[Wayne_Kozun]

But isn't the assignment of handicap holes based on a study of which holes a weaker golfer needs a stroke to compete with a stronger golfer?  Clubs are supposed to occasionally monitor this by analyzing socrecards of players with various handicaps and revise the stroke allocations.  I know my club does this from time to time and we did reassign the stroke allocation a few years ago.

Just because a hole is the #1 stroke holoe does NOT mean it is the hardest hole on the course, especially since odd numbers are usually allocated to the front nine and even numbers to the back nine.  And you generally don't want the #1 & #2 stroke holes to be the ninth or eighteenth hole.

[Andrew Buck]

But isn't the assignment of handicap holes based on a study of which holes a weaker golfer needs a stroke to compete with a stronger golfer?  Clubs are supposed to occasionally monitor this by analyzing socrecards of players with various handicaps and revise the stroke allocations.  I know my club does this from time to time and we did reassign the stroke allocation a few years ago.

Just because a hole is the #1 stroke holoe does NOT mean it is the hardest hole on the course, especially since odd numbers are usually allocated to the front nine and even numbers to the back nine.  And you generally don't want the #1 & #2 stroke holes to be the ninth or eighteenth hole.

In many cases, I'd guess the hardest hole on the course for "low handicap" golfer in relation to par, should be one of the higher handicap holes.  This is because they are often long par 3's that low handicaps average above 3.5 on, however an 18 handicap routinely bogeys. 

[BCrosby]

I am no expert on handicaps, but I have been told that the single biggest factor in the handicap rating of a hole is its length.

Is that true?

Bob

[Adrian_Stiff]

Asignment of Stroke Index and Handicap Index ought to be two different things. I remember the Spanish golf federation did this years ago and had both on the card, one for giving strokes, the other for stableford but not anymore.

Stroke Index for the purpose of giving strokes is more balanced as to where they are in the round rather than hardness etc, but its only a guideline so you do not have to do it. The Balance is important that you have shots in equal halves, that if you have six strokes you dont have them at consecutive holes and that holes 1, 9, 10 and 18 are not less than index 7.

Is this not done in the US. Here most clubs adhere to it.

[Wayne_Kozun]

Yes it here - here is info from the USGA web site:

Allocate the first stroke to the hole on the first nine on which the higher-handicapped player most needs a stroke as an equalizer and the second stroke to the hole on the second nine on which the higher-handicapped player most needs a stroke as an equalizer. Alternate in this manner for the full 18 holes.

Generally the longer the hole, the greater the need for the higher-handicapped player to receive a stroke.

 b. Distribution of Strokes

(i) Odd Strokes/Even Strokes
The USGA recommends that the odd-numbered strokes be assigned to the holes on the first nine and the even-numbered strokes to the holes on the second nine.
This format equalizes, as nearly as possible, the distribution of handicap strokes over the entire 18 holes, and makes matches more equitable. In a case where the second nine is decidedly more difficult than the first nine, consideration should be given to allocating odd-numbered strokes to the second nine.

(ii) Importance of Low Strokes
The first handicap stroke should be allocated so that this stroke is most useful in matches between players of almost equal ability, such as matches involving players with a Course Handicap of 0 and 1, 10 and 11, or 29 and 30. In such matches, the first handicap stroke will be of the greatest importance as an equalizer to the player receiving the stroke.

In allocating the second handicap stroke, matches between players having a slightly greater difference in Course Handicap should be given the most consideration, such as matches involving players with a Course Handicap of 0 and 2, 10 and 12, or 29 and 31. This process should be continued until the first six strokes have been assigned.

Without substantially deviating from the above principles, allocating low-numbered strokes to holes near the end of each nine should be avoided so that players receiving strokes will have the opportunity to use these strokes before either nine or 18-hole matches are decided. Lower-numbered strokes should not be allocated to the first and second holes of a course in the event that a hole-by-hole playoff is necessary.

[Thomas Dai]

I also quite like reversing the shots holes.  I often wonder if this isn't how the handicap system should work anyway. 

Ciao

I would concur with this for matchplay.

Mark mentions shouting 'bang'. I've played this but a version where the lesser playier if given 'x' number of "gotcha's" per round, to be shouted whenever the lesser player wishes. Very unnerving.

There is a game with a piece of string or thin rope and a knife. Start off with say 3ft of string or thin rope. You could use all 3ft of string once and pick up a 3ft putt free (no shot to count). Or you can use the 3ft piecemeal intermittently and save shots by cutting off say 2" here or 6" there or whatever and saving a shot each time. Bit tactical. Can't remember what the game is called, probably has 'string' or 'rope' in the name.

I have also played 'Titantic' golf, named after the famous/infamous golf hussler, where you have to nominate before teeing-off on the 1st hole what you are going to score on each hole up to the limit of your handicap, ie 10 hcp has 10 shots over par to nominate and spread wherever he/she wishes over the 18-holes. The winner is the player who achieves the most scores that match his nominations. Not easy and very tactical.

atb

[Carl Nichols]

Yes it here - here is info from the USGA web site:

Allocate the first stroke to the hole on the first nine on which the higher-handicapped player most needs a stroke as an equalizer and the second stroke to the hole on the second nine on which the higher-handicapped player most needs a stroke as an equalizer. Alternate in this manner for the full 18 holes.

