Handicap Hub
USGA Rules of Handicapping - Adjusted Gross Scores (Rule 3)
Principle of the Rule
A score for handicap purposes should not be overly influenced by one or two bad hole scores that are not reflective of a player’s demonstrated ability.
Maximum Hole Score for Handicap Purposes
For a player with an established handicap index, the maximum score for each hole is limited to a net double bogey, calculated as follows.
PAR OF THE HOLE + 2 STROKES + ANY HANDICAP STROKE(S) THAT THE PLAYER RECEIVES ON THAT HOLE
This adjustment of hole scores only comes into play for the posting of scores to GHIN - the adjusted gross score is not to be used for the player’s score that day for the event competition purposes.
When posting your score to your GHIN account, it is best to enter your score hole-by-hole and the software will calculate any adjusted scores for you.
Adjusted Gross Score
Types of Handicaps
Q: Why is the handicap listed on my scorecard different than what I see in my USGA GHIN listing?
There are 3 different types of handicaps used. Here are the important terms to know about handicap types.
Handicap Index - the base line measurement of a player’s ability on a course of standard difficulty
Course Handicap - number of strokes a player receives from a specific set of tees on a specific course
Handicap Allowance - the % of Course Handicap that the event committee has selected for a specific format of play. The USGA has published some guidelines on these percentages and the GRWGA follows these recommendations.
Playing Handicap - course handicap adjusted for above % allowance
Off Lowest Ball - A different number of strokes (dots) on a scorecard if the handicap software sets those strokes “off the lowest ball”. This is a situation where the lowest handicap in the field/group is set as a 0 base. For example, if the lowest Playing Handicap in field/group is 5 and another player is an 8, instead of giving those full strokes, the higher handicap player is given 3 strokes.
Posting Scores
Q. When posting my score to USGA GHIN, should I enter my total actual score, or my actual score, hole by hole, or my adjusted gross score which I have already adjusted for hole maximums?
A. It is strongly recommended that you enter your actual hole by hole score and let the USGA GHIN handicap software make the calculations for your adjusted score for the round.
Learn more about USGA GHIN Maximum Hole Score for handicap purposes here.
Course Ratings
Q: Where can I find a list of courses that have active Course Ratings and Slope Ratings?
A: At the USGA's Course Rating and Slope Rating Database. The USGA and R&A require that courses be re-rated every 10 years. Posting scores at these courses who choose not to get it redone by their local golf association is not allowed.
