Trophy Distribution

Start Tracking "The game within the game":

To improve you need to focus on every shot. This is sometimes hard to do when it is late in a round and your score has gotten out of hand. You already know that the round is not going to be one of your best so you lose focus and not only end up shooting a poor score, but end up squandering an opportunity to work on improving. If you are like most adults the time you have to practice is limited, so when you are playing an actual round of golf you need to make the best use of your valuable time. The way to do this is by tracking "The game within the game".  From now on; you are going to start charting the four biggest contributors to your score.

When you pick up your scorecard before your next round you are going to write "F" for Fairways hit, "G" for Greens-in-Regulation, "P" for number of Putts and "Pen" for number of Penalty strokes going down in a column in the space typically reserved for you to list the players in your group. Yes, you are now going to be selfish. Let someone else keep score for the entire group. You are on a mission! You are going to track the four key statistics contributing to your score (hole-by-hole) and when you are done you are going to total your "F", "G", "P" and "Pen" for the round along with your score. (see sample scorecard)

Then when you log into scratchgolfer®.org you are going to enter your results into our scratchtracker program. You are going to enter just four simple numbers; your total fairways hit for the round, total greens in regulation for the round, total putts for the round and finally your total penalty stokes for the round.

This new way of tracking "The game within the game" will help you to stay focused for the entire round and therefore allow you to get the most quality practice time out of your round - even when you are having a poor scoring day. Why, because you now have something else that matters rather than your score at the end of the round. You are now interested in whether or not you hit a fairway, whether or not you hit a green and you are super focused on each and every putt. The reason you are interested is because the outcome of your next shot is now counting toward something! That something is a trophy for your virtual trophy room. Something to recognize all your hard work. Now each step of your progression to scratch is being charted and your personal "milestones" along the way are being recognized!

How the trophies are awarded:

• The system calculates the averages of the player's 5 most recent rounds
• Averages are recalibrated after each entry and reflected on your profile
• If a new trophy is awarded your "friends list" receives an email notifying them of the accomplishment
• After your first trophies are awarded, you are grandfathered all lower level trophies for your trophy room
• The system can take away trophies if your averages start to come down.
• FYI: Fairway max total is typically 14 (assuming four par 3's)
• FYI: Greens in regulation Max is 18

Trophies are then distributed according the the following chart:

Why we believe in our system - "scratchtracker"

There are many "gametracking" programs on the market, all well intended and most do a reasonable job of tracking your statistics. However, we at scratchgolfer® believe these statistical driven programs are lacking in pure motivation and run the risk of too much analysis! Our research concludes that there are four primary statistical areas that determine your scoring - fairways hit, greens in regulation, putting and penalty strokes. Also, while looking at your statistics is valuable; it is not near as motivating as going out there and competing for prizes. We have created what we believe to be the most effective way to help drive you - our members toward success in your scoring. An award and recognition program integrated with the support of our community.  Pouring over endless statistics is going to do nothing but cause you to over analyze and create tension in your game. Our system encourages "playing a game" - within the game of golf, and having fun by competing for trophies and letting you brag just a little to your buddies!

There are many different averages published regarding statistical ranges of golfers at different handicap levels. The purpose of our ranges at scratchgolfer®.org is meant to be as close to the commonly agreed upon averages as possible. The scratchtracker ranges have been derived from many different creditable sources and then combined into ranges based on our own unique categories. This means, the averages were adjusted to make our award and recognition program possible.

Obviously, as avid golfers ourselves, we at scratchgolfer® recognize that there are many rounds that don't fit neatly into the prescribed categories. Odd rounds are always possible. An example maybe; where you putt like a 70's player but score like a 90's player. This can happen when you aren't hitting greens, however, you are chipping it close and; therefore, you are scoring high but have low putting statistics. The fact that this can happen doesn't in anyway discount our system! That is why before you receive any trophies you must enter 5 rounds, therefore, averaging out your total golfer profile. Also, a 5 round average has a way of balancing out any anomalies thus resulting in a true measurement of your game. In addition, only your 5 most recent rounds are used for determining your averages. Similar to the USGA handicap system, we believe this better reflects your current playing averages. Our statistical categories are well recognized as being the reported and agreed upon averages for different playing levels. So, have fun! Shoot for improving where you are under performing and you can't help but to improve. And, please don't fall into "paralysis by analysis"

Play Well

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