Confirming Your Current Handicap Index
With the summer months upon us and golf activities peaking, this column will serve as a reminder of the many ways you can confirm your current NCGA/USGA Handicap Index.
The easiest method is to register your e-mail address to receive a monthly eRevision. Imagine the convenience of your current Index, scoring record, recent Index history and latest NCGA news being sent to the e-mail address of your choice on the 1st of each month. If you are not one of the more than 91,000 NCGA members receiving this update, register your e-mail address via the NCGA website. And don’t worry; the NCGA will keep your e-mail address safe. We do not distribute our lists to outside parties.
Speaking of the NCGA website, the handicap look-up feature continues to rank as one of the most popular features drawing nearly 4,000 hits per week. From almost anywhere in the world you are just a couple of “clicks” away from your handicap and scoring information.
Suppose you are on the road the morning of the 1st without access to e-mail or the Internet, how can you find out what your new Index is? The NCGA has you covered.
Each posting computer at every Northern California golf course includes a Handicap look-up feature that displays the current Handicap Index of every NCGA member. And as most NCGA golf courses communicate with our handicap service (GHIN) in the early morning hours (ideally 5:00 – 7:00 a.m.), this information is typically available before the first golfers of the day begin their rounds.
Simply activate the “Guest CRS HCP Lookup” feature appearing on the score posting screen (third big green button down) and then select the “HDCP Lookup” button in the lower left.
At this point you can either enter your NCGA/GHIN number to discover your Index or perform a last name search to pinpoint your record. As an added bonus, once your current Handicap Index is displayed, a simple click on the “Crs HCP” button will compute your Course Handicap from each of the sets of tees at that golf course.
Your Handicap Index . . . you can leave home without it!
Guest CRS HCP Lookup
HDCP Lookup
I am a new golfer and a new member to NCGA. After being notified of my approval to eClub Sacramento, I posted several scores for the various games that I completed since learning to play last May. However, I posted the incorrect date. How do I update or revise my postings to reflect the correct information?
August 5th, 2007 at 1:17 pmCan you tell me what the “R” that is part of the monthly handicap index stands for. Thank You
September 1st, 2007 at 4:40 pmI have a very good friend and playing partner who now thinks that is OK to selectively post his scores.
Where in the rules will I find that this is not true?
Thanks, Rick Gray
September 5th, 2007 at 4:06 pmJoe Gurnaby,
October 3rd, 2007 at 2:04 pmI apologize for the delay in responding but I was only recently informed of this new feature on our website. You need to report the error to your club (tbowden@ncga.org). They have the necessary software to perform such a correction. Thanks Jim Cowan
Tom Foster,
October 3rd, 2007 at 2:07 pmI apologize for the delay in responding but I was only recently informed of this new feature on our website. The R indicates that an automatic reduction based on low Tournament scores has kicked in. Each month when the button is pushed to update handicaps, the first step in the process is determine an Index based solely on your best 10 of 20 most recent rounds. Once this number is in hand, it is compared to your two best T-scores of the past twelve months. If the System feels that the gap between this best 10 of 20 number and the two T-scores is too wide, an automatic reduction kicks in. In other words, some middle-ground between the best 10 of 20 number and two T-scores is arrived at. This is how every handicap in the entire country is computed. Thanks Jim Cowan
Rick Gray,
October 3rd, 2007 at 2:13 pmI apoligze for the delay in responding but I just recently became aware of this new feature within our website. Here is the text direct from the USGA Handicap System Manual:
Section 5 SCORES
5-1. Acceptability of Scores
Fair handicapping depends upon full and accurate information regarding a player’s potential scoring ability as reflected by a complete scoring record. Every player must be responsible for returning all acceptable scores, as defined in this section. For handicap purposes, all Section 4 adjustments, including Equitable Stroke Control, must be applied to all scores including tournament scores.
a. Scores To Post
If 13 or more holes are played, the player must post an 18-hole score. If 7 to 12 holes are played, the player must post a nine-hole score. (See Decision 5-1a/3.)
b. Scores on All Courses
Adjusted gross scores from all courses with a USGA Course Rating and Slope Rating made during an active season, both at home and away, must be posted by the player along with the appropriate USGA Course Rating and Slope Rating. (See Decision 5-1b/1.)
c. Scores in All Forms of Competition
Scores in both match play and stroke play must be posted for handicap purposes. This includes scores made in match play, in multi-ball, or in team competitions in which players have not completed one or more holes or in which players are requested to pick up when out of contention on a hole. (See Decision 5-1c/1 and Section 4.)
d. Scores Made under The Rules of Golf
Scores must be made in accordance with the principles of The Rules of Golf. (See Decisions 5-1d/1 and 5-1d/2.)
e. Disqualification
A player who is disqualified from a competition, but has an acceptable score, must record an adjusted gross score for handicap purposes. For example, a player who is disqualified from a competition for failure to sign a scorecard has an acceptable score for handicap purposes.
f. Unacceptable Scores
Scores made under the following conditions are not acceptable for handicap purposes and must not be entered in the player’s scoring record:
(i) When fewer than seven holes are played;
(ii) When made on a golf course in an area in which an inactive season established by the authorized golf association is in effect;
(iii) When a majority of the holes are not played in accordance with the principles of The Rules of Golf (except for preferred lies);
(iv) When the length of the course is less than 3,000 yards for 18 holes (or less than 1,500 yards for 9 holes);
(v) When, as a condition of the competition, the maximum number of clubs allowed is less than 14, or types of clubs are limited as, for example, in a competition that allows only iron clubs;
(vi) When scores are made on a course with no USGA Course Rating or Slope Rating;
(vii) When a player carries or uses non-conforming clubs or uses non-conforming balls or tees;
(viii) When artificial devices (as defined under Rule 14-3) are used during the execution of a stroke. (See Decision 5-1f/2 for an exception.)
Thanks Jim Cowan
How can I correct a posting? I accidentally posted a score using the women’s slope instead of the men? I posted the score a second time correctly but I would like to erase the incorrect posting. Please send me the answer via e-mail Thank you.
June 28th, 2008 at 7:11 amMel – Only your club can correct a posting. Please contact the handicap chairman at your club. They will be able to fix that for you.
Thanks.
Scott Seward
June 28th, 2008 at 9:16 amI am going to Scotland to play soon and am told that for some courses I will need a card with my current handicap shown on it. How do I get one? Or will they accept a printout from my current 20 courses?
July 12th, 2008 at 8:23 pmDean, Thank you for your comment. The e-Revision that you receive on the 1st of each month with show proof of current membership and current handicap. Print it out. Hopefully that will be sufficient for the clubs you are visiting. Thanks again and have a great trip! – Jim Cowan
July 22nd, 2008 at 1:06 pm