Wednesday Night Independent Golf League

2009 Handicap Information

Lemming

Blue Fox Handicaps

Section 10 USGA HANDICAP FORMULA

A Handicap Index is the USGA’s service mark used to indicate a measurement of a player’s potential ability on a course of standard difficulty. Potential ability is measured by a player’s best scores, and is expressed as a number taken to one decimal place. These scores are identified by calculating the handicap differential for each score. The USGA Handicap Index is calculated by taking 96 percent of the average of the best handicap differentials, and applying Section 10-3 for golfers with two or more eligible Tournament Scores.
10-1. How to Determine Handicap Differentials
A handicap differential is computed from four elements: adjusted gross score, USGA Course Rating, USGA Slope Rating and 113 (the Slope Rating of a course of standard difficulty). To determine the handicap differential, subtract the USGA Course Rating from the adjusted gross score; multiply the difference by 113; then divide the resulting number by the USGA Slope Rating. Round the final number to the nearest tenth.

Handicap Differential =
(Adjusted Gross Score - USGA Course Rating) x 113 / USGA Slope Rating

 a. Plus Handicap Differential

When the adjusted gross score is higher than the USGA Course Rating, the handicap differential is a positive number. Following is an example for determining a differential using an adjusted gross score of 95 made on a course with a USGA Course Rating of 69.2 and a USGA Slope Rating of 121:

Adjusted Gross Score - USGA Course Rating:
  95 - 69.2 = 25.8
Difference x Standard Slope:
  25.8 x 113 = 2915.4
Result / USGA Slope Rating:
  2915.4 / 121 = 24.09
Handicap Differential (rounded):
  24.1

 b. Minus Handicap Differential

When the adjusted gross score is lower than the USGA Course Rating, the handicap differential is a negative number. Following is an example for determining a differential using an adjusted gross score of 69 made on a course with a USGA Course Rating of 69.2 and a USGA Slope Rating of 121:

Adjusted Gross Score - USGA Course Rating:
   67 - 69.2 = -2.2
Difference x Standard Slope:
  -2.2 x 113 = -248.6
Result / USGA Slope Rating:
  -248.6 / 121 = -2.05
Handicap Differential (rounded):
  -2.1
10-2. USGA Handicap Index Formula
The USGA Handicap Index Formula is based on the best handicap differentials in a player’s scoring record. If a player’s scoring record contains 20 or more scores, the best 10 handicap differentials of the most recent 20 scores are used to calculate the USGA Handicap Index. The percentage of scores used in a scoring record decreases from the maximum of the best 50 percent as the number of scores in the scoring record decreases. If the scoring record contains 9 or 10 scores, only the best three scores (30 to 33 percent) in the scoring record will be used. Thus, the accuracy of a player’s Handicap Index is directly proportional to the number of acceptable scores posted. A USGA Handicap Index shall not be issued to a player who has returned fewer than five acceptable scores. The following procedures illustrate how authorized golf associations and golf clubs calculate a player’s Handicap Index.

The procedure for calculating Handicap Indexes is as follows:

  1. Use the table below to determine the number of handicap differentials to use;

    Number of
    Acceptable Scores
    Differentials
    To Be Used
    5 or 6
    Lowest 1
    7 or 8
    Lowest 2
    9 or 10
    Lowest 3
    11 or 12
    Lowest 4
    13 or 14
    Lowest 5
    15 or 16
    Lowest 6
    17
    Lowest 7
    18
    Lowest 8
    19
    Lowest 9
    20
    Lowest 10

     

  2. Determine handicap differentials;

     

  3. Average the handicap differentials being used;

     

  4. Multiply the average by .96; *

     

  5. Delete all numbers after the tenths’ digit. Do not round off to the nearest tenth.

     

    Example 1: Fewer than 20 scores (11 scores available).

    Total of lowest 4 handicap differentials:
    		   104.1
    Average (104.1 / 4):
    		  26.025
    Multiply average by .96:
    		  24.984
    Delete digits after tenths:
    		  24.9
    USGA Handicap Index:
    		  24.9

    * Bonus for Excellence is the incentive that is built into the USGA Handicap System for players to improve their golf games. It is the term used to describe the small percentage below perfect equity that is used to calculate Handicap Indexes (96%). As his Handicap Index improves (gets lower), the player has a slightly better chance of placing high or winning a handicap event.

