Just how important is our Universal Scorecard? It is almost everything.
It is the only way that your score is recorded. It is the basis for your handicap. It is the proof that you actually won your flight (or not).
It is also the basis for measuring our Pace of Play, but more on that later.
So why is it that we have so many errors, omissions, and simply unreadable scorecards????
For 2016 (Division 1 Data)
- 40% of our Members (50 members) had score errors on Scorecards
- 12 Members had errors on multiple outings
- 2 Members had errors on 4 separate outings
- Only 1 play date was free of score errors – Far Oaks
- Many of the scorecards were almost unreadable
Why is it IMPORTANT?
- Your score, handicap, flight, flight prizes, and invitation to championship.
- It takes extra time ($) for outside service to find, fix errors.
Why do we have the problems? It is really simple! We are sloppy!
- Poor Handwriting – really hard to read
- Bad Pencil – too light to read
- Bad Math
- Totals Incorrect
- Could Not Read Hole Scores
How to Fix?
- Get a GOOD Pencil or Pen – we have lots at the course
- Get the best scribe in group to write
- Have each in group add up scores, especially their own
- Check scores and math on course card FIRST, then transpose to Universal Scorecard
- Take a minute or so to make it Right First Time!
Some of the reasons for unreadable scorecards in my opinion is TOO much info trying to be crammed in a small space on some courses scorecards. First Last Name, Member Number, Handicap, Tee played is just too much info to try to cram into a spot meant for a players name only. With all the Technology we have today, and given that the Metro Seniors are trying to get a lot of forms moved over to on line format, why do we even need to turn in a paper card?? A Lap Top could be at each course for players representative of a fore some to enter all the needed info into a computer format. Another issue is Slow Play for me, probably most of the times recorded on the scorecards are not accurate. More steps need to be taken than just sending out a newsletter about slow play.
Good points. Not much space on scorecard but most do pretty good. Ours is bigger that the courses’.
Using technology for Split Tee Starts may be possible. It takes about the same amount of time it input and check as on paper – figure about 1 minute per player. On Shotgun Starts we would need a bunch of laptops 8, 10, 12?, since everyone finishes at the same time. You wouldn’t want to wait for 30 to 60 minutes to fill out online form. We also still have several members who would be challenged with technology solution.
Pace of Play efforts are starting now, but won’t start showing until we start playing in April. Even then, some changes will require Board approval and some time in play. Between now and then, communication is our only tool. If you want to help, would you be willing to be a Mentor for your Division? Division 3 uses Mentors to help, especially with new members.
most players are in too much of ahurry to go home. don’t check scorese just sign card and go home
Each 4some / 3some should keep 2 course scorecards, 1 on each cart.
At the end of play, these cards should be exchanged so that the other cart can check a card for legibility and accuracy, both with respect to scores as well as names and player numbers.
Any discrepancies should be resolved among the playing group before transferring the information to the “green card”.
The guy with the best handwriting should record them on the “green card” and the most legible course scorecard signed and turned in with it.
It takes a couple extra minutes to do it right, but wouldn’t you rather spend 5 minutes on your scorecard so the 5 hours you spent on the course is recorded accurately?