Handicapping Master Thread

[James_Black]

I shoot a lot lower in competitions.
I started getting an official handicap 3 weeks ago, went from a 28 handicap to a 20.2 (should be off 18-ish once my next score goes through).

I concentrate more and try hole every putt, if i'm playing with friends I only take a quick look at the line and putt.

[3 wiggle]

I have always just taken my 10 most recent scores and averaged my total over par. I know that's not correct. Whats the best way to get a real handicap? How do you all do it?

[$2 Nassau]

GHIN (golf handicap and information network) through the USGA is the way to go for a "real" handicap. There is typically a charge for this ($40 I think) unless you are a member of a course, then it's usually included. If not a member you can go to almost any public course though and get a handicap- that's what I do.

http://www.ghin.com/index.shtml

Another option is to go to Yahoo and use their handicap system. It's free, and while not an "official" handicap it is accurate and calculated the same way as the USGA. I used this for a few years, works great and gives you an immediate update of you handicap (GHIN is approx every 2 weeks).

The way you are calculating your handicap is pretty far off from the normal system. Get an accurate handicap, great way to measure your game.

[bwdial]

I had no idea that Yahoo had that. I just entered my first score into the system, and it says I'm a 14.1 handicap. Cool. Now I just have to go out and play like one.

[msd3075]

While the free handicap calculators work well, you can always just figure it out on your own. Just use this forumla:

Differential = (Score - Course Rating) * 113 / Slope

Figure out your best 10 out of 20 differentials, average them, multiply by 0.96, and then truncate all the decimal after the tenths (ie. 3.78 doesn't round to 3.8 but is just 3.7).

[PooN]

Build your own Excel spreadsheet to do what msd3075 suggests...

http://www.ehow.com/how_5716678_calc...aps-excel.html

[ChipShot]

GHIN (golf handicap and information network) through the USGA is the way to go for a "real" handicap. There is typically a charge for this ($40 I think) unless you are a member of a course, then it's usually included. If not a member you can go to almost any public course though and get a handicap- that's what I do.

I didn't realize it was updated that infrequently, good to know.

[adamgoodman]

http://golf.sports.yahoo.com/tracker

Quick and easy.

[Tugglife2]

I use oobgolf.com. Great site for keeping track of your game.

[zeg]

As a non-handicapper (likely not for a good while), I can only try to remember what I've heard. I think you can consider certain rounds, if declared as such when you start, "practice" rounds that will not apply. Please, someone else correct me if I'm wrong. :)

It takes more than just declaring it "practice." You are required to post all "acceptable" scores. There are only a handful of criteria that make a score "unacceptable." They are:

(i) When fewer than seven holes are played; (ii) When made on a golf course in an area in which an inactive season established by the authorized golf association is in effect; (iii) When a majority of the holes are not played in accordance with the principles of the Rules of Golf (except for preferred lies); (iv) When the length of the course is less than 3,000 yards for 18 holes (or less than 1,500 yards for 9 holes); (v) When, as a condition of the competition, the maximum number of clubs allowed is less than 14, or types of clubs are limited as, for example, in a competition that allows only iron clubs; (vi) When scores are made on a course with no USGA Course Rating or Slope Rating; (vii) When a player uses non-conforming clubs, non-conforming balls, or tees; (viii) With respect to Rule 14-3 (Rules of Golf), when an artificial device or piece of unusual equipment is used during the execution of a stroke or when equipment is used in an unusual manner during the execution of a stroke. (See Decision 5-1f/2 for an exception.)

So I guess you're supposed to post everything unless you don't follow the rules on the majority of holes. If you truly play a practice round, with practice strokes, extra putts, etc, then that'd qualify. If you follow the rules but are simply distracted, you're still supposed to post. However, I don't have direct experience, not being a member of a club, so perhaps in practice things are different.

[DavidFehertysBike]

I dunno...i dont post practice rounds, either. Im hitting like 4 balls a hole sometimes. How is that postable?..lol..

[StricklandPropane]

Zeg, what about match play? Supposed to hole out and record the score even if conceding the hole?

[sacm3bill]

Zeg, what about match play? Supposed to hole out and record the score even if conceding the hole?

No need to hole out. Per the handicap rules, you would enter your most likely score based on your best judgement. True for any hole you don't finish, whether stroke or match play. If you're conceded a putt and truly think it was a gimme, pick up and one. If you think you would've 2-putted it more than 50% of the time, pick up and add 2.

In match play I think you still always have the option of holing out, but if you miss a conceded putt you just screwed yourself out of a stroke.

[zeg]

I dunno...i dont post practice rounds, either. Im hitting like 4 balls a hole sometimes. How is that postable?..lol..

If you're playing more than one ball, you're not playing by the Rules, so you cannot post the score (unless you only play the extra ball on a few holes).

No need to hole out. Per the handicap rules, you would enter your most likely score based on your best judgement. True for any hole you don't finish, whether stroke or match play. If you're conceded a putt and truly think it was a gimme, pick up and one. If you think you would've 2-putted it more than 50% of the time, pick up and add 2.

Yeah, in match play you can estimate your score or hole it out. Remember that once a stroke is conceded, you do not have the option to reject it---so there's no risk of losing the hole by trying to make the putt. But if you miss the putt and make the next, you do have to count both strokes for the handicap. Similarly, if you're conceded a long putt because your partner hit a couple OB and doesn't want to waste the time, you should still estimate a reasonable number of strokes to get down, not just count +1 since it was conceded.

From the handicap manual, section 4-1:

A player who starts, but does not complete a hole or is conceded a stroke must record for handicap purposes the most likely score. The most likely score may not exceed the player's Equitable Stroke Control limit, defined in Section 4-3. This most likely score should be preceded by an "X." (See Decision 4-1/1.) There is no limit to the number of unfinished holes a player may have in a round, provided that failure to finish is not for the purpose of handicap manipulation.

[sacm3bill]

Remember that once a stroke is conceded, you do not have the option to reject it---so there's no risk of losing the hole by trying to make the putt. But if you miss the putt and make the next, you do have to count both strokes for the handicap.

Yes, this is what I was trying to say. Decision 2-4/7 states that the hole is over once the putt is conceded, but for handicapping purposes any strokes taken after that still count.

[jamo]

Why does one have to join (or create) a club to get an official handicap? What would be the downside to the USGA just letting anyone make an account on the GHIN website and having their users put all scores in electronically?

I guess there would be a problem with people posting false scores and such, but people can do that now.

[sacm3bill]

...I guess there would be a problem with people posting false scores and such, but people can do that now.

The idea is that with a club, there is at least some oversight. There's generally someone who is looking at the scores you're posting and checking for reasonableness. And, if someone shoots tournament scores (where it matters) that are way out of line with their handicap, being in a club allows the club to adjust your handicap based on exceptional scores.

[StricklandPropane]

What about 9 hole rounds?

I've been keeping separate handicaps for 9 hole rounds.