Handicap Information

​MEMBERSHIP HANDICAP REQUIREMENTS

The SBWGA-18 adheres to the World Handicap System/Rules of Handicapping.

1.  A player’s USGA Handicap Index may change on the day following the posting of an 18-hole score.  Each player is responsible for knowing her current USGA Handicap Index.  Course Handicaps will differ according to slopes and ratings of the courses played.
2.  After prolonged illness or injury, a player may request a temporary handicap modification from the Handicap Chair.  The Chair’s recommendation will be reviewed by the Elected Board.
3.  To determine the course handicap for a particular course, the player can use the GHIN app (GHIN.com), the AGA app (azgolf.org), the tables on the SBWGA website for the various SaddleBrooke courses and tee boxes or the posting room computer.

​HANDICAP RECORDS & PENALTIES
​
1.  In order for us to enjoy playing the game of golf in a spirit of fair and friendly competition, members must post correct scores of every 9 or 18-hole game played.  The computer system keeps track of these records and computes handicaps based on the scores entered.
2.  The Handicap Committee monitors and corrects postings, but its work is only effective if members conscientiously input all scores, including non-league and away play.
3.  The Handicap Committee will conduct random audits to verify that members are posting the scores for all rounds played.  A member should post her score the day of play.  The Handicap Committee will contact the member, by e-mail or phone, to ascertain the score and will then do a courtesy posting of the score and assess a penalty score if warranted.  In the determination of a penalty, the Handicap Committee will follow Rule 7.1 of the Rules of Handicapping to be applied at the discretion of the Handicap Committee.  The penalty score will be equal to the lowest/highest Handicap Differential in the player’s scoring record.
4.  To maintain open communication and to extend every possible courtesy, the Handicap Committee will contact members by email or phone before assessing penalties.
5.  If a player discovers that she made an error in posting, such as wrong score, wrong date, incorrect tee ground or did not play according to the Rules of Golf, she should submit a Correction Form via the website (sbwga.com).  Include as much information as needed to assist the Handicap Committee in deciphering the issues.  Penalties are not assessed when this is done.

​POSTING SCORES
​
1.  Tuesday Play Day scores, ACE Day scores and all Major Tournament scores except for Presidents’ Cup will be entered by the Tuesday Play Day Committee, Special Tournament Scoring Committee or the Pro Shop as hole-by-hole scores in Golf Genius and subsequently posted to GHIN.  Tuesday games that are not played under the Rules of Golf such as scrambles, shambles, 4 clubs and a putter, will not be posted to GHIN.  Tournament scores and ACE Day scores will be posted as “C” (competitive) scores; regular Tuesday Play Day scores will be posted as “H” (home) scores. 

2.  Members will post all rounds except those set forth above.  Neither the World Handicap system nor the Rules of Golf provide for practice rounds. 
                            Click GHIN for Posting Scores or
                            Click AGA for Positing Scores on the Website
3.  Incomplete Rounds:  If seven (7) holes are played on the same 9-hole course, a 9-hole adjusted score must be posted.  If 14 or more holes are played, an 18-hole adjusted score must be posted.  In either case, post Net Par (Par + pops) for holes not played.  The computer system combines any two 9-hole scores in the scoring record into one 18-hole score, even if there are intervening 18-hole scores.  An “N” designation on the scoring record will indicate a combined score.  A nine-hole score will be retained until it is older than the oldest 18-hole score in the player’s score history. 

4.  Incomplete Holes:  If a player picks up on a hole, she records her Most Likely Score.  If the player is: 5’ or less from the hole, add 1 stroke, between 5’ and 20 yards, add 2 or 3 strokes (depending on the position of the ball, difficulty of the green and ability of the player); more than 20 yards, add 3 or 4 strokes.  However, that score must not exceed Net Double Bogey for that hole.  Incomplete hole scores should be marked with an “X” preceding the stroke number. 

​5. Rounds that are not played under the Rules of Golf, such as a Scramble, Shamble, a round played alone, a round played as a teaching lesson, may not be posted.

​HANDICAP INDEX, COURSE HANDICAP AND PLAYING HANDICAP
​
Are you confused with these terms? What do they mean and why are they different? The short answer is the handicap is a numerical measure of a golfer’s potential that is used to enable players of varying abilities to compete against one another. Better players are those with the lowest handicaps. Here are the Handicap definitions – 1.0.

Handicap Index: Every 15 days the AGA sends you an updated Handicap Index. This number is calculated by the best 8 scores of the last 20 scores posted to GHIN. So, for example your calculated Handicap Index is 17.5. Note, the number is listed with a decimal point!

Course Handicap: A Course Handicap represents the number of strokes needed to play to par of the tees being played. This is the number used to adjust hole scores for net double bogey or net par. This number or Course Handicap gives you your “pops or dots” on your card. Note, this is a whole number e.g. Course Handicap is 16.

​Playing Handicap: Now for partner games – your Playing Handicap can be the same or different than the Course Handicap. Yes, playing with partners requires another calculation. It is a percentage (e.g. 85%) of your combined Course Handicaps! Again, leveling the field for teams to compete with each other is done via Golf Genius.
For more in-depth explanations visit the following websites: 

• The World Handicap System: https://www.whs.com   
• Golf 101-How to calculate your handicap: https://www.golfwrx.com
• USGA handicap information: https://www.usga.org/handicapping.html