b'Stroke Allocation 2020:But its the hardest hole!GRETCHEN YODEROGA Manager of Handicapping & Course RatingIT NEVER FAILS.Every time we step onto a golf course to work our Course Rating duties, we get similar questions. What are we doing there? When will the changes take place? Why isnt Hole No. X the number 1 handicap? Its the hardest hole!The first two questions are pretty easy to answer. Lets focus on the third question.There are two misconceptions about the Stroke Index Allocation (SIA), the first being that the No. 1-ranked hole is the hardest hole on the course. The purpose of the ranking of the holes is to determine where the higher-handicapped player deserves the assistance of an extra stroke in order to tie, or halve, aFor the first time, the USGA has come up with a method using hole with the low handicapper. Course Rating information to provide the SIA without the need That stroke should be assigned on the hole where the relativeof collecting and entering hole-by-hole scores. Instead of using difficulty of the hole is more difficult for the higher-handicappedhundreds of scores, it uses the same information for Scratch and golfer than the relative difficulty for the lower-handicapped golfer.Bogey golfer that is necessary to calculate the Course Rating, Did you notice that the word hardest was not mentioned? Bogey Rating and Slope for each course and set of tees. When someone tells us about the hardest hole, we often askWhichever system is usedhundreds of scores or the Course back: Hardest for whom? The difficulty of a hole is relative to theRating Programthe basis is still the same:set of tees, the level of golfer, the landing zones where each playerRank the holes in order of relative difficulty 1-18hits and more. On occasion, there may be a hole where the higher- Assess the odds to one nine (typically the front) and handicapped golfer has less difficulty due to their landing zonesevens to the back, unless it is determined that the back being nice wide fairways, but the low handicapper may have anine is statistically much more difficultlanding zone where they must lay up to not hit through the cornerAvoid assigning low numbered strokes to the end of on a dogleg, or they have a narrow landing zone with close-ineach nine (Nothing worse than having to give a stroke bunkers, water, trees etc. In that case, the hole might be relativelyon the last hole!)less difficult for the Bogey golfer than the Scratch. WHS has introduced the concept of Triads, where each The No. 1-allocated hole should not necessarily be the hardestgroup of three holes is considered a triad. The lowest hole on the course. Often that hole is one where the relativestroke index (1 or 2) on either nine should be in the difficulty is the same or similar for low- and high-handicapped golfer. middle triad (fourth, fifth or sixth hole).The second misconception of Stroke Index Allocation, formerlyWe all know that there is a lot of emotion tied to the known as handicapping of the holes, is that it is part of theSIA. If we keep the emotion out of it and go by the Course Rating process. It has never been the job of Oregon Golfnumbers, the system works.Association. It should have been calculated by the golf course/ With the WHS allowing the golfer to post hole-by-clubs by entering hole-by-hole scores for several hundred roundshole scores, and scores being adjusted for Net Double of golf into a special program. That program analyzed the scoresBogey, it was necessary to add the SIA for every golf for low vs. high handicapped golfers to see where the highestcourse. Having SIA listed in the GHIN program, the discrepancy between the groups of scores occurred. system will automatically correct for a score that is That program still exists, and if a golf course would like to usebeyond Net Double Bogey. In the example below, it, OGA can get you access. Courses using USGA Tournamentthe person with a 21 Course Handicap shot a nine on Management/Golf Genius to run their events can use thethe fifth hole. Since they can only post an eight, the allocation program in that app to compare multiple rounds of golfnecessary adjustment was made and the correct score and hole-by-hole scores. will be posted to GHIN.The allocation of strokes should be re-run occasionally to update for course conditions, yardages, obstacle changes,Contact Gretchen Yoder with questions at [email protected]. equipment upgrades and differences in ability levels of the golfers who play the course.8GOLF OREGON|SEPTEMBER 2020'