High Handicap & Skins Games

Over the last several weeks of play with four or more groups of players each event I collected data with the help of others in terms of the positioning of higher hcp players on par 4's as they progress to the hole. The reason for the analysis was the lower hcp players contend the higher cap players get too many needless strokes which impact Skins games. I know....this is a common complaint that will never end....but do they have a valid point?

On average, the 16-18 hcp players hit 210 yard drives. The average par 4 from the tees they play is roughly 360 yards. Thus the 16-18 hcp player, because they get a stroke on nearly every hole, or all holes (18 cap), are essentially playing 150 yard par 4's (360 total yards minus their 210 drive), or to score a gross 5, net 4.

The >18 hcp players hit their drives an average of 190 yards. From their tees, the average par 4 yardage was around 335. Therefore they were playing 145 yard par 4s (to make a net par). However, on some holes some got two strokes, and their 2nd shots typically landed within 60 or less yards of the pin. Thus, on one or more par 4 holes, the 18+ cap player is effectively playing a 60 yard par 4 to make net par (6 net 4). From that viewpoint it's kind of crazy...right? LOL.

The lower cap guys said the long game, like hitting driver / 3W, low loft hybrids, etc, do require more athleticism to get the ball down the fairway. However, then they asked how much athleticism is needed to hit a 150 yard shot? Moreover, how much athleticism is required to hit a 100, 60, 40, 20 yard shot? Beyond that, how much athleticism is required for a 10 yard pitch shot, or worse, putting? So why aren't the higher cappers able to improve upon those shots?

We also found that higher cap players got into significantly more trouble on their 2nd shots which landed in rough, bunkers, or other difficult lies. Thus, they lacked a sense of course management because they laser the pin at 150 yards, pull out a 150 yard club, and have at it, and the ball has a much greater chance of missing the green, getting into more trouble. Then they're left with shots they rarely, or barely practice.

Thus, the lower handicap players (1-9) believe the higher cap players have "no excuse" to not practice and improve upon their short games because those shots do not require athleticism. We see it all the time....20 yard pitch shot goes 5 yards, or is bladed 30 yards off the green. 40 foot putt travels 55 feet, then the comeback putt is 6 feet short.

Also, the lower handicap players believe the handicap system actually rewards not practicing the most unathletic shots, lack of course management, and highly random putting. It seems they might have a valid point. And just yesterday a 24 hcp player scored pars on 3 holes, scoring 4 net 2's, or Eagles, to win 3 skins. And worse, two guys with a gross birdies lost those holes. LOL.