ICMGA News & Updates

All the news about the club, the course, the local scene, and our partners coming at you!

Welcome to our 'News' section. Here you will find important items and information for your periodical review. We will post up pertinent updates from the course management, our committee, some local color, as well as announcements from the OGA. If there is something you deem as 'news worthy' for our membership, we would certainly be pleased to post up here, so as needed contact a committee member.

From The Course

It should come as no surprise to anyone who plays here often, that our GM Tyson Jacobs and his amazing crew, have a few updates to share. The intent is to bring visibility to a majority of their recent and ongoing projects here on our website. It is really incredible the amount of improvements that have been made over the last 25+ years, and extremely important that our membership is aware of their accomplishments, as well as other upcoming changes.

• New GPS Carts - Indian Creek has made a significant investment in upgrading the fleet golf carts. The new carts now include GPS tracking and HD displays that provide distances tee to green. For all of us that have played resort courses around the world, we do understand how helpful this can be, and should help with improving the pace of play. The new carts and their tracking additionally provides the clubhouse visibility of any of the groups on the course, and allows them to identify where (if any) slowdowns or bottlenecks occur. Other features will include a food & beverage menu with a direct 'golfers' line to Divots Restaurant for placing orders prior to making the turn at the clubhouse. 

•   Course Improvements - We all have seen the incredible work on the course and the additions to improve the playability and safety. The initial significant investment 10 years ago in rebuilding all of the original tee boxes continues with newly added positional changes and other features to minimize risk. Last year we saw the 5th tee complex expanded to provide a new and more straight forward vantage point from which to play the hole. Plus a new rock retaining wall has been completed, along with new access steps to the lower tee box at the 4th hole. New projects for this year include bridge work at our 13th hole, and a large irrigation project taking place to the right of the 14th green to level out that playing area. Needless to say they are hard at work and next time you see them, be sure to mention how much we all appreciate their tireless efforts in maintaining and improving our beautiful course.

The "Crew" hard at work




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From The Clubhouse

Fitting Sessions for 2025 - We will be posting these events on the calendar below and will also notify everyone via email. Matt Kyriak has been such a great advocate and the coordinator of these sessions and we are looking forward to seeing what the manufactures in bring this year. Important to note that this year's new models from Taylor Made, Titleist, Ping, and many more have already arrived up at the clubhouse. No time like 'now' to go see these new offerings.

Course Maintenance and Conditioning - Major course conditioning updates and maintenance will also be placed on this calendar. However it should be noted that these events and task will shift as we assess seasonal weather changes. Oh, and if you don't like the weather, wait 10  minutes.

: :  Fitting Events & Course Maintenance  : :

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From ICMGA & WHS

Hole Handicap Rating Update!
As many of you may already know, the OGA recently helped us to review and update the handicap rating of each hole here at Indian Creek. We are thankful for their help and believe these changes more accurately reflect the latest playability factors of our golf course. These rating changes are noted on our new score cards and the table below outlines these new ratings.  While some holes remain unchanged, our lower handicap holes have been adjusted. If you have any questions regarding these changes, you can contact either an ICMGA officer or a clubhouse representative.

Note: Another initiative is underway for naming each of our holes! More details will be forthcoming, and please note that the ones shown here are merely 'placeholders' (food for thought) prior to this effort beginning in earnest later this Spring. We will be reaching out to all members to elicit input on this important and extremely fun endeavor.

  

Hole	'Placeholder Names'	Par	Handicap Rating
Front Nine
1st	Wayfinder	4	3
2nd	Duck Soup	4	13
3rd	Knock On Wood	4	11
4th	Around The Bend	5	5
5th	Rouches' Reprieve	3	9
6th	Pine Alley	4	15
7th	Eliot's Respect	4	17
8th	Free Falling	3	7
9th	Dream On	5	1
Back Nine
10th	Lucky Bounce	3	18
11th	Eagle's Nest	5	8
12th	Into The Fray	4	4
13th	Blind Man's Bluff	4	10
14th	Hanel's Hideout	4	14
15th	Swing Away	3	12
16th	Time To Dine	5	6
17th	Snakebitten	4	2
18th	Almost Home	4	16

