Newsletter

Handicap Changes in 2020

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There has been much discussion about the proposed handicap changes in 2020 as well as many things written about the changes and how to understand them. This is a synopsis of the changes and how they will affect Metro Seniors in 2020.

Max Handicap Guide

In 2019 the maximum handicap guide was 36.4 for males and 40.4 for females. In 2020, this will be increased to 54.0 for both males and females. What impact will this have to Metro Seniors? Only to D Flight, where those who really had a higher handicap guide than 36.4.

PS – If you had a max handicap guide of 36.4 at the end of 2019, you may start 2020 with a higher handicap guide due to this change.

Number of rounds considered for handicap guide

In 2019 we used the lowest 8 out of your last 16 rounds (no earlier than 2017). The USGA changed their usage to 8 of the last 20 rounds, so we changed ours to be a similar percentage, by using the lowest 7 of your last 16 rounds. In addition, all scores prior to 2018 will disappear from our records.

Course Handicap in 2020

The change in 2020 revises the formula by replacing the Course Rating delta between the Back and Forward tees to Course Rating – Course Par. This will not impact your competitiveness against others, but it will decrease the strokes you might receive at a particular course. As an example, a 10 handicap golfer at Gateway National might have received 11 strokes in the past, but only 6 in 2020. But ALL golfers will be similarly impacted, losing 4-8 strokes from the strokes they received in 2019. Net scores better than par will be an exception, not the rule. Another way to put it is that handicap guides will not change; course handicaps will.

Clear as mud? Bob Zaruba will discuss this briefly at the Annual Meeting on March 24th, then the entire Handicap Committee will be available after the meeting to answer any additional questions.

Metro Plus-2020

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Metro Plus will not be accepting any more new members this year. We have reached our maximum number of 170. Renewals will start in November of 2017 and new members can register starting January 1st 2021 pending availability. Thanks to everyone who joined or showed an interest.

Cash is “No” Longer King

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Effective immediately, unless otherwise noted, payment for all Metro Seniors Dues, Special Events registration and Metro Plus must be done with a credit/debit card or a check.  We will no longer take cash for payment.  With credit/debit cards or checks automatically a receipt is rendered.  We can track items better especially when refunds are in order. It’s a change we just need to embrace. 

Have you Ordered You Metro Seniors Apparel Yet?

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Metro Seniors has partnered with St Louis Sportswear as our apparel outlet.  Currently we have over 12 shirt styles available with over 74 different color selections, 4 different hat selections and 2 golf towels.  Ordering is done thru an online store we have set up.  The store is open until March 3rd at 11:59 PM to order items that you will receive before the March 24th meeting to display to all of us in attendance.  You still have time to order.

Here is the link: https://metrostlouissrgolfassoc.itemorder.com/sale

Payment must be made by Credit/Debit card only and items may either be picked up at St Louis Sportswear 3615 Ridgewood St Louis, MO. 63116 on or after March 17th or for a $10.00 fee, they will ship it to you house.

The store will open again soon.  Stay tuned for details.

2019 Pace of Play Results

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We are good golfers who happen to be seniors.

PACE OF PLAY RESULTS FOR 2019

Pace of Play will be a continuing process for many years. There will always be a “slowest” group and a “slowest” round. Our goals are to keep those slowest groups below 4 hours 45 minutes and to have an average pace of play of about 4:30 across all courses, starts, and players.

  • Tee groups and players playing at 4:30 or less are WONDERFUL!
  • Tee groups that stay up with the group ahead (10 minutes or less separation) are GREAT!
  • Tee groups that average 2:15 on each of front and back are ON TRACK!
  • Tee groups that are running 15 minutes per hole or less are GETTING IT DONE!
  • Slow groups are over 4:45 Pace AND are 15 minutes or more behind the group ahead (a hole empty ahead).
  • If every slow group simply played 1 minute faster per hole, everyone would have a faster round, more fun and perhaps better scores!

Ready Golf is mostly eliminating time wasters between your golf shots.  Faster travel to the balls, Better cart management. Watching (and remembering) shots to eliminate ball searches.  Making your shots as soon as possible and safe – no “honors”, no “order”.

2019 RESULTS

Overall Pace of Play (POP) for 2019 over 10,000 rounds, all 18 hole divisions and courses was 4:31. It improved slightly over 2018 and a huge IMPROVEMENT over 2016 and earlier.

Pace in 2019 was especially challenging.

  • Pace early in the season with wet and cold weather was slower than “normal”. Half of our slowest rounds were in April and early May and many of those were Path Only that slows pace by about 30 minutes. Several were also shotgun starts.
  • Occasionally 1 or 2 slow groups playing early in a Tee Start held everyone back.
  • With fewer shotgun starts and NO REVERSE SHOTGUNS we were able to improve pace as the season moved on.
  • Challenging courses (long, blind shots, deep rough, hilly) especially when coupled with shotgun starts and wet or Path Only conditions.
  • Being ready to play and staying aware are far more important than skill, age or physical capabilities in pace of play.

2019 had only 15% of events with average play of 4:45 of more, and over 1/2 of them were Shotgun starts and difficult courses.

All the data from 2018 – 2019 continues to show that an overwhelming majority of our members can and do play at pace between 4 and 4:30. All ages and physical and golf abilities have been playing quickly.

Unfortunately there is still a very small minority (less than 4%) of players and groups who are playing slower than our targets. Continued effort for these members and new members added for 2019 and beyond will be needed.

Each Division VP is the primary contact for his division’s Pace of Play. If you have issues or complaints especially about a slow group or player, please talk with your VP. In most cases the problems are known and action is already underway.

2020 Pace of Play Efforts 

This will be a continuing process for many years. Efforts for 2020 and beyond

  • Reduced Shotgun Starts and Complete elimination of Reverse Shotgun
  • Continue and improve Pace Log measurements
  • Continue member education and encouragement
  • Improve Weekly Tournaments operations

For more details by course, division, start type and more see below.

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