EQUITY IN AUSTRALIAN CLUB HANDICAP COMPETITIONS
(JANUARY 2013 TO DECEMBER 2015)
About the Statistical Reports
* The complete new GA Handicap System came into full effect in January 2014. This is when Slope, DSR, and Stableford handicapping of Stroke rounds were introduced in Australia.
* The statistical reports available below demonstrate the performance of the new system.
* The reports show the relative competitiveness of each handicap level. They also show competition results patterns before and after the introduction of the complete new GA Handicap system.
* The reports show three types of competitiveness.
1. The percentage of competitions won by each handicap level compared to the percentage of players in the field for each handicap level.
2. The percentage of placegetters for each handicap level compared to the percentage of players in the field for each handicap level (where a placegetter is defined as anyone to finish in the top 10% of the field).
3. The percentage of placegetters for each handicap level compared to the percentage of players in the field for each handicap level (where a placegetter is defined as anyone to finish in the top 20% of the field).
* For men, the analysis is provided for competitions with fields of 50 and greater, and separate results for fields of 100 and greater. For women, the analysis is provided for competitions with fields of 25 and greater, and separate results for fields of 50 and greater. (Note: We have used smaller field sizes for women’s competitions to align with the proportionately smaller sizes of women’s fields compared to men’s fields.)
Five Key Findings from the Statistical Reports
* Since the introduction in January 2014 of Slope, DSR, and Stableford handicapping of Stroke rounds, there has not been any significant change to ‘equity in competition results patterns’. ‘Equity in competition results patterns’ means the balance of players at each handicap level who are winning competitions, and also who are finishing as placegetters in competitions.
* Overall across Australia, players of all handicap levels are winning close to their fair share of competitions, and players of all handicap levels are achieving close to their fair share of prizes in competitions. The profile of competition winners and prize winners does shift from season to season, from state to state, and even from club to club. There is a very small number of clubs that exhibit competition results patterns that are notably different to the national patterns – such outcomes can be the result for example of the unusual nature of a course, or of the profile of the membership (such clubs are always welcome to contact their state association to discuss potential solutions).
* Over the course of a year for women the current GA Handicap System produces a slight bias towards players with single-figure handicaps. This is the case when equity is measured by the chance of a golfer to finish as a placegetter in a competition, and also when equity is measured by the chance of a golfer to win the competition.
* Over the course of a year for men the current GA Handicap System produces a slight bias towards players with single-figure handicaps when equity is measured by the chance of a golfer to finish as a placegetter in a competition. The reverse is true when equity is measured by the chance of a golfer to win the competition – in this case the bias is slightly towards players with high handicaps. (Note: If GA was to fine-tune the handicap system to further enhance the chances of male single-figure players winning competitions, a direct side effect would be to create a severe bias towards the chance a single-figure player to finish as a placegetter in a competition.)
* The competiveness of players with single figure handicaps improves in winter whereas the competitiveness of players with high handicaps improves in summer. This effect is more notable in the southern states.
The Detailed Statistical Reports
Click here to view Report on Equity across all Australian Male Competitions (fields of 50+, and 100+). Competition Winners. 2013, 2014, 2015.
Click here to view Report on Equity across all Australian Male Competitions (fields of 50+, and 100+). Competition Placegetters (place in top 10% of field; place in top 20% of field). 2013, 2014, 2015.
Click here to view Report on Equity across all Australian Female Competitions (fields of 25+, and 50+). Competition Winners. 2013, 2014, 2015.
Click here to view Report on Equity across all Australian Female Competitions (fields of 25+, and 50+). Competition Placegetters (place in top 10% of field; place in top 20% of field). 2013, 2014, 2015.