 

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WHS Updates
There have been several updates over the last two years to the World Handicap System. One of several changes is the ability to post a 9-hole score, and have it immediately calculated towards your handicap. Previously, you needed to combine two 9-hole scores to create an 18-hole score differential, prior to its use for handicap purposes (i.e.: calculation). This change reflects the USGA's and our OGA's commitment to have handicaps become even more accurate. Below is a list of more updates, and as time permits we ask all our members to please review here: WHS website

An important update revolves around guidance related to conducting player handicap reviews, and the needed frequency of those assessments. The goal remains to ensure every player's handicap is reflective of their ability. If you have any questions, please contact Rich Sabo our Handicap Chairman or Matt Kyriax in the clubhouse. All golfers are encouraged to visit the link above to learn more about these updates.

Additionally, you can now update your USGA account information through the GHIN application. This is just another way you can ensure your contact information 'on file' is correct and 'up to date'.

• Inclusion of Shorter-Length Golf Courses Within the Course Rating System - The overall length requirements for Course Rating in the WHS will be significantly reduced. A set of tees on an 18-hole course may be as short as 1,500 yards [1,370 meters] to be eligible for a Course Rating and Slope Rating®, and a set of tees on a 9-hole course may be as short as 750 yards [685 meters]. This change is intended to expand the WHS to thousands of shorter length courses, including par-3 courses, and enable more golfers to obtain and use a Handicap Index

• Use of an Expected Score for a Hole Not Played - Improvements have been made to the method used to handle holes not played, which will now be based on a player’s expected score rather than a score of net par. This new method will produce a 9-hole or 18-hole Score Differential that more accurately reflects a player’s ability. As golfers across the world are playing more 9-hole rounds, an expected score can also be used to convert a 9-hole round into an 18- hole Score Differential. For some countries, this means that 9-hole scores will be considered in the calculation of a player’s Handicap Index immediately after the day of play, rather than waiting to combine with another 9-hole score.

• Playing Conditions Calculation Adjustments Made More Frequent - The Playing Conditions Calculation (PCC) has been modified to increase the likelihood of an adjustment for abnormal playing conditions. National associations were given discretion, beginning in July 2022, to introduce this revision within their computation platforms, which will be complete by April 1, 2024.

• Enhanced Guidance on Conducting a Handicap Review -  The role of the Handicap Committee is vital to the success of the WHS and the Rules recommend that a Handicap Review is conducted regularly, or at least once a year to ensure a Handicap Index® remains reflective of a player’s ability. New reporting tools have been developed that national associations can incorporate into their handicapping software to assist Committees in conducting the review process effectively and consistently.

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Feedback and Support - We so appreciate feedback from our membership! Getting consistent and constructive input ensures that we are working together to provide the best golfing experience we can at Indian Creek. Additionally, we extend immense thanks to Indian Creek management and the entire IC team for their feedback and always thoughtful support of our club and events. The ICMGA Officers are always ready to hear your recommendations and ideas, so please let us know how we can improve any of our activities. Thank you all in advance!

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Player Guidelines and Course Conditioning - Our spring season starts the first week in March and we are looking forward to warmer weather. Just a quick reminder that part of the course maintenance belongs partially to us. Remember to fill your divots, fix ball marks, rake sand traps, and report unusual course conditions to the clubhouse. Again, make sure that the two sand bottles are full in your cart before your round and a good policy is to take one when leaving the cart to play a shot.  The teeing areas also need our attention, so please be cognizant of seeding divots from the seed boxes provided.  It's cool if even you seed the ones you did not make. Every par 3 has a seed box, and a few par 4's as well. As we know, caring of the course is part of our duties as members as we play the course.

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Pace of Play - We here at Indian Creek are not immune to 'slow-play'. It's an important on-going group responsibility...to be aware of your position in relation to other groups on the course. We recommend that it be a 'topic of discussion' on the first tee. Here are a few other tips and other suggestions that will help any group 'keep pace'. None of these include rushing or hurrying your shot, these are USGA guidelines to assist in becoming more efficient with your valuable time and everyone else's. Thanks in advance from your ICMGA committee and Indian Creek management.

