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Topic: Role of the Handicap Committee

Every authorized golf club must have a Handicap Committee. The Committee helps ensure that each member's Handicap Index® accurately reflects their demonstrated ability and that all golfers compete on a fair and equitable basis. While the role of the Handicap Committee involves many important responsibilities, three core functions are:

Conduct a Handicap Review:

The Committee may review a player's Handicap Index at any time and should conduct a club-wide review at least once per year. During a handicap review, the Committee may consider:

Adjust a Handicap Index

When a Handicap Index no longer reflects a player's demonstrated ability, the Committee may make an adjustment. However, the Committee must: 

  • Notify the player.
  • Allow the player an opportunity to respond.
  • Provide an appeals process, when appropriate.

 

A Committee-adjusted Handicap Index is identified with the letter M (for example, 14.3M)

Apply Penalty Scores

A penalty score may be applied when a player fails to submit an acceptable score without a valid reason. The Committee may post the score (if known) and/or a penalty score to the player's scoring record. Penalty scores are typically based on the highest or lowest Score Differential™ in the scoring record, depending on the circumstances.