To all members.

Following the Pete Brown Trophy today I thought it might be relevant to explain what happens in “mixed” handicap events, when women are competing directly against men.

In stroke play competitions, the men are playing over a course with a Standard Scratch Score (SSS) of 67 versus the women who are playing over a harder course of SSS 69. To fairly compare scores, the ladies receive 2 extra strokes in addition to their handicap. Ideally this should be shown on the scorecard prior to play, as Handicap 28 - Strokes Recvd 30. But even if it isn’t marked on the cards the computer will analyse the result of the competition correctly showing Gross 100 Handicap 28 Nett 70. Any adjustments to a lady's handicap are based on handicap and not strokes received.

It’s more complicated with stableford. The men are competing on a course of SSS 67 Par 69 (difference -2) whereas the ladies course is SSS 69 Par 68 (difference +1). So the ladies receive 3 extra strokes in addition to their handicap. Their cards really ought to be marked beforehand as Handicap 28 Stokes - Recvd 31, otherwise the marker will calculate their stableford scores incorrectly throughout the event. Note that the ladies do not simply receive 3 extra stableford points, these points have to be earned. In the case of a 28 handicap, a lady would receive an extra (second) shot on Stroke Indices 11, 12 & 13 [applicable on Holes 5, 9 &10 ] where she would not receive a shot if playing in a ladies only event. If she scores NR on any of these three holes then the potential extra point is not earned. So unless the Strokes Recvd are correctly marked on the cards beforehand, the computer calculated stableford points may give a result 0,1,2 or 3 points higher than the total calculated on the card by the marker!

I know it’s complicated but I don’t want to have to explain this to all the 48 people who competed! For what it’s worth it will be much more complicated under World Handicap System. Every player will then have to check on the computer beforehand and write down their Strokes Received (because it is never the same as their Handicap Index, even for the men) if they going to correctly assess their stableford scoring while on course.

Malcolm Shepherd
Handicap Secretary