Hello All

Me & my partner have managed to get to the quarter-finals of our
club's winter pairs knockout. It's format is matchplay better-ball.
Unfortunately my partner has to work abroad in January so will miss
the cut-off date at which the next round must be played by a week.
Upon initial enquiries the h'cap secretary won't allow an extention to
this date.

It was mentioned that I may play against the other pair on my own but
as it is 3/4 h'cap (& I'm off 17 with our opponents off of 7 & 10) I
don't see any point in trying to play them as it will probabably not
be much of a challenge to them & a monumental task for myself.

A lad in work though suggested that the 3/4 h'cap stipulation was
probably due to the fact that there were two people on the team & as
such, I would be playing on a two to one basis, I would be entitled to
play with my full h'cap. Is there any ruling about this or has anyone
out there come across this situation before.

Mark.

Mark wrote:
> Hello All
> 
> Me & my partner have managed to get to the quarter-finals of our
> club's winter pairs knockout. It's format is matchplay better-ball.
> Unfortunately my partner has to work abroad in January so will miss
> the cut-off date at which the next round must be played by a week.
> Upon initial enquiries the h'cap secretary won't allow an extention to
> this date.
> 
> It was mentioned that I may play against the other pair on my own but
> as it is 3/4 h'cap (& I'm off 17 with our opponents off of 7 & 10) I
> don't see any point in trying to play them as it will probabably not
> be much of a challenge to them & a monumental task for myself.
> 
> A lad in work though suggested that the 3/4 h'cap stipulation was
> probably due to the fact that there were two people on the team & as
> such, I would be playing on a two to one basis, I would be entitled to
> play with my full h'cap. Is there any ruling about this or has anyone
> out there come across this situation before.
> 
> Mark.


There is no ruling that dictates a handicap adjustment just because a 
partner hasn't turned up. I have just been officiating at the finals of 
a Melbourne premier newspaper 'Golf Challenge' and the winner of the 
mixed fourball stableford matchplay was a petite twelve year old girl, a 
17 handicapper receiving (I think) 8 strokes. She was playing on her own 
because her nine year old male partner had to return to Malaysia or 
Cambodia (or somewhere like that!) with his parents. She defeated a 
middled aged pair of competent golfers (one a former 'VFL' footballer) 
on the 18th at Waterford Valley Golf Course in Melbourne. A beautifully 
supple swing, an attractive young lady to boot, and who will undoubtedly 
appear in professional ranks in about ten years time!

So, the task is not impossible, the handicap differentials take care of 
any differences of ability....which according to their handicaps is not 
all that great anyway. I'd go for it....no reason to pull out...and it 
should be fun defeating them!

cheers
david

On Dec 20, 9:49 pm, david s-a  wrote:
> Mark wrote:
> > Hello All
>
> > Me & my partner have managed to get to the quarter-finals of our
> > club's winter pairs knockout. It's format is matchplay better-ball.
> > Unfortunately my partner has to work abroad in January so will miss
> > the cut-off date at which the next round must be played by a week.
> > Upon initial enquiries the h'cap secretary won't allow an extention to
> > this date.
>
> > It was mentioned that I may play against the other pair on my own but
> > as it is 3/4 h'cap (& I'm off 17 with our opponents off of 7 & 10) I
> > don't see any point in trying to play them as it will probabably not
> > be much of a challenge to them & a monumental task for myself.
>
> > A lad in work though suggested that the 3/4 h'cap stipulation was
> > probably due to the fact that there were two people on the team & as
> > such, I would be playing on a two to one basis, I would be entitled to
> > play with my full h'cap. Is there any ruling about this or has anyone
> > out there come across this situation before.
>
> > Mark.
>
> There is no ruling that dictates a handicap adjustment just because a
> partner hasn't turned up. I have just been officiating at the finals of
> a Melbourne premier newspaper 'Golf Challenge' and the winner of the
> mixed fourball stableford matchplay was a petite twelve year old girl, a
> 17 handicapper receiving (I think) 8 strokes. She was playing on her own
> because her nine year old male partner had to return to Malaysia or
> Cambodia (or somewhere like that!) with his parents. She defeated a
> middled aged pair of competent golfers (one a former 'VFL' footballer)
> on the 18th at Waterford Valley Golf Course in Melbourne. A beautifully
> supple swing, an attractive young lady to boot, and who will undoubtedly
> appear in professional ranks in about ten years time!
>
> So, the task is not impossible, the handicap differentials take care of
> any differences of ability....which according to their handicaps is not
> all that great anyway. I'd go for it....no reason to pull out...and it
> should be fun defeating them!
>
> cheers
> david- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Thanks for your reply David, but as you say "the handicap
differentials take care of
any differences of ability" but was the young girl playing full or 3/4
h'cap?

Mark.

