Things You Should To Know About The USGA Handicap System

1.      The handicap system is based on the assumption that a player will try to make the best possible score on every hole – and it relies on a player posting every acceptable round.

2.      The system doesn’t calculate a Handicap; it calculates a “Handicap Index.”  The maximum index is 36.4 for men and 40.4 for women.

3.      The handicap index is the mean average of the 10 best “differentials” (not scores) of the last 20 rounds played times .96.

Differential = (Adjusted gross score – course rating) x 113 ÷ slope rating x .96

“.96” is referred to as a Bonus for Excellence.  It is an incentive for players to improve their abilities – because, as your handicap index comes down, the “.96” has less impact.

4.      A player is projected to play to their handicap index only 25% of the time.

5.      If a player picks up on a hole, they should record their most probable score – not necessarily the maximum score allowed through the Equitable Stroke Control (ESC) guidelines.

6.      If you play 7 to 12 holes, you should post a 9 hole score.  If you play 13 to 18 holes, you should post an 18 hole score – taking allowable handicap strokes where applicable.

7.      If a player fails to post a score, the Handicap Committee may post a score equal to the lowest differential in player’s current scoring record.

8.      In singles match play and four-ball match play, the higher handicap players should receive the difference between their handicap and that of the lowest handicap player – who always plays from scratch.

9.      If a player’s handicap index increases by 3 or more strokes due to the posting of numerous away scores or Internet posted scores, the Handicap Committee may elect to make a manual adjustment of the player’s handicap index.

10.  The handicap value of a golf hole is based on the variance in scores made on the hole by low handicap players and high handicap players.  It is not based on the perceived difficulty of the hole.  The hole with the greatest variance is assigned the #1 ranking and the hole with the least variance the #18 ranking.

Handicap Committee Members

Carrie Hood              Dennis Kerr

Gil Lewis                   Jerry Manzi

Kevin Murphy            Richard Williamson