• Start smart
  Confirm your tee time in advance and make it a point to arrive approximately 20 minutes prior to you tee time. Be prepared with your golf equipment and leave plenty of time to warm-up. Remember essentials like extra balls, tees, gloves and appropriate clothing for the day’s weather conditions are important and can affect pace of play.

• “Tee It Forward” unless you are consistently able to reach greens in regulation from the back tees
  In other words, play from a set of tees that is comfortable for you – one where you are more likely to hit lofted irons into greens instead of hybrids or fairway woods. It is acceptable for players in the same group to play from different tees. (The USGA Handicap System provides a formula for adjusting handicaps from different tees.)

• Try alternate forms of play to speed up your round
  Match play, Stableford, best-ball and other formats are easy and fun alternatives to individual stroke play because not every player has to hole out on every hole. There are multiple resources online and in print to learn about the many different golf formats. Try one out.
  
  Minimize your time on the tee
  On the tee it is usually acceptable for players to “hit when ready.” You can also save time by playing a provisional ball (Rule 27-2) if you think your original ball might be lost or out of bounds.

• Play 'ready golf'
  This basic premise will help keep your group moving on the course, but always be respectful of the players in your group. Don't drive off ahead, or become a distraction that potentially could put you or your playing partner in harms way (or line-of-sight) from someone playing their shot.

• Plan your shot before you get to your ball
  Once you are off the tee, think ahead. Determine your yardage and make your club selection before it is your turn to play. Very often, you can do this while others are playing, without disruption. If you take your glove off between shots, have it back on before it is your turn to play. Even a small step like this saves time.

• Keep your pre-shot routine short
  Pick your line of play once and trust yourself. Try to take no more than one practice swing, then set up to the ball and play your shot. Most importantly, be ready to hit when it is your turn. Be efficient after your shot too. Start moving toward your next shot promptly.

• Write your scores down on the next tee box
  After completing a hole, get into your cart and drive immediately to the next tee box. Now you can write down your scores on the last hole.

• Aim to play in 20 seconds
  From club selection to pre-shot routine to execution, strive to hit your shot in 20 seconds when it is your turn to play. Help keep play moving at a brisk pace.

• Develop an eye for distance
  You don’t have to step off yardage for every shot. If you need to determine precise distance, try to find a yardage marker before you reach your ball, then step off the yardage on the way to your ball. Or, consider investing in an electronic range-finder or global positioning system for golf and use it when permitted by Local Rule. If others you are playing with are not familiar with the course, the Rules permit players to exchange yardage information without penalty.

• When sharing a cart, use a buddy system
  Don’t wait in the cart while your cart-mate hits and then drive to your ball. Get out and walk to your ball with a few clubs. Be ready to play when it is your turn and then let your cart-mate pick you up. Or, drive to your ball after you drop your cart-mate off and then pick him or her up after you hit.

• Be helpful to others in your group
  Follow the flight of all tee shots, not just your own. Once in the fairway, help others look for their ball if you already know the location of yours. Volunteer to fill in a divot or rake a bunker for another player if needed. Be ready to attend the flagstick for others.

• Keep up with the group in front of you
  Your correct position on the course is immediately behind the group in front of you, not immediately in front of the group behind you. Arrive at your next shot just before the group in front leaves the area in front of you. If you are consistently not able to keep up and a gap opens in front of you, invite the group behind you to play through, irrespective of the number of players in the group.

• Be efficient on the putting green
  Mark your ball and lift and clean it when you arrive at the putting green so you will be ready to replace it when it is your turn to play. You can usually line up your putt while others are putting, without disturbing them. Leave your clubs on the side of the putting green closest to the next tee, and leave the green promptly after holing out. Wait until the next tee to record your score.

• Remember that picking up your ball is permitted by the USGA Handicap System
  If not in an individual stroke play competition, it is generally 'OK' to pick up your ball and move on to the next hole if you are “out” of a hole and want to maintain pace of play. This applies in match play and many forms of stroke play, including Stableford and best-ball play.

