Do golf handicaps undermine this key skill differentiator?

owing to World Handicap Systemplayers of all abilities have the opportunity to compete against each other on a relatively level playing field. While the system isn’t perfect, it makes golf the only game in the world in which a recreational player can play against a Tour player and actually have a chance to win.

But according to Peter Kostisthere is a glaring flaw in the handicapping system that he would like to correct.

In the last episode of “Kostis & McCord: Off Their Rockers,” a GOLF production, Kostis laid out his case.

“Let’s get a 12 handicap,” Kostis said. “Not all 12-handicappers are the same. If you get a 12 handicapper who can’t hit the ball 200 yards – if the hole is 401, they’re not going to get there. And so they are limited. They have to rely on a great short game, but will never be able to get down to a lower handicap on length alone.

“Now you get a 12 handicap that hits 300 — obviously, that person, if they can hit 300, they’ve got to have a short game, or they can’t putt or whatever,” he continued. “But on a given day, they’re going to be able to chip and putt, they can find a chip shot, they can find a putt and with their 300-yard skills, they can play up to 4 handicaps. “

Kostis said he thinks there should be a way to factor maximum driving distance into a handicap calculation.

“There’s got to be a way – and I can’t believe I’m saying this – there’s got to be a way to build a new handicap system that takes into account how far you can hit the ball,” he said.

Gary McCord agreed.

“It’s got to be the swing speed for the handicap,” he said.

According to Kostis and McCord, another problem with the current handicap system is that it doesn’t go down enough for elite players.

“(Jon) Rahm is a plus 7.6,” McCord said.

“That’s rubbish,” Kostis replied.

“So he gives me an 8, and I literally have no chance,” McCord said.

“There has to be a new way to use today’s statistical approach to everything, to organize a handicapping system that is fairer to all concerned,” Kostis said.

For more from the fun duo, watch the full episode of Kostis & McCord: Off Their Rockers, a GOLF production, below.

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