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Handicapping

Members who qualified for a USGA Handicap Index in June 2010

Matthew Hing

Rahul Sharma

Shaun Wong

Pua Song Kuan

Clement Chia

Tan Kai Wen

01July2010

Frequently Asked Questions about a Golf Handicap Index

What Handicap System does the SGA Golf Club (SGAGC) follow?
The Singapore Golf Association (SGA) adopted the USGA Handicap System in August 2006. As an affiliated member club of the SGA, the SGAGC issues its members a Handicap Index in accordance with USGA rules.

How do I get a Handicap Index (HI) from the SGAGC?
Click here to learn about the SGAGC’s procedure for obtaining a HI.

Has the SGAGC got a schedule for Courtesy Rounds?

Please call SGAGC’s office for the current month’s schedule.

How can I check my current Handicap Index?

The Singapore Golf Association maintains an on-line National Handicap Book for all members of its associated and affiliated clubs. This book is updated every month. Click to conduct a search...

I have a golf handicap from another club. How do I get it transfered to the SGAGC?
Click here to find out how to transfer your golf handicap/USGA HI.
Click here to see list of international golf associations authorized to use the the USGA Handicap System.

Do I need to post all my scores?

If you play 13 holes or more, you must post an 18 hole card, and if you play 7 holes and less than 13, you must post a 9 hole card.

All unfinished holes (including holes where strokes are conceded) are recorded with the most likely score for handicap purposes, must not exceed member’s Equitable Stroke Control and proceeded by an “X”.

Scores are not posted if the majority of holes are not played under the principles of the Rules of Golf. (e.g. Texas Scrambles, Alternate Shots)

Holes not played or not played under the Rules of Golf are recorded with a score of par plus any handicap strokes entitled and preceded with an “X”. (e.g. X-5)

Nine-hole scores are accepted on courses that have nine-hole USGA Course Rating and Slope Rating and at least seven holes are played.

What happens if I do not post an acceptable score?
If you do not post an acceptable score as soon as practical after playing a round, the Handicap Committee will post a penalty score. The penalty score will be equal to the lowest or highest Handicap Differential in your scoring record depending on the circumstances determined by the Handicap Committee.

Can my Handicap Index be adjusted by the Handicap Committee?
Yes, your Handicap Committee has the responsibility to ensure that your Handicap Index reflects your potential ability and will adjust it, if necessary. However, the Handicap Committee must give you the opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding the proposed adjustment, either in writing or appearing before them before the adjustment becomes effective. An adjusted Handicap Index will be identified with a letter M.
Some examples of the circumstances which may prompt your Handicap Committee to adjust or withdraw your Handicap Index include
          a. improving faster than the system can react;
             b. persistent failure to post acceptable scores;
          c. posting erroneous scores or manipulating scores;

How can I submit my scores?

The Handicap Committee will accept scores submitted by facsimile, email or surface mail. If submitting by email, the following format is to be adopted:

a. Player’s Name and Club Number:
b. Date of the game:
c: Course Name:

d: USGA Course Rating and Slope Rating of the Course played:

e: Indicate if you teed off from Blue/White/Red Tee
f: Adjusted Score (using Equitable Score Control):

g: Is this a Tournament Score?:Yes/No

Note: You do not have to submit hole by hole scores, just your total score adjusted for ESC. However, the Handicap Committee may from time to time require a member to submit attesting scorecards to assist the committee to meet its responsibilities.

What is Equitable Stroke Control (ESC)?

Equitable Stroke Control (ESC) is the system put in place by the USGA to eliminate the effect of "disaster holes." You know, that one hole per round where you put three balls in the water and then 5-putt. It’s also a way to combat sandbaggers who intentionally blow up on a hole in order to raise their handicap index.

Equitable Stroke Control puts a limit on the number of strokes you can write down on the scorecard for any one hole, based on your course handicap. For example, on that one disaster hole you might have taken 14 strokes to get the ball in the cup. But based on your course handicap, ESC might require you to post only a "7" on the scorecard you turn in.

To determine the Equitable Stroke Control limits for your round, you must first know your course handicap. Once you’ve determined your course handicap, you can check the chart down below (which should also be available at golf courses) to determine the ESC limits. Here is the chart that shows Equitable Stroke Control limits:

Course Handicap

Maximum Score

0-9

Double Bogey

10-19

7

20-29

8

30-39

9

40 or more

10

If I have a Handicap Index, why is there the need for a Course Handicap?
Course handicap is really the crux of the USGA Handicapping System. It’s the number that determines how many strokes - if any - you get on each hole. Therefore, it’s the number that makes the system work, that ensures the ability of golfers of differing skill levels to compete against one another, and to do so fairly regardless of where they are playing.

Your handicap index is compared to the slope rating of the course you are playing and the average slope of 113. The calculation is this: Course Handicap=Handicap Index multiplied by Slope Rating of Tees Played divided by 113.

What is a Course Rating?
The USGA course rating is a numerical value given to each set of tees at a particular golf course to approximate the number of strokes it should take a scratch golfer to get around the course.

A course rating of 71.8, for example, means that scratch golfers are expected to post an average score of 71.8 from that set of tees on that course. Most course ratings will range from the upper 60s to the mid 70s.

What is a Slope Rating?
Slope rating (a term trademarked by the USGA) is a measurement of the difficulty of a course for bogey golfers relative to the course rating.
While a course rating tells scratch golfers how difficult the course will be; a slope rating tells bogey golfers how difficult it will be.
The minimum slope is 55 and the maximum is 155 (slope does not relate specifically to strokes played as course rating does). The slope rating for a course of average difficulty is 113.

The most important role of slope is leveling the playing field for players of different skill levels. For example, let’s say Player A and Player B average a score of 85 for 18 holes. But Player A’s average is established on a very difficult course (say, a slope rating of 145), while Player B’s average is established on a very easy course (say, a slope rating of 95). If handicaps were simply estimates of golfers’ average scores, then these two players would have the same handicap index. But Player A is clearly the better golfer, and in a match between the two Player B would clearly need some strokes.

Slope rating allows the handicap index to reflect these factors. Because he plays on a course with a higher slope rating, Player A’s handicap index will be lower than Player B’s (when it is calculated using the slope ratings), despite the fact that they both average scores of 85. So when A and B get together to play, B will get those extra strokes he needs.

What is Handicap Differential?
Handicap differential is a term applied to the difference between your score and the course rating, adjusted for slope. The number that results is used in the calculations that determine your handicap index.

Handicap differential is not a number you have to worry about unless you are one of those who likes to do the math behind the handicap index. For the record ... the equation to get handicap differential is this: (Score minus Course Rating) x 113 divided by Slope Rating.
So after all this math, why is my score always higher than my handicap?
Good question. You have noticed that your scores always seem to be a few strokes higher than your course handicap. Is your handicap off? What’s going on?

This is common and to be expected. For course handicaps to track with your actual scores, they would have to be based on an average of all your rounds.
But the handicapping system is not meant to represent your average score. It’s meant to represent your potential. Think of course handicaps as representing the score you should shoot on your best day. Therefore, most golfers do find that their actual scores tend to be a little higher than their course handicaps.

Send your queries on the USGA Handicapping System to sgaclub@sgaclub.com.sg and we will get back to you with answers.