All About Golf Handicaps

In the early 1900's the USGA first introduced a golf handicap system as a way to level the playing field, so to speak, for golfers of every ability.

The handicap system works to give a weaker golfer the chance to compete against a stronger player by giving the weaker player strokes on certain holes. The handicap system makes sense when you think about it. Imagine if you shoot an average score of 105 and you try to compete with another golfer who shoots in the 70's? You can't compete. Well, the USGA handicap system will allow you to deduct strokes from your score on certain holes according to your handicap. Then at the end of the round you take your gross score and subtract your handicap strokes to get your final net score.

In the early 1980's the USGA made a major change to the golf handicap system. It was renamed "handicap index" and incorporated the slope rating for the course you play into the equation.

The golf handicap index is a number that is compared to the course rating in order to determine your course handicap. The course handicap number is used to figure the total strokes you get for your round. Your course handicap will be different on every golf course due to the various course and slope ratings.

It sound like a complicated system, but the USGA does this figuring for you. All you do is submit your scores at the end of the round.

You need to submit scores from at least 5 rounds to become eligible for a USGA handicap index. As you play more golf and turn in more scores, the USGA takes the lowest 10 scores from your last 20 rounds in order to establish your current handicap index.

A lot of golfers will simply say they are a "10 handicapper" but have never registered for an official handicap index. In order to compete in any golf competitions or tournaments, you'll need to have an official USGA handicap index.

How do you get an official USGA handicap?
In order to get your official handicap, you will need to join a golf club that uses the USGA Handicapping System. The term "golf club" isn't to be confused with joining a country club. A golf club is simply a group or association with at least 10 members and a handicapping committee. Many golf clubs and country clubs have their own handicap committee. Some municipal golf courses have them as well. Just be sure to ask if they are USGA registered. Most often they will be.

As a member in the system it is easy to keep up with your handicap. Simply turn in your scores from every round. You can either turn in your scorecard to the club, or perhaps do it electronically. Many golf courses now have a computer where you can login and enter your ID and password. Then you can punch in your score and get an up-to-the-minute handicap. Other times the handicap committee will issue updated handicaps once a week, or once a month.

Getting a golf handicap is not really a difficult process, and once you get one, it will be a lot of fun in trying to constantly challenge yourself to do better. As I like to say, "Getting a golf handicap is easy; lowering it is the most difficult part."