Date: March, 2020
Ladies Stroke Hole Allocations
The Handicap Committee is responsible for the process of reviewing the handicap stroke allocations for our scorecard. The data used includes those hole by hole scores posted by many members when entering their scores for handicap purposes along with scores entered by the Pro Shop for club events such as the Club Championships. Based on recommendations from the Handicap Committee, the Games Committee will review the stroke allocations, typically every three years or sooner if significant changes are made to the golf course. In the case of Lookout Point, we have been in the process of capturing hole by hole scores through the use of our Golf Genius software since 2017. In 2019, based on the data pool the Games Committee approved changes to our Men’s stroke allocations and it was decided at that time that another year of data was required before making updates to our Ladies stroke allocations.
The stroke allocation is done based on the Golf Canada recommended method which is a combination of statistical calculations balanced with subjective knowledge of the golf course. Below is a summary of the process that is recommended by Golf Canada. Electronic copies are available online at http://golfcanada.ca/app/uploads/2016/02/2016-Handicap-Manual-6×9-ENG-FA-web.pdf. Please go to page 105 in the manual to find the full explanation.
The basic principle of allocating handicap strokes is to equalize the abilities of players at different handicap levels. A handicap stroke should be an equalizer rather than a winning stroke and should be available on a hole where it most likely will be needed by the higher-handicapped player to obtain a half in singles or four-ball match play.
Difficulty in making par on a hole is not an effective indicator of the need for a stroke.
Basis of Allocation
Allocate strokes based the most commonly played tee markers, in our case that is the FRINGE tee, of which 85% of all Ladies rounds were posted to through Golf Canada’s handicap system.
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. By having the odd numbered holes on one nine and the even stroke holes on the other it ensures even distribution between the two nines. Consideration should be given to placing the odd holes on the nine which has the higher course rating. Generally, the longer the hole, the greater the need for the higher-handicapped player to receive a stroke.
Golf Canada recommends using a method whereby scores are grouped based on the handicap of the player into a high handicap group and a low handicap group. The average score per hole is taken for each of these groups. The average score from the high handicap group is subtracted from the average score from the low handicap group on each hole to get a differential. Holes that have the largest differential should be used as the lowest stroke holes on the card.
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.
For 2020, 4 holes in particular stood out as having a very large variance between what is currently the stroke allocation and what the comparison method data analysis indicated they should be. The approved changes to the stroke allocation for these holes as well as hole #10 are listed below.
In general, when we look at the stroke allocation on the scorecard and something just doesn’t seem to make sense, it is important to remember the allocations are not based on the overall difficulty of the hole and where you most need the stroke in order to make par. It reflects where the high handicap player most needs a stroke to tie a lower handicap player in a match.
If you have any further questions regarding the change in the stroke hole allocations for 2020, the method used or anything else related to this topic, please feel free to contact any of the following:
Handicap Committee
Games Committee
Professional Staff