Mr. Mushball

Saw this yesterday on X/Twitter and wanted to say congrats to @GolfSpy MPR !!
In our little corner of the interwebs this is a big deal and these 3 guys (Lou Stagner, Mark Crossfield, Greg Chalmers) are awesome.
 

Thanks for the breakdown on this, I think it's a great set of data to come out from these types of events.  Looks like a good write up for an article of the practical application of the WHS and how it makes things more fun!  Even crud players like myself have just as much chance of ending up on the winners bracket as the next playa.  I'm keeping this in mind for the tournament at The Reserve this weekend.  

 

As we wrapped up the round robin divisional play, I thought it might be interesting to share some information on two questions:  Who played in the tournament and did individual handicap make a difference?
Let's look at the course handicaps for those who played.  As courses changed, so did course handicaps, so I had to pick one week.  Here's the data from Week 1:

In general, it looks fairly "normal" in that there appears to be somewhat of a normal distribution of handicaps.  The average course handicap was 9.8.  With the average male handicap index being 14.0 and female at 28.0, in general the people who participated in the Match Play were a little better than the average GHIN golfer. 
Breaking it down further by team, you can see the handicaps for each team member (from week 1 as a sample), what their average, minimum, maximum and difference between the high and low handicaps.  

Again, the average course handicap was just under 10.  Only two teams had all four single digit handicap players and only two teams had all double digit handicap players.  The lowest individual course handicap was a +2 and highest was 30 (again only looking at one week as a representative sample).   Ten of the sixteen teams had an average course handicap less than 10.  Even though two of the champions had the lowest average handicaps in their divisions (Sharky Mac'n Swans and The Muscle Backs), low handicaps didn't guarantee winning.  Duckboat Vol 2 and The Distinguished Gentlemen had the third and forth lowest average handicaps in their respective divisions.
Comparing total number of points scored by each team over the three weeks against their team's average handicaps yielded this chart.

With the trend line almost flat at 3 points, it shows very little if any correlation between team handicaps and results.
Taking it one step further, I looked at each complete match over those three weeks.  I added the total two-man team handicaps for each match and asked did the higher or lower handicap team have an advantage.  Here's what I found:
22 (48%) matches were won by the higher total handicap team, 18 (40%) matches were won by the lower handicap team, there were 4 (9%) halved matches and 2 (4%) matches where both teams had the exact same handicap.  When team handicaps with more than 10 strokes apart, 11 (42%) were won by the higher handicap, 13 (50%) were won by the lower handicap and 2 (8%) were halved. When team handicaps with more than 15 strokes apart, 9 (50%) were won by the higher handicap, 8 (44%) were won by the lower handicap and 1 (6%) were halved. Since this is such a relatively small sample, it's pretty safe to say that handicaps, low or high, had little overall impact on the match play results.   Also, in general, one can say that golf's handicap system does help to create a more even playing field.  
Again, thank you for all who participated (as regular players and substitutes) and helped make this a success so far. 
On the the playoffs!

It's risky but can be very rewarding having a VERY high handicap like myself on a team.  When things go well, the results can be amazing!  Much easier for me to have a "good" day and get some luck that results in a low hole score vs a low handicap.  They'll hit par more often, but I have a good chance at net albatross!

@fredsharky, that is true, it does take a team (or village).  However, you were the common denominator!
Handicaps are exactly why we do the tournament this way as it levels the playing field.  Just look at Barbie's Birdie Bandits last week against L.A.B. Results.  Barbie's collective course handicap was 85 and L.A.B. Results was 45.   Barbie's Birdie Bandits ended up taking both matches 3 and 2!  So, you never know!

This has been a blast. The most disappointing thing is that I changed the teams up this week. If I would have left them alone, we would have had 1 loss and 1 tie. We would have won the overall bracket and advanced. Instead, we had 2 losses. We would have lost the first match no matter what. This is so “Golf”. “If I would have played more break”, “hit an 8 instead of 9”, “if I would have….” I did something that didn’t work out and we lost. 
 
I’m not taking anything away from the Distinguished Gentlemen. They played better and I wish them the best. 
 
I’m thankful for the opportunity to participate in this and had a great group of guys to play with. 
 
And thanks to @Golf2Much and  @GolfSpy TCB . This is a tremendous amount of work running this. 

