USGA says no to the solo round

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By Hotsauce

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  • 18 Replies
  1. Hotsauce

    Hotsauce
    Georgetown MA

    Hi TT,

    I came across this link on Higly's Facebook page and wanted to get everyone's opinion on it.

    http://www.golfdigest.com/story/usga-says-scores-shot-when-playing-by-yourself-no-longer-count-for-your-handicap

    Here's the cliff notes: The USGA is disallowing posting solo rounds for hcp purposes.

    I the we can all see why a peer review is important... as anyone who's given 4 shots a side and witnessed a "career round" would attest, having an accurate hcp is vital to competitions.  

    I also think we're all less concerned with the vanity capper.  If someone wants to call themselves a 2 and shoot a 94, I'm fine with it (as long as they're not my partner).

    There's some that will say they play better solo, but again that would only make your cap lower.  I also disagree with that statement in general.  As someone who plays a lot of solo golf (my job schedule is unique and I travel quite a bit), I often times lose focus without competition.  All of my best rounds have come when there's something on the line.

    Then there's 'solo' rounds when you get paired up.  Most of the time your partners don't care about your score, making the peer review more or less useless. What happens then?  

    Basically I disagree with this decision for two reasons:  1. I think the more you post the better.  We have all have ups and downs, and the more data the more accurate the hcp will be- assuming accuracy is the ultimate goal.

    2. In a game based on honesty and integrity, why can't we trust a solo golfer?

    What's your take on this ruling?

  2. Jim A

    Jim A
    Winona, MN

    Here's my thoughts Josh. 1. If you play better when under pressure, your solo rounds would add more handicap for you and thus you will place higher in a tournament if what you say is true. 2. Golf is all about honor and integrity. Those that pad their handicaps are usually well known within their own course and groups. 3. I play over 100 rounds a year and record all scores, solo and group. My handicap starts out high each year, then drops as the season goes along, and then for some reason towards the end of the year seams to rise again. I never have been able to figure that one out. But because it always falls, it usually costs me at the end of the year regardless. 4. The USGA has continually tried to keep the game at its true nature. I believe they made a mistake with this new ruling because many golfers play within the rules of golf and play with honor and integrity. Those that do not will always find a way to pad their scores regardless. 5. As Harvey Penick wrote in his "Little Red Book", you can learn a lot about someone through a round of golf. You will know if you wish to do business with them in one round or less.
  3. John L

    John L
    Cumming, GA

    I don't understand how the usga can monitor this.

    Also, cheating to make your handicap lower does no good to the player because you get less shots when playing with friends, and you may be able to try and qualify for tournaments like the us amateur, open, etc. but then shoot 90 in the qualifier. Cheating to lower your handicap does not help you play better so I don't see the point in this rule.

  4. Speedy

    Speedy
    Newmarket, NH

    Don't like it one bit...   I don't think it's a necessary rule to have and you hit it with #2.... 

  5. David T

    David T
    Grosse Pointe Farms, MI

    I personally think it ridiculous and a huge step backwards. I probably play 75% of my golf  solo because of my work schedule so my "post-able" rounds would become far and few between. I'm a mid-capper and my scores fluctuate quite a bit so hypothetically I could post a string of low rounds and have a ridiculously low cap or I may only end up posting the high scoring rounds. i currently post all of my scores which tends to average out.

    Oh, and what about golf being a gentleman's game? 

  6. Scott H

    Scott H
    west falmouth, MA

    This will dramatically decrease the number of rounds I post.  As already highlighted, the average of all rounds will be directly impacted.  This may also bring in a seasonal/ environmental factor as I often play when weather impacts the number of players who choose to tee it up.

    I also see the potential negative impact upon the 'Grow the Game' initiative.

  7. Chuck Z

    Chuck Z
    Mt Pleasant, SC

    Military
    Me, for the most part, I don't play solo rounds. If I do it is to practice and not to score a round. Cheaters will always cheat, if that is their goal.
  8. Dave N

    Dave N
    Dade City, FL

    WOW is that a ridiculous change. Who says you can't  fudge numbers anytime you play.  You only hurt yourself by doing it. This makes as much sense as "anchoring ban" and grooves on irons rules. Just play it. Hit um straight. Dave...

  9. Chris Hatem

    Chris Hatem
    Boston

    The more data samples you have the more accurate representation of performance you have. The rule should be that you have to post 100% of your rounds or none at all. Saying that there is a subset of rounds for which we don't want to include in your data is ludicrous.  The game of golf relies heavily on honesty and integrity.  Signing your name to this rule would undermine the basic principles on which the game is founded. Sure there are sandbaggers out there and this rule will not stop them if they want to inflate their handicap. My answer: don't play with them.  My question to the USGA: what does this rule change accomplish?   

  10. Mike C

    Mike C
    Dallas, TX

    I understand some of the reasons behind the new rule, but I don't necessarily agree with them.  As has been mentioned several times, golf is a game of integrity, and it is a game where the player determines if an infraction of the rules has occurred.  While I can see where this could limit opportunities for a golfer to artificially inflate their handicap by posting false scores while playing alone, isn't this really the job of the handicap committee to monitor?  

