Aug/Sept News

Dear TSGers, We start things off by congratulating our two new TSG OPEN Champions - see below. Meanwhile, the TSG Team have been on tour, again. This time to St Andrews and the Association of Golf Writers Dinner, where we met some of the stars of the game. However, the headline news in this issue, is that we are launching the new TSG Handicap Index in Sept!

This has been a year in planning, and with over 200 development hours committed to the project, we are confident that we have the system in place that will match any other Handicap tracker on the market. Special thanks must go to Adam Croot (TSG Developer), who doesn't even play golf but has slaved over spreadsheets and calculations for more than six months! Simon Brothwood of GNU Consulting (TSG statistician) has written formulas longer than my arm. Finally, we must also thank Paul Houghton (WHS advisor) for his time, Kevin Booth (European Cairns Cup Captain) and John Barber, who all kindly gave us access to their England Golf profiles, allowing us to compare our system with England Golf.

No doubt this switch will cause some debate, and we welcome all members, who would like to know more about how the new system works, to get in touch. Ian - Editor

#TSGISAHAPPYPLACE  #BEHAPPY 

TSG OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP 2022: Bletchingley GC, Surrey, UK

After all the scorecards were counted up and verified, we are very pleased to announce we have two new TSG OPEN Champions...John Barber & Judy Lilley!

Other winners on the day were our chosen TSG charity for the year, The Cairns Cup. We raised £2K which will go towards getting our boys & gals to Michigan in 2024! The full list of winners from the event includes:

Women's Trophy

1st - Judy Lilley 32 Pts, 2nd - Ruth Brand - 29 Pts

Men's Trophy

1st - John Barber - 37 Pts, 2nd - Pier Maria Mucinni - 36 Pts (on countback)
3rd - Pete Mayo - 36 Pts (on countback)

Golf News Magazine - Guest Trophy

1st - Gary Cartlidge - 38 Pts, 2nd - Nick Dodge - 28 Pts

Yellow Ball Team Winners

Dave Allchorne, Ian Mullins, Nick Dodge & Danny Hennessey

NP (7^th Hole) – Gary Cartlidge

NP (17^th Hole) – Paul Langford

NP in Two – Pete Mayo

Straightest Drive (9^th Hole) – Chris Bradford

Wooden Spoon - Saurabh Misra - 9 Pts

Trevor Sandford Trophy - Chip in Birdie - N/A

To everyone that attended, thank you so much for giving the day such an amazing atmosphere, especially the new faces!

Also a big thanks to Marky Mark Crane, who took over the running of this year's event and was the consummate professional and master of ceremonies... and score adjudicator on the day. Also, a big shout out as always to Steve Slater for his Olympic-style ability to sell raffle tickets to you all! 

Finally, thank you to the clubs that donated 4-ball vouchers including West Essex GC, Bletchingley GC, Pedham Place GC, Cannons Brook GC, Woodford GC, Welwyn Garden City GC,  Redbourn GC, South Essex GC, The Shire - London, Hadley Wood GC and Wentworth.

And big thanks, once again, to GOGOGO Sport rangefinders for their donations to the raffle table!

Finally, I would like to give a special thank you to everyone who supported the day. These events are a pleasure to host and are a great chance for the team and for you, the members, to meet some of your fellow TSGers!

TSG MATCHPLAY DRAW: The Finalists 

So, after 5 months of golf, we approach the business end of this year's tournament and we can now confirm the draw for the final!

Martin Kelly vs John Donaldson

Come and play, watch our new champion crowned and meet the TSG Team.

Guests joining us for the event will tee off before the final pair and clap our winner in when they reach the 18th hole.

Play FARLEIGH GC at discounted weekend rate ONLY = £35

Incl: 18 holes, coffee, bacon rolls and entry to 'Nearest to the Sim Pin!'

TSG HANDICAP INDEX: It's Here - launching 6th Sept 2022

As most golfers will know, in November 2020, golf introduced a new handicapping system called the WHS (World Handicap System). The idea is that rather than assuming all golf courses have the same difficulty, the R&A and USGA (along with six other regional associations) introduced the Course Rating & Slope ratings.

