WHEN THE BALL HITS BACK

I see that according to the Handicaps Network Africa spin doctors, they canvassed 60,000 golfers and came up with a list of requirements regarding handicap logistics. Their stated sample must represent around 1 in every 3 golfers. After chatting to scores of golfers around I have yet to find one that was “canvassed” and I wonder where and when they did their canvassing. Japan perhaps? I would really like to see HNA and or SAGA  set up a website where a poll/vote can be taken on various issues surrounding the new system, but in particular the 96% factor as based on the USA model. Golf competitions as played in SA, being mainly betterball and alliance formats, are so different to what they do overseas where it is mainly individual. One has to wonder why then they develop an SA handicap system based on the USA model.

Rodney

Dale replies… The system that was used up until they bought in the 75% on all team competitions may not have been perfect, but it worked and everyone was used to it. Some say it suited low or high handicaps, but I’m not sure there was any actual proof.

Why can't a golfer enter their score, using a password and user name, directly onto the handicap website? Instead of queuing up at the terminal after a golf game, we can leisurely log onto the handicap website and enter the score via the internet when we get home. 

Sandra

Handicaps Network Africa replies… At the moment you are not able to enter your scores online. As soon as we issue new cards, you will receive a username and pin that will enable this function. For the moment you can phone your score through to the club and they can input that on your behalf. If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.

You know this whole business of Senior Tees has become an even bigger source of abuse than the handicap system. SAGA were the first to upset the apple-cart when they recommended that all golf courses should strive to make senior tees available on all 18 holes. That was a mistake and they seem to have realised it. Now they say that only on those holes where certain elderly players who can no longer hit the ball far enough to clear water hazards or to reach the fairway, may forward tees be placed in such a position so as to help the old folks stay competitive.

The problem is that some clubs have forward tees on almost every hole, and they are allowing players, based solely on their age, to play from them. Some of my contemporaries, who can still pitch a 7 iron 140-150 metres are being allowed to play off senior tees!

Surely that is not in the spirit of the game? This is really not sour grapes on my part, but it really gets my goat when a fellow competitor never needs more than a wedge chip on a par 4 where I am hitting 7 or 8.

I would suggest that firstly, no player with a handicap of less than 18 should qualify for senior tees, and then the club committee should only consider a request to use those tees based on the applicant's inability to negotiate certain tricky tee shots.

James

Dale replies… I hate all these different tees. I say set up the golf course so that it is fair for all golfers. Then you have you handicap. Go and play. There should never be a hole that a golfer can’t play because he can’t carry a hazard. Different tees make for less socialising on the golf course. Tees for ladies and tees for men, now let’s play. If there’s a hot shot who fancies he can play off the back, let him go play there, as long as it’s not a competition.

I was wondering if you could give me and or the readers of your column some advice on finding a good golf pro. I am currently a 13 handicapper and have been stuck on that number for some time. Of late I’ve been struggling to play to it as my swing seems to be coming off the rails somewhat.

I’m in search of a good golf pro in the Midrand (JHB) area that won’t cost 2 arms and a leg for their services, especially if I need a few lessons to get my groove back. I’ve been looking around and have seen a few advertisements in golf magazines, flyers and word of mouth etc.

My real question is; with so many golf pros boasting PGA accreditation nowadays and several years of coaching experience, how do I know what to look out for, what questions to ask to see if they are as good as they say, how long do you stay with a swing coach before you know he is or is not the one for you? I’ve been to 3-4 coaches over the years for a few lessons and some have been questionable, to say the least. Is age a good sign of coaching experience or do the new, younger coaches bring a fresh, dynamic and effective approach to the way we see the game being played these days on the Tours around the world?

Ryan

Dale replies… Firstly, check that he / she is a PGA professional. There are some that will tell you they are pro’s, but they have given themselves that title. Also, I believe you need experience to teach well and I’m not a good teacher, but it certainly helps if you have done it for a long time. You then need to decide how you want to be taught. Do you want a few simple things to work on or do you prefer to get technical? Do you like to use technology, like the Flitescope and video? Tell the pro your problem and what you want to be fixed. Finally, be realistic about your capabilities, the time you have to devote to practice and how much you are prepared to spend on coaching. You can visit the PGA website on www.pgasa.com or call them on (011)485-1370 for suggestions on who to call in your area.

I have an interesting question which requires your opinion!

At CCJ we have, as you know, 2 beautiful courses. Now there is an interesting anomaly. The rating on Woodmead is 72 for both senior and club T‘s, whilst on the new course (Rocklands) the rating off the Senior T’s is 70, whilst the rating off the Club T’s is 72. Now, if I play off the club T’s and my opposition (in a week-end friendly BB game) plays off the Senior T’s, should I not get 2 extra shots on my handicap, for the purposes of that game only, not for the club comp, only for our private game (as you know this is often far more NB than the club comp!!).

I know that when I was invited to play at another club recently the member said to me that he was going to play off the Championship T’s as the rating was 74 and as such he was entitled to 2 extra shots. Is this a “local rule”? Your comment is valued.

Grant

THE SAGA replies… There are two matters to consider here in that firstly the Handicapping System (clause 19.3) states that “senior or forward tee” players must be handicapped using the Standard Rating. This actually means that where a course has senior tees the standard rating must apply.

Secondly, where your writer states that he is entitled to “two extra shots” this too is incorrect in that the course rating is only used to determine the player’s differential for handicapping purposes.

For example, if a player is a 10 handicap and shoots 80 and the course is rated, let say 71, his differential for handicapping purposes is 9. The handicap number of 10 has no effect in determining the differential which, as said, is the gross score less the rating of the course.

For competition or match  purposes, the 10 handicap player gets 10 shots whatever the course rating may be and if playing a match the same applies – he will be entitled to the difference between his handicap and his opponents’.

I hope this is of some assistance.

Bruce Younge

I was watching your interviews with Ernie and Charl at the US PGA.

I am not writing about the interviews, I am however writing about the unshaven look these guys portrayed. I recall reading many years ago when Ernie was still a youngster on tour and he teed it up with Nicky Price in a tournament. He arrived unshaven and he was warned not to arrive in a similar manner again. He, being Ernie, told the story.

These guys represent sponsors that put millions into them. Not only that, but they also represent themselves. Do you not think that at least shaving is the least you can do for your sponsors. There you are on TV with millions of people watching, your sponsors’ logo’s clearly displayed and one looks like that.

Maybe I am just an old fashioned golfer who still believes that the shirt belongs in the pants when on the track. Yes things have changed, but how far does one go with change?

Paul

Dale replies… I agree and you won’t believe how many other people have commented on it to me!

Tiger & Sergio…

I think that Tiger Woods should not be selected for the USA team, although I think that from a spectator’s point of view, they would disagree. Tiger’s form, if my memory serves me well, is not great when it comes to the team results, his singles results are great, but he appears to me not to be a team player and I think that the USA would be better off without him, but I think he will be selected anyway.

I would pick Sergio for the European side. I am not sure what is wrong with his golf at the moment; I think he has lost his ability to putt well, but he has a tremendous Ryder Cup record, he has the ability to pull off some tremendous shots, he is a fierce competitor and has done well in the team events.

The changes I would like to see in the Ryder Cup is that all twelve players play in the three days and not just a selection for the better ball and foursomes format and I would like to see the number one for the USA playing the number one for Europe. I think that would be a much fairer contest.

Rob

Dale replies… Well, I think you are right about Tiger in so much as he will be picked. Sergio has no chance. He’s really down in the dumps and is not playing anywhere near well enough. This is what a broken heart can do to a man. You see ladies we do have feelings!