October - November News

Dear TSGers, so much to catch up on in this issue! We start with a huge congratulations to our TSG Major winner John Donaldson, who beat off a gallant effort by fellow TSGer Martin Kelly to take the TSG MatchPlay Trophy final 2022 - see a link to The Matchplay Movie below.

Meanwhile, as you know, we recently introduced our NEW TSG Handicap Index. Despite a couple of bugs (and some cosmetic issues still to fix), we are very pleased with the feedback so far and we will be working on further updates in the coming weeks. However, please find an explanation of how the new system works below and what it means for you, the members.

Finally, TSG Blogger, Kevin Booth, is here to answer any questions from members regarding our new TSG Handicap Index. Just email us at theteam@thesocialgolfer.com and we will respond straight away! Ian - Editor

#TSGISAHAPPYPLACE  #BEHAPPY 

TSG OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP 2022: Bletchingley GC, Surrey, UK

Another great day was enjoyed by all at Farleigh GC and a superbly fought match that went all the way to the 16th green. After being five down after seven at one stage, Martin Kelly fought hard to get it back to 2 down after 14, but the lead for John Donaldson was just too great.

We must commend the spirit in which this match was played - two guys, both courteous and supportive of each other, as they battled in superb conditions. Commiserations to Martin, who showed he could compete under pressure, but congratulations go to John Donaldson, our new TSG Matchplay Champion 2022! Winners on the day included:

TSG MatchPlay Champion - John Donaldson (4&2)

Runner-Up - Martin Kelly

3rd Place - John Barber
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Nearest Pin on 4th - Andy Flynn

Nearest Pin on 14th - N/A
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18-hole Putting Competition - Daxi Zhang (33 Putts)

Chip-in-birdies - Mark Crane & Barry Beard
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Another great event played in a very gentlemanly and courteous fashion! We'll be back with more events in 2023.

TSG HANDICAP INDEX: Course Handicap

The TSG Handicap Index is based on the best 8 scores from your last 20 scorecards submitted. All new TSGers start on a Handicap Index of 36.0

As you travel from club to club, using different tees, your Handicap Index will be converted into a Course Handicap for the day.

e.g If you are an 18.1 Handicapper and you decide to play South Essex GC (mentioned below), off the Yellow Tees, your Course handicap will be 21.

Then, after your round, you are required to enter your Gross scores into the TSG Handicapping System.

Upon entering your Gross scores, the system will 'adjust' them to the Maximum Score allowed on each hole e.g Gross Score + 2 shots + Handicap Allowance for that hole.

This is calculated using the Stroke Index on each hole. In turn, your Adjusted Scores are then covered, to a Handicap Differential* by using the Slope & Rating of the course played.

For competition purposes, TSG limits the maximum Stableford allowance to a 36.0 Handicap e.g your Course Handicap will never give you more than 2.0 shots per hole.

Finally,  as we continue to update all the Slope & Ratings at each course, on each tee, please note, if your course is not listed in our database, members can click on the 'REQUEST TSG TO UPDATE SCORECARDS AT THIS COURSE' link and the team will add the requested course details within 24 hours.

That's all for now. More on the TSG Handicap Index in the next issue.

* This metric is not currently being shown on the My Handicap Dashboard but this will be added in the next few weeks.

TSG CLUB PARTNERS: South Essex GC

As the thread of COVID subsides and those 'furloughed' have returned to work, the TSG Team plan to start building our TSG Partner Database again.

Obviously, this will take time but to kick things off, we are very pleased to welcome South Essex Golf Club back into the TSG Family.

South Essex was a popular course played by TSGers in previous years, and with much investment in the last 24 months, the club is now welcoming TSGers back, exclusively, at close to the equivalent of 'Members Guest' rates.

Yes, as of Sept 2022, all TSG PRO members will be able to play this great course at 15% discount. This includes special offers. Read more about taking advantage of this offer here...

TSG TRAVEL PARTNERS: October Offers

Their impartial advice is second to none, and with more years of experience in the team than they would like to admit, they will find the perfect escape for you and your group. For great advice, give the team a call to find out more on 01342 811 777.  

Don't forget to mention THE SOCIAL GOLFER and get £25 off your booking!

TSG LEADERBOARD: (sponsored by 2fore1.co.uk)

AUGUST WINNER (based on Old H'cap System)

Michael Hanley at Cherry Lodge GC with 49 pts. 

SEPTEMBER WINNER (based on Old H'cap System)

Gary Wilson at Pedham Place GC with 45 pts. 

Welcome to the 2023 TSG Masters

The TSG GREEN towels are on their way to you!

COURSE REVIEW: Copt Heath GC, Knowle, Warwickshire, UK

Copt Heath boasts of being consistently voted as one of the Top 100 golf courses in the UK. It certainly has one of the best Clubhouses. A choice of soaps in the toilets, along with your own flannel and towel, is a nice touch. I didn't find an accessible toilet though. I do think they had one, somewhere!

The staff and members were very friendly, well to me at least. I was playing in an event that gained me a free day of golf. The normal green fee is over £100 (£60 with a county card). I also had a free buggy. I'm not sure what the cost would be for one of them but my guess is they wouldn't be cheap. Practice facilities were a bit sparse, with two driving nets and large practice green.

Now I knew the course would be tough as it has been used as an Open qualifier, and players such as Justin Rose and Lee Westwood are frequent visitors. The course also boasts 100 bunkers, and not small shell scrapings - huge six-foot-deep monsters.

All the fairways camber towards these beasts. One joyous hole has nine of the brutes! Yep, NINE!!

The greens were halfway through scarification, which was disappointing as I was looking forward to their famous speed, but alas, putting on them was a lottery as it is on all aerated greens. 

I liked the layout. I would describe it as Parkland but with very narrow fairways. The rough was not too penile - it was the bunkers that did the damage (I visited 12 and got out of all but one).

The fairway bunkers were so deep, you had no option other than wedge out to the side, as there were often four bunkers in a line. If you are thinking of playing here, practice your bunker technique, because you will be visiting the sand - which to be fair, is soft and fluffy.

At a little over 6100 yards off the yellows', it is not overly long, but it's tight and any wayward drive is severely punished. There's a halfway house at hole ten with a toilet block, but it was not serving drinks on the day I played. However, the food in the clubhouse was excellent, but as I said earlier, I was not paying for it. 

Would I play it again? Yes, definitely. Would I pay £100? Definitely not.

Paul Houghton (19 H'cap)