    Example 2: Twenty Scores available. The following is a sample scoring record of a player with 20 scores.

    Total of 10 lowest differentials:
    		   154.8
    Average (154.8 / 10):
    		   15.48
    Average multiplied by .96:
    		   14.861
    Delete all digits after tenths:
    		   14.8
    USGA Handicap Index:
    		   14.8

     

  6. Apply Section 10-3 for golfers with two or more eligible tournament scores.
Date
USGA
Adjusted
Score
USGA
Course
Rating
Slope
Rating
Handicap
Differential
3/21/97
90
70.1
116
19.4
3/12/97
91
70.1
116
20.4
2/24/97
94
72.3
123
19.9
2/20/97
*88
70.1
116
17.4
1/18/97
89
70.1
116
18.4
1/17/97
*90
72.3
123
16.3
1/16/97
*91
72.3
123
17.2
12/12/96
91
70.1
116
20.4
12/10/96
91
70.1
116
20.4
11/8/96
86
68.7
105
18.6
11/4/96
90
70.1
116
19.4
11/1/96
*92
72.3
123
18.1
10/24/96
*85
68.0
107
18.0
10/16/96
*78
68.7
105
10.0
10/12/96
*82
70.1
116
11.6
10/2/96
*84
70.1
116
13.5
9/14/96
94
72.3
123
19.9
9/5/96
93
72.3
123
19.0
9/4/96
*89
72.3
123
15.3
9/1/96
*88
70.1
116
17.4
* 10 scores with lowest handicap differentials

 
10-3. Reduction Of USGA Handicap Index Based on Exceptional Tournament Scores
A tournament score is a score made in a competition organized and conducted by a committee in charge of the competition. The competition must identify a winner(s) based on a stipulated round(s), and must be played under the principles of the Rules of Golf.

Using the above definition as a guideline, the committee in charge of the competition shall determine in advance if these conditions are met, and announce in advance whether the score shall be identified by the letter "T" when posted.

Routine events such as regular play days are not normally to be designated as T-Scores because they are not significant in the traditions, schedules, formats and membership of the club.

Examples of inter-club competition scores that should be posted as tournament scores when they meet the above conditions are team matches, competitions restricted by age, member-guest competitions, qualifying rounds for city, state and national competitions, and competitions conducted by golf associations.

Examples of intra-club competition scores that should be posted as tournament scores when they meet the above conditions are low gross-low net competitions, four-ball match or stroke-play competitions, Stableford competitions, and club championships which are stroke or match play, scratch or with handicap.

Eligible Tournament Score — An eligible tournament score is any tournament score made either within the last 12 months or within the player’s current 20-score history.

 a. Purpose

The following procedure shall be used as an alternate calculation of a USGA Handicap Index for players with two or more eligible tournament scores. A player’s Handicap Index may be reduced under this procedure when a player has a minimum of two eligible tournament-score differentials that are at least three strokes better than the player’s USGA Handicap Index calculated under Section 10-2.

 b. Determination of USGA Handicap Index Based on Tournament Scores

The Handicap Committee shall apply the following steps to determine if there is a reduction in a USGA Handicap Index calculated under Section 10-2.

  1. Calculate the tournament score differentials by subtracting the USGA Course Rating from each eligible tournament score; multiply the result by 113, and divide by the USGA Slope Rating for each course played.

     

  2. Select the two lowest tournament score differentials. Subtract the second lowest of these differentials from the player’s current Handicap Index. Continue with the next step if the result is 3.0 or greater.

     

    Example: A player with a USGA Handicap Index of 17.6 has three eligible tournament scores in his record. His two scores, which produce the lowest tournament score differentials are 82 and 83. They were made on a course with a USGA Course Rating of 70.6 and a Slope Rating of 130.

    Tournament Score -- Course Rating:
    		   82-70.6 = 11.4
    Difference x 113:
    		   11.4 x 113 = 1288.2
    Result/Slope Rating:
    		   1288.2/130 = 9.9
    Lowest Tournament Score Differential:
    		   9.9
    2nd Lowest Tournament Score Differential:
    		   (83-70.6)x113/130=10.8
    USGA Handicap Index under Section 10-2:
    		  17.6
    Second Lowest Differential:
    		   -10.8
     
    		   6.8
    Since 6.8 is greater than 3.0, continue.
    		    

     

  3. Average the two lowest tournament score differentials.
    (9.9 + 10.8)/2=10.35

     

  4. Subtract that average from the player’s Handicap Index.
    17.6-10.35=7.25

     

  5. Using the number derived in step (iv) and the total number of tournament scores in the player’s record, enter the Handicap Reduction Table below to determine the amount the player’s Index is to be reduced.

