Handicap

[GreensDruid]

I have a question concerning handicaps. I've been playing golf for about three years now, but I've only started to get serious about it this year. I'd play mayber 3 or 4 times a year (usually in company sponsored events), practice occasionally, and that's about it. This year I've stepped it up. I now practice at least 3x per week, often more than that. Unfortunately, my situation doesn't allow me to get out for more than 9 holes at a time and I rarely play full rounds of golf. Example: This year I have played 2 full rounds. I've probably played 10 or so 9 hole rounds at a public course. I've never worried about handicap up until this summer. I played in an fun event sponsored by a local business and was paired with a 12 handicap. I was asked to give a handicap and he and I estimated one based on scores in previous 9 hole rounds I had played - we thought maybe 25 (although it would be closer to 30 just looking at raw scores on my 9 hole rounds).

In any event, he and I played very well at a very difficult course, and we ended up taking low net, and were within 3 strokes of taking low gross. Needless to say, there was some good natured grumbling over my estimated handicap. I felt a little uncomfortable about this and I'm wondering whether there is a way for a "range golfer" like me who rarely plays full rounds to get a handicap. If I can't, and I have to estimate, what's the best way to do that? Someone has told me that you can now enter 9 hole rounds to get an index but I can't seem to find the rules on that. Any guidance is appreciated.

[bigpopper81]

All you have to do is enter your scores as 9 holes and each two consecutive 9 holes you play will be combined for an 18 hole score.

[FAHooGolfs]

All you have to do is enter your scores as 9 holes and each two consecutive 9 holes you play will be combined for an 18 hole score.

Be careful doing this. You can absolutely enter 9 hole scores, but you have to make sure to get the correct slope/course rating for only the 9 holes. That is, unless you play the front 9 once and the back 9 a different day and pair those scores up - then you can use the full course slope/course rating.

[bigpopper81]

The posting site for Utah's golf association (and I'm sure most other states) it puts in the rating/slope for all courses with registered #'s and differentiates per front or back nine as well as teee boxes so figuring this out should be cake. The one mistake I made once (and got corrected) was entering a score for 18 holes when I played only 9.

[GreensDruid]

Thanks guys. I'll check it out!