Here is a FYI about the new handicapping system. The short version is the software (“USGA Tournament Management”) handles most of this and we don’t have to worry about calculations and what have you. But if you want to dig deeper, USGA TM has highlighted some of the changes.
USGA Tournament Management says: the World Handicap System has launched. You can now update Handicap Indexes and post scores to GHIN from within USGA Tournament Management. The new USGA Rules of Handicapping also now apply. Changes include
- Daily Revisions: Handicap Indexes will no longer be updated every two weeks. Instead, you can update and revise Handicap Indexes daily. When updating the Handicap Indexes, you can now select the revision date.
GTGP says:
- Since handicaps are updated daily, we plan to fetch player handicaps on the Wednesday before a Saturday event, when we do tee times and print scorecards. So if you were to post a score on a Friday, don’t expect it to affect your handicap the next day in GTGP competitive play. In other words we will select the Wednesday Revision Date, for Saturday play, for practical reasons.
- Also we will post all scores on the day of play whenever possible because of the new Playing Conditions Calculation. In the past we tended to wait 24-48 hours in case there were any late corrections.
USGA Tournament Management says:
- New Playing Handicap Computation: There is now a new method of computing Playing Handicaps. We suggest creating test events and viewing the Handicap Analysis to better understand the changes. To view a comprehensive guide on computing Playing Handicaps for competitions, Click Here.
GTGP says:
- It should all just work.
USGA Tournament Management says:
- Maximum Hole Score for Posting: When posting scores, ESC (Equitable Stroke Control) is no longer being applied. Instead, the maximum posted score for a hole is now a net double bogey. For full details, reference Rule 3.1b in the USGA Rules of Handicapping.
GTGP says:
- For posting to your handicap, it doesn’t seem the new double bogey net max is much different than the old Equitable Stroke Control, in terms of end results that is. At least it’s simpler.
- For GTGP competitive purposes, the GTGP board looked at that in the off season and is staying with “net 4 over par max” in our tournaments.
USGA Tournament Management says:
- Handicap Allowances: Handicap Allowance recommendations for certain competitions have changed. For full details, reference Appendix C in the USGA Rules of Handicapping.
GTGP says:
- OK!
There’s probably more to learn…
Lastly, GHIN has also updated their systems so this would be a good time to check your GHIN access either on line or via their app for posting non-league scores. To view the USGA Rules of Handicapping Manual, Click Here.
Jan 10, 2020