YOU & YOUR HANDICAP

Every Golfer's Role in the USGA Handicap System

Under the USGA Handicap System, you continue to earn a right to a USGA Handicap Index only by providing full evidence of your ability to the Handicap Committee of your golf club.

This means you must:

Convert......... your USGA Handicap Index to a Course Handicap before you play.

To do this:

consult a Course Handicap Table to find your Course Handicap for the tees; or
multiply your USGA Handicap Index by the Slope Rating of the tees and divide by 113. Round to the nearest whole number.

Record........ your gross score on each hole

This is the total number of strokes you took, plus any penalty strokes.

Record..... a hole score if

you don't finish the hole, or if you are conceded a stroke. The hole score is the score you most likely would have made, starting with the number ofstrokes and penalties taken so far. This most likely score should be preceded on your card by an X.

Example: A player picks up on the green after five strokes. The player estimates it would have taken two strokes to putt out. When added to the five strokes already taken, the "most likely score" the player records is seven.

you do not play a hole or play it other than under the principles of the Rules of Golf. The hole score in these cases is equal to par plus any handicap strokes you're entitled to receive on the hole.

Example: A player with a Course Handicap of 10 receives handicap strokes on the first 10 handicap stroke holes. The sixth handicap stroke hole is under construction. For that hole, the player will record a score of par plus one. The score is preceded by an X.

Adjust..... a hole score if

your score exceeds your maximum number under Equitable Stroke Control (ESC)

ESC sets a maximum number that a player can post on any hole. the maximum depends on the player's Course Handicap, as follows:


       Course        Maximum Score 
      Handicap        on any hole
   --------------   ---------------
    9 or less        Double Bogey    
    10 through 19          7
    20 through 29          8
    30 through 39          9
    40 and above          10

Remember: Use your Course Handicap when applying ESC. Don't apply ESC using a Course Handicap that has been reduced or increased because of a condition of competition such as a 90% allowance.

Example: A player with a Course handicap of 10 hits the ball out of bounds and three-putts the green for a gross score of eight. The eight is higher than the player's maximum score allowed, so he or she will have to adjust it down to a seven for posting purposes.

Post..... your adjusted score for every acceptable* round for handicap purposes.

Such scores should be posted at all USGA clubs of which you are a member, and include:

your name:
the USGA Course Rating of the tees you played;
the USGA Slope Rating of the tees you played;
the date of play; and
the letter "T" if it was a tournament score

*An acceptable round for posting is 13 or more holes of an 18-hole round. (Your Handicap Committee can tell you how to enter Course Ratings and Slope Ratings for consecutive 9-hole scores.)

An unacceptable score is:

an 18 hole round in which fewer than 13 holes are played;
made during an inactive season;
when a majority of holes are played;
made during an inactive season;
when a majority of holes are not played in accordance with the principles of the Rules of Golf;
when the length of the course is less than 3,000 yards for 18 holes;
in a competition in which less than 14 clubs are allowed or the types of clubs are limited (such as an irons tournament); or

when scores are made on a course with no USGA Course or Slope Rating.

Penalty For Not Posting:
If you fail to post a score, the Handicap Committee may post the score or post a penalty score or adjust your USGA Handicap Index.

United States Golf Association - Telephone: (908) 234-2300