Change to 9 hole scores for handicap index in 2024

[FlyingEmu]

What do you think about this change to the treatment of 9 hole scores for handicaps?

If you play 9 regularly, it sounds like scores will accumulate much faster, as every 9 hole round will be posted as a full score.

It will be interesting to see how it affects the calculations.

“Beginning in 2024, when a player posts a 9-hole score, the WHS will automatically calculate an 18-hole Score Differential for the round, based on the player’s 9-hole Score Differential and expected Score Differential based on their current Handicap Index®, allowing the 9-hole round to be considered in the player’s Handicap Index calculation right away.”

https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/handicapping/world-handicap-system/2024-revision/2024-treatment-of-9-hole-scores-FAQ.html

 

[OldandStiff]

Oh f**k to the no.

Welcome to scratch or better players posting even less 9 hole scores.

 

[Mmaynard11]

What the hell???

 

[MWard]

Hahaha there is zeeroooo chance I post a 9 hole score now. You know how many times I’ve done 36-38, hit the back 9, and completely screw that up? Yeah, I’m not taking that hit on a made up 9 holes.

I know posting two 9’s will combine, and I have no problem with that. I did shoot the combined score.

 

[Templet0n]

This is a terrible idea..

 

[Scooby45]

Hahaha there is zeeroooo chance I post a 9 hole score now. You know how many times I’ve done 36-38, hit the back 9, and completely screw that up? Yeah, I’m not taking that hit on a made up 9 holes.

I know posting two 9’s will combine, and I have no problem with that. I did shoot the combined score.

But wouldn’t those ugly “back nine” rounds in theory also factor in?

 

[PiratePenguin]

Last week I shot 52-41 for a 93. Under this formula I suppose I would have shot a 104 and an 82. Same thing...

 

[MWard]

But wouldn’t those ugly “back nine” rounds in theory also factor in?

Never underestimate the USGA lol

I don’t typically play just the back 9, it’s a long walk from the clubhouse and it would mess with pace of play. I enter total score when I put in my scores, how would it know my back 9 average?

 

[Muchmore]

Holyyyyy. So dumb. The amount of times I’ve blown up after nine holes is too may to count. I’ll be a plus cap if I put in my nines

 

[FlyingEmu]

Last week I shot 52-41 for a 93. Under this formula I suppose I would have shot a 104 and an 82. Same thing...

I think the “other 9” score is an average for your index. So let’s say that’s 45 (it would be the differential). Then your two scores would be 97 and 86

 

[baylrballa]

Holy crap that's dumb.

 

[GolfFest]

So a hypothetical 5 index having a good round, say a 0 differential would be added as a 2.5? Or a bad round with a 10 differential added as a 7.5?

 

[baylrballa]

Hahaha there is zeeroooo chance I post a 9 hole score now. You know how many times I’ve done 36-38, hit the back 9, and completely screw that up? Yeah, I’m not taking that hit on a made up 9 holes.

I know posting two 9’s will combine, and I have no problem with that. I did shoot the combined score.

This. Something like 1/3 of my rounds were combined at one point. My cap would have been shockingly lower.

The combined wasn't perfect, I had a few times two low 9s combined. But like you said at least I shot them.

 

[BigMac]

This is a terrible idea..

Of course it is, it came from the USGA. They don't have any other kinds of ideas.

 

[MWard]

Holyyyyy. So dumb. The amount of times I’ve blown up after nine holes is too may to count. I’ll be a plus cap if I put in my nines

Shoutout to the front 9 scratch golfers club

 

[Muchmore]

Shoutout to the front 9 scratch golfers club

I shot under par four times on the front 9 holes this year and twice in the back. Then the second nine happened. This is sooo dumb

 

[FlyingEmu]

This. Something like 1/3 of my rounds were combined at one point. My cap would have been shockingly lower.

The combined wasn't perfect, I had a few times two low 9s combined. But like you said at least I shot them.

This is where I’m at. The idea of hc based on fake scores goes against everything they preach

 

[MWard]

I shot under par four times on the front 9 holes this year and twice in the back. Then the second nine happened. This is sooo dumb

I’ve been at 38 numerous, 37 several, 36 a handful, 35 twice.

I love to shoot over 40 on the back. it’s like my favorite roller coaster ride. Shoutout to 11,13,14, 17, and 18. We’re such good friends, I love spending extra time on all of those.

So… Guess I play the back 9 only and counter this poor idea by the USGA. Comin into THP events in 2024 as a 10 handicap, YUSS

 

[willplaysgolf]

I think I'm good with it if the math is good. Seems like it would be taking into account how you play each time you play rather than the RNG that seems to happen now. I do wish there was a little more transparency on how the expected score calculations work.

 

[will]

That sounds crazy to me. I wonder exactly how they calculate the back 9 score? At my course, the back 9 is longer and a good bit more difficult than the front. That's currently reflected when I post 2 nine hole scores on the back or 2 from the front. I'm usually a couple of strokes higher on the back 9, so I wonder if that kind of stuff will be included in the calculation.

 

[Bernoulli]

I play a 9 hole round around once a week during the season. I’m not sure how I feel about this.

 

[Chef23]

In reading the article it doesn’t extrapolate what you had been doing for that first 9 on to the second 9. It appears to use what your average differential is for that 9 holes. So if you have a hot 9 holes it assumes you revert to normal on the back. The article says it does prevent two low 9 hole scores from being combined for an artificially low round.

Of course that is if I am reading things correctly.

 

[War Eagle]

Shoutout to the front 9 scratch golfers club

I seemingly always score better on the back 9 after I have had a few drinks I have gotten nice and warmed up.

 

[Slowmo]

Ugh. I don’t like this at alll. This time of year I will stop by the course and play 9 on the way home from work. When doing so I will try to play the opposite side so the combined score is the full 18. I guess I will just stop submitting 9 hole scores.

 

[MWard]

I seemingly always score better on the back 9 after I have had a few drinks I have gotten nice and warmed up.

Maaaybbeee I fly close to the sun on the back 9, or I get hungry. Likely both.