03 AprProposal #1 End 80% Handicap System

Proposal 1 (2024): Elimination of 80% handicapping system

The MnM Golf league has a history of using an 80% system when calculating handicaps. An analysis of the old system argues for a change to a new 100% system.

Current 80% system: Example, based on a par 35, player 1 shoots a 45, 10 strokes over par, at 80% equals a handicap of 8. Player 2 shoots a 54, 19 strokes over par, at 80% equals a handicap of 15. therefore if player 1 was playing a match against player 2, the stroke difference would be 7. Same scenario now with 100% handicap system: player 1 now has a 10 handicap and player 2 has a 19 handicap, therefore a difference of 9. As you can see, the 80% system benefits the lower handicap player, in this example by 2 strokes.

One more example, based on a par 35, player 1 shoots a 47, 12 strokes over par, at 80% equals a handicap of 10. Player 2 shoots a 51, 16 strokes over par, at 80% equals a handicap of 13. therefore if player 1 was playing a match against player 2, the stroke difference would be 3. Same scenario now with 100% handicap system: player 1 now has a 12 handicap and player 2 has a 16 handicap, therefore a difference of 4. As you can see, the 80% system benefits the lower handicap player, in this example by 1 stroke.

The basis of the proposal is that we use an unfair handicap system for higher handicapped players, it is time to correct it.

What are the benefits? (1) It would end the hassle of figuring a handicap for an individual without a handicap. (2) we would not have to explain why we use this strange system and (3) It would also end the practice of determining a subs or new member’s handicap after three rounds and instead using the actual score with an immediate determination of points. 

How would we implement the system? As we do in every year, handicaps are carried over from the previous year. Two options are available, one is to make a 20% adjustment to everyone’s handicap at the beginning of the season, or start the season with last years handicaps and convert to 100% handicap after a player achieves three scores.

Proposal submitted by Joe Povolo