PGLS HANDICAP TESTING ANNOUNCEMENT

[MiMiC]

Hi to all,

PGLS is pleased to announce initial testing of handicap calculation and play ahead of its introduction in a future update to Jack Nicklaus Perfect Golf.

You can find details about how to be involved in our testing at the bottom of this message.


HOW WE GENERATE A PLAYER HANDICAP

We concentrate on gaining player scoring records from four standard stroke-play events: PGA9, Stableford9, PGA18 and The PGLS Open. Any completed round is recorded, irrespective of a player completing the event. Events which are 9-holes in length are extrapolated to create data which can be calculated on the same basis as a full-length round.

For each of these rounds, we collect them into a 24-round table, and as you play the oldest rounds are replaced with your newest rounds played. If you do not have 24 qualifying rounds from the four events listed above, you do not have an official PGLS handicap and play from a scratch score. Rounds are quickly collected, and so handicaps can be established within a few weeks of play.

The handicap 'breakdown' table of your own individual handicap is available here: http://pgls.golfladders.co.uk/forums/pgls_handicap.php

From a collected 24 rounds of play, we then drop out the top 6 and bottom 6 scores made, leaving us with a median group of scores. For each round you play, we also calculate an adjustment to the score depending on how difficult or easy the playing group as a whole found the round to score on. This means you are not penalized with a handicap changing rapidly because of scoring of a round where conditions were easy and short tees were used.

The record of these 12 calculation rounds is then used to create your handicap, based on how you score against par.

The full membership's listed handicap is available here - click on any player name to view their 'breakdown' of handicap - http://pgls.golfladders.co.uk/forums/pg ... _order.php


HOW THE HANDICAP WILL BE UTILIZED

We are planning on creating a new event for handicap play, and will also consider making certain events able to be played in future with handicaps, such as Team strokeplay, Knockout events and other one-off events.

The handicap will be used within the game itself, rather than relying on a player then looking at an external leaderboard to find what they scored. Using the course Stroke Index for each hole, a player will either find certain holes will play one shot lower (where you have a handicap of below zero) or one shot higher (where your handicap stands above zero). The better player with a negative handicap gets scores adjusted up one stroke on the easiest holes to achieve a birdie score on, whilst the less able player gains his shots on those holes which are the most difficult to score on.

This all takes place within the game, with your score displaying as XXXX scored 5 (nett 4). Player scorecards within the game will show the correct score, and the in-game leaderboard will show your correct handicap-adjusted score against others playing.


HOW OUR TESTING WILL WORK

Our testing can only at present take place where a PGLS Admin with JNPG beta access hosts the event. However, where that is the case, any player can play and record scores on the handicap event. For anyone interested in seeing how the handicap works, If you come to the PGLS Meet & Greet and arrange a time to play with myself, I can take you out as host in an 18-hole round where you will see it in operation.

Please either make arrangements with MiMiC or TexasACES to play a round with you within Meet & Greet, or else CLICK HERE to send me a Private Message to begin arranging a time to play.


Mike

MiMiC