"Golf is the closest game to the game we call life.
You get bad breaks from good shots; you get good breaks from bad shots
– but you have to play the ball where it lies." - Bobby Jones
USGA HANDICAP SYSTEM 2020
(on this page anything underlined you may click on and it will send you to that link)
This page will offer links to the USGA that will help with any questions that may come from the new handicap system as well as the new Rules of Golf. Many of these are questions we have been asked by members already. If you would like something added or think another topic should be added email Ray Sandoval at coachraybruinfb@sbcglobal.net
The complete Rules of Handicapping Revised on January 2020 can be found here: USGA/ World Handicapping System
How to post a score using the GHIN app
Here is a good video on how to post a score hole-by-hole using the GHIN app. Even though it is from the Colorado Golf Association it still applies to us here in California.
This video covers how to post a hole-by-hole score on the GHIN Mobile app
with no MATH involved! It also covers the Course Handicap Calculator and Golfer Lookup features.
Hole by Hole posting using the New GHIN mobile app
5 Things You Need to Know
1. Basis of Calculation of Handicap Index
Your Handicap Index may change
But that’s okay! Finally, players around the world will have an apples-to-apples handicap. Your new Handicap Index will be more responsive to good scores by averaging your eight best scores out of your most recent 20 (it was, 10 out of 20 with a .96 multiplier). In short, your Handicap Index will be determined by your demonstrated ability and consistency of scores. In most cases for golfers in the U.S., it will change less than one stroke.
Click the link to the USGA website: Eight best scores
2. Course Handicap Calculation
You need to know your Course Handicap
In the new system, your Course Handicap will be the number of strokes needed to play to par. This will result in greater variance in that number and presents a change, as historically it has represented the number of strokes needed to play to the Course Rating. This is a good thing, as par is an easy number to remember. Target score for the day? Par plus Course Handicap. The Course Rating will now be inherent within the calculation to be more intuitive and account for competing from different tees.
Click the link to the USGA website for more information on each topic
3. Net Double Bogey - THIS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT SO YOU UNDERSTAND HOW TO ADJUST YOUR GROSS SCORE AND POST THE CORRECT SCORES!!!!
The maximum hole score for each player will be limited to a Net Double Bogey. This adjustment is more consistent from hole to hole than the Equitable Stroke Control procedure. Net Double Bogey is already used in many other parts of the world and the calculation is simple: Par + 2 + any handicap strokes you receive.
Click the link to the USGA website: Net Double Bogey
4. Your Handicap Index will be revised daily.
One way that handicapping is being modernized is a player’s Handicap Index will update daily (which will provide a fairer indication of a player’s ability in the moment), if the player submitted a score the day before. On days where the player does not submit a score, no update will take place.
Click the link to the USGA website: Update daily
5. Safeguards in the new system.
The new system will limit extreme upward movement of a Handicap Index, automatically and immediately reduce a Handicap Index when an exceptional score of at least 7 strokes better is posted, and account for abnormal course or weather conditions to ensure that scores reflect when a course plays significantly different than its established Course Rating and Slope Rating.
Click the link to the USGA website for more information on each topic: