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Established 1907

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2020 PGCC Handicap News - WHS Info - April 30

April 30, 2020
Picton Golf and Country Club

 

Picton Golf & Country Club
News from your
Handicap Committee

World Handicap System
Golf Ontario Education Series 

The World Handicap System is designed to be inclusive and encouraging to all golfers. The consistent message throughout these lessons is that a Handicap Index is a reflection of a player’s demonstrated ability. Not only does it give players the capabilities to track their progress through realistic and achievable targets, it also allows for more equitable play between players of different abilities. These positive steps are further enhanced as the maximum allowable handicap index has now been increased.

Let’s see what Golf Ontario says about the Maximum Handicap Index.

The previous Handicap System used a maximum Handicap Factor/Index of 36.4 for men and 40.4 for women. 

In 2020, the maximum Handicap Index for all golfers will be 54.0, regardless of gender.

The World Handicap System is built to make the game more welcoming to new players and incentivize beginners to establish and maintain a Handicap Index. The new rules of handicapping provide all players with a more precise measure of their demonstrated ability and allow players of all skill levels to track their progress in the game.

Although the number of players with a Handicap Index at or above the current maximums of 36.4 and 40.4 is relatively small, many golfers who currently play but do not have a Handicap Index would be above those limits. Statistics show that players with a Handicap Index play more rounds of golf. Therefore, making the system more welcoming can help grow the game and create a more sustainable future. Although the maximum Handicap Index will be 54.0, the Committee in charge of a Competition can set a lower maximum limit for entry or use in competitions. If the desire is to have players with similar abilities competing against each other, the Committee can also divide the competition into flights.

  • Although some are concerned that increasing the maximum Handicap Index may lead to handicap manipulation, safeguards exist within the Handicap Index calculation to minimize the potential for it 
  • CLICK TO VIEW THE  VIDEO
 

Now it is easier than ever to get and maintain a Handicap Index and take advantage of all the positive changes in the World Handicap System. If you don’t currently have a Handicap Index, we hope that you will be encouraged to get one this year.

Remember back in lesson #2  where Course Slope and Rating were explained? Stay tuned for next week’s lesson that shares details on how these values, along with your Handicap Index, are used to calculate your Course Handicap.  

As always, if you have any questions, please drop us a note at handicapcommittee@pictongolf.ca or click here to send us a message now.

Take care of yourselves and each other, and think GOLF!

Your Handicap Committee

 

 

Picton Golf and Country Club. 734 County Road #49, Box 6170, Picton, ON, K0K2T0
Pro Shop: 613 476 2222 / The View: 613-476-8383

www.pictongolf.ca