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I’ve noticed that most courses don’t reduce their green fee when the greens have been aerated or other major work has just been done Is this typical? — D.M., Charleston, S.C.
Courses that charge a lower green fee after customary maintenance procedures are in the minority. Most courses say they attempt to make golfers aware of recently aerated greens or other work that affects course conditions before they begin play by posting signs in and around the golf shop. Some added that they try to schedule this work at off-peak times (weekdays) in orcle to minimize the effect on those days when play is heavier.
Recently I played in an Australian amateur event using my Handicap Index. I found that locals were besting me with handicaps of 18-20 (I’m a 12.3). It appears that the Aussies have no slope rating system and determine handicaps around the average of all their scores. Is this correct? If so, how do I adjust my Handicap Index if I go back? Can I enter my scores from Down Under? — J.T., Powder Springs, Ga.
Australia does not use the USGA Course Rating system or the USGA Hancli cap System. A Handicap Index ennnot be converted into another system using a form ila or calculation and scores on a course that does not have USGA ratings cannot be posted for handicap purposes.
I have noticed some players, while finishing putting, pick their ball from the hole and stop directly over the hole. Their heel first touches within a foot or a foot and half of the hole. This leaves an indentation in the green; is it an acceptable movement?
— R.O., West Orange, N. J. Most players, especially t ose on the pro tours, exercise great care not to adversely affect the greens for those playing behind them. While it’s true that an indentation close to the hole might have an effect on putts, this is the case for one left a lywhere on the green.
When entering my scores for handicap purposes, I’m supposed to insert the “adjusted” score. I know this limits the number of strokes I enter for any given hole, but what is the formula? — W.M., Coral Springs, Fla.
The “adjusted’ score represents a procedure known as Equitable Stroke Control, which is a downward adjustment of individual hole scores. It is in place to make handicaps more representative of a player’s potential ability It is to be used every time a score is to be posted for handicap purposes, and it is based on a player’s course handicap (see table).
| COURSE HANDICAP 9 or less |
MAXIMUM NUMBER ON ANY HOLE Double bogey |
| 10-19 | 7 |
| 20-29 | 8 |
| 30-39 | 9 |
| 40 or more | 10 |
