Equitable Stroke Control
What is Equitable Stroke Control?
As many of you know Equitable Stroke Control is the downward adjustment of individual hole scores for handicapping purposes. It is used in order to make handicaps more representative of a player’s potential ability. An Equitable Stroke Control chart sets a maximum number that a player can post on any particular hole based on the player’s handicap at that course.
Example of Equitable Stroke in Use
For example, a 20 handicap takes a 9 on the last hole at Fraserview after hitting two balls into Vivian Creek. When that player is entering their score in the computer to track their handicap they must enter an 8 for the 18th hole because they are not allowed any scores more than 3 over par and the 18th hole is a par 5. A second player in the group also scores a 9 on the 18th hole. Their handicap is 35 so they keep the 9 marked on their card as is for handicapping purposes.
Change to USGA method
For whatever reason Golf Canada (formerly the RCGA) and the USGA have been using different systems for Equitable Stroke Control. As of March 1st, 2012 the RCGA will adopt the current USGA method. Golf British Columbia has provided an article about the change and an interview with Matt McKay, Manager of Rules and Handicap with Golf Canada on why the change is occurring.
You can read the full article here.
The changes to Equitable Stroke Control can be found in the chart below:
