Scott Hovde, Manager, Course Rating & Handicap Education Where strokes are allocated on the scorecard can often lead to long arguments on the golf course. Part of the reason for this is the misconception of why the strokes are allocated in the first place. Strokes can be allocated based on match play or

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Adam Karnish, Coordinator, Handicap and Course Rating A popular format of play amongst weekend golfers is a “Sixes” competition. The competition consists of three separate six-hole competitions, usually in which a different format of play is applied for each of the six holes. The step-by-step procedure for calcula

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Adam Karnish, Coordinator, Handicap and Course Rating Administration This month the USGA® will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the USGA Handicap System™ with a centennial dinner at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, N.J., the site where the Handicap System was officially adopted on Oct. 11, 1911. Un

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Cindy Cooper, USGA The USGA introduced a policy in 2007 stating that all players who wish to enter a USGA championship must meet the USGA Handicap eligibility requirements as listed on individual USGA championship entry forms. One of these eligibility requirements states that the entrant must ensure the following:

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By Eric Lahman, Manager, Course Rating & Handicapping, USGA® The USGA Handicap Department has received a number of inquiries on the 'Tee It Forward' topic as it relates to the USGA Handicap System™.     The PGA of America ™ , in a joint initiative with the USGA,

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USGA If a player does not finish a hole or is conceded a stroke, what should the player record for handicap posting purposes? If a player does not finish a hole or is conceded a stroke, what should the player record for handicap posting purposes?   The player should record his “most likely scor

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Adam Karnish, Coordinator, Handicap and Course Rating Administration Players competing from different USGA Course Ratings. One of the commonly misunderstood topics of the USGA Handicap System™ is the additional adjustment that needs to be applied for a competition in which players are competing from different

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Why do you have to be a member of a licensed golf club in order to obtain a USGA Handicap Index®? The cornerstone of the USGA Handicap System is the golf club. A USGA Handicap Index has been issued by a golf club since the inception of the USGA Handicap System in 1912. The golf club follows procedures

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A question we receive time to time is “why is my Course Handicap™ the same number from all three sets of tees at my golf course?” The simple answer is Course Handicap is merely the rounded whole number of strokes a player receives, which is adjusting to that tee’s USGA Course Rating™ only. A question we r

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The first step is to join a licensed golf club. The second is to post at least five 18 hole scores. Once you have posted 20 scores, your Handicap Index is calculated using your 10 best scores, relative to the

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The idea behind the system is to enable golfers of all levels to compete on a comparatively equal basis. There has been a USGA Handicap System in this country since 1912. Until 1987, one’s handicap gave a rough indication of

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