     

  6. Subtract the Table value from the player’s Handicap Index. The result of that subtraction will be the player’s USGA Handicap Index provided that it is at least one less than his USGA Handicap Index based on the Formula in Section 10-2.

     

     
    Number of Eligible Tounament Scores
    2
    3
    4
    5-9
    10-19
    20-29
    30-39
    > 40
    Average
    of
    best
    two
    T-Score
    differentials
    below
    Handicap
    Index     		3.0 to 3.4
    *
    *
    *
    *
    *
    *
    *
    *
    3.5 to 3.9
    *
    *
    *
    *
    *
    *
    *
    *
    4.0 to 4.4
    1
    *
    *
    *
    *
    *
    *
    *
    4.5 to 4.9
    1.8
    1
    *
    *
    *
    *
    *
    *
    5.0 to 5.4
    2.6
    1.9
    1
    *
    *
    *
    *
    *
    5.5 to 5.9
    3.4
    2.7
    1.9
    1
    *
    *
    *
    *
    6.0 to 6.4
    4.1
    3.5
    2.8
    1.9
    1
    *
    *
    *
    6.5 to 6.9
    4.8
    4.3
    3.7
    2.9
    2
    1
    *
    *
    7.0 to 7.4
    5.5
    5.0
    4.5
    3.8
    3
    2.1
    1
    *
    7.5 to 7.9
    6.2
    5.7
    5.3
    4.7
    3.9
    3.1
    2.2
    1
    8.0 to 8.4
    6.8
    6.4
    6
    5.5
    4.8
    4.1
    3.2
    2.2
    8.5 to 8.9
    7.4
    7.1
    6.7
    6.2
    5.7
    5
    4.2
    3.3
    9.0 to 9.4
    8.1
    7.8
    7.4
    7
    6.5
    5.9
    5.2
    4.4
    9.5 to 9.9
    8.7
    8.4
    8.1
    7.7
    7.3
    6.7
    6.1
    5.4
    10.0 to 10.4
    9.2
    9.0
    8.8
    8.4
    8
    7.6
    7
    6.4
    10.5 to 10.9
    9.8
    9.5
    9.4
    9.1
    8.7
    8.3
    7.8
    7.2
    11.0 to 11.4
    10.4
    10.2
    10
    9.7
    9.4
    9.1
    8.6
    8.1
    11.5 to 11.9
    11.0
    10.8
    10.6
    10.4
    10.1
    9.8
    9.4
    8.9
    12.0 to 12.4
    11.5
    11.4
    11.2
    11
    10.7
    10.5
    10.1
    9.7
    12.5 to 12.9
    12.1
    11.9
    11.8
    11.6
    11.4
    11.1
    10.8
    10.5
    13.0 to 13.4
    12.6
    12.5
    12.4
    12.2
    12
    11.8
    11.5
    11.2
    13.5 to 13.9
    13.2
    13.1
    12.9
    12.8
    12.6
    12.4
    12.2
    11.9
    14.0 to 14.4
    13.7
    13.6
    13.5
    13.4
    13.2
    13.0
    12.8
    12.6

    Example:

    Value from Handicap Reduction Table:
    		   5.0
    Handicap Index -- Table Value:
    		   17.6-5.0=12.6
    USGA Handicap Index:
    		   12.6

 c. Counting Tournament Scores

  1. T-Score Counter -- The number of eligible T-Scores will be counted on a revolving twelve-month basis. In order to keep track of the counter but not save every T-Score a counter for each month is needed. The T-Score counter will be the sum of the latest twelve monthly counters plus any T-Scores older than one year that are a part of the twenty score history. The monthly counter will increase based on the date a score is processed, not the date of the score.

     

  2. Best T-Score File -- Up to the best six eligible T-Scores are saved in a "Best T-Score File", separate from the golfer’s handicap record of the latest 20 scores.

     

  3. Adding T-Scores -- When a new T-Score is posted, it enters the golfer’s normal handicap record as a score and handicap differential. If the "Best T-Score File" has fewer than six eligible T-Scores in it, the new T-Score is added to that file. If the file already has six T-Scores, the new T-Score, if better than any T-Score in the file, is added to the file and the worst T-Score in the file is deleted from the file, regardless of the date of the T-Scores.

