Revised USGA Handicapping System

After much previous debate it was decided to try and implement the successful handicap system that Mike Smith ran by calculating a USGA handicap then basing the Loose Cannons playing handicap capped on 3 above this USGA handicap.

I looked at Mike Smith's existing software as well as the spreadsheets containing all the data. I also started to test a new online web based handicap system which my be a better option going forward. The  results and review so far are as below.

After a few weeks of testing this system we can decide if we wish to proceed with this annual paid system - so far the results are very good with realistic handicaps now for everyone and from the results of the first game using this system at Tropicana on 30th July 2013 the spread of scores look better with no 50 point wins …. this should make it a fairer opportunity for all players at all levels to compete and stand a chance of winning.

Loose Cannons Scoring Spreadsheet

I spent quite a number of days reviewing the Loose Cannons scores in the various spreadsheets from Mike Smith as of 15/11/2012 and the sheets that Ray Funnell has used since that time. I have taken all the score from 2013 for everyone plus the scores from 2012 from August to December and created a new and hopefully clearer spreadsheet. The older spreadsheets appear to have missing score data prior to August 2012 and also have extra columns, added rows for formatting - I have simplified this in the new spreadsheet allowing ease of use and ease of sorting by names or any other column.

The new spreadsheet has all scores input from August 2012 to date. The column titled USGA Handicap is a new calculated handicap based on a new online system I am currently testing (see below). These calculated handicaps are based on all scores from 2013 and if needed some scores from 2012. For those players who have not enough scores I have used the previous USGA handicap as calculated by Mike Smith in 15/11/2102 or they are blank as they have not played sufficient games.

Ray - I would suggest you use these handicaps for the next game at Tropicana. I will update this sheet on a weekly basis as well as generating weekly revised USGA handicaps. Please note they the Loose Cannons Handicap is capped at 3 above the calculated USGA Handicap. In the spreadsheet the capped scores are in bold/red under the KLLC Handicap column.

Handicapping Software

I have tried to get Mike Smith's handicap application to work - this is essentially an Excel spreadsheet system with Macros to run the various calculations. I have loaded this but unfortunately the various calculations and input routines do not work due to runtime errors which I feel is due to the incompatibility between Excel versions and perhaps the older version of the software that Mike Smith has. I feel this may be a good time to review what we use and perhaps go for a new online system which will not have these problems.

I have looked at many systems that can be used for handicap calculations - we of course need one that can calculate handicaps for a large group - we have around 80 names on the Loose Cannons database list although only about 20-30 are really active. One system I am testing right now and seems to be excellent is from www.golfsoftware.com which has both a desktop and a web based system. The desktop version is a Windows only application and would need one Administrator to enter all scores and generate all reports as well as printing handicap cards, etc. I am testing the web based system where all data is input online and all USGA calculations can be done based on the past scores input. There are comprehensive reports that can be generated and you can easily customise your own reports. Handicap cards can be printed by the Admin as well as any individual golfer. All golfers will have access to this online system so they can loo up their scores, print reports and print their own handicap card. We can assign a few key people as admins to input scores and manage the system. I will be sending out details by e-mail to everyone later with how to access this system. I will be passing out handicap cards for everyone next week based on scores from August 2012 to date.

I have this system on a 60 day free trial after which time we can decide to purchase. I would recommend we go for the online versions as this gives us greater flexibility, ease of updated versions and access by al golfers from any computer at anytime. The online web system is pieced based on the no of golfers:

1-25 golfers $96 per year

26-50 golfers $144 per year

51-100 golfers $240 per year

We currently have 80 golfers on our list although there are less than 50 golfers really active.

I would propose we discuss over the coming weeks after you see the system working and decide if we want to commit to this system

I have already input all scores for everyone from Aug 2012 to present and have generated handicaps for everyone (except those without sufficient scores.) 

Below is a sample handicap calculation for myself for reference on the calculations used:

Stuart Taylor - How USGA Index is calculated.
1. Handicap Setup is as follows ...
The table below is used to determine the number of handicap differentials to use :
Number of Acceptable Scores Differential(s) to be Used 5 or 6 Lowest 1 7 or 8 Lowest 2 9 or 10 Lowest 3 11 or 12 Lowest 4 13 or 14 Lowest 5 15 or 16 Lowest 6 17 Lowest 7 18 Lowest 8 19 Lowest 9 20 Lowest 10	Stuart has 20 scores so the highlighted parameters are used to determine which scores to use for handicapping
2. The Differentials for these scores are calculated...

Date	Adjusted Grs Score	Score Type	Course Played	Tee	Course Rating	Course Slope	Differential	Used
7/23/2013	93		KGSAAS	White	69.0	128	21.2
7/16/2013	90		Kota Permai Golf & Country Club	White	72.0	113	18.0	Used
7/9/2013	89		Bukit Unggul Country Club	White	70.5	115	18.2	Used
7/2/2013	95		Rahman Putra	White	71.9	129	20.2	Used
5/28/2013	96		Staffield Resort - N&S Course	White	70.5	115	25.1
5/21/2013	87		Bukit Kemuning	White	70.5	115	16.2	Used
5/14/2013	92		Saujana Impian G. & C.C.	White	70.5	115	21.1
4/29/2013	92		IOI Golf Resort	White	67.7	112	24.5
4/16/2013	94		KGSAAS	White	69.0	128	22.1
4/11/2013	97		Orna - East/West Course	White	70.5	115	26.0
4/2/2013	94		Bukit Unggul Country Club	White	70.5	115	23.1
3/12/2013	86		KRTU	White	71.0	130	13.0	Used
3/5/2013	95		Saujana Impian G. & C.C.	White	70.5	115	24.1
2/26/2013	86		Bukit Unggul Country Club	White	70.5	115	15.2	Used
2/19/2013	99		Templer Park Country Club	White	70.5	115	28.0
2/5/2013	86		Nilai Springs - P&M Course	White	70.5	115	15.2	Used
1/29/2013	92		The Club @Bukit Utama	White	72.0	120	18.8	Used
1/22/2013	89		Perangsang Templer	White	69.6	130	16.9	Used
1/15/2013	95		Tropicana	White	72.0	120	21.7
1/8/2013	90		KGSAAS	White	69.0	128	18.5	Used

	The equation for calculating a differential is ...
	Diff = (Adjusted Gross Score - Rating) X (113 / Slope)
3. Use the differentials to calculate a USGA Index
Differentials 'used' are added together...
170.2 = 18.0 + 18.2 + 20.2 + 16.2 + 13.0 + 15.2 + 15.2 + 18.8 + 16.9 + 18.5
Then divide the total number used
Average differentials = 170.2 / 10  = 17.020
Multiply average by 96%.
USGA Index = 17.020 x 0.96         USGA Index = 16.3 (Digits after tenths place are deleted)
Final USGA Index = 16.3