Now we won't debate whether this is actually a 'World' handicapping system (given there are different rules of golf on each continent) but we can say that back at TSG HQ, we feel like we have done a PhD in statistics and spreadsheet management in the last year.

In June 2021, England Golf introduced its own online version of the new WHS, called i-Golf*, so rather than dive head first into switching to the new system immediately, we decided to wait until we knew for certain that they wouldn't again change the formulas (especially given some of the controversy this has caused in many members golf clubs!).

What we can tell you is that our system has been interrogated, tested, smashed to bits and rebuilt several times during the building process.

In addition, we have followed the rules of handicapping, as set out by the R&A and the USGA.(with a few exceptions - see below)

However, rather than have to start your new TSG Handicap Index from scorecard no.1 again, we will be carrying over TSGers last 20 rounds to the new system - from as far back as March 2019. This means if you have already submitted 20 cards to TSG, your new TSG Handicap Index will be established immediately - cool huh!

PLEASE NOTE - THE ABOVE EXAMPLE IS FOR DISPLAY PURPOSE ONLY!

The core things you need to know about the TSG handicap Index:

1. Entering Scores - Nothing has changed here, just enter your Gross scores and the system will do the rest. 

2. Maximum Hole Score - Your Gross scores will be 'adjusted' depending on how many shots you take over the Par, minus your handicap of the hole e.g. Nett score per hole + two shots

3. Constantly Changing Formula - Every time you enter a scorecard, the calculation changes constantly until you have entered 20 cards

4. Average Scores - The TSG Handicap Index will select the lowest 8 'Adjusted' scorecard totals from your last 20 rounds, and take an average, thus producing a new TSG Handicap Index

5. Fluctuating Handicap Index - Given the new formula discounts your worst 12 scores (from your last 20 rounds), every time you play, your Handicap Index will (most likely) change. Don't be alarmed if you drop 4 shots or gain 2 after a new scorecard has been submitted.

6. Playing Handicap - Now you have your new TSG Handicap Index established, whenever you visit a new course, you will need to consult the Course Rating there and take into account which tee you are playing from. e.g. Your TSG Handicap Index = 17, but this may rise to 19.0 or drop to 15.4 depending on how 'easy' or 'difficult' the course's 18 holes have been rated.

7. Nobody's Perfect - We fully expect there to be some teething issues in the new system and I have no doubt some of you may be confused by the system. Rest assured, we are here to help. If you feel something is awry, first check the Rating & Slope on the TSG scorecard are correct (or the same as your scorecard). If it isn't, let us know and we will investigate.

PLEASE NOTE - THE ABOVE EXAMPLE IS FOR DISPLAY PURPOSE ONLY!

A few additional notes:

- Exceptional Play - Many 'seasoned' golfers may not be as totally au fait with some of the more complicated rules of golf as they may think, but we wanted to point out that there IS an additional way your Handicap can be adjusted - via the EXCEPTIONAL PLAY CUT rule. However,  at this stage, we are  NOT carrying over, yet. We will first see how things pan out and review this in six months e.g. TSG Handicap Index '2.0' (planned for Jan 2023). N.B. This date may change).

- Max Handicap - TSG has never believed in Handicap being awarded greater than 36.0 and this will remain the limit on the new system for both genders.

- Playing Conditions Calculation - We have not implemented the PCC (playing Conditions Cut) option, as we believe England Golf are reviewing this right now, based on its difficulty to implement on its own system (only rumour)!

- Stapleford Scoring - This is still included on your scorecard calculation and will remain so, allowing you to compare your round 'on the day', regardless of your playing partner's handicap.

- Be Patient - Please bear in mind this has been a huge undertaking and so far, without any increase in the annual TSG membership fee. There WILL be anomalies, so please bear with us as we fix any bugs that may (or may not) occur in the coming months!)

Finally, we have temporarily suspended the conversion of your playing record into a fully printable PDF certificate, this will also come later in the 2.0 update

We think that's it for now...

#HappyGolfing!

*An i-Golf Handicap will NOT allow you to submit a score in Scotland, Wales or any other country unless you email them directly. In addition, by holding an i-Golf Handicap, there is no guarantee this will be accepted in Open competitions. This is at the discretion of the club.

