What is it? - GOLF STATS! is a specialized "database" program that tracks groups or leagues of golfers. GOLF STATS! keeps track of the most recent 20 scores for up to 1000 golfers and calculates handicaps based upon those scores. This demo version is fully functional except that it does not allow saving data.
Database Structure - Each database can contain up to 10 leagues (or groups of golfers), 1000 golfers (or as much as memory allows), and 20 games per golfer. Golfers are grouped into leagues, with each league having a default course and its associated course ratings.
Interface - The GOLF STATS! interface is based upon 4 data windows. The Leagues window shows the names of all the leagues in the database. The Golfers window shows the golfers (sorted alphabetically) that are in the selected league(s). The Golfer Data and Scores windows show information and games (sorted chronologically) for any golfer that is selected in the Golfers window. Elements in the Leagues, Golfers, and Scores windows are selected by clicking on them or by using the arrow keys. These four windows all have "Close boxes" which will hide that window (remove it from the desktop), not close the database file. This is to enhance operation with MultiFinder™. The windows can be made visible again using the commands in the Windows menu.
Leagues - Golfers are grouped into leagues which are usually associated with a particular course. Each league contains the league name and information pertinent to calculating handicaps and differentials (discussed below). Selecting a single or multiple leagues will show all the golfers assigned to those leagues in the Golfers window.
Golfers - Golfers have a name and an ID (used for printing handicapping cards). Selecting a golfer in the Golfer window will show that golfer's data in the Golfer data and Scores windows.
Scores - Golfer's scores contain the date of the game, the adjusted score for that game, the golfer's handicap on the date of the game, and the course and slope ratings for the course where the game was played. Additionally scores can be entered as a Tournament score which is shown on generated reports and can be use to select data for export. The Scores window shows a three character "select code" indicating with an "H", "D" or "T" whether the score was used in calculating the Handicap, the average Differential, or was entered as a Tournament score. Also shown is the date, the adjusted score, the golfers handicap at the time of the game, and the Course and Slope ratings.
Terms and Definitions
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Handicaps - GOLF STATS! can calculate handicaps using three methods. The Slope and Pre-Slope methods are designed to be compatible with the USGA® handicapping methods. The Percent method bases the handicap on a percentage difference between a golfer's best adjusted scores and the course ratings. The handicap method used for each league is set in the League Info dialog which is available when adding or editing a league.
Differentials - Differentials are the difference between a golfers adjusted score and the course rating. Positive differentials indicate a golfer shoots worse than his/her handicap would suggest. Negative values indicate the golfer shot better than his handicap. GOLF STATS! calculates game by game differentials and the "average" differential of a golfer's best games. Calculation of the average differential is controlled with entries in the League Info dialog.
Gross Score - The gross score is the actual number of strokes taken in a game.
Adjusted Score - The adjusted score is the Gross Score adjusted downward on holes where the gross score is too high relative to the golfer's handicap and the hole par rating. Handicaps are based on the Adjusted Score to stop golfers from intentionally doing poorly on a hole to keep their handicap high. You can either calculate the Adjusted Score manually using your adjusting formula, or enter the Gross Score for the Adjusted Score.
Course Rating - The course rating indicates the difficulty of a course, and will be close to the total par rating of the course. The course rating is used in calculating handicaps, differentials, and adjusted scores.
Slope Rating - The slope rating also indicates the difficulty of a course, and is used when calculating handicaps using the Slope method. The slope rating can vary from 84 to 142 and is typically 113.
9 and 18 Hole Courses and Games - GOLF STATS! can handle both 9 and 18 hole games, but there are a few things that need to be mentioned.
1 - Only 18 hole games should be used with the Slope and Pre-Slope handicapping methods. These methods were not designed with the inclusion of 9 hole games in mind.
2 - Using the Percent method of handicapping, 9 hole courses will have approximately one-half the course rating of 18 hole courses, i.e. 36.
3 - Handicaps and differentials are calculated based on all of a golfer's games, independent of whether they are 18 hole games or 9 hole games. If a golfer has only 9 hole games, then the calculated handicap will be for 9 holes. If the golfer has only 18 hole games, the calculated handicap will be for 18 holes.
4 - You should not mix 9 and 18 hole games with any one golfer. If you play 9 hole courses, and want to include them in calculating your handicap, then enter your 18 hole games as two 9 hole games. Otherwise the calculated handicap will be biased by the inclusion of the seemingly "low" 9 hole game scores.
Using GOLF STATS!
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Adding data - To add leagues, activate the Leagues window and use the Add (or Add many) command in the Function menu. To add golfers, first select the desired league(s) in the Leagues window, activate the Golfers window and use the Add command. To add golfer's scores first select the appropriate league and golfer in the Leagues and Golfers windows, then activate the Scores window and use the Add command.
Removing data - To delete data from a database select the league, golfer or score, and use the Delete command in the Function menu. Deleting a league reassigns all the golfers in that league to the Unassigned league rather than deleting them from the database.
Editing or Changing data - To edit data, select the appropriate league, golfer or score and use the Edit command in the Function menu. Alternately you can double click on an element to edit it.
Viewing or Printing Reports - The reporting capabilities of GOLF STATS! include preview on screen and multiple data presentation formats. Reports are generated using the Print Selection, Page Setup, and Print commands in the File menu. We suggest you preview the different report formats on the screen to get a feel for the data presented in each.
Exporting data - GOLF STATS! allows you to export data to your favorite spreadsheet, word processor, etc. using the Export mode selected in the Print Selection command. The quantity and format of the data exported are flexible and user selected in the Export dialog.
Handicapping cards - GOLF STATS! can print handicapping cards for the leagues of golfers. This is selected in the Print Selection command.
Beyond the Demo Version
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The purpose of this demo version is to spread the word about GOLF STATS!. You may, and are encouraged to give this to all your friends. If you do, please give them the "Sample Database" and this document. You can not sell this (although who would want to buy it?). Finally, if you like this program, and have a use for it, you can purchase the commercial version, complete with manual, for $79 (plus 6% tax for California residents) by writing or calling:
Creative Computer Resources
135 Verona Ave.
Goleta, California 93117
Phone: (805) 968-6247
Note: USGA is a registered trademark of the United States Golf Association and MultiFinder is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.
