HANDICAP
Every member is entitled to a Golf Canada Handicap Index and is required to establish and maintain an up-to-date and accurate scoring record.
HANDICAP SYSTEM
This section is based on information from the Golf Canada Website. Additional information on Handicapping can be found at http://golfcanada.ca/handicapping/
Establishing a Handicap Index
New members are strongly encouraged to attend a Rules and Etiquette Clinic scheduled early in the golf season. This will enable them to become familiar with the Rules of Golf, golf course etiquette and how to establish and maintain a handicap index using the Net Double Bogey method. Date and time for the clinic is included on the Schedule of Play.
A new player, after being set up with a golf account, must post scores for 54 holes, hole by hole, from any combination of 18 - hole and 9- hole rounds.
The Handicap Coordinator is available to assist members.
Why Establish a Handicap Index
The purpose of the World Handicap System is twofold. First, it makes the game of golf more enjoyable for golfers by providing a means of measuring one’s performance and progress and secondly, it enables golfers of differing abilities to compete on an equitable basis. Therefore, the VLGC uses the system so that every member can participate equally in the planned activities over the season. In other words, it helps level the playing field.
Handicap Index and Course Handicap
A Handicap Factor is a decimal number assigned by Golf Canada which indicates a player’s potential (not actual) ability on a course of standard playing difficulty. It is based ideally on the best 8 of the last 20 rounds so the factor reflects the player’s best golf.
A Course Handicap, which is calculated using a player’s index, is the number actually used during a round of golf. The conversion to a Course Handicap is based on the difficulty of play and will vary from course to course and from each set of tees. Each club has a chart that converts an index into the Course Handicap based on its course and slope rating or can be obtained by entering the course name into the Golf Canada Score Centre.
A Limit of Net Double Bogey for the Maximum hole score ( for handicapping purposes only).
Definition of Net Double Bogey is Par + Two strokes (Double Bogey) + Strokes(s) received based on your handicap + Maximum hole score.
The maximum score for each hole played is limited to a net double bogey = which is equal to Par of the hole + 2 strokes (double bogey) + any handicap strokes the player is entitled to receive on that hole based on their Course Handicap.
Calculating a Handicap Index
The Handicap System is based upon the potential ability of a player rather than the average of all her scores because it is based upon the best scores posted. As such, the average player is expected to play to her Course Handicap or better only about 25 percent of the time.
Regularly entering all scores is a method of keeping track of how a player is doing and updating her handicap index. Since the worst 12 scores out of the last 20 rounds are tossed out, they don’t get used in the calculation. However, if a player selectively only enters better scores, that individual is at a disadvantage in a competition because she may then have an “artificially” low handicap which no longer represents her true game. She will end up with higher net scores. Therefore it is very important that every player enters each score from all games so her handicap index is a true representation of her current playing ability.
Peer Review of all scoring records and Handicap Indexes is also an important component of the Handicap System. Therefore Golf Canada makes them available for inspection by fellow members and others through the Score Centre.
POSTING SCORES ON GOLF CANADA SCORE CENTRE
Adjusted scores from all games (home and away) are to be posted using member accounts on the Golf Canada Score Centre http://golfcanada.ca/members/login/. Entry may be done on a personal computer, a smart phone or on the terminal in the pro shop. Follow the website prompts to insure correct input. It is the responsibility of each member to post their scores immediately following the round or in a timely manner. Players are encouraged to enter their scores by the end of the day they played to take advantage pf the Playing Conditions Calculation that is carried out automatically for each course, each day, provided at least eight players have submitted acceptable scores. This calculation considers the impact that abnormal course and weather conditions might have on a player’s performance each day.
All designated significant competitive games, including Pin Days and those for the in-house trophies, are to be entered as tournament scores (T). Tournament scores are calculated the same as regular scores, but if tournament scores are consistently much lower than regular scores the Handicap Factor may be subject to an automatic reduction by Golf Canada.
All games played during Alberta's active season of March 1st to October 31st should be entered. Away scores played at clubs observing an active season beyond these dates such as in southern USA states like Florida, Arizona, or California must also be posted.
ENTERING SCORES
In accordance with World Handicap System, every player will post all scores played by the Rules of Golf for peer review. Each player and the Handicap Coordinator and Assistant have a joint responsibility for adhering to this premise.
STEPS:
Play, either 9 or 18 holes, in accordance with the Rules of Golf.
Enter the score promptly, based on Net Double Bogey or posting hole by hole.
Contact the Handicap Coordinator if you have issues entering scores or contact Golf Canada.
Handicap Coordinator or Assistant Responsibility:
The Handicap Coordinator (or Assistant) will review the Victoria Day Ladies member's scoring records after league play on Tuesday following the Golf Canada guidelines. Review Golf Canada member accounts using the Tuesday Weekly Score sheet.
With the view that the golf game is not complete until you have entered your score, the Handicap Coordinator (or Assistant) will email those players who have not entered their scores by Thursday at 6 pm, indicating their score has been posted and encouraging the member to post scores after their next round.
Members who have received three emails requesting entry of their score will be contacted by the President for further discussion.
Remember: Your game is not over until you have entered your score.
ACCEPTABLE and NOT ACCEPTABLE SCORES
Almost all scores are acceptable because the basic premise of the Golf Canada Handicap System (World Handicap System) is that every player will try her best on every hole, in every round regardless of where the round was played. Some examples of acceptable and unacceptable scores are noted below.
Acceptable Scores
· 9 and 18 hole rounds, played under the Rules of Golf
· 13 or more holes are posted as an 18-hole score*
· 7-12 holes played are posted as a 9-hole score*
· Adjusted scores on all courses with a valid Course and Slope Rating, whether at home course, away course, or out of country during an active season
· Scores in all forms of competition: match play, stroke play, team competitions
· Scores played with Preferred Lies local rule.
*NOTE:
A player who does not play a hole, records the most likely score using the limit of Net Bogey for the maximum hole score (for handicapping purposes only).
Scores for un-played holes are recorded as par i.e. any “handicap strokes” that the player is entitled to receive on those holes, according to the course difficulty designation for each of the holes.
Example: stopping after 16 holes due to darkness while playing at Victoria
Hole 17 is a par 3, designated as the number 12 handicap stroke hole
Hole 18 is a par 5, designated as the number 2 handicap stroke hole
Player A, with a handicap of 21, is allowed one stroke on 15 holes and two on the three most difficult ones. For her playing ability, she could take a 4 on the 17th and a 7 on the 18th.
Player B has a handicap of 35, which entitles her to two strokes on all holes, except the easiest where she would get only one stroke. Therefore, based on her handicap, she can add two strokes to par for both holes 17 and 18, which would be scores of 5 and 7 respectively.
Not Acceptable Scores
· Scores of fewer than 7 holes
· Scores made on a golf course in an area during its inactive season.
· Score made when playing alone.
· Scores made in competitions stipulating the use of less than 14 clubs. (e.g. irons only or three clubs and a putter are allowed).
Note: Games such as a Texas Scramble or playing in pairs and hitting alternate shots (Podersky) are considered not to be within the Rules of Golf and scores are not entered on Golf Canada Score Centre.