18 USGA JOURNAL: JUNE, 1950 Ties in Handicap Matches How to playoff a tie in a handicap stroke play handicaps. In other types match has been, apparently, a puzzler of competitions a lesser number of strokes ever since the idea of granting an arti- is allowed, the players receiving the ficial advantage to a weaker player was strokes to use them as allocated on the introduced. club's score card. The recommended It is the custom of the game, when no allowances are: handicap strokes are involved, to settle SINGLESMATCH PLAY: Allow 85% of a match play tie by a hole-by-hole, or the full difference between stroke play "sudden death," play-off and to resolve handicaps. a stroke play tie by an I8-hole play-off. FOUR-BALLSTROKE PLAY (better-ball If time does not permit an I8-hole basis): Allow each player 75% of his play-off at stroke play, it can be shortened individual stroke play handicap, the to nine holes or less. strokes to be taken as they come on the New Recommendations card. The use of handicaps in play-offs FOUR-BALLMATCH PLAY: Reduce the inje.cts an element which can upset the stroke play handicaps of all four players eqUIty of these customs. The USGA, by the handicap of the low handicap which receives numerous requests for player, the low handicap player then to advice on this subject, has given the play from scratch. Allow. each of the matter considerable thought. It has three other players two-thirds (66% % ) evolved the following recommendations of the resulting difference, strokes to be which it endorses from the viewpoints taken by each player as they come on of equity and practicability: the card. MATCHPLAY: A handicap match which FOURSOMES (not four-ball) STROKE ends all even should be played off hole PLAY: Allow one. half of the partners' by hole until one side wins a hole. The combmed stroke play handicaps. (When play-off should start on the hole where selected drives are permitted, allow 35 % the match began. 5trokes should be only.) allowed as in the prescrib'~d round. FOURSOMESMATCHPLAY: Allow 40% STROKEPLAY: A handicap stroke com- of the full difference between the com. petition which ends. in a tie should be ~ined stroke play handicaps of each played off at 18 holes with handicaps. SIde. (When selected drives are permitted, If that be inexpedient, the play-off should allow 30% only.) permit the competitors to use an equitable percentage of their handicaps. For Oak Hill's Memorial Trees example, if in an individual competition • ~ontinlled from Page 9 A's handicap is 10 and B's is 8, it would of frIendship and international good will. be equitable to conduct a nine-hole play- The progress of the growth of these aco'rns is to be reported to Commander off with A receiving 5 strokes and B 4 strokes. Rule 3(2) empowers the Com- Carson and at some time in the future, mittee to determine how and when a tie when they have reached a size suitable for shall be decided. permanent .location and planting, it shall Methods of deciding halved matches be done With a ceremony at which it is and stroke play ties should be published hoped United States golfers will be present. in advance. These supersede all previous recom. At Oak Hill, this has been a work of mendations on this subject. supreme satisfaction and pride to the members. In a succeeding article the Stroke Allowances ut.ilitaria~value of trees to a golf course Handicaps produced under the USGA ~Vlll?e discussed. This phase of the sub- Golf Handicap System are individual Ject IS of the highest importance.