Competition Standard Scratch (CSS) in golf is a flawed concept. Your golf handicap is YOURS, it should not be impacted by how OTHERS play on a particular day. Every course has been assessed for a Standard Scratch Score (SSS) using a trusted and robust methodology. SSS should be sufficient to determine changes to YOUR handicap on YOUR golf course.

CSS is an example of the well intentioned, but flawed desire to adjust to playing conditions on a particular day. It is the same flawed desire that moves grade boundaries in school exams based on the ability of the cohort, now nobody knows if a "C" is really a "C" any more.

If the conditions are tough, more players will have their handicaps go up. If the conditions are favourable, more players will have their handicaps go down. What can be wrong with that? If a course is usually the subject of very poor weather, then this needs to be allowed for in calculating SSS not adjusted all the time using CSS.

Why not contact the English Golf Union (EGU) if you feel as strongly as I do info@englishgolfunion.org