unified Handicapping -System in detail
Unified Handicapping -System in detail
18. Competition Scratch Score
The Competition Scratch Score is a procedure employed on the day of the competition to quantify the influence of course and weather conditions on the scoring ability of the field and regulate adjustments to handicaps accordingly.
The object is to bring the improved pattern of scoring resulting from playing conditions more favourable than average, or the inferior scoring pattern resulting from conditions more difficult than average, into line with the expected scoring pattern established for golfers in each of the Handicap Categories in normal mid-season playing conditions.
18.1 At the conclusion of each round of a Qualifying Competition, with the exception of a Nine-Hole Qualifying Competition, the Competition Scratch Score must be calculated by following the procedure set out in Appendix B and applying the Table.
(a) For Club Competitions the procedure specified in sub-clauses 1.1 to 1.10 must be applied.
(b) For Open Competitions the procedure specified in sub-clauses 2.2 to 2.5 must be applied subject to the provisions of 2.1.
18.2 Where the number of competitors in Categories 1, 2, 3 [and 4] is five or less a Competition Scratch Score must be calculated as set out in Clause 18.1. Where the calculation results in a Competition Scratch Score higher than the Standard Scratch Score the calculated Competition Scratch Score shall apply. When the calculated Competition Scratch Score is equal to, or less than, the Standard Scratch Score the Competition Scratch Score shall be the same as the Standard Scratch Score.
18.3 In the event of one round of a Qualifying Competition extending over more than one day, a separate Competition Scratch Score must be calculated for each day.
18.4 The Table in Appendix B determines any adjustment to be made to the Standard Scratch Score to provide the Competition Scratch Score or to direct that the scores returned shall be for Reduction Only (indicated by R/O in the Table column heading). When the Competition Scratch Score has been established, all Nett Differentials must be calculated in relation thereto.
18.5 If the Table indicates that the scores returned are for Reduction Only, then the Competition Scratch Score shall be deemed to be three strokes more than the Standard Scratch Score. All players who, after the application of the CSS to their scores, have returned a Nett Differential below zero, shall have their Exact Handicaps reduced to the extent dictated by the Nett Differentials so calculated. A Nett Differential of zero or above shall not result in an increase to a player's Exact Handicap.
18.6 If a Qualifying Competition is abandoned for any valid reason, the Competition Scratch Score shall be regarded as equal to the Standard Scratch Score and players returning Nett Differentials of less than zero shall have their Exact Handicaps reduced to the extent dictated by the Nett Differential. A Nett Differential of zero or above shall not result in a handicap increase.
18.7 Where a player is a Member of two or more Affiliated Clubs and competes in a Qualifying Competition organised by two or more of those clubs and played over the same course and the score in one round is used in all the competitions, then the Competition Scratch Score applicable shall be that applied by his Home Club or, if none of the clubs is his Home Club, the highest Competition Scratch Score shall be applied.
Note: Unions, Area Authorities and any organisations so authorised by a Union, must establish the Competition Scratch Score for events they organise – see Clause 4.1(g).
18/1 Calculation of Competition Scratch Score
Q. How is the Competition Scratch Score calculated?
A. The CSS table as contained in Appendix B of the UHS is based on the known performance of golfers of different abilities (Handicap Categories) in a range of golfing conditions. In 'normal' playing conditions, for example, 37-68% of participating Category 1 players are expected to return nett scores to the SSS +2 or better. In contrast, in the same conditions only 16-30% of Category 3 players are expected to return nett scores to the SSS +2 or better. In competition situations when course conditions are more, or less, favourable than 'normal', these percentages will increase or decrease accordingly, resulting in movement of the SSS as expressed by the CSS.
The mechanics of the CSS calculation are:
- Establish the composition of the 'field' as a percentage of each Handicap Category excluding Category 4 for men or Category 5 for ladies. e.g. 10% Cat.1 50% Cat.2 40% Cat.3 + Cat.4 for Ladies]
- Establish the percentage of the 'field' (Cat.1 + Cat.2 + Cat.3 [+ Cat.4]) with a nett score of SSS +2 or better e.g. 20%
- Refer to Table in Appendix B.