Luckily for me it’s easier to raise a  handicap than it is to lower one

@GolfSpy_APH if we do make the playoffs, I’ll do my best to get a round in. If not, definitely designate someone as the fill in so we still have a score for this week. If we’d advance further, next week will be no problem that I can see 

Given we have five weeks of competition (including the playoffs), we knew we would need to have substitutes to fill in when needed.    So yes, for those teams that make the playoffs and need a substitute, you can pick up someone.  I would encourage you to pick someone who has subbed for you already or a person who has not from a non-playoff match play team. 

Date 09/24/2023 Course Name Glendoveer G&TC East Course Gross Score 122 Course Handicap 41 Gross Strokes over/under par 49 Net Score to Par 8 Net Score 81 Net Birdies or better 7 Longest Drive 211 VCT Match Play
I had such higher hopes for this round, but maintained my pattern of adding 10 strokes to the back nine.  I'd have been stoked with two 56s.  First time ever getting par on Hole 1, in regulation even!  Barely missed the birdie putt.  Of course I had to follow it up with a +5.  Otherwise, still had fun in the rain.  Ground was soft, got some mud on my ball, and my fat shots took 8" scalps.   
Putting was back in order, most of the missed putts were due to underestimating how slow uphill soggy greens can be.  Easy enough to correct, I have 6+ months of it to look forward to!  
P.S.  Oh, and the last three holes we played after dusk, so we used LED light up balls.  Not the longest flying, but we could find them.

Oh man,  this could be a holy war.  Thankfully this form is all about open opinion and discussion.  I for one will welcome all opinions, discussion, criticism and assistance.  Thank you all!!!
At this point for me the one club that I would keep in my bag is my Wilson BT-2 Brass Tech putter with the Garsen Ultimate grip.  I use this every single round and has been a big improvement over the other putter configurations I've putted with.  Admittedly, this is a small sample size.  I used this putter with it's standard grip for 17+ years, then picked up a KS-1 putter.  That was fine and all, but didn't really result in lower scores and felt less intuitive.  Once I switched the grip on the BT-2, it was like a long lost love, but better.

I do have a hard second.  It's my Adams Idea Tech 5HY hybrid.  It has a sweet carbon shaft and I can always hit it straight, even if it isn't long.  Mishits seem to be mostly ok except in extreme cases.  It's basically equivalent to my 6-iron these days, but stays in the bag due to the forgiveness, ease of use and trajectory.

Date 09/23/2023 Course Name Forest holls Gross Score 101 Course Handicap 21 Gross Strokes over/under par 29 Net Score to Par 8 Net Score 80 Net Birdies or better 7 Longest Drive 291 VCT Match Play Rough week with swing feels. Secret shaft swap happened in the second nine. Let’s just say what a difference. Driver has been hooky all week. Need to get back n and work on strike. Too many penalties as well as the second nine I ended up in 3 green side bunkers. Was 1/3 on sand saves. Bunker picture is of the up and down.  Treat of the week. Holed out a chip on 18 for birdie. 

I have a round scheduled this weekend if anyone needs a round to use in case of inclement weather.  

We are looking at an atmospheric river next week here in the PNW, but the brunt of it isn't supposed to hit until Monday and we're used to soggy ground.  I mean, I chose my name for a reason.

Oh man,  this could be a holy war.  Thankfully this form is all about open opinion and discussion.  I for one will welcome all opinions, discussion, criticism and assistance.  Thank you all!!!
At this point for me the one club that I would keep in my bag is my Wilson BT-2 Brass Tech putter with the Garsen Ultimate grip.  I use this every single round and has been a big improvement over the other putter configurations I've putted with.  Admittedly, this is a small sample size.  I used this putter with it's standard grip for 17+ years, then picked up a KS-1 putter.  That was fine and all, but didn't really result in lower scores and felt less intuitive.  Once I switched the grip on the BT-2, it was like a long lost love, but better.

I do have a hard second.  It's my Adams Idea Tech 5HY hybrid.  It has a sweet carbon shaft and I can always hit it straight, even if it isn't long.  Mishits seem to be mostly ok except in extreme cases.  It's basically equivalent to my 6-iron these days, but stays in the bag due to the forgiveness, ease of use and trajectory.

