Let's Try This Again - HANDICAPS 2.0

So the Committees have submitted their “Final Drafts” (Schedule, Handicap, Rules, and Fees). The last problem I thought we would have was handicaps but, as usual, I was wrong.

Chris, the Deputy Commissioner and the "Master Creator" of our current handicap system was the easy choice to lead the Handicap Committee. After all, his system has worked for the last 4 years, or so I thought. Who knew that there was this much pent up frustration.

Now, I was only a little involved at the start, but I thought the handicap committee was a good working group, especially the way they worked together last year. It would seem that COVID-19 wasn’t the only change happening in 2020. Maybe next year I will change up the committee members.

Some of the texted comments I read were a little surprising, even for this group.

“There is too much opinion these days. Just be a Dictator, Joe”. I did not think I’d ever hear that comment but "too many cooks in the kitchen can spoil the soup."

“My handicap went up 5 strokes”. This from the man who shot in the 70s three times. and won at least 2 Majors. Were you really surprised that you handicap went up?

“Should have played shittier”. Spoken like a true competitor. That makes sense, play shitty in 2021 so that you get a better handicap in 2022. Play shitty again in 2024 and so on and so forth…

“Joe T shot in the 80s multiple times…” What??? Someone take the crack pipe away from that man. There is no doubt that Joe T played better in 2020 with some scores in the 90s but he also shot over 100 almost the same number of times.

“How come we vote on everything but not handicaps?” Surprisingly enough, this comment was from a member of the Handicap Committee….

“Handicaps should be decided by everybody”. How does that work? Majority Rule? Maybe a Secret Ballot? Can we vote again if we don't like the results?

“Handicaps should slide quarterly”. “Re-calculated based on performance.” Yes, that should not have any effect on the Majors or the Fed Up Cup. And who wants that job?

Just a quick history lesson, in 2017, we actually re-calculated handicaps weekly. As an example, Rey was 36 handicap for a couple of weeks, and then he was a 24 handicap for three weeks (that a minus 12 for those of you with your shoes still on), Rey then went to a 30 handicap for a couple of weeks (that’s plus 6) and then he went to 28 handicap (-2) and finally settled at 29 for the last few weeks.

I think Chris tried to be fair with his assessment, using Zero Golfers as his base and then moving handicaps Up (plus) or Down (minus). Obviously, some people didn’t like that idea.

If anyone should have a higher handicap it would be Chris. He has not played well for the last 3 years and he knows it. Instead of giving himself his -6 handicap, he put on his big boy pants and decided that he just needs to “play better golf”. To make that transition, he bought new clubs. That's commitment but more importantly, a lesson for some of you.

While I don’t have a degree in business, what I do have are a "particular set of skills" (the numbers, a laptop and an excel spreadsheet).

It may not be Einstein Theory of Relativity but here are the numbers for 2021, based on 2020 scores.

I took your average score from 2020 plus your low score from 2020 (potential), added them together, and divide that by 2. Those are the scores that your handicap will be based on.

Next, I thought, you should not get 100% of that handicap, after all, you also need to bring something to the table by “playing better golf”. I looked at 80%, 85%, 90%, and 95%,.

Based on these numbers, 95% worked out best with just three tiny adjustments needed.

Here is your chance to vote for "Handicaps". Your choices are A, B, or C. D is no longer an option.

Voting (by text) closes Sunday afternoon at 3 pm. Sometime after 3 pm I will call you if I do not have your vote but, I will only call you once.

Yes, some of you will be happy with your handicap but unhappy with someone else’s handicap. Everyone's handicap was calculated the exact same way so there is really nothing left to complain about.

All I can tell you is "Play Better Golf". As I said in the past, "be careful what you ask for, sometimes you get it…"

If nothing else, this year is going to be interesting and no one can say they were not given an opportunity to win in 2021.

Next, let me say that I do appreciate the passion and the feedback. At least some of you care enough to speak up and let your voices be heard. Other members need to step up and let us know what your thinking.

I do think in 2022, Rock, Cody, Nic, and Dan (Degree) can take a shot at handicaps. Think of it this way, you have all of 2021 to figure out how handicaps should work in 2022. I for one, cannot wait to see and hear what you come up with. Thank goodness for Rule 19.

Until then, Good Luck and “Play Better Golf”…

We still need to finalize the Winter Meeting location: Lake House or Christopher's.? Again, all voting (by text) must be to me by Sunday at 3 pm. Sometime after 3 pm I will call you if I do not have your vote but I will only call you once.

I will post or text the results of the Handicap and the Winter Meeting votes, hopefully, on Monday.

I have to go, I'm late for my next golf lesson.

Respectfully,

Broken Joe

Commissioner