Making Sense Of Handicap Indexes As Season Begins Anew


By The USGA Handicap Department

In some parts of the country, thoughts of golf are just starting to come out of hibernation.  For many golfers, this can have an impact on their Handicap Indexes and scoring records.  The thinking is somewhat similar to what happens in the fall in areas that observe an "inactive season."  But just like a primer on the golf swing might be in order, so is a review on handicap policy.

Getting a round of golf in during the end of winter or beginning of spring is an ideal way to start the playing season, but oftentimes the handicap computer is dormant. So why would the computer be off if the weather was good enough to play? If the weather had been good enough to play, the players wondered, how could the computer be off so scores can't be posted?

Before playing a round of golf during the winter or early spring in certain areas of the country, including 2003 U.S. Open venue Olympia Fields (Ill.) Country Club, golfers should find out if the season is active or not. Rounds played where the season is inactive cannot be posted for handicap purposes. (USGA Photo Archives)

In contacting their club handicap chairman, the players learned that their games may have been active that day, but for handicap purposes they might as well have stayed home. Why? During "winter" months in some states, scores are not posted and Handicap Indexes are not revised. This is referred to as the inactive season.

Course and Slope Rating represent the difficulty of a course played under normal or mid-season playing conditions. The unpredictability of offseason conditions -- a lack of foliage, lessened green speeds, reduced bounce and roll --- can greatly affect a course's difficulty. The course conditions during winter months are inconsistent with the way a course was rated; posting these scores could affect a player's Handicap Index.

A Handicap Index is defined as "potential scoring ability on a course of standard playing difficulty." Consider a player on a course that, during the winter, was extraordinarily easy because the tees were moved up and there was no rough. Such a course would no longer reflect conditions under which it was rated, so accepting even a few scores could change a player's index. The converse holds true for those facing quite difficult conditions, such as wet fairways or strong winter winds.

That's why many associations in areas where winter can be harsh set an inactive season, which often lasts from November to the middle of March. To provide consistency in posting of scores across a state or region, all clubs within the association's jurisdiction, whether member clubs of the association or not, must follow the inactive season.

While a darkened handicap computer terminal is a fairly strong indication of an inactive season, it is the player's responsibility to know whether the course on any given day is in its active or inactive season. This is important not only at the end or beginning of a season, but when a player posts a score from other than his home club.  

To make this determination easier, the USGA has provided a list of the revision schedules for all golf associations licensed by the USGA for handicap purposes; and season starting and ending dates for those associations that observe an "inactive season."  This list is available in the handicap section of the USGA's Web site by clicking on 2004 Handicap Revision Schedule .

 If during the winter the players had been on vacation in a warmer climate, it is likely that the course played was in its active season, so the round they played on vacation must be posted even if the home course is inactive.  The key is where one played golf, not where one receives a Handicap Index.

According to Section 6-2 of The USGA Handicap System manual, "Scores made at a golf course in an area observing an active season must be posted for handicap purposes, even if the golf club from which the player receives a Handicap Index is observing an inactive season."   The manual goes on to emphasize, "The club's Handicap Committee shall make it possible for a player to post these away scores at the beginning of the active season."  So a player in this situation should get the necessary information into his scoring record.  If possible, the club should re-compute the player's USGA Handicap Index at the start of the active season.

There are a few methods for posting such scores. Many players jot them down and enter the information at their home club when the next active season starts, but a player risks misplacing the notes or forgetting to post the scores.

A far more prudent method is to post the round that day as a guest, using the other club's computer terminal or posting sheets. If this posting capacity is available, it is possible that the score will be routed to the player's home club, where it will be held for the next handicap revision. Using the computer, the program will prompt a player to key in the necessary information, including identification numbers provided by the home club and included on the player's handicap card.  In addition, many club Handicap Committees adopted a policy to occasionally accept scores returned via the Internet. This Internet convenience became an acceptable choice conforming to USGA Handicap System policy in 2002.

A club must accept all away scores and may not eliminate acceptable scores from a player's record. The handicap system does have a provision that allows a committee to make modifications to a player's Index when numerous away scores cause a change, yet subsequent home scores indicate that change isn't appropriate.

Early-season play can be one of the unexpected joys of the game. Sometimes these rounds can be used to help determine a Handicap Index. But often, they're nothing more than a pleasant way to get outside, loosen up and spend an afternoon.