"Golf is the closest game to the game we call life.
You get bad breaks from good shots; you get good breaks from bad shots
– but you have to play the ball where it lies." - Bobby Jones
FAQ's about Knuth
Q. What is this system that the club is calling Tournament Points System?
A. It is a system based on the research by Dean Knuth, former Senior Director of United States Golf Association Handicap Department. You can visit his website at www.popeofslope.com.
Our Tournament Points System is based on Knuth's system, which has been adopted by over 1,000 clubs:
http://www.popeofslope.com/pointsystem/index.html
Q: Why has the Board decided to adopt this system?
A: After fielding many comments from members and after significant statistical review of the winning rankings for the past two years, we believe we need to adopt an additional system to assist us in providing a more fair and equitable tournament offering for all members.
Q: Are you basically saying that the USGA handicap system does not work properly and you need a second system to make if work better?
A: There are many variables in the standard USGA 10-2 Handicap Index Formula as well as the USGA 10-3 Reduction of Handicap Index Based on Exceptional Tournament Scores. There are many theories about the effectiveness of the USGA handicapping system, too many to count and also too many to validate. Our view has now moved toward the system used by over 1,000 USGA clubs and many USGA Associations who have adopted this system in their belief that more needs to be done to assist clubs in creating a level playing field for tournaments.
Q: What are the calculations that may/may not reduce my tournament index?
A: The following tables are being used by the Tournament and Handicap Committees to determine if a member’s index is reduced for SSBGC tournaments. Again, we are not reducing your handicap with the USGA. We are simply modifying your tournament index within our club events using your USGA index as the base. You will continue to use your USGA index at your other clubs, non-SSBGC tournaments and casual rounds.
That being said, we need to remind you…
The Tournament/Handicap committees retain the right to modify your USGA index at any time we feel appropriate based upon reasonable evidence that something is not quite right with elements of your handicap record. So, keep in mind that further or more permanent reductions could be made to your actual USGA index that would affect your USGA handicap in all clubs you belong and within all tournaments outside of our club in which you may compete, including USGA tournaments.
The above statement or rule has been in effect since the club has been in existence but has rarely been put into action due to many variables.
There are two charts used to determine your SSBGC Tournament Index:
The following chart assigns points for placing in all SSBGC tournaments, for all flights, individual tournaments or team tournaments. The first column is with up to 20 competitors in your flight the second is 21-49.
Finish Up to 20 21-49
First Place 3pts 4
Second Place 2 3
Third Place 1 2
Fourth Place 0 1
The following chart determines if index reductions are warranted:
# Tournaments >>> 8 or less 9-12 13+
-2 strokes 7 pts. 10 pts. 13 pts.
-3 strokes 9 pts. 12 pts. 15 pts.
-4 strokes 11 pts. 14 pts. 17 pts.
-5 strokes 13 pts. 16 pts. 19 pts.
-6 strokes 15 pts. 18 pts. 21 pts.
-7 strokes 17 pts. 20 pts. 23 pts.
-8 strokes 18 pts. 21 pts. 24 pts.
Examples:
· Player has played in 16 events with 10 points = no reduction
· Player has played in 6 events with 9 points = 3 stroke reduction
· Player has played in 12 events with 10 points = 2 stroke reduction
Q: How are points accrued if a tie takes place?
A: In the case of a tie for any of the finishing places, each of the individuals or teams would earn the full number of points for that placing. For example: Two individuals tie for 1st place in a flight with 20 or less competitors. Each individual would earn 3 points under this system. You would not give out 2nd place points (or add 2nd & 3rd place points together and divide by 2) under this scenario. The next finisher in line after the two individuals that tied would earn 1 point for the 3rd place. No fractions of points are awarded.
Q: What happens if I am reduced by this system?
A: If you are reduced by this system, you will be able to view your index reduction on the website within a few days after every tournament. The reduced index will then be your tournament index for every upcoming tournament. Your tournament index will be your reduced index and then the course handicap computation will be used to create your handicap for a given tournament.
Your tournament handicap will remain in place until some/all of the following occur:
· You compete in additional tournaments and do not place in the top spots and these additional tournaments move you to a different “# of tournaments” position in the computation table where your handicap is no longer reduced.
· Over time, using the 12-month rolling approach, certain tournaments in which you were in the top positions are dropped from the 12-month rolling view and potentially your index may improve.
· Some combination of these two events may improve your tournament index.
· Consequently, if you compete and continue to place in your flight your index could be reduced further.
Note: Tournament indexes will never be higher than your current USGA index. You will play to your USGA index or reduced tournament index, whichever is lower.
Q: Have you reviewed using a pure tournament handicap index and why not adopt this?
A: We have reviewed a pure tournament index in great detail and the results are very close to the results using the Knuth system. However, the Knuth system is much easier to administrate, and pure tournament handicap index has some other flaws, which make it less ideal to use.
Q: But this system doesn't prevent a player from posting incorrect scores during their casual rounds.
A: Members should play all of their casual rounds to the best of their ability and within the rules of golf and post accurate scores with appropriate Equitable Stroke adjustments. The system will identify members who attempt to inflate their handicap.
Q: Isn’t the Board sending a message that they want us to play but we don’t want you to win?
A: Not at all. There is plenty of room in the system for a member to accumulate a quite a few points without being impacted.
For example, a member who plays 15 tournaments could earn up to 12 points which could equal 3-4 wins and/or other "in the money" places as well without there being any impact on their tournament index.
Q: How do I ask for review of my points system reduced index with the Board?
A: You can certainly request a review but keep in mind that the Tournament Points System is completely objective, is mathematical and is based on how many times you finish "in the money". The more you win and place in the money then the more points you will accrue. This system is pretty much foolproof and is based purely on your performance.
Q. I am being reduced by this system and/or wish to voice my opinion about this system. How do I do this?
A: You can send an email to the Board members.
Q: Why not simply rely on the USGA 10-3 Exceptional Tournament Performance computation to keep tournament handicaps in check?
A: It has been easily proven by many parties that the 10-3 Exceptional Tournament Performance computation is very conservative and only works in very finite situations. Anytime a member has more than 5-10 T-flag tournaments within a 12-month period, the 10-3 reduction completely fails to do anything except in the most extreme conditions.