The European Golf Association on: Cultural Differences World Handicap Meeting Far Hills, USA 23 May, 2013

Defining “culture” The ideas, customs, and social behavior of a particular country or group of countries  Inter-cultural perspective The attitudes and behavior characteristic of a particular group of people  Intra-cultural perspective

Inter-cultural perspectives (examples) Sweden EDS part of playing “tradition” High number of EDS EDS unlimited (only disallowed in Cat 1) Italy EDS frowned upon (“questionable quality”) Very low number of EDS EDS maximally limited (only 4/year allowed, at home club, and only in Cat 4 and 5) Sweden Fourball scores not qualifying Spain Fourball scores qualifying (as pilot after request)

Inter-cultural perspective (example) EGA More than 95 % of all golfers have an EGA Handicap Handicap is a necessity Many private and few public golf clubs NB: 70+% of EGA golfers have an “inactive” EGA Handicap (still need handicap) USGA Less than 25 % of all golfers have a USGA Handicap No experienced “need” for handicap Many public and few(er) private golf clubs

Intra-cultural perspective (example) Our principal challenge: competitive vs. recreational golfers 1980: 90 % of German golfers = competitive 10 % of German golfers = recreational 2010:30 % of German golfers = competitive 70 % of German golfers = recreational Change of motivation visible across EGA territory Responsibility: design a system that serves the majority without sacrificing accuracy for competitive golfers Handicap as commodity: make it attractive (generate revenues?)

Conclusions about culture Players’ conceptions of “handicap” differs greatly: rigid vs. flexible structures Modern golf = less homogeneity Our response: System based on core features as well as system options, designed so that appropriate precision can be maintained for those who need it (essentially competitive golfers), while more flexible (and much less rigidly managed) system structures are available for golfers who play golf as a recreational rather than competitive sport  maximally inclusive system

Discussion