When the Skins Game began about twelve years ago, all players played from blue tees and had a handicap of 10 or less. Over the years, as the players grew older, those whose combined age and handicap of 83 were allowed to play from gold tees. Players with a handicap of 18 or higher were also permitted to play, but only one stroke per hole was counted for Skins.
Today, over 40% of Skins Game participants would have a handicap of 18 or more on the white tees. Today players can play from a variety of tees, from blue to red and all combinations in between. Recently, combo tees were added, and new tees have been rated for men, which will allow over 90% of players to play with a handicap of 18 or lower using these newly rated tees.
After consulting with several Skins players over the past few weeks, it has been decided to try a new format for the Skins Game for one month. The goal of this change is to use a fairer format for players of different playing ability competing from different tees. For the month of January, we will use 100% of everybody’s handicap with a maximum of 36. Afterward, we will evaluate whether to continue or not with this format.
New rules effective January 1st
Skins
Only net scores will be considered for awarding a skin on each hole. The player with the lowest net score will be awarded a skin if he is the only player with that net score, regardless of his handicap.
Team games
As is currently the case, net scores will be considered for the team score.
When a team has only three players, instead of using Pepe, a player’s score from another team will be randomly selected to complete the foursome.
Scoring
The scores recorded on the golf cart screens will be considered the official score. Score cards will be used as a backup.
With a 100% handicap, if a player with a handicap of 5 (Player A) plays against a player with a handicap of 15 (Player B). On holes with a handicap index of 5 or less, they each player have one stroke. On holes with a handicap index of 6 through 15, Player B has a one-stroke advantage. And on the last three holes with a handicap index of 16 to 18, neither player has a stroke advantage.
In total, there are 8 holes on which neither player has an advantage, and Player B has an advantage on 10 holes.
If using 80% of the handicap, Player A will play with a handicap of 4 and Player B with a handicap of 12.
On holes with a handicap index of 4 or less, they each have one stroke advantage. On holes with a handicap index of 5 through 12, Player B has a one-stroke advantage. And on the last six holes of the handicap index, both players have no strokes.
In total, with 80% handicap, there are 10 holes on which neither player has an advantage (instead of 8), and Player B has an advantage on 8 holes (instead of 10). Is that fairer? In my opinion it gives an advantage to the lower handicap player.
The 80% percent rule has been used by many clubs to make it fairer for the better golfers especially on par 3’s where high handicapper might get 2 strokes in some cases and is playing gold tee’s. Definitely a change was needed ,nothing wrong with seeing what the results are and then look at revising after the 30 day trial.
On El Tigre Course, the lowest handicap index on Par3 is 10. A player needs a 28 handicap to have 2 strokes on Par 3.
So the changes are a 5/3 is the same as a 4/3 or a 2/2 is the same as a 4/2 using handicaps hmm I like the 80% rule as well .
Completely agree with the 80% rule. That is the format they just used in the Member/Member Tourney that we just had
When playing all handicap levels in competition the low handicappers will tell you they are at a distinct disadvantage against high handicappers. In the Uk where there are no handicap divisions players play on a percentage of handicap. Usually 80 per cent. So if you are 25 handicap then you would play of 20 if 5 you would play of 4.
This would be the fairest way of doing this in my opinion. Ray Kirton
Of course, over the last year or two, the one or two low handicappers, who joined the skins, usually picked up the majority of the skins and after this trial month if we find the low handicap’s are at a disadvantage then we could always try a month with the 80% rule. But I’m fine with using the 80% rule if that’s the ultimate fair game.