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Handicap Notice To Members

Updated February 2009

This note has been prepared in order to outline the USGA Handicap System and to stress the importance of reporting all acceptable scores.  Please note that only member clubs actually issue handicaps, not the CSGA or USGA.  Local club Handicap Committees are charged with consistently applying the USGA Rules of Golf and recommended handicapping procedures.  As such please be aware of the following:       

Post All Acceptable Scores

It is a requirement of the BFR Men’s Club (BFRMC) that all members post all “Acceptable” scores.  This will ensure that the BFRMC, as a member club of the CSGA and USGA, can properly issue and administer handicaps.  This is the underlying premise for the USGA Handicapping System which allows for golfers of differing abilities to compete on equitable terms.           

Acceptable Scores

Acceptable scores are those played by the rules of golf in all forms of competition including Medal (or Stroke) play, Match play, and multi-ball or team competitions. Both 18-hole and 9-hole adjusted gross scores are required to be posted using Equitable Stroke Control (ESC).          

For handicapping purposes, if a player is conceded a stroke, or fails to complete a hole, he is required to post the score that “he most likely would have made” -- but not higher than the ESC limit for his course handicap.  Additionally, a player is required to post scores for all holes not played that is equal to par plus any handicap strokes he is entitled to receive on that hole.                 

For holes not played, or not played under the rules of golf, a player is required to post an adjusted gross score as follows:          

·         If 6 or less holes have been completed – do not post a score.        

·         If 7 to 12 holes have been completed – post a 9-hole score.          

·         If 13 or more holes have been completed – post an 18-hole score.  

Unacceptable Scores

Unacceptable scores are defined as:        

·        Any rounds played on a course that is inactive or “out of season.”   

·        Any rounds not played under USGA Rules (4-club, scramble, alternate shot tournaments, etc.)               

·        Any rounds completed while playing more than one ball.        

·        Any rounds played on courses of 3000 yards or less for 18 holes.    

Equitable Stroke Control (ESC)

Equitable Stroke Control is the downward adjustment of individual  hole scores to reach an adjusted gross score for handicap purposes to make handicaps more representative of a player’s potential ability.  ESC sets a maximum number of strokes that a player can post on any hole depending on the player’s Course Handicap.  ESC is used only when a player’s actual score or most likely score exceeds his maximum number based on the table below.  There is no limit to the number of holes on which a player should adjust his score under ESC.

Returning Scores

It is the responsibility of each individual member to understand and correctly implement Equitable Stroke Control (ESC) to reach an adjusted gross score when posting all acceptable scores.            

Score cards submitted to the BFR Pro shop staff for all BFRMC Sunday events should show all players gross/net scores and the adjusted gross scores (less any ESC reductions).  It is the BFR Pro Shop staff’s responsibility to post all BFRMC Sunday event gross/net and adjusted gross scores on the Scoring Computer.        

It is the responsibility of each individual member to post adjusted gross scores for all other play including those at BFR (other than Sunday club events) or at other “Away” courses.  This includes any vacation rounds; local, regional or national tournament competitions.  This also includes ALL 9-hole, weekly “league” competitions -- if played under the USGA Rules of Golf.  Scores can be posted on the scoring computers at BFR, via scoring computers at “Away” courses (if on the GHIN network) or via the internet at www.GHIN.com.

Issuing Handicap Cards or Labels

Anyone can get up to date handicap indexes and appropriate course handicaps at any time via the internet – please visit www.GHIN.com.  The BFR Pro Shop Staff can also issue handicap cards upon request.              

Handicap Index Verification Responsibilities         

IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE ENTIRE CLUB MEMBERSHIP FOR SELF-POLICING VIA PEER REVIEW TO ENSURE ALL BFRMC MEMBERS ARE POSTING ALL ACCEPTABLE SCORES.  It is the responsibility of the Handicap Committee to ensure the accuracy of all calculations and computations of handicap indexes and course handicaps.               

Handicap Revision Schedule for CSGA Member Clubs

The active season for CSGA Member Clubs is from April through late-October.  Handicap revisions are available every 2 to 3 weeks during the active season.  The actual schedule can be found on the CSGA website at www.csgalinks.org.           

Posting “Snow Bird” Scores

All members are required to post scores from away courses for rounds completed during their active season -- this is year-round in Florida, Arizona and California.              

Adjustment or Withdrawal of Handicap Indexes

All local club Handicap Committees can adjust or withdraw any player’s handicap index for the following reasons:            

·         A player is improving faster than the system can react        

·         Numerous “Away” or “Internet” scores change the handicap index by 3 or more strokes               

·         Temporary disability               

·         Failure to post ALL acceptable scores        

·         Manipulation of round or score         

·         Continued violations               

Penalties for Failure to Post and/or  Manipulation of Scores

If a player fails to post an acceptable score as soon as practical after completion of a round, the Handicap Committee should post the score and/or a penalty score (equal to the lowest handicap differential in the player’s scoring record.)            

Rounds Designated as BFRMC Tournament Scores

To better reflect an individual’s true scoring potential*, the USGA recommends that a minimum of 5 or 6 events be designated by each club such that they require posting as an “eligible tournament score.”  Adjusted gross scores for these events should be posted with the “T” when entered in the scoring computer.  Per the BFRMC Executive Committee, the following events will require posting as an eligible tournament (T) score:               

·         The Spring Classic          

·         The President’s Cup        

·         The Club Championship           

·         The Member/Member Club Championship           

·         The Fall Classic              

·         All NEPGA, CSGA, Regional/National competitions and qualifiers.  

·         Any Member/Guest Tournaments              

*Note -- A player’s USGA Handicap index can also be automatically adjusted downward for exceptional tournament scores.  Handicap Indexes adjusted in this manner are designated with an “R” after the index. 

Thank you for your attention   to this important message!

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Questions

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us via the link on the homepage of our website (or send an email to info@bfrmc.org).  A member of the Executive Committee will respond to your inquiry as soon as practical.

Other Resources

Additional resources include the BFR Pro Shop Staff, as well as the CSGA and USGA websites at:

www.csgalinks.org

www.usga.org