Handicap Hints

Blog Post 1

Keeping Your Scoring Record Accurate

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.

Because a Handicap Index is issued by your club, your first point of contact should be the club. Most often the Handicap Committee or Handicap Chair makes it known who to contact, so look for that kind of information in regard to your club. The SCGA can provide contact information if needed. Reaching out to the club contact gives you the best chance of resolution, especially if it is in regard to an error in the record itself. Only your club is empowered to make score corrections, change Handicap Index values, etc. If you have any questions about this process, contact us at [email protected].

Regarding score corrections, any element that is inaccurate should be corrected. It is easy to touch the wrong button and the difference between an 88 and 98 can be significant in the calculation. Yet errors in choosing or entering the wrong tee or the wrong course can have an impact as well and the correct date is meaningful in keeping scores in the correct order and/or confirming that you posted a score for date x.

Timing of a correction is also important. For example, if on April 5 you notice that a score from March 28 was incorrect and you ask your club Handicap Committee to make the correction, your March 29 Handicap Index does not magically get recalculated. If the score correction causes a change this will be reflected in your April 6 Handicap Index (morning after correction is made).

Timing part two. It is important that you reach out to your club committee as soon as possible upon noticing an error in your scoring record. If you wait until May to notify your club about a previous December scoring error, retroactive corrections to Handicap Index values are no longer available at that time. You really need to notify your club quickly if you desire the correction to have an impact on your Handicap Index. Short and simple – the sooner the better.

If you become injured and this impacts your scoring ability, the club Handicap Committee is again the place to go. It has oversight in these situations.

One last note. If you look at your scoring record and don’t see a score that you have posted relatively recently (hint: since midnight) make sure to look for “Recent Scores”. The revision scores, those used in the most recent calculation, are usually right below the recent score display.

We know that there is some complexity in the World Handicap System and we will do our best to help in understanding the nuances, yet most actions require the club that provides your Handicap Index to engage with you.