Quote:
Originally Posted by Nchabazam
Argument among friends: Does giving 2x the half shots change the expectation of a match?
i.e. does me playing as a 0 vs a 9 handicap giving 1 shot on 9 holes, and 0 on the others, favor anyone vs giving 18 1/2 shots?
I don't think it changes the expectation, except that I am now favored on the hard holes, and an underdog on the easy ones. My friends all disagree.
i think it is a potentially huge difference.....
i play alot courses that are somewhat like this... 6 very hard holes, 6 medium holes, 6 simple holes.......
so if i get 9 strokes, i get them on 6 hard and 9 medium holes.
now, i get half a stroke on 130 yard par 3 where arguably even a pga tour player barely has an advantage on a steady 10 handicap (i've seen crosby pebble pro-am in person.. almost all players can put it close from 130 yard on par 3. NOT 130 yard approach on par 4 though)
but i get a stroke on a 430 yard tough par 4, which is where most of us blow up.
i would ask your friends this: would you rather get one stroke on one hole, or 1/18th of a stroke on 18 holes? sort of relevent, sort of stupid. but certainly 6 strokes on 6 holes vs. 0.3333 stroke on 18 holes is relevent.
the whole issue of a 14 handicap being based on tons of pars and a 3 to 4 double bogeys a round (legit play) vs. some old guy with a great shot game who bogeys many holes but nothing worse is a much much bigger subject.
people can tell me if i'm wrong, but i would think that giving/taking strokes for $$$$$ in matches requires some serious negotiation. for instance, that old, great short game player might not even be able to get in play off tips at many courses............. interesting aside: i remember with dewey tomko and golf betting. never give/take any strokes. all different tees. no restriction on clubs so he has 20 wedges or something stupid like that. this is him talking. i don't mean this to be all vegas high-stakes golf wagering.