Low handicap players, please note

HWCC is hoping to secure the opportunity to join a trial of a new format for low-handicap players.

WCF and CA committee members have been aware for some time that players who have reached a very high standard, in either GC and AC,  sometimes start to feel that the sense of challenge that has motivated them so far may be starting to wane.  A radical proposal was therefore put to a recent meeting of the CA Innovation and Future Technology Committee to address this issue.  

The system is to introduce some randomness into hoop running, in order to recreate the element of challenge that was there for players at the start of their careers.  Hoops for a practice session can be modified to become semi-magnetic (see picture).  A simple smartphone app -- currently only on Android, though an iOS version is envisaged -- generates a signal that turns the magnetic field on or off.  This can be programmed to be at random, or following a series of limited patterns, for practice sessions.  As a modern composite ball that contains sufficient ferrous material approaches the hoop, it will either be attracted, repelled, or treated neutrally if the field is not in operation at that moment.

The CA has given permission, during the trial period, for the hoop magnets to be considered as integral to the hoop itself, and neither an Outside Agency nor an Accessory (Rules 4.1 and 4.2 of GC Rules 6th Edition).  

Psychologist Dr A. Blague will be conducting research into the effects of this system on the players who take part.  She hypothesises that the random 'errors' introduced into practice sessions, will test and further strengthen the mental resilience of top players.  Her research will form part of the CA trial report, due to be produced before the start of the 2023 season.

HWCC is seeking CA approval for us to be a club in the trial.  If we are successful, you can expect to see the modified hoops in action shortly.  Once again, High Wycombe is hoping to be a First.

Chris Webbley

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