Golf Committee Chair’s Update
For those of you not already aware, we have unfortunately had to pollard the oak tree to the left of the first green following an end of year review by the Club’s tree surgeon who determined that an earlier identified fungal disease was much more pronounced that previously thought. I am particularly regretful given the ‘signature’ nature of this oak but following a serious accident involving a falling tree from our property onto Clarence Lane in June 2021, the Club and the Golf Committee place the safety of our membership above all else and emergency action was necessary. Although the Committee was aware of a plan to eventually replace this tree, the timing of the works still came as a surprise. Regardless, I regret not properly informing and preparing you for this eventuality.
As you will have seen, we have already planted replacement trees (Koelreuteria and a Sequoiadendron) but the difficulty and layout of the hole has been permanently compromised, with the larger hitters amongst us becoming even more tempted to hit driver off the first tee. We clearly cannot afford to endanger players on the second tee more than is already the case, so the plan will be to grow heavy rough to the left of the green to ensure it doesn’t become worth it to even consider hitting driver. Once the Indoor Golf Centre becomes a reality in 2025, we will also introduce a creek as well as out of bounds to the right of the fairway, so all of these combined changes should lead to a safer and more traditional two shot par four with most players laying well back off the first tee.
2024 World Handicap System Revisions
In line with the rules of golf themself, the WHS™ Rules of Handicapping are reviewed and updated every four years. I can summarise some of most pertinent changes here but encourage you to visit the R&A website for further information:
1 Changes to Course Handicap calculations: Introduction of Course Rating¹ minus Par
Current Course Handicap calculation (2020):
Course Handicap = WHS (Index) x (Slope² / 113)
New Course Handicap calculation (2024):
Course Handicap = WHS (Index) x (Slope² / 113) + (Course Rating – Par)
◊ This change will be implemented as part of the course handicap calculation to give players the number of strokes required to play the course
◊ Without ‘Course Rating – Par’, the target score for a golfer to play to handicap is the Course Rating™. However, with ‘Course Rating – Par’ being implemented, it will move that target score to the Par for the course played (or 36 points).
◊ If the Course Rating is higher than Par, players will receive additional strokes, however if the Course Rating is lower than the par, they will lose strokes.
2 Introduction of acceptable scores from 4BBB formats
◊ Currently only scores from certain singles formats of play are returned to WHS for handicap index calculation within GB&I.
◊ With the introduction of this change, scores from competition four-ball (such as stroke-play and stableford) will become acceptable for handicap purposes in GB&I
3 Implementation of Expected Scoring
◊ A change in the method used to up-scale 9-hole scores and any holes not played during a round.
◊ The new method provides a more accurate reflection of what the player would have scored on those holes (using player equations rather than net par) and should, therefore, result in a more accurate Handicap Index®
4 Adjustments for abnormal playing conditions
◊ The Playing Conditions Calculations (PCC) was introduced with WHS in 2020 to mirror how the previous Competition Scratch Score (CSS) attempted to factor in unusually difficult playing conditions.
◊ This PCC adjustment will regrettably remain somewhat nebulous but is expected to become more universally and consistently applied than before.
Under guidance from the R&A and USGA these changes will come into effect on 1 April 2024 and have been made to ensure a more unified approach worldwide to WHS™, especially within GB&I.
Please be on the lookout for further detailed Club communication in this matter.
¹ Course Rating is an evaluation of the difficulty of a golf course for scratch golfers, by gender and from each different tee. A par 71 with a Course Rating for ladies off the white tees of 74, means that a scratch lady golfer would be expected to average 74 strokes across the top 50% of her best rounds from that tee.
² Roehampton Club Slope = 119
12th hole
As previously mentioned, we are planning on widening the fairway (left) on the 12th hole to encourage players to play away from Priory Lane. Head greenkeeper David Howe will start reshaping the fairway in spring, and will install irrigation to the area when ground conditions allow. The Committee is also inclined to remove the out of bounds along the left of the hole, with the intention to replace it with blue stakes in the area, with a drop zone in the trees, but one without a clear shot to the green.
We will also relocate and repaint the two drop zones by the protective netting, closer in proximity to the green than they are now.
14th hole pathway
You may have noticed we are in the process of repaving the path that runs to the left of the 14th hole. This is being laid to allow our heavy machinery easier access to this part of the course, without resulting in ugly mud paths, particularly in the winter months. The path will be similar in nature to the one that was recently re-laid across the 12th hole. We will closely monitor the impact of this path material in this location in terms of safety and fairness.
