The USGA has eliminated posting rounds played as a single. Has anyone been affected by this yet? Would anyone like to share their thoughts on this?
I play a lot more by myself then with others, so I guess I will abide by the USGA mandate and only post when I am playing with others. I don't really play in any tournaments, so I guess in the grand scheme of things none of this makes a difference to me, other than measuring my game by where my handicap index goes.
I don't do anything any differently whether as a single or in a group. I posted scores as a single for over twenty years. No one ever posted my scores for me.
As little as I play, nothing will change even though I rarely play as a single now.
Is there a way they can tell if you played the round yourself? Are they only going to accept postings of scores from golf courses and not individuals? For the past few years I've played rounds alone as much as I've played with others and just went to the GHIN section of Minnesota Golf Assn. website and posted my own scores. The only time my golf club posted for me was scores from our local men's league.
At our club they are asking for attested score cards. That essentially eliminates individual rounds.
The USGA HANDICAP system has more issues than non attested scores. Far too many golfer don't follow the rules, not necessarily intentionally but none the same the scores really aren't accurate. Then there are the local rules, some of those really void the rule book.
Scores for handicap purposes must always be attested by a qualified marker in the Netherlands. I believe that goes for the whole of the European Golf Association countries.
FWIW, per USGA Handicap rules your club (even in 2016) does not have the right to insist on attested scorecards. But maybe you weren't saying that - not sure.
dave
I play solo all the time and recently sent the following letter to the USGA regarding Rule 5.1. No response. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear USGA Senior Managing Director Bodenhamer and Senior Rules Director Pagel:
It is with great sadness that I write you today.
My father taught me the game of golf when I was 13 years old. I played junior golf, collegiate golf, and senior golf in California, Maryland and now in my home state of Idaho. I am 60 years old with a handicap index of 2.6 and have played thousands of rounds on over 150 courses during my lifetime. I have been a USGA member for many, many years. My golfing now consists of very early morning, casual solo rounds on the weekends. I play the ball down, count every stroke and follow the Rules of Golf. My rounds are routinely completed in two hours or less. I very much enjoy the solitude of my early morning rounds. At the end of my round I faithfully post my score. I am proud of my handicap. And while I play alone, I have never been accused of cheating by the higher authority that regularly accompanies me throughout my rounds. Apparently, that is does not sit well with the USGA because it is now implementing a new rule to judge and control the casual solo golfer who desires to maintain a handicap.
With the USGA's adoption of new Rule 5.1 (requiring a peer review process for verification of a solo round for purposes of handicap posting) it is abundantly clear that the USGA has officially lost its way. The USGA Mission Statement says, in part, "It acts in the best interest of the game for the continued enjoyment of those who love and play it". I don't think so and here is why.
New Rule 5.1 appears to establish a silly and unnecessary process for solo golfers to post a score. More importantly, the USGA insinuates that we solo players are now cheaters. There is no way around that perspective. I must sheepishly follow the new rule process if I want to establish or maintain a handicap. Comply and post and I'll be fine. I can no longer simply play, quickly post (most often online) and go home. Frankly, it is unclear to me at this point if I can even maintain a handicap under the new rule as a solo golfer. News Flash: the vast majority of solo golfers who maintain handicaps are not cheaters and don't care about formal competition - regardless of the desire to establish that handicap. Having played the game for 47 years and supported the USGA through membership for most of that time it hurts me deeply to feel that the once reputable USGA no longer trusts me.
I wish I could congratulate the USGA for its fine work and betterment of the game. Unfortunately, I can't. Instead I must admonish it for contradicting its mission statement by unnecessarily changing the game to the detriment of the casual solo golfer. And it did so during a time when the game is largely stagnant and struggling to find relevance with the younger generation. Well played, USGA.
In closing, I share a couple of song titles for your reflection: Bob Hope's "Thanks for the Memories" and Don Merideth's famous Monday Night Football serenade, "Turn out the Lights, the Party's Over".
Regrettably, our decades-long relationship is over. I wish you and the USGA the best in the future.
Sincerely,
/S/
Eagle, Idaho
Idaho Golf Association Number xxxxxxxx
Thank You Backnine29,
What a profound and sincere letter.
Though I don't agree with your ultimate decision as to the USGA, I Wholeheartedly support your wanting to do such. This new ruling is not what I as a member think will promote the needed ability to attract, not detract New Membership to The Game of Golf.
I am though heart-warmed by these truly inspirational words towards the recording of a Golfer's Scores.
Thank You for answering to a Higher Order.
"I am proud of my handicap And while I play alone, I have never been accused of cheating by the higher authority that regularly accompanies me throughout my rounds. "
I appreciate your comments. Thanks for replying.
I never play alone anymore and I no longer keep a handicap anyway so it means nothing to me.
USGA will never write you back... they could gives 2 S@#ts.
Doesn't affect me, I always submit scores alone or with my group. Really no difference. they guys I play with have no idea what I shoot, and they submit their scores... I have no idea if someone shoots 90 or 100. I'm focused on my own game.
Our club may be using an old term, but on our scorecards there is line for scorer and one for
attested. Basically they are not going to accept single rounds. Of course this is on the honor
system regarding entering the scores, but the playing committee does periodically check.
Out issue is that we have several players who pad their hdcp during the week and evenings, so
that come money day, they can in fact clean up. Our solution was only competition rounds, money rounds can be used for the purpose of hdcp. Amazing what some will do for a few dollars.
I grew up with it referred to as attested. Not sure what it means to have someone accompany
you but not attest your score but yet it can count for hdcp. How does that make any sense?
This is a lousy way to curb the sand bagging. Whoever dreamed of this ?
The USGA has this reference for posting scores:
http://www.usga.org/HandicapFAQ/handicap_answer.asp?FAQidx=11
I played solo today, on a beautiful, crisp, 50 degree day, and shot 79. No record of this round will be kept on GHIN. If this is the way the USGA wants us to play the game, then so be it.
How do I get my tulip avatar in the right place and a bit smaller?
Hoffie How do I get my tulip avatar in the right place and a bit smaller?
Try going to this thread and follow some of the examples and if they don't work, post to Justin in the thread and he will try to help.