    This is seems like an extra rule to "protect one integrity of the handicap system" but I believe the handicap committee already has this role.  I think it is unnecessary and really takes away from the handicap system if all single scores are excluded.  It really gives a false reading in a players handicap if that individual plays a lot of solo rounds.  At the end of the day, we will all follow this rule but it really seems like a backwards step in my opinion.

  11. Frank P

    Frank P
    Port St. Lucie, FL

    Military
    Personally, I'm paying no attention to this. Just another overreach by the USGA. Like the belly putter. If the USGA wanted it stopped they should have done so 30 years ago when they first showed up, not wait 'til now. People have been posting solo rounds forever and now they're going to say you can't. I don't play many solo rounds but some people do. When I sign up for a tournament at my club I know that there are some sandbaggers in there. What can you do. I've seen some late round " handicap management " if you know what I mean. All I can do is tee it up and do my best.
  12. PRO V

    PRO V
    golf course

    Josh, this is a great discussion as I am extremely conflicted on this.  I play a lot of golf.  A lot.  And I play whenever I can.  It doesn't matter if I'm by myself or in a match or with friends, but scores vary.  They go in streaks.  Many of the times I play are by myself, when it's late in the day after everyone has gone.  I'm sure not going to wait around for someone to play so I can "post" my score.  

    I think any rule that takes away from the act of just playing golf or restricting it is bad.  I've always thought a handicap system was too confusing to compute and always seems to be unfair to someone no matter what type of tournament it is.  I think it was designed to "level" the field, which I don't really think it does.  I think that using the different tee boxes makes the game more fair than a handicap system anyway.  Tournaments should be put into how many different tee boxes there are.  Each player should put himself in whatever group he/she thinks is fair.  The best players hit from the tips, and so on.

    Isn't golf a game?  Isn't it about enjoyment of the greatest sport ever?  Isn't golf supposed to be fun???  

    No one has the right to tell someone that if you play by yourself, you can't be part of our system. These are bully tactics and I refuse to be associated with any organization which puts them into play.

    Therefore, I will only post on the Team Titleist web site where it gives "average score."  If I ever do play in an event where a handicap is necessary, I will say, "I don't have one.  Give me a zero."  Therefore, I have to pick up my game and get to scratch, which is a good thing.  Thus and so, forcing myself to become a better player.  Every club should switch from the handicap system to the staggered tee box system.  I think this will promote play, pick up the pace, make things more even and everyone wins.   

  13. tdogg21

    tdogg21
    Chambersburg, PA

    The more I read about this rule change and the more I think about it, the less I understand their thinking.  I really can't come up with one good reason why they needed to make this change.

  14. Don O

    Don O
    Madison, WI

    Seriously. For pace of play, friendly rounds will only penalize the drop, not the distance (going back to original spot). Without solo rounds, I'm more likely to lower my handicap due to this. I've never seen anyone sandbag by only reporting a higher score. If sandbaggers want to chunk shots with or with a witness to shot a higher score, there is no way a witness can call this out. What a waste of time, not to mention as someone that does not sandbag, it will be nigh near impossible for me to get enough rounds in to qualify for a handicap.
  15. Bomber3

    Bomber3
    Lake St Louis, MO

    Military

    So Canada rejects the USGA rule (good for them) and the the USGA comes out with a "clarification"....which just seems insane to me.

    The USGA announced a clarification to this rule change Tuesday, which states that a player does not need to play alongside another golfer, but that he or she simply needs a witness. That witness must be present for seven holes of a nine-hole score, or 13 holes of an 18-hole score.

    http://www.golf.com/tour-and-news/golf-canada-rejects-usga-handicap-rule-rounds-played-alone

  16. Hotsauce

    Hotsauce
    Georgetown MA

    Looks like our Canadian counterparts have vetoed this bogus rule. Keep it real Canada!

  17. killerbgolfer

    killerbgolfer
    Lacey, WA

    Double Bogey by the USGA on this one. Impossible to enforce and makes it more difficult for the very high majority of golfers who do play and post honestly. 

    The USGA should be working on how to speed up play, not this nonsense. 

  18. MADGOLFER

    MADGOLFER
    HENDERSON, NV

    I personally think this crazy. Because of my work  schedule i play 80% of my rounds on Thursday and Friday while my buddies are at work.  So I'm always playing  as a single. So should I not post my scores? Yet another reason why we are loosing golfers!!!!

  19. Travis W

    Travis W
    Jacksonville, FL

    I disagree with the ruling as well.  Cheaters are going to cheat, regardless.  Again, it is a game of honor and integrity.  I count every stroke and every penalty, as well as hole out every putt, even when I am playing alone.  I could care less if those around me don't.  When I play for serious stakes, it is either straight up without handicap, or a spread that I personally know is fair.  But, it is an honorable game and the ruling authority decides the rules, therefore, I will probably honor their decisions and try to conform as best as I can.

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