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| OUR GOLF STATS.COM The place for your golf scores and handicap Internet Based Golf League Administration |
| Options Available at OurGolfStats.com |
Elsewhere on our web site, we have explained the differences between the United States Golf Association's handicap system and our handicapping system. Many of the differences are related to the rules that one must abide by to get a USGA sanctioned handicap. We do not disagree with the USGA's approach, we just think that there needs to be an alternative handicapping system for the millions of recreational golfers who want the joys of a handicap, but do not belong to a country club or other organization that has handicap committees, signed license agreements with the USGA, etc. On www.OurGolfStats.com we allow you to choose how many rounds which you have played on which you base your handicap. For example, the USGA determines your handicap on your best 10 rounds out of the last 20 rounds of golf that you have played. This works well in the country club setting where you may play 3 times or more a week. At that rate, your handicap would be based on how you have played over the last 7 weeks. On our site, we allow you to choose both parameters, i.e., best "x" out of last "y" rounds. Examples could be best 6 of last 10, best 5 of last 5. We believe that this allows you to keep the handicaps based on current scores. For example, someone who plays only once a week and only late Spring through early Fall, may not even get 20 rounds recorded in a year. Abilities change throughout the year. We believe that you should be in control, based on how often you play, of how large a span of time is used for your handicap. If you change nothing, our default is the best 10 out of your last 20. Similarly, the USGA doesn't allow you to get 100% of their handicap calculation to create your handicap. They only apply 96% of the calculation to create your handicap. We allow you to choose the percentage. A lower percentage than 100% slightly favors lower handicapped players. You can choose any percentage from, and including, 80% to 100%. See HCP% on our terminology page. The USGA also applies a concept called Equitable Stroke Control which keeps a golfer's handicap from being artificially increased more than appropriate due to a bad hole (or 2 or 3). We have a similar, but different, concept that we call Handicap Leveling. However, we allow you to use this or to turn it off - your choice. The default is that it is turned on. Therefore, you have choices in our handicap system that allows you to tailor the system to your needs and enjoyment. We think that is a good thing. We think you will like it, too. |
