HANDICAP / RATING

The purpose of the RCGA/CLGA handicap system is to make the game of golf more enjoyable by enabling golfers of different abilities to compete on an equitable basis.

The system provides fair Course Handicaps for players regardless of ability, and adjusts a player's Handicap Index up or down as his or her game changes.  The basic premise underlying the handicap system is that every player will try to make the best score he or she can at each hole in EVERY round he or she plays, regardless of where the round of golf is played.  He or she is expected to post every acceptable score.

At Pinebrook, upon posting your score, your latest Handicap Index will be computed immediately.  The Golf Shop staff will be more than happy to assist you in entering your scores in the computer located in the Pro Shop.  You then look up your newly adjusted handicap and enjoy your competition.  Please note the following RCGA/CLGA rules regarding handicaps.

Fair handicapping depends upon full, accurate information regarding a player's potential scoring ability as reflected by his;/her scores.  Every golfer shall be responsible for returning all his/her acceptable scores.  All adjustments including Equitable Stroke Control (ESC) must be applied to all scores for handicap purposes (5-1)

A)  POSTING SCORES

a)  A golfer shall post a score when he/she plays an 18 hole round, 13 or more holes or CONSECUTIVE 9 hole rounds (5-1a)

b)  Adjusted Gross Scores must be recorded for every 18 hole round, 13 or more holes or consecutive 9hole rounds at home, away or out of the country. (5-1b)

c)  Scores in both MATCH and STROKE, play including those made in team competitions, shall be posted.  Scores made in team competitions in which players are asked to pick up when out of contention SHALL be posted for handicap purposes (5-1c) - record your most likely score ie. the number of strokes already taken plus in your best judgement the number of strokes needed to complete the hole from that position more than half the time.  The score may not exceed the player's Equitable Stroke Control limit. (4-1)

d)  If at least 13 holes are played, the remaining unplayed holes, for handicap purposes, shall be recorded as par plus any handicap strokes that the player is entitled to receive under Equitable Stroke Control. (5-2b)

e)  To be consecutive, two 9 holes rounds must be played without an intervening 18 hole round.  Consecutive 9 hole scores include playing 9 holes on a golf course on the same or different days; playing the same 9 holes twice, and playing 9 holes on two different courses.

B) EQUITABLE STROKE CONTROL
Equitable Stroke Control (ESC) is the downward adjustment of individual hole scores for handicap purposes in order to make handicaps more representative of a player's potential scoring ability. ESC is used only when a player's actual or most likely score exceeds his/her maximum number based on the table below:

C) TOURNAMENT SCORES
A Tournament Score is a score made in a competition organized an conducted by a Committee in charge of the competition.
The following are examples of Tournament Scores and MUST be entered as such in the computer with a "T" (see the Pro Shop for details on how to enter)
 

1.  Team matches 
2.  Member - Guest competitions 
3.  Qualifying rounds for city, provincial and national competitions 
4.  Low gross and low net competitions 
5.  Four-ball match or stroke competitions 
6.  Stableford competitions 
7.  Club Championships - stroke or match play 
8.  Tuesday Twilight (except Ironman) 
9.  Ladies Day (Pine Rounds) 
10.  Interclub 
11.  Singles matches 
12.  Competitions restricted by age

N.B.
1)  9 hole scores are NOT to be identified as "T" scores.
2)  An eligible Tournament score is any tournament score made within the last 12 months inclusive of any made within the player's current 20 score history
3)  Men's and women's senior play days (Thursdays) are not "T" scores

HANDICAP - SLOPE - RATING - INDEX

(what do they mean?)

HANDICAP:
This is the number of strokes you will take off of your score for 18 holes when playing in a handicap competition.  It is calculated by taking a percentage of the average of the best 10 scores of your previous 20 scores on that golf course.  This is an attempt to make everyone play to the same level.  In other words a person with a 10 handicap would have to give a person with a 24 handicap, 14 strokes in any competition at that course.

SLOPE RATING:
It is recognized that some golf courses are tougher to play than others.  It is also realized that your handicap should go up if you play a tougher golf course and go down if you play an easier golf course.

In order to further level the playing field it was decided to rate the toughness of a golf course by the assignment of a value to each golf course.  To do this a golf course is visited by experts who assign a course rating or "Slope Rating" for that golf course.  This rating is based on many factors such as length, playability, etc.  A safe rule of thumb is the higher the Slope Rating - the tougher the golf course.

YOUR INDEX:
Realizing that your handicap should go up when you play a tougher course, it was felt that a value should be placed on your abilities at a known golf course.  This value is calculated on the basis of your entered scores just like your handicap but is calculated to 1 decimal point.  This is your Index.

In order to arrive at your handicap for a different golf course, you would take your Index and check with the Golf Shop staff of this course.  You will need to know which tee box you will use for that day's play.  They will either tell you what your handicap is for that golf course or will indicated where the chart containing the Index numbers versus Handicap for each set of tee boxes on the golf course is located.  All you do then is read your index on the chart and your handicap for that golf course should be right beside it.  These three factors are used to make the game equal and enjoyable by every level of golfer.

COURSE RATING:
The "course rating" for a golf course is the par value assigned to that golf course by a group of experts.  You would subtract this value from your 18 hole score and use the resultant value in the computation of your Handicap and Index.  For example a woman playing from the red tee box who scores 96 for 18 holes would enter into the computer a score of 96 - 74.6 (the course rating for the red tee box) = 21.4.  This calculated value is also known as the differential for that round of golf.

At Pinebrook we use the honour system in maintaining our handicaps.  Instances of known handicap abuse should be reported to Head Professional who will then discuss the matter with the Golf and Grounds Committee if he deems necessary.