Handicap Committee - May Smoke signals Article by Bob Manuel

Definitions:

A USGA Handicap Index, issued by an authorized golf association, indicates a golfer's skill and comes in the form of a number taken to one decimal place, e.g. 10.2. A USGA Handicap Index compares a player's scoring ability to the scoring ability of an expert amateur on a course of standard difficulty. A Handicap Index is computed from no more than 20 scores plus eligible Tournament Scores in the scoring record. It reflects the player's potential because it is based upon the best scores posted for a given number of rounds, ideally the best 10 of the last 20 rounds. A player's Handicap Index is used to compute the number of strokes a player receives depending upon the length and difficulty of the course and tees being played. It is the number you carry with you when you to play another course or set of tees.

A USGA Course Rating is the USGA's mark that indicates the evaluation of the playing difficulty of a course for scratch golfers under normal conditions based on yardage and other obstacles that affect scoring ability. A USGA Slope Rating is an evaluation of how much more difficult the course plays for individuals who are not scratch golfers. The Course Rating reflects the difficulty of the course for the scratch golfer. The Course Rating and Slope Rating together reflect the difficulty of the course for players who are not scratch golfers. The USGA uses 113 as an "average" Slope Rating for the U.S.

To convert a player's USGA Handicap Index to a Course Handicap, locate your USGA Handicap Index on the appropriate Course Handicap Table and find the corresponding Course Handicap. Course Handicap Tables are posted in the shop near the computer. Every course will have these tables for each set of tees used by men and by women. The number of strokes a player receives (Course Handicap) is based upon the relative difficulty (Slope Rating) of the course and tees played.

Here's a way you can determine your own Course Handicap: Multiply your USGA Handicap Index times the USGA Slope Rating of the course played and then divide by 113. Round the resulting figure off to the nearest whole number (.5 or more is rounded upward) and this is your Course Handicap. For example: Your Handicap Index is 16.3 and you are going to play the white tees at Grand Mountain GC that has a slope rating of 122. Your Course Handicap for that set of tees is 18( 16.3x122/113=17.59 rounded to 18 strokes).