- Using this example the CSS would be the SSS +1.
18.1/1 Why is the CSS Calculation Based on Returns of SSS+2?
Q. Why is the calculation of the CSS based only on the returns of SSS + 2 or better and does not take into account the respective Buffer Zones of competitors in Categories 1 and 3 [4]?
A. At the time (1989) the Competition Scratch Score was first introduced into the CONGU® Handicapping System, the Buffer Zone for all Handicap Categories was two strokes (SSS +2) and the Table in Appendix B was established accordingly.
It would be possible to amend the Table to take account of the expected scores in relation to the current Buffer Zones for each Handicap Category. This would be achieved by reducing the percentages in the Table for Category 1 returns, and increasing the percentages for Category 3 [+4]. Category 2 would be unchanged.
The important point, however, is that the outcome would be exactly the same, i.e. the current method of calculation utilising the existing Table would result in the same CSS as one calculated under a Buffer Zone related revision.
In addition, in those clubs where the CSS is still produced manually, it would undoubtedly increase the workload if a change was made to take into account the respective Buffer Zones.
18.1/2 Influence of CSS Adjustment on Handicapping
Q. How can a situation in which the CSS reduces to one stroke less than the SSS of the course be justified? This can result in a player being denied a reduction in handicap or scoring outside his Buffer Zone.
A. The Course Rating system from which the SSS is derived is based on normal midseason playing conditions and includes an allowance for average wind speeds at the various golfing locations. When course or weather conditions are more or less difficult than 'normal', the expectation is that scoring will be affected. Scoring conditions more favourable than 'normal' include little or no wind, favourable pin positions and additional roll. In such circumstances the CSS can be one stroke less than the SSS. Conversely, in unfavourable weather and course conditions the CSS can increase by up to three strokes above the SSS.
The intent of the CSS procedure is to standardise the 'reward' for equal performance in different playing circumstances. For example, by applying the CSS system the performance of a player who returns a nett score 2 strokes below the SSS on a day of high wind when the CSS is calculated to be SSS +3 (Nett Differential –5) equates to that of another player returning a nett score 6 strokes below the SSS on a day when the CSS is calculated to be SSS -1 (Nett Differential –5).
18.1/3 Separate CSS Calculation for Each Handicap Category
Q. Why is a separate CSS not calculated for each Handicap Category?
A. This question is most commonly posed by the lower handicap players on occasions when the CSS is calculated to be one stroke below the SSS. A statistical analysis of a wide range of competitions in which a separate CSS was calculated for each Handicap Category and compared to the overall CSS has shown that the procedure does not favour or discriminate against any of the Handicap Categories. Although there may be occasions when one or other of the Handicap Categories, if calculated separately, would result in a CSS that differed from the overall CSS, on average there is close agreement between the overall CSS and the separate CSS calculations for each Handicap Category. An additional problem in calculating a separate CSS for the Category 1 entrants [Categories 1 and 2 for Ladies] is that they represent, on average, less than 10% of the field in a typical club competition. This is generally a less meaningful statistical figure and could result in unrepresentative CSS values. The larger sample provides the more balanced CSS determination.
18.1/4 Effect of a Low Score(s) on the CSS Calculation
It is a common misconception that an extremely low score(s) has a greater influence on the CSS calculation outcome than one at the top end of the SSS +2 range. This is incorrect. For example, in a competition held on a course with a SSS of 70, a nett 64 has no more influence on the CSS calculation outcome than a nett 72. It is the total number of players with a nett score of SSS +2 or better as a proportion of the number of participants in the competition together with their Handicap Category that determines the CSS.
Decisions Relevant to Clause 18
3(a) Calculation of the Competition Scratch Score When a Club Runs Two Separate Competitions on the Same Day