The USGA Handicap System is constantly evolving and undergoes updates in two-and four-year cycles, as the Rules of Golf do. Six significant changes are among those noted for the 2016-2017 cycle:

Playing Alone & Necessary Peer Review – To further support the key System premise of peer review, scores made while playing alone will no longer be acceptable for handicap purposes. Because players must be able to form a reasonable basis for supporting or disputing a score of another player, it’s helpful to remember that a Handicap Index always involves more people than just the golfer carrying it. When playing solo, opportunities for peer review are lost.

Anchoring & Posting – A new reference concerns a player who anchors the club while making a stroke during a round and fails to apply the appropriate penalty or an adjusted hole score. Since the score would not be reflected as playing under the Rules of golf, it would be unacceptable for handicap purposes. If you wish to anchor the club you can do so, but you must add the proper penalty for the score to be posted.

Definition of a Tournament Score – Additional guidance is provided to Committees conducting competitions regarding the definition of a tournament score, placing greater emphasis on “significant events”. The definition excludes fundraising events and regular league play in favor of designated competitions such as member/guests or club championship, along with competitions conducted by local and national amateur organizations.

Adjusting Hole Scores – A revised decision provides clarity for acceptable scores in limited situations where the player has not played a hole(s) under the Rules of Golf, but has a score that would be sufficiently accurate for handicap purposes. Three examples of scores in which the player would post their Most Likely Score are: 1) where a Local Rule is not in effect, but a player chooses to use a Distance Measuring Device or preferred lies; 2) where a player does not wish to cause undue delay; or 3) where the situation is outside of the player’s control, such as an incorrectly marked golf course.

Posting Scores When a Player is Disqualified – To improve alignment with the Rules of Golf, the revised Handicap System is clearer about what scores are acceptable when a player is disqualified. In general, a score is acceptable for handicap purposes even when a player fails to hole out or apply a Rule that affects the rights of another player. If the disqualification breach is determined to provide an advantage for the player, the score is deemed unacceptable for handicap purposes.

Committee Responsibilities Toward Disabled Players – In an effort to assist the Handicap Committee with its responsibilities, this revision address a player with a temporary or permanent disability who has a Handicap Index that is no longer reflective of his/her current potential ability.  The Committee has the power to modify the Handicap Index in the System globally. This change supports the portability of a disabled player’s handicap so that it can be used outside the player’s home club.

Questions? Contact the OGA Handicapping Department.