Stableford - Par of a hole does matter

[Wayne_Kozun]

On this board people often post "par is irrelevant" when speaking about the par of a golf hole, particularly for half par holes - The Road Hole being one famous example.

Is this still the case when s Stableford scoring system is used (as is the case at the International this week) where the points are awarded in a non-linear fashion?  I don't think so.

In this scoring system you are better off making 9 birdies and 9 bogies than 18 pars.  The risk is not symmetric - you are better off trying to make eagles and birdies with the risk of getting the odd bogey or double.

Consequently this would lead one to play a hole more aggressively if there is a chance to make birdie or eagle.

If this scoring system were in place at The Old Course then it would matter whether you called #17 a par 4 or 5.  If it was a par 5 then it would make more sense to try to get a 4 at the risk of making a 5.  If it was called a par 4 then it makes less sense to try to get a 4 as the difference between a 4 and a 5 is 1 point vs. 2 points if you call it a par 5.

Is this a good or a bad thing?  

[Glenn Spencer]

I am not sure what you are asking about, whether it is good or not, but I think that you make some excellent points. Par is never irrelevant as it is the basis for how a golfer is 'paid off' and how they build momentum throughout a round, tournament or season. I would definitely play the holes that you mentioned with a different mindset in a modified-stableford scoring event. A lot more people would find the fairway on 17 at CPGC if it was a par 4.

[Bob_Huntley]

I am not sure what you are asking about, whether it is good or not, but I think that you make some excellent points. Par is never irrelevant as it is the basis for how a golfer is 'paid off' and how they build momentum throughout a round, tournament or season. I would definitely play the holes that you mentioned with a different mindset in a modified-stableford scoring event. A lot more people would find the fairway on 17 at CPGC if it was a par 4.

I thought it was, when did they change it?

Bob

[Tom_Doak]

Bob:

He was talking about a different CPGC.

Wayne:

The International is a "modified stableford".  In true stableford scoring, par is worth 2 points, birdie 3, eagle 4, so par is really still irrelevant ... everybody would just earn one more point for their round because they call the 17th a par five.  It's the gimmick of making eagles worth 5 points for The International that hypes up the importance and value of #17 ... which otherwise would probably be seen as one of the less interesting holes on that golf course.

[PThomas]

It's the gimmick of making eagles worth 5 points for The International that hypes up the importance and value of #17 ... which otherwise would probably be seen as one of the less interesting holes on that golf course.

"GIMMICK":  a perfect word to describe that hole in that tournament!

[Tom Huckaby]

I'm one of those on here who has made the case that par doesn't matter.

I've always also said "except in Stabelfords".