Who is the better player?

[bk51]

I'm having a discussion with a friend who has the same handicap index as me. He's a private club member, I'm a trunk slammer.

I say I'm the stronger player because my handicap is based on ability alone. I play lots of different courses, many for the first time, so I never have the opportunity to develop course knowledge. He plays all his rounds at his home course, so he knows every blade of grass. I think his index is a combination of ability and course knowledge, especially on the greens where it's got to be worth 1-2 shots a side.

My contention is that if we went to a course that neither of us had played before, he's in trouble because he just lost the home course advantage and for me its business as usual. (It's not feasible to try it and see because of the distances involved, plus I'm curious to get opinions on the concept)

Comments?

[Bellyhungry]

I think 7 out of 10 times, you will probably beat him.

However, there are many other factors. For example, if his home course is Oakmont, then the odds change. Or if his home course is a Scottish links, and you guys play your match at, say, Heathland, then the odds also will change.

All in all, there are a lot of 'ifs'.

[hogannut]

I'm having a discussion with a friend who has the same handicap index as me. He's a private club member, I'm a trunk slammer.

I say I'm the stronger player because my handicap is based on ability alone. I play lots of different courses, many for the first time, so I never have the opportunity to develop course knowledge. He plays all his rounds at his home course, so he knows every blade of grass. I think his index is a combination of ability and course knowledge, especially on the greens where it's got to be worth 1-2 shots a side.

My contention is that if we went to a course that neither of us had played before, he's in trouble because he just lost the home course advantage and for me its business as usual. (It's not feasible to try it and see because of the distances involved, plus I'm curious to get opinions on the concept)

Comments?

Challenge him to a game for $100, and see what he does.

[focal]

a better comparison is your tournament scores...nothing like "pressure" to see what the player truly is capable of

I've played with many private club members and they do suffer a bit outside their home course but settle down after a few more rounds (vacation time)

[The Troll]

All in all, there are a lot of 'ifs'.

Yup, I score better away from my home course than on my home course so you never know. Plus, if his course is an older course it probably is underrated re: slope/course ratings. Despite re-rating, classic courses never get the same respect that newer, longer courses get, imo.

Also, I've seen 30 year members who have no idea how their greens break.

A great putter at Hamilton G&C is likely to be a great putter everywhere but a great putter at Don Valley may or may not be.

So you never know. Play for $ and find out who the real man is. :p

a better comparison is your tournament scores...nothing like "pressure" to see what the player truly is capable of



I agree....plus playing the same course all the times often leads to playing with less focus due to familiarity.

[Grass Roots Tour]

IMHO the "away" player is the stronger player.

It takes far more experience to play well in tournament at an "away" course AFTER you learn to play well in tournament at your "home" course.

Just my .02

[Focker Singh]

BK51, I vote for you to win the majority of the time. I agree that a typical member who is not a pro, only plays at his home course will shoot a higher score once they play a course they`ve never played on. Most of the time, you will use the same club everytime on each hole and knowing the greens and "trouble" spots on the course always helps.

[el tigre]

I think your ability is the same. The only way to decide who is marginally better is to play a series of matches.

IMHO the value of course knowledge to your score varies by the course. On some courses it is extremely useful, while on others what you see is what you get. So I don't think you can categorically say that one player is better than another based on this factor alone, since it depends on the characteristics of the particular courses that each of you played.

[nearace]

I vote for bk51 playing the same course over and over does not help your game when you go somewhere different ,maybe a poll should be started for this post?:eek:

[trunckslammer1]

Tournament golf is so different from social golf. Even on your home course, during Club C, you will have nerves especially on the final day, playing in the final group, God forbid, if you have a playoff. Even now, after so many years, everytime I go to a GAO event or an Invitation, the first Tee shot is the hardest.
Anyway, a strong player, no matter a private course member or a trunkslammer will be quite evenly matched if their index is an honest one. You may have some problems on the green, but you adjust pretty quick. The only advantage you have at your home course is that you know where to miss. When you both go and play an "away" course, both of you are equal in the local knowledge and so no home course advantage. The better player will prevail.

[cdnputter]

I'm with el tigre and trunckslammer, play this guy in a 3 game series, at both of your home courses, then pick another local course for the inevitable tie breaker.

[The Troll]

I vote for bk51 playing the same course over and over does not help your game when you go somewhere different

Can't agree with you Howie....most of my handi scores that count are away games....just not as focused playing my home course as I am when I'm somewhere else.

[nearace]

Can't agree with you Howie....most of my handi scores that count are away games....just not as focused playing my home course as I am when I'm somewhere else.never thought of that good point of view,the attention to the course may be better than looking at the same course you play all the time.the osprey event comes to mind as I looked at it alot different than the 3 courses I play alot:eek:

[leftintherough]

Can't agree with you Howie....most of my handi scores that count are away games....just not as focused playing my home course as I am when I'm somewhere else.

Gee Stevo, you're not just another pretty face !!! Very interesting point as I was going the other way as well.

Challenge him to a game for $100, and see what he does.

I'm smelling a match play challenge for Royal Ashburn!

[xander.uk]

I play a course regularly (weekly i am a member ) that has really tough small greens ( but isnt a very long course) and narrow fairways.

It is great for sharpening up your short game and even your iron play ( there are only 2 holes i hit driver on and i dont actually need to hit my driver on 1 of them i just choose too).

My handicap is calculated there.

When i go and play other courses ( every week :) ) i find that i shoot 3 or 4 shots less on those courses because they are generally easier to play.

The only difficulty is that other courses are usually longer ( but i am a long hitter anyway ) but the greens are easier/bigger and the fairways wider.

I guess the point i am making is a long winded way of saying that it depends on how tough his home course is.

But i do believe you can get "course tied" where your game grows to suit the course you play and thats why i play other courses every week.