     

  4. Discarding Old T-Scores -- At each handicap revision, each T-Score in the "Best T-Score File" is checked to see if the score is older than one year and no longer part of the player’s current twenty score history. If so, the score is deleted from the file. Deleted T-Scores are replaced by the best eligible T-Scores (if any) in the golfer’s handicap record that are not already in the "Best T-Score File".

     

 d. Duration and Variation of Reduction

USGA Handicap Index reduction for exceptional tournament scores is calculated at each handicap revision and may vary from revision to revision based upon a number of factors. These factors may include the following:

  • Additional Tournament Scores;
  • Expiration of T-Scores;
  • Variation in 10-2 calculation;
  • Fluctuation of 10-2 calculation in relation to the 2 lowest T-Scores.

 e. Handicap Committee Review of Reduction

The Handicap Committee shall review all reductions. The Handicap Committee may further reduce or override the reduction of a player’s Handicap Index if his performance is not consistent with his scoring record. For example, the Handicap Committee may override reduction of the Handicap Index of a player who has been injured, and whose Handicap Index reduction was based on early tournament scores prior to the injury. An override is a Handicap Committee’s action which cancels an Exceptional Tournament Score reduction (Section 10-3b) and is not to be used as a preventative measure in anticipation of blocking a 10-3 reduction. An override should be rescinded when a player no longer has two eligible exceptional tournament scores in his record.

 f. Reporting Requirement

Authorized golf associations and computation service companies shall report any USGA Handicap Index reductions under this procedure (Section 10-3b) to the golf club and, if computational reports are provided to the golf association, the service company shall also report any Handicap Index reductions to the golf association. When a Handicap Index is reduced under this section, it should be identified with the letter R (e.g., 12.3R).
10-4. Course Handicap
A player’s Course Handicap is determined by multiplying his USGA Handicap Index by the USGA Slope Rating of the course played and then dividing by 113. The resulting figure is rounded off to the nearest whole number (.5 or more is rounded upward).

As an additional option, Course Handicaps may be printed on handicap records and cards.
10-5. Nine-Hole Handicaps-Handicap Index (N)
 a. Nine-Hole Handicap Use and Identification

A nine-hole handicap is a USGA Handicap Index provided that the club follows the USGA Handicap System. A nine-hole handicap may be used in inter-club play against other players with nine-hole handicaps. A player with a Handicap Index and a Handicap Index (N) should use his Handicap Index (N) in inter-club nine-hole competition. If a competition requires Handicap Indexes, a Handicap Index (N) may be doubled for 18-hole play. If a player with a Handicap Index plays in a 9-hole competition, he halves his Handicap Index, rounds the hundreth decimal to the nearest tenth and then enters the Course Handicap Table.

 b. Method of Computation

Golf clubs compute Handicap Indexes (N) by applying nine-hole adjusted gross scores to the Course and Slope Ratings of the nine holes played to determine handicap differentials.

Note: A player with a Handicap Index (N) who plays an 18-hole round, shall post two nine-hole scores to his scoring record (N).

Example: For an adjusted gross nine-hole score of 45 with a nine-hole Course Rating of 36.2 and a Slope Rating of 121, the nine-hole handicap differential is (45 - 36.2) x 113 / 121 = 8.2. If the average of the best ten nine-hole handicap differentials is 8.9, then the Handicap Index (N) is 8.9 x .96 = 8.5. It is posted as "8.5N".

 c. Nine-hole 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 ability. ESC sets a maximum number that a player can post on any hole depending on the player’s Course Handicap. ESC is used only when a player’s actual or most likely score exceeds his maximum number based on the table below. There is no limit to the number of holes on which a player may adjust his score.

EQUITABLE STROKE CONTROL

Nine-Hole
Course Handicap
Maximum Number
On Any Hole
4 or less
Double Bogey*
5 through 9
7
10 through 14
8
15 through 19
9
20 or more
10

Example: A player with a nine-hole Course Handicap of 12 must adjust to a maximum number of 8, the score that he can post for any hole, regardless of par.

 d. Maximum Nine-Hole Handicap

The maximum USGA Handicap Index (N) is 18.2 for men and 20.2 for women.

Note: A maximum USGA Handicap Index will convert to a Course Handicap that exceeds these numbers on golf courses with Slope Ratings greater than 113.

