Handicaps

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Golf is unique in that all players’ abilities can be leveled if they fully adhere to the handicap system. The USGA requires that each time a player plays at least 13 holes of an 18-hole round, or 7 holes of a 9-hole round, the player’s score shall be posted for handicap purposes. If a player plays 8 to12 holes, the 9-hole score shall be posted. For holes not played, a player should compute his or her score by combining par with that player’s allotted handicap strokes for that hole.

All golfers are required to post a “T” score for all tournament rounds. The purpose of this requirement is to identify those players who consistently excel in competition well beyond their current USGA handicap index and to better reflect their potential scoring ability.

For handicap purposes only, players should adjust their score according to the USGA’s Equitable Stroke Control Formula, which is intended to more fairly represent a golfer’s game by lowering an unusually high score on a hole. Also, if a player “picks up” without completing a hole, the player should use the “most likely score” for that hole or the Equitable Stroke Control Formula score, whichever is less. Such adjustments cannot count in stroke or match play competition.

Under Equitable Stroke Control, the USGA “fixed maximum score” that a player can post on any hole depends on the player’s course handicap. The following table sets forth the maximum hole score for Equitable Stroke Control purposes:

Members who do not want their handicaps to be kept at the Club must so notify the Golf Professional and the Chairperson of the Golf Committee in writing; otherwise members will be billed for handicap service.