HANDICAP PROCESS

1. The Club uses the USGA Golf Handicap Information Network (GHIN) for inputting scores for Club tournaments and calculating/ updating a Handicap Index for each member.  The fee for this service is included in the membership dues, unless the member already pays for this service via another club (such as Mount Pleasant). 

2. The GHIN system handicapping process follows USGA handicapping rules which are explained in detail within the USGA Rules website (USGA.org). Notable terms and their definitions are as follows:

Gross Score: The actual score for the round.

Adjusted Gross Score: The Gross Score less the number of strokes on holes that exceed the allowed Net Double Bogey

Net Double Bogey: Par for the hole + 2 strokes + strokes allowed foe that hole based upon handicap

Score Differential: (113/Slope Rating) x (Adjusted Gross Score – Course Rating)

Handicap Index: Average of the 8 lowest Score Differentials once 20 rounds have been entered. When fewer than 20 rounds have been entered, fewer Score Differentials are used based upon a USGA table.

Course Index:  Handicap Index x (Slope Rating / 113) + (Course Rating – Par)

3.  New Members:

a.    If a new member already has a current USGA Handicap Index and associated GHIN account, that index will be used to calculate a Course Index for Pine Ridge and calculating net scores.  That GHIN account will be used by Pine Ridge for entering subsequent tournament scores.

b.    If a new member does NOT have a USGA Handicap Index and GHIN account, a GHIN account will be established for that new member. Pine Ridge tournament scores will be entered for that member until the required minimum 3 scores are entered to obtain the initial Handicap Index. 

c. New members may also utilize their new GHIN account to enter recent tournament scores from other organizations in order to obtain an initial Handicap Index more quickly for use in Pine Ridge tournaments.  The new member must provide documentation of those previous scores to the Handicap Chairman prior to entering the scores into their GHIN account.

4. Entering Scores from other Organizations: Members may also use the GHIN system to enter tournament scores from other organizations following the instructions given within the GHIN website. When doing so, the Handicap Index will be calculated using the most recent scores, regardless of the courses played.

 

5.  Handicap Index Updating: The GHIN system automatically updates the Handicap Index for each member within a day or so from entering a new score.  The Handicap Index and associated Course Index of each member for a particular tournament will be as of approximately 2-3 days prior to the tournament date as determined by the tournament director. However, for the two Championship rounds, the handicap used for the initial round will be maintained the same for the second round.