A player may have a local handicap above these limits, but it shall be identified as a local handicap by the letter "J" following the number on a handicap card or report. (e.g. 24.5J) When such local handicaps are used for inter-club play, the USGA recommends that they be reduced to the maximum USGA Handicap Indexes (N) specified above.

Blue Fox Run Handicaps

Front (Red) Rating 33.7 Slope 119
Gross Handicap Handicap Course  
Score Differential Index Handicap  
34 0.3 0.3 0
35 1.2 1.2 1
36 2.2 2.1 2
37 3.1 3.0 3
38 4.1 3.9 4
39 5.0 4.8 5
40 6.0 5.7 6
41 6.9 6.7 7
42 7.9 7.6 8
43 8.8 8.5 9
44 9.8 9.4 10
45 10.7 10.3 11
46 11.7 11.2 12
47 12.6 12.1 13
48 13.6 13.0 14
49 14.5 13.9 15
50 15.5 14.9 16
51 16.4 15.8 17
52 17.4 16.7 18 Max Handicap
53 18.3 17.6 19
54 19.3 18.5 19
55 20.2 19.4 20
56 21.2 20.3 21
57 22.1 21.2 22
58 23.1 22.2 23
59 24.0 23.1 24
60 25.0 24.0 25
61 25.9 24.9 26
62 26.9 25.8 27
63 27.8 26.7 28
64 28.8 27.6 29
65 29.7 28.5 30
66 30.7 29.4 31
67 31.6 30.4 32
68 32.6 31.3 33
69 33.5 32.2 34
70 34.5 33.1 35
71 35.4 34.0 36
72 36.4 34.9 37

 

Front (White) Rating 33.9 Slope 121
Gross Handicap Handicap Course  
Score Differential Index Handicap  
34 0.1 0.1 0
35 1.0 1.0 1
36 2.0 1.9 2
37 2.9 2.8 3
38 3.8 3.7 4
39 4.8 4.6 5
40 5.7 5.5 6
41 6.6 6.4 7
42 7.6 7.3 8
43 8.5 8.2 9
44 9.4 9.1 10
45 10.4 10.0 11
46 11.3 10.8 12
47 12.2 11.7 13
48 13.2 12.6 14
49 14.1 13.5 14
50 15.0 14.4 15
51 16.0 15.3 16
52 16.9 16.2 17
53 17.8 17.1 18 Max Handicap
54 18.8 18.0 19
55 19.7 18.9 20
56 20.6 19.8 21
57 21.6 20.7 22
58 22.5 21.6 23
59 23.4 22.5 24
60 24.4 23.4 25
61 25.3 24.3 26
62 26.2 25.2 27
63 27.2 26.1 28
64 28.1 27.0 29
65 29.0 27.9 30
66 30.0 28.8 31
67 30.9 29.7 32
68 31.8 30.6 33
69 32.8 31.5 34
70 33.7 32.4 35
71 34.6 33.3 36
72 35.6 34.2 37

 

Back (Blue) Rating 34.3 Slope 110
Gross Handicap Handicap Course  
Score Differential Index Handicap  
34 -0.3 -0.3 0
35 0.7 0.7 1
36 1.7 1.7 2
37 2.8 2.7 3
38 3.8 3.6 4
39 4.8 4.6 5
40 5.9 5.6 5
41 6.9 6.6 6
42 7.9 7.6 7
43 8.9 8.6 8
44 10.0 9.6 9
45 11.0 10.6 10
46 12.0 11.5 11
47 13.0 12.5 12
48 14.1 13.5 13
49 15.1 14.5 14
50 16.1 15.5 15
51 17.2 16.5 16
52 18.2 17.5 17
53 19.2 18.4 18 Max Handicap
54 20.2 19.4 19
55 21.3 20.4 20
56 22.3 21.4 21
57 23.3 22.4 22
58 24.3 23.4 23
59 25.4 24.4 24
60 26.4 25.3 25
61 27.4 26.3 26
62 28.5 27.3 27
63 29.5 28.3 28
64 30.5 29.3 29
65 31.5 30.3 29
66 32.6 31.3 30
67 33.6 32.2 31
68 34.6 33.2 32
69 35.6 34.2 33
70 36.7 35.2 34
71 37.7 36.2 35
72 38.7 37.2 36
 

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This page was created by Bill Thorpe on Thursday, April 02, 2009