"Mark"  wrote in message 
news:ab6ca56d-c72e-45ff-9ba1-f64f60ce6910@e6g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
> Hello All
>
> Me & my partner have managed to get to the quarter-finals of our
> club's winter pairs knockout. It's format is matchplay better-ball.
> Unfortunately my partner has to work abroad in January so will miss
> the cut-off date at which the next round must be played by a week.
> Upon initial enquiries the h'cap secretary won't allow an extention to
> this date.
>
> It was mentioned that I may play against the other pair on my own but
> as it is 3/4 h'cap (& I'm off 17 with our opponents off of 7 & 10) I
> don't see any point in trying to play them as it will probabably not
> be much of a challenge to them & a monumental task for myself.
>
> A lad in work though suggested that the 3/4 h'cap stipulation was
> probably due to the fact that there were two people on the team & as
> such, I would be playing on a two to one basis, I would be entitled to
> play with my full h'cap. Is there any ruling about this or has anyone
> out there come across this situation before.
>
> Mark.

Mark,
What you haven't mentioned is your partner's handicap.
Who has the lowest handicap of the four of you?
If the 7 handicapper is the lowest, you get 8 shots and the other opponent 
2.
If your partner has the lowest handicap, the strokes received are based on 
his handicap even if he is not playing.

3/4 of the difference is the usual allowance in 4-ball match play and will 
be written into the Conditions of the Competition.
There can be no exceptions because one player cannot play or fails to show.

You are giving up too easily.
Go out there and give them a run for their money- you never know.
If you can find a single figure handicapper to caddie for you and guide you 
as to how to play your shots - that should be worth a hole or two!!
Next year, find another partner who wont enter a competition knowing he will 
have to let his partner down if they get close to winning.

Good luck,
Malcolm

M L Wadsworth wrote:
> "Mark"  wrote in message 
> news:ab6ca56d-c72e-45ff-9ba1-f64f60ce6910@e6g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
>> Hello All
>>
>> Me & my partner have managed to get to the quarter-finals of our
>> club's winter pairs knockout. It's format is matchplay better-ball.
>> Unfortunately my partner has to work abroad in January so will miss
>> the cut-off date at which the next round must be played by a week.
>> Upon initial enquiries the h'cap secretary won't allow an extention to
>> this date.
>>
>> It was mentioned that I may play against the other pair on my own but
>> as it is 3/4 h'cap (& I'm off 17 with our opponents off of 7 & 10) I
>> don't see any point in trying to play them as it will probabably not
>> be much of a challenge to them & a monumental task for myself.
>>
>> A lad in work though suggested that the 3/4 h'cap stipulation was
>> probably due to the fact that there were two people on the team & as
>> such, I would be playing on a two to one basis, I would be entitled to
>> play with my full h'cap. Is there any ruling about this or has anyone
>> out there come across this situation before.
>>
>> Mark.
> 
> Mark,
> What you haven't mentioned is your partner's handicap.
> Who has the lowest handicap of the four of you?
> If the 7 handicapper is the lowest, you get 8 shots and the other opponent 
> 2.
> If your partner has the lowest handicap, the strokes received are based on 
> his handicap even if he is not playing.
> 
> 3/4 of the difference is the usual allowance in 4-ball match play and will 
> be written into the Conditions of the Competition.
> There can be no exceptions because one player cannot play or fails to show.
> 
> You are giving up too easily.
> Go out there and give them a run for their money- you never know.
> If you can find a single figure handicapper to caddie for you and guide you 
> as to how to play your shots - that should be worth a hole or two!!
> Next year, find another partner who wont enter a competition knowing he will 
> have to let his partner down if they get close to winning.
> 
> Good luck,
> Malcolm 
> 
> 

I agree, the strokes received is based upon the lowest handicap of the 
group as posted, even if 1 person doesn't turn up - you will be allowed 
3/4 of that difference.

However, the advantage is with you as your opponents will be expected to 
win the real pressure is upon them not you. You have a reasonable 
handicap and are obviously a competent golfer capable possibly of 
playing in the low teens on a good day, so go out and enjoy - I reckon 
you might surprise yourself :-)

-- 
D

Mark wrote:

> 
> Thanks for your reply David, but as you say "the handicap
> differentials take care of
> any differences of ability" but was the young girl playing full or 3/4
> h'cap?
> 
> Mark.


On this country we always play full handicaps, partnered or not.

david

"david s-a"  wrote in message 
news:5t1bd7F1b6vhaU1@mid.individual.net...
> Mark wrote:
>
>>
>> Thanks for your reply David, but as you say "the handicap
>> differentials take care of
>> any differences of ability" but was the young girl playing full or 3/4
>> h'cap?
>>
>> Mark.
>
>
> On this country we always play full handicaps, partnered or not.
>
> david

In the UK, from 1st January 2008, the Council of National Golf Unions 
(CONGU) stipulates that 3/4 MUST be used for 4-ball Match Play competitions.
While CONGU governs the Handicapping system, I think they have a sauce 
telling clubs what conditions of competition they must have.
Up until now, the allowances have been recommendations only.

Malcolm

Thanks for all your replys

Hell I'm going to go for it! After all, as mentioned, even with 3/4
allowence that still gives me a shot against the lower h'capper over
almost half the holes so the pressure'll be on them not me.

Thanks again & I'll let you all know how I get on

Mark.