Handicap Hints

Golf can bring all kinds of feelings, from despair making someone want to quit the game to the euphoria from a great shot or round. For some, the thrill of competition is an essential element to heighten interest in the game. One can almost envision the heart rate of certain people speeding up over the thought of a six-foot putt to win a match.

Having an accurate scoring record is important in connection with the calculation and issuance of a Handicap Index®. Sometimes, a little assistance is needed, whether it is understanding why a number has gone up or down, fixing a mistake made while posting or needing to know what to do when you become injured.

What scores should you post? The simple answer...just about all of them!

Just when you think you’ve got the Handicap System figured out, a letter appears next to your Handicap Index. What happened? Sometimes these letters are a function of an action taken by the club, other times they are a function of the Handicap System or the GHIN service.

Golfers are often encouraged to look forward, forget about the past (especially poor shots) and aspire to do better. Yet sometimes it helps to look back in order to take a step forward.

The SCGA provides an array of services in support of golf outside of the issuance of a Handicap Index, yet a few of these may not be in the limelight. Here are a few of the many behind-the-scenes handicap-related services...

Many SCGA members are unsure of an easy means of having their Handicap Indexes confirmed, whether preparing for a golf trip, confirmation for a competition or even just making sure the right strokes are given or received during the weekly after-work gathering. While a number of capabilities to accomplish verification exist, a new feature on the GHIN Mobile App allows your smartphone to do the “heavy lifting” for you with just a few taps of your finger.