Handicap Info

Effective Jan 1st, 2020, the Handicap system implemented by the USGA/NJSGA is undergoing a major overhaul. In fact the new system is worldwide and will be known as the World Handicap System.

There are a number of changes behind the scenes concerning calculation of your handicap which will be transparent to you and some changes which you will need to know to post properly.

For those who may be playing golf between Jan 1 and March 31st in warmer climates where you are expected to post, there are some things you should be aware of.

1) The amount of strokes you can post for Handicap has changed from what was called Equitable Stroke Control to the Net Double Bogey. The max you can post is Par + 2 + Any Strokes you receive as a function of your handicap.

Example: If you are a 2 Handicap and playing a Par 4, the max you can post on the number 3 Handicap hole would be a 4 + 2 or a 6. If you were playing a Par 4 and it was the number 2 Handicap hole, the max you can post would be a 4 + 2 + 1 or a 7.

2) Players have always been urged to post the day of play, but it is more important now because a new feature that analyzes all the scores posted on the day (at midnight) and adjusts (automatically) scores for playing conditions. Simply put, conditions on a windy day would expect to yield higher scores, so the Handicap System will (again automatically) add or subtract an adjustment to your scores called PCC (or Playing Conditions Calculation). By posting on the day of play, your scores will help generate an accurate PCC. People who post later, will receive (again automatically) the PCC that was calculated, even though your score was not used to calculate the PCC for that day. While this is complicated, the key is you should post your scores the same day you play.

3) Also, handicaps will be updated the day after you post. This is a change from the twice monthly updates so from day to day, your handicap should be checked. People playing in multi-day tournaments may have their handicaps frozen for the tournament purposes, but you should use the daily handicap for posting. Please check with your tournament officials if you are playing in multi-day events.