• Don’t Have Time? Play Nine!
  You won’t always have time in your schedule for an 18-hole round of golf. Now these scores are posted immediately and are not required to be combined with another 9 hole score. Bravo OGA and WHS!

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Understanding Handicapping
Recently, I was asked why the par three 15th hole has a lower rating (therefore deemed easier) than the par three 5th hole here at Indian Creek. It's certainly a fair question, yet the premise is based on a common misconception about the Stroke Index Allocation (SIA). By taking the stance that the 'toughest' hole on the golf course should be the No.1 handicap hole may be a good place to start.

The purpose of the ranking of the holes, is to determine where the higher handicapped player deserves the assistance of an extra stroke in order to tie/halve a hole with the low handicapper (during Match Play). That stroke should be assigned on the hole where the relative difficulty of the hole is more challenging for the higher handicapped golfer than the relative difficulty for the lower handicapped golfer. Plus now we need to factor in who and how a specific hole is being played. It may sound odd, but some holes are in fact easier for the higher handicapped player vs. the lower handicapper. This commonly is due to the higher handicapped player's landing zones (called 'fairways') are more forgiving and wider, and their tee shots are not constrained by a dogleg, bunkers, trees, or water, that indeed do come into play for the lower handicapped golfer.  But what we are really wanting understand is the reason why the 5th hole is the No.9 handicap hole, and the 15th is the No.12 handicap hole.

Most of the locals that play the course do believe the 15th hole is usually a bit more challenging than the 5th hole. However, when looking at those two holes side-by-side, the 5th hole does have more areas to get into trouble for the higher handicapper, and the statistics agree. The below section on assigning handicaps to the holes will help to shed more light on this topic, but important to note that the 15th hole is being evaluated in relation to the difficulty of all the other holes on the back side (and the 5th hole to all other holes on the front). So while this higher number is based on this process/comparison, it is rated lower than two of the par fours on that side. The 5th hole is rated the fifth toughest on the front, with holes 1, 4, 8, & 9 having a lower rating. So, the 5th hole, given there's more trouble in play, does seem to warrant the tougher rating, plus the green complex is tricky for sure.          

So let's now review the process of assigning handicaps to the actual holes. First off, we need to determine what the 'toughest' hole is on the course. For most layouts this is usually the longest par four, and for Indian Creek this would be our 1st hole (at 411 yards), and yet it's the No. 3 handicap hole. Why you might ask? Well, we need to look more closely at what the statistics say about the average scores on all holes and they point to the 9th hole. But isn't that a par five? Yes indeed, but the reason it's the No. 1 handicap hole is that trouble lines the entire length of the hole (and more importantly) on the right. With the added factor that the approach to the green is somewhat blind/elevated, is important to be aware that OB surrounds the green. One attribute that builds the case for it being the No. 1 handicap hole is the average golfer plays the ball predominately from left-to-right (did I mention trouble is lurking on the right?). More balls going in the hazard or OB equals higher scores, which earns the 9th the designation of the No. 1 handicap hole. Again, it may in fact not be the 'toughest' hole on the course, but the relative scores next to par display differently. Believe the 12th and 17th holes are significantly challenging as well, and are close running-ups as the toughest on the course (in relation to par).

You've probably noticed that the handicap numbers are all ODD for the front nine, and then all EVEN on the back nine. Another mystery? A better question is to ask is...why not just assign the holes in sequence of difficulty and abide by the statistics? So the answer is we need to spread out the stroke allocations on all the holes to provide equity for Match Play.  Splitting the nines into ODD and EVEN numbers avoids consecutive low stroke index holes. Ok, so the 9th hole is assign No.1, and so now we need to assign the other eight holes on the front side.  This is done by determining the relative difficulty between those other eight holes, and then assign them the No. 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 and 17 handicap rating accordingly. We do the same allocation on the back nine.  The most difficult hole on the back side (according to statistics) is aptly the 17th hole, just slightly ahead of the 12th hole. So by default it becomes the No. 2 handicap hole and the remaining holes are assigned (again based on the relative difficulty between them) the No. 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 handicap hole designations. 

Hope this article was informational, if not at least a fun read. If you'd like to publish something to our news page, please reach out to an ICMGA officer.