Generally the longer the hole, the greater the need for the higher-handicapped player to receive a stroke.

 b. Distribution of Strokes

(i) Odd Strokes/Even Strokes
The USGA recommends that the odd-numbered strokes be assigned to the holes on the first nine and the even-numbered strokes to the holes on the second nine.
This format equalizes, as nearly as possible, the distribution of handicap strokes over the entire 18 holes, and makes matches more equitable. In a case where the second nine is decidedly more difficult than the first nine, consideration should be given to allocating odd-numbered strokes to the second nine.

(ii) Importance of Low Strokes
The first handicap stroke should be allocated so that this stroke is most useful in matches between players of almost equal ability, such as matches involving players with a Course Handicap of 0 and 1, 10 and 11, or 29 and 30. In such matches, the first handicap stroke will be of the greatest importance as an equalizer to the player receiving the stroke.

In allocating the second handicap stroke, matches between players having a slightly greater difference in Course Handicap should be given the most consideration, such as matches involving players with a Course Handicap of 0 and 2, 10 and 12, or 29 and 31. This process should be continued until the first six strokes have been assigned.

Without substantially deviating from the above principles, allocating low-numbered strokes to holes near the end of each nine should be avoided so that players receiving strokes will have the opportunity to use these strokes before either nine or 18-hole matches are decided. Lower-numbered strokes should not be allocated to the first and second holes of a course in the event that a hole-by-hole playoff is necessary.

It also has the beneficial effect of making it less likely that someone gets a stroke on the 18th hole with multiple bets still open.....

[Wayne_Kozun]

Less likely but still not uncommon.  At my club 18 is the #6 hole so it isn't that rare for a stroke to be given or received.

[Carl Nichols]

Less likely but still not uncommon.  At my club 18 is the #6 hole so it isn't that rare for a stroke to be given or received.

We have the same situation.  So it's not rare at all, but obviously doesn't happen in matches where fewer than six strokes are being given.

Depending on the group and the stakes, if someone is getting 6 (or more), we often move the stroke from #18 to another hole on the back. 

[ward peyronnin]

Mark

I used this format with the CEO of a large hospital( our customer) when just the two of us went out to play...he being about a 30 HDC and me playing off a 3 or 4 . Of course it was a sporty but fairly forgiving older track.

We had great fun as I had to manufacture some fun shots and he got an unaccustomed rare clean look on his approach. Great way to entertain a business partner.

Hope to see you in 2015 at Walker Cup

Wardo

[Matthew Lloyd]

I played 9 holes on Sunday with my son. He hits the ball 100 yards or more further off the tee. As it was quiet yesterday we both teed off and then he played my ball and I played his, continuing in alternation even on the putting green. It was great fun. Of course there were no winners or losers, but we both enjoyed the challenge of playing from unfamiliar positions on each hole. It also ensured that I wasn't playing as back marker on every shot. Some thought was required to ensure that he didn't leave me with an impossible carry over a tree to the green - he can hit it very high, I cannot. We'll do it again.

I love playing this format of golf, and frequently do with my dad.  The gap between our tee shots ranges from 25-75 depending on how well I hit my drive, but this also makes for more interesting shots for both of us the rest of the hole. 

One of my frustrations with most golfers is that I find their interest in adopting these formats is usually non-existent. 

[Jason Topp]

I just played in a Chapman competition at our club and it was great fun.  Teams of 2, both tee off, both hit the other person's tee shot for the 2nd..  After the 2nd, you choose the best one and play alternate shot to the hole.  Our handicap was based on 70% of the high handicap plus 30% of the low. 

You play much more quickly than traditional 4-ball but hit more shots than alternate shot.  It presents some interesting pressure situations.

[Adrian_Stiff]

I just played in a Chapman competition at our club and it was great fun.  Teams of 2, both tee off, both hit the other person's tee shot for the 2nd..  After the 2nd, you choose the best one and play alternate shot to the hole.  Our handicap was based on 70% of the high handicap plus 30% of the low. 

You play much more quickly than traditional 4-ball but hit more shots than alternate shot.  It presents some interesting pressure situations.

Quite similar to Bluesomes, where you as a pair you both drive and play your second shot, then decide the ball to play alternate shots (traditional foursomes) thereafter.

[Bill_McBride]

I just played in a Chapman competition at our club and it was great fun.  Teams of 2, both tee off, both hit the other person's tee shot for the 2nd..  After the 2nd, you choose the best one and play alternate shot to the hole.  Our handicap was based on 70% of the high handicap plus 30% of the low. 

You play much more quickly than traditional 4-ball but hit more shots than alternate shot.  It presents some interesting pressure situations.

That's called a Pinehurst at Alwoodley.   It's a great couples format.   

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