Some members have asked for clarification as to what "Handicap Off Low" means. This post is my attempt to explain it.
Handicap off Low (HoL) is used exclusively for our Skins competitions. What we do is look at the handicap strokes each competitor is receiving within a given flight. We find the player who is receiving the fewest number of strokes. This player is the Low Handicapper for the flight. (There could be more than one player as Low for the flight).
The low handicapper does not receive any strokes for the skins competitions, and the balance of players in the flight have their skins-handicap changed to the difference between themselves and the low handicapper.
As an example, lets look at the 9/15/22 results, Link Here
If you scroll down the players in the "C" Flight (the names/scores in far right column) you will see that Neil Slater is the low handicapper for the flight, receiving 15 strokes. As the Low, Neil does not receive any strokes on any holes for the skins competition, and the rest of the competitors in the flight have their strokes reduced based on his handicap.
In the Skins Result box you will see "Skins Handicap = Course Handicap minus 15". This indicates that all players' skins handicap has been reduced by 15, based on Neil being the low handicapper.
Right above Neil in the flight list is Mike Bekins (20). In the results box you see that Mike is only getting 5 strokes for the skins competition (the difference between his 20 course handicap and the "low' handicapper who is a 15).
Why Do This?
By reducing the number of handicap strokes in the skins competition (while maintaining equity among the players), the handicap strokes are moved to the tougher rated holes.
This is easier to see if we look at the "B" flight.
The low handicappers in the net competition are two players with 9 handicaps. The high handicappers are at 15. The difference is 6, which means that only on the 6 hardest rated holes will any competitor receive a stroke for skins. The skill difference (based on handicaps) between the players is maintained - we have just reduced the number of holes where strokes will be used.
I hope this helps. Comment if you have any questions.
Jeff
EDIT:
What all this means:
If we perform really well on a hole, we have a much better chance of getting a skin, because fewer of our competitors are getting strokes, and they are getting fewer strokes on more holes. And yet equity between skill levels is being maintained.
If we perform really well on a hole, we have a much better chance of getting a skin, because fewer of our competitors are getting strokes, and they are getting fewer strokes on more holes. And yet equity between skill levels is being maintained.
Jeff I think that you did a great job explaining the topic. Not only how it works but also why we do it.
ReplyDeleteSolid explanation Jeff!
ReplyDeleteDitto on the above comments, a very clear explanation as to how and why it’s done. Thanks Jeff.
ReplyDeleteI understand the method and the reasoning..... I don't understand why my card says 12 and I only get 3..... I have a legit 17 handicap.... this league gave me 12 and I accept that... so now you say the low handicap in my flight is a 9 and he starts with a zero and I have a 3.... it is making sense now.... does the 12 on my card pertain to everything but the skins?
ReplyDeleteJames, glad it is starting to make sense. It is indeed confusing, and it took me awhile to grasp it. Once I did, I created the post to try and help others. As for your question, the 12 applies to the individual net event. Having 12 dots on the card is confusing, because those dots do not all apply to skins. Like you mention, you only rec'd 3 strokes for skins, which would be applied to the 3 hardest holes (#1, #9, and #18). The rest of dots serve no purpose for our event. I have asked the TD's to see if there is something we can do to make this a cleaner presentation. Stay tuned!
Delete