golfrewind.com

To get my first handicap . I have to hand three score cards in with a signature from a member of my club right ?

Also , is the handicap system the same in America as it is in England ? I have heard some people talking about . something handicap in America which i thought you couldn't get ?

Thanks

i work at a couple clubs and most clubs now are members of the GHIN. Golf Handicap Index Network I believe. This is what the USGA goes by. I was going to enter the local us open qualifier, but then I found out you need a 1.4 index maximum to qualify for the qualifier. so that got axed out. We just enter our scores in the computer and they get updated every so often.

To get your first official handicap here, speak to your club pro. He will probably be happy to give you a provisional one based on three recent (and indicative) scorecards. Then play a few qualifying comps at the club to see where you fit...

Many clubs have gone AWAY from GHIN because of the cost. They are still the largest but not necessarily the best. There are several other services that calculate the same USGA Index and cost the club much less. GHIN's other problem was the fact they were initially behind on the computerized handicapping when others were geared up. The Carolinas Golf Association uses GolfNet which also services Florida, Virginia, and Maryland. They pretty much have the major golf destinations on the East Coast wrapped up. I believe Michigan's Association developed their own system but I could be mistaken on that.

This year at my course, in Minnesota, they switched to NGN (National Golf Network). Sure is nice to be able to enter scores from home. There is also a game tracker feature to keep track of statistics in your profile. Putt per round, GIR, fairways hit, birdies. ect..

Does the USGA index take into account the slope rating system? Or is that a manual adjustment?

Over here our handicaps are calculated to your home course, and although every course has a "Standard Scratch Score" which I believe equates to the US rating system, we don't have slope ratings to help adjust for relative course difficulty. Thus my home course handicap cannot easily be adjusted to give me an idea what I should shoot if I play off the tournament tees at Carnoustie.

For those who aren't club members and are looking to establish a handicap, www.golfserv.com will accumulate your scores and provide a printable handicap card for a small fee.

The Index takes the slope into account when you post. When you go to play at another course, you look your index up in a chart which takes the new slope into account and converts your handicap to that course and tees.

I've just been tohttp://www.popeofslope.com and I fully grasp slope now. Great system that I wish was in use over here - would put my away scores in perspective.

If we get a handicap on our home course here in the U.K , can we use that one on other courses ?

Anyone got an answer to my question about - " I thought that you couldn't get a point something handicap " , is that only in America ?

Thanks

The UK uses decimal point handicaps as well, however, like in the US, you play to a full stroke handicap, rounded up or down from your "actual" handicap. However, when you play other courses you use your home course handicap, we don't have a portability system to adjust for the relative difficulties of different courses.

To fully understand handicapping, why not spend 10 minutes chatting with the pro at your club? Or go to Google and research how the system works in the UK.

With my academy lessons we learn technique as well at etiquette and rules so i will be learning about the handicapping system soon . Also i found out last night that we do use a decimal point system handicap system from my dad

Hopefully , as i am a member of my clubs , or be it a academy member , i am hoping to get a handicap soon . One question , can the cards i have to hand in be from anywhen ?

Thanks

Anywhen?? They can be from any course, it helps your pro/secretary if they are locally known courses, just so they can factor in what they know about how difficult the courses are. But they should be recent scores, and should reflect your real ability - ie if you figure you normally shoot 95, don't put in three cards showing 105.