getting an official handicap?

[prutkows]

hmm.. im sure this was already discussed or explained somewhere, but how do i determine my exact handicap? if it has something to do with the course/slope rating, how do i calculate it if i dont always play the same course?

im asking because i just picked up my clubs again maybe 2 months ago and the handicap i have listed here is just an approximation of how many shots over par i was on average before i stopped playing. since ive started playing again, ive played 17 rounds. my scores ranged from 75-79 (par 72)

so yeah, handicap calculator?

[iacas]

hmm.. im sure this was already discussed or explained somewhere, but how do i determine my exact handicap? if it has something to do with the course/slope rating, how do i calculate it if i dont always play the same course?

Two articles that may help:

http://thesandtrap.com/archives/rule...r_handicap.php http://thesandtrap.com/archives/the_...bet_or_two.php You shoot low enough that it would behoove you to get an official handicap. Your home course doesn't offer the service? Many of the handicap calculators online are unofficial.

[BigAl5150]

This tread describes how to get a handicap: http://thesandtrap.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2828 . As for handicap calculators, just Google it (or use this one) .

[cdriver]

If you want to play in USGA sanctioned events, then you have to get an official USGA handicap. Before I belonged to a USGA sanctioned club, I used to keep an "unofficial" handicap online, but it was not valid for USGA events.

[georgep]

If you're not a member of a club and don't have a regular course that offers handicaps, but both Golfsmith and Golf Galaxy (and I'm sure there are some others) offer "clubs w/o real estate" through which you can get an "official USGA handicap" for $25-30 a year. You can enter scores over the internet or at any course with NGN access. It also helps if you have a buddy or two join the same club so you can attest each other's scores. I will say thought that these "clubs" meet the USGA definition the same way that belly putters do ... kind of loosely.

[prutkows]

thanks for all the help.
i dont really have a "home" course. im not sure exactly how you define "home" but i dont really play any 1 course regularly, and im not part of any golf clubs/teams.

i'll definitely look into getting an official one before i head off to college, i'll definitely get one by the end of christmas vacataion though.