The low-down on new handicapping changes back to news & events
Updated 4 months ago Articles
Golf Australia has announced its intention to commence the operation of the USGA ‘Slope’ Handicap System in Australia at the start of 2012. This move will not only affect the way your handicap is calculated, but also the time that your handicaps will be updated.
“We’re still working with the USGA on a few minor modifications in order that we have a system in place that best reflects the typical characteristics of Australian golf,” said Simon Magdulski, Manager of Rules & Handicapping for Golf Australia. “However given the significance of this and the amount of discussion it’s generated, we’ve made it a priority to keep the golfing community updated.”
What we do know is that the new handicap system will be phased in over time, with the following two changes being implemented on the 1st February 2010:
- Removal of the men’s CCR
- Using the best 10 of the player’s most recent 20 scores to calculate handicaps.
A third change, requiring all scores submitted to GolfLink to be converted to Stableford, is likely to happen around mid 2010. Golf Australia has not confirmed the exact date.
If you’re interested in reading more about the technical details please view the Golf Australia memo.
What do the 1st Feb changes mean for Micropower customers?
The changes being implemented on the 1st February 2010 require no changes in your use of your Micropower golf software. The system already does everything you need. References to the CCR will be removed in Micropower screens and reports because they are no longer relevant, but no changes are needed to the functionality of the system.
What about the third change: Stableford scores for handicapping?
The third change, the use of Stableford scores for handicapping purposes, requires that when players compete in a Par or Stroke Play competition, a second Stableford score must be generated for handicapping purposes.
If you are using Micropower Golf software, we can take care of this for you, provided you are entering hole-by-hole scores. Because Micropower’s hole-by-hole score entry systems capture the strokes taken on each hole, the system can calculate both the score required for the competition (Stroke, Stableford, or Par) using whatever handicap is in use for that competition, and a Stableford score for handicapping purposes.
Micropower offers three ways to enter hole-by-hole scores:
1. Touchscreen
For entering hole-by-hole scores, we recommend using Micropower’s electronic score entry. This is available for anyone using Micropower Electronic Tee Bookings and Kiosk software. It allows players to enter in their own scores on a touchscreen following their round. The scores are posted directly to the day’s competition, and to your Club’s leaderboard for immediate display.
2. Mobile phone
You can also use Micropower’s mobile phone scoring option to easily record scores electronically. This product is currently in beta testing and ready for release soon.
3. Scorecard Scanning
While Micropower software includes a scorecard scanning option, similar to Golf AutoScore, we have found in trials that this system is less reliable than Touchscreen or Mobile Phone score entry systems. Apart from the problem of bad weather damaging cards, the system relies on a high level of accuracy by players marking their cards out on the course.
All these options take the hard work out of hole-by-hole score entry for your handicappers. Provided you are using one of these score entry systems, the change to Stableford scores for handicapping, to be introduced by Golf Australia mid 2010, will be hassle free. Micropower’s Golf software will do all the work for you.
Going forward, any changes made by Golf Australia to the national handicapping system will certainly be included in the upgrades to Micropower software, if we don’t already cater for them. Micropower’s Golf software is the most comprehensive on the market today and will continue to deliver with the changes in rules and handicapping as well as the demands on technology.
Please contact your local Micropower representative if you’d like any more information.