Oh man,  this could be a holy war.  Thankfully this form is all about open opinion and discussion.  I for one will welcome all opinions, discussion, criticism and assistance.  Thank you all!!!
At this point for me the one club that I would keep in my bag is my Wilson BT-2 Brass Tech putter with the Garsen Ultimate grip.  I use this every single round and has been a big improvement over the other putter configurations I've putted with.  Admittedly, this is a small sample size.  I used this putter with it's standard grip for 17+ years, then picked up a KS-1 putter.  That was fine and all, but didn't really result in lower scores and felt less intuitive.  Once I switched the grip on the BT-2, it was like a long lost love, but better.

I do have a hard second.  It's my Adams Idea Tech 5HY hybrid.  It has a sweet carbon shaft and I can always hit it straight, even if it isn't long.  Mishits seem to be mostly ok except in extreme cases.  It's basically equivalent to my 6-iron these days, but stays in the bag due to the forgiveness, ease of use and trajectory.

Oh man,  this could be a holy war.  Thankfully this form is all about open opinion and discussion.  I for one will welcome all opinions, discussion, criticism and assistance.  Thank you all!!!
At this point for me the one club that I would keep in my bag is my Wilson BT-2 Brass Tech putter with the Garsen Ultimate grip.  I use this every single round and has been a big improvement over the other putter configurations I've putted with.  Admittedly, this is a small sample size.  I used this putter with it's standard grip for 17+ years, then picked up a KS-1 putter.  That was fine and all, but didn't really result in lower scores and felt less intuitive.  Once I switched the grip on the BT-2, it was like a long lost love, but better.

I do have a hard second.  It's my Adams Idea Tech 5HY hybrid.  It has a sweet carbon shaft and I can always hit it straight, even if it isn't long.  Mishits seem to be mostly ok except in extreme cases.  It's basically equivalent to my 6-iron these days, but stays in the bag due to the forgiveness, ease of use and trajectory.

Oh man,  this could be a holy war.  Thankfully this form is all about open opinion and discussion.  I for one will welcome all opinions, discussion, criticism and assistance.  Thank you all!!!
At this point for me the one club that I would keep in my bag is my Wilson BT-2 Brass Tech putter with the Garsen Ultimate grip.  I use this every single round and has been a big improvement over the other putter configurations I've putted with.  Admittedly, this is a small sample size.  I used this putter with it's standard grip for 17+ years, then picked up a KS-1 putter.  That was fine and all, but didn't really result in lower scores and felt less intuitive.  Once I switched the grip on the BT-2, it was like a long lost love, but better.

I do have a hard second.  It's my Adams Idea Tech 5HY hybrid.  It has a sweet carbon shaft and I can always hit it straight, even if it isn't long.  Mishits seem to be mostly ok except in extreme cases.  It's basically equivalent to my 6-iron these days, but stays in the bag due to the forgiveness, ease of use and trajectory.

I have a round scheduled this weekend if anyone needs a round to use in case of inclement weather.  

We are looking at an atmospheric river next week here in the PNW, but the brunt of it isn't supposed to hit until Monday and we're used to soggy ground.  I mean, I chose my name for a reason.

I have a round scheduled this weekend if anyone needs a round to use in case of inclement weather.  

We are looking at an atmospheric river next week here in the PNW, but the brunt of it isn't supposed to hit until Monday and we're used to soggy ground.  I mean, I chose my name for a reason.

Oops! Sorry for creating confusion. It was fun regardless.
Guess I'm available as a hired (water) gun if anyone needs a sub! 🤪 😆

My coach suggested these fixes for me  when I started to get a little "toey":
1.  Move 1-2 ball diameters closer to the ball (ie just a bit)
2.  place a gate of two tees 1-2" outside both sides of the ball and make sure your path and contact stays between the tees.  Low point of your swing should be 1-3" past the ball with irons and hybrids.  As you get more precise you can bring the tees closer to the ball.
3.  stack a bit more weight on your left side during early transition and downswing ("heart to the ball"), make sure you "squat" into the ball to shallow the club and increase right side bend, then simply rotate thru the ball and do not come up out of your posture until after contact.
4.  make sure your alignment is square or a little closed

I am not a teaching pro and without watching your swing it could be hard to offer advice. However, for a quick fix: have you tried moving a hair closer to the ball or addressing it near the heel? Basically, opposite of what you would do for a shank quick fix. 

If you look at it fast, it's easy to think that.  I had to go back and do a double take.  Heaven knows how many scorecards I've processed over the last three weeks!  Then I saw that both images have more than 9 holes shown.  The 11th hole is highlighted twice.

Week 3 card! 2 net eagles I’ll F’in take it!

Or is it 6?