“The USGA Handicap System” The answers to all your handicap questions are in this manual. Competing from different tees Use of “T” Scores Most likely score Recommended handicap allowances Allocation of handicap strokes Handicap Decisions Duties of the Handicap Committee

Section 4 Adjusting Hole Scores See USGA Handigram Number 4 received today

Section 4-1: Unfinished Holes and Conceded Strokes “Most Likely Score” A "most likely score" is the score a player must post for handicap purposes if a hole is started but not completed or if the player is conceded a stroke.

“Most Likely Score” If you pick up on a hole or are conceded a stroke, record the score you most likely would have made. Definition: “most likely score” -number of strokes already taken plus, in your best judgment, the number of strokes you would need to complete the hole from that position more than half the time. There is no limit to the number of unfinished holes a player may have in a round provided that failure to finish is not for the purpose of handicap manipulation. These hole scores, when recorded, should be preceded by an "X."

Section 4-2: Holes Not Played or Not Played under The Rules of Golf If a player does not play a hole or plays it other than under "The Rules of Golf“, the score recorded for that hole for handicap purposes must be par plus any handicap strokes the player is entitled to receive on that hole. This hole score, when recorded, should be preceded by an "X."

Example: Holes Not Played Hole Not Played - Player records a score of par plus one for handicap purposes. If Course Handicap is 10 and player does not play hole #11, what is his score for this hole? Score X-5 HOLE #11 PAR 4 HANDICAP ALLOCATION 6

Section 5 Scores See USGA Handigram Number 3 received today

Acceptable Scores 18-hole and 9-hole rounds. Scores from home and away courses. All forms of competition (match play, stroke play, team competitions, best ball scores).

Posting Scores # of Holes PlayedScore to Post 1-6Can’t Post Hole Score Hole Score

Unacceptable Scores When fewer than 13 of 18 holes are played. When fewer than 7 of 9 holes are played. Scores made in an area observing an inactive season (ex. Philadelphia score in December). When a majority of the holes aren’t played under the Rules of Golf (ex. Mulligan's).

Unacceptable Scores When an 18-hole course is less than 3,000 yards. When you play in an event limiting the types or # of clubs used (i.e., irons only). When scores are made on a course with no USGA Course or Slope Rating.

Tournament Score A "tournament score" is a score made in a competition organized and conducted by the committee in charge of the competition. The competition must identify a winner(s) based on a stipulated round(s), and must be played under the principles of the Rules of Golf. Using the definition as a guideline, the committee (preferably the Handicap Committee in consultation with the committee in charge of the competition) must determine in advance if these conditions are met and announce in advance whether the score must be identified by the letter "T" when posted.

T-Score Examples Member-guest, team matches, USGA qualifying rounds, golf association tournaments, club championship. Not T-Scores Routine events, such as regular play days, normally are not to be designated as T- scores because they are not significant in the traditions, schedules, formats, and membership of the club.

Competing from Different Tees Different tees have different ratings Women vs. Men – If women playing from the forward tees from which the women’s USGA Course Rating is 73.4 compete against men playing from the middle tees, from which the men’s USGA Course Rating is 70.9, the women will add 3 strokes. (pages 59-60) Different tees usually have different Ratings. Because a USGA Course Rating reflects the probable score of a scratch golfer, the higher-rated course is more difficult, and the player playing from the set of tees with the higher USGA Course Rating receives additional stroke(s) equal to the difference between each USGA Course Rating, with a.5 or greater rounded upward. The additional stroke(s) are added to the Course Handicap of the player playing from the higher- rated set of tees.

Section 9-4: Recommended Handicap Allowances Handicap allowances have no effect in determining Handicap Index; however, their use is recommended to produce fair and equitable competition. To make all forms of play more equitable, use the recommended handicap allowances (pages 60-68).