TSG PROMO: Pro-Am Day at Farleigh GC

This event is a great opportunity to see some of the region’s best PGA professionals up close and we hope to see even more teams out on the fairways, competing, in 2022. A golf event at Farleigh is unlike any other and mixes competitive golf with a great social atmosphere. The event is a team of 4 event. Teams will consist of 3 amateurs and one PGA professional and the event will include all of the following:

• Farleigh Welcome Gift
• Tea/coffee & Bacon Rolls on arrival
• 18 Holes
• Delicious two-course carvery
• £80 per person

Please email your completed form to golfsales@farleighfox.co.uk who will be able to process your registration or call 01883 627711

TSG PARTNERS: Occidental Murcia 7 Coronas, Murcia, Spain

The Occidental Murcia 7 Coronas is located in the city centre of the Murcia region of Spain. The hotel has stood tall since 1971 when it was founded, but it has a new modern feel since its recent refurbishment. Due to the hotel’s location, it's close proximity to well-renowned golf courses & tourist attractions is a key reason why this is a perfect base for your golf holiday.

Escape in 2023:

• 3 nights in a twin room
• Bed & Breakfast
• 2 rounds of golf (El Valle + Golf Altorreal)
• Buggies included at Altorreal
• From Just £215 per person

More information can be found at www.golf-escapes.com/occidental-murcia-7-coronas and don't forget to mention The Social Golfer when enquiring for your special discount.

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

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

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

JUNE WINNER

Jonathan Knowles at HIGH ELMS GC with an EXCEPTIONAL = 45 pts. 

JULY WINNER

Claire Sills at SWEETWOODS GC with an EXCEPTIONAL = 45 pts. 

Welcome to the 2023 TSG Masters

The TSG GREEN towel is on its way to you!

TSG AWARD: Southern Enterprize Awards

We are very proud to announce that TSG has been awarded the accolade of;

Best Online Sports Organisation 2022

For the 6th year, SME News is delighted to present the UK Enterprise Awards which proudly encompasses a multitude of exciting and vibrant businesses and industries from all over the nation.

In the face of unprecedented hardship and uncertainty, UK business owners have demonstrated the utmost dedication and innovation in the ways that they have not only adapted, but weathered the COVID-19 storm to ensure the survival of their businesses.

The UK Enterprise Awards looks to honour the leading SMEs, whatever their size, across the UK. #WellDoneTSG!

COURSE REVIEW: Royal Musselborough GC, Edinburgh, Scotland

Royal Musselburgh Golf Club is not only one of the most historic golf clubs in the world, it is also a course you will love, from the first tee to the last. Established in 1774, Royal Musselburgh Golf Club claims to, not only be the 6th oldest golf course on the planet, but also home to the OLDEST golf trophy - The Old Club Cup - that is still played every year. It is one of those courses that you will never forget.

On arrival, a beautiful building awaits you, along with a friendly welcome from the Pro Shop, Greenkeepers, and the bar staff. In addition, all the members were smiling and happy to see us. The course is a Parkland layout and while mostly flat, there are more than enough undulations to keep wondering 'just where will my ball end up?' The vista of the old stone clubhouse comes into view numerous times during your round and some of the trees bordering the fairways of the course are more than a few hundred years old too.

My stand-out holes were the 14th Par 3 with a treacherous 25ft drop to a 'bowl' on the left (if you miss it), and the 15th - a Par 4, dog-leg left to a raised and generous green. A good tee shot here, with some run, can still leave you with a 7 iron to the centre but take a moment to look back and enjoy the path you've just followed to appreciate the hole in full. The Clubhouse still houses the FIRST ever hole-cutting device (an old pipe of 4.25 inches) which went on to set the standard for every golf hole we all now play into.

Lastly, the food was served with a smile, was reasonably priced and included all the traditional Scottish favourites including Haggis and square sausage for brekkie! In short, if I lived close to the Scottish border, I would happily nip across and play this course over and over again, it was an honour to play at a course so steeped in the history of the game!

Ian Mullins (17 H'cap)