All About Handicaps
Happy early March everyone! We are keeping our fingers crossed that this amazing spring weather continues, and it certainly has us all thinking about golf! With just a little over 7 weeks until the start of the season at Picton Golf & Country Club, here is some important information on the Handicap System.
The Handicap System – What is It?
Simply put, a handicap is a numeric measure of a golfer’s demonstrated ability. Handicaps allow players of different abilities to compete in an equitable manner. Handicaps allow players to follow their progress and performance.
The World Handicap System tracks a golfer’s posted scores and uses the data, along with the handicap formulae, to generate up-to-date handicap information.
A golfer’s demonstrated ability is represented by their “Handicap Index”. This value is portable and can be used in conjunction with the course rating and slope rating of any course in the world to produce a “Course Handicap”.
A “Course Handicap” represents the number of strokes a golfer is expected to take to play to par on a specific course and the selected tee.
How to Obtain a Handicap
Handicaps are produced when scores of games played are posted through the Golf Canada Score Centre. A Handicap will be issued as soon as scores are posted from 3x 18-hole rounds or 6x 9-hole rounds, or a combination totalling 54 holes. Handicaps are updated after scores of each subsequent round are posted. After 20 rounds have been posted, handicaps are averaged over the best 8 of the last 20 games posted. It’s a simple as that!
How to Post Your Scores
Login to your account on the Golf Canada Score Centre and click on “Post A Score.”
Select the correct date for the game played and the golf course, tees played and number of holes played. Provide the info on the format, tournament (if any), lone player and attestor. Enter the score for each hole and submit.
Remember, you can access the Golf Canada Score Centre through the Golf Canada website, through the Golf Canada mobile APP, using the dedicated computer in the Pro Shop or through the link on the Club’s website.
The Score Centre supplies lots of great information on your games and allows you to review your handicap and scoring history, track your stats and even calculates your "ultimate scorecard"!
Don’t remember your Golf Canada login info? Our Pro Shop staff can assist you with your GC User Name, and you can easily reset your password by following the prompts on the Score Centre.
What Types of Scores Should be Posted?
Post all scores from all games that produce “acceptable scores” – the good, the bad and the ugly! Do not “cherry-pick” which scores to post – this will result in a handicap that is not a reflection of your demonstrated ability.
“Acceptable scores” are those from rounds played under the Rules of Golf, where one ball is played from tee to cup with all strokes and penalties counted. Scores from individual or team formats where players do not play their own ball from start to finish (scrambles, team match play, alternate shot, etc) do not produce "acceptable scores" and are not posted.
Who Should Have a Handicap?
All players who enter competitions - or who may wish to enter competitions – are required to keep and maintain a valid and up-to-date handicap.
While not mandatory for recreational golfers to have handicaps, it is definitely beneficial. Handicaps provide an on-going snapshot of your ability and are a great way to track your progress.
Post every score, every time and your handicap will always be current and up-to-date!
Want to know more? Click to read The Key To Understanding Handicaps.
Have a question? We can help. Click to contact us.
Your 2024 Rules and Handicap Committee
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