Competition Standard Scratch

Swinging Looney

Hi All!

Quick question regarding CSS. My understanding is that the CSS may be different for every competition. It depends on the make up of the field, the conditions, scores returned, etc, etc.

Looking at the last few weeks of competitions at my club, I have noticed that every single competition returns a CSS of 37 points.

One week there were 12 players in appauling rainy conditions. Winning score was 37 points with the next best at 35 then 32 points.

Another week - winning score 38 points, perfect conditions, maybe 30 players, next best score 36 points then 32.

Another week - winning score 38 points, greens recently cored and sanded so almost impossible to putt, 25 ish players, next best 32 points then 28 points.

Another week - wining score 42 points, good conditions, next best 40 points then 38 points, maybe 25 players.

Does it seem right that each of the above competitions had the same CSS of 37? I would have expected maybe 1 or 2 points difference across these weeks.

Any light that may be shed would be appreciated!!!

Golf Ninja

Swinging Looney wrote:

Hi All!

Quick question regarding CSS. My understanding is that the CSS may be different for every competition. It depends on the make up of the field, the conditions, scores returned, etc, etc.

Looking at the last few weeks of competitions at my club, I have noticed that every single competition returns a CSS of 37 points.

One week there were 12 players in appauling rainy conditions. Winning score was 37 points with the next best at 35 then 32 points.

Another week - winning score 38 points, perfect conditions, maybe 30 players, next best score 36 points then 32.

Another week - winning score 38 points, greens recently cored and sanded so almost impossible to putt, 25 ish players, next best 32 points then 28 points.

Another week - wining score 42 points, good conditions, next best 40 points then 38 points, maybe 25 players.

Does it seem right that each of the above competitions had the same CSS of 37? I would have expected maybe 1 or 2 points difference across these weeks.

Any light that may be shed would be appreciated!!!

Sounds like they cant be bothered to change it.

By right they only change it when the weather or course is playing to difficult.

killbillvol2

CSS could be different for every competition. It shouldn't vary wildly but on my course off the back tees it would usually be 73 but has been in the range 71-74.

The software the club uses should calculate the CSS (manual calculation is a pain) so it could be a technical glitch?

PhilipMarlowe

I wonder if there is a 'field size' requirement for calculation.... like where you said one week there were only 12 competitors.....
bah, just looked it up online and apparently there are two tables for CSS calculation, one for 31 or more competitors and another for 30 or fewer.

In simple(ish) terms, this is what is done:

Broadly speaking, the calculations follow

1. For Men; Discount all scores returned by category 4 players (handicaps 21 to 28), for Ladies; Discount all scores returned by category 5 players (handicaps 29 to 36)
2. Calculate the percentage of players who competed in the competition in each of categories 1, 2 and 3 [and 4 for Ladies],
3. Calculate the percentage of scores returned by the category 1, 2 and 3 [and 4] players which were two over the Standard Scratch Score of the course, or better.
4. Use the percentages from (2) and (3) to determine the Competition Scratch Score by referring to one of two published tables supplied by CONGU for the purpose.

The 'published tables' don't appear to be published online

Berti Vogts

Every course has a standard scratch score - I understand this is determined by the provincial branch responsible for the course in question. This is normally printed on the scorecard at every club.

For the competition scratch score to vary from the standard scratch, to the best of my knowledge, this depends almost entirely on the performance of Category 1 golfers in the competition, i.e all golfers with a handicap of 5 or less. These golfers are more consistent than golfers with higher handicaps and their scores therefore give a more accurate representation of the conditions applying for a particular competition.

Subjective factors such as the weather do not affect the CSS in themselves, although obviously the chances of Category 1 golfers playing badly is increased when the weather is poor.