TAMARAW GOLF CLUB

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about our handicap system

 

Why do our handicaps change or issued from week to week?

Our local rules, which were approved by the membership, enables us to issue a weekly revision of handicap. This enables the handicap to quickly reflect the potential ability of a player more accurately. USGA allows such revision as long as the handicaps issued are used local to the club. Official USGA Handicaps are revised and issued every 2 weeks.

 

Why does the Handicap and Peer Review Committee adjust our handicap?

Section 8-4 of the USGA Handicap System manual provides for the committee to adjust a player’s handicap index. One of the common reasons is the exceptional performance clause when a player had scored 3 strokes better than his/her index at least twice in the last 20 games. This will automatically trigger a review.

Another reason is when the player had a temporary disability  and the player requested for a handicap adjustment.

 

Handicap History Table Example

Most Recent Score on #1

A

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

B

98

89

95

83

93

101

95

90

94

87

86

88

89

94

88

94

94

91

94

96

C

24.1

17.5

22.7

15.8

24.1

27.3

24.7

16.4

24.4

22.4

15.9

21.5

21

24.1

17.8

24.4

24

21.6

25.9

26.2

D

 

*

*

*

 

 

 

*

 

*

*

*

*

 

*

 

 

*

 

 

 

Why is it that the scores posted (row A) are, sometimes, different from my actual score?

The scores posted for handicap are your adjusted scores. These may not necessarily be equal to your actual scores. Adjustments are made according to USGA Handicap System (see section 4-3 equitable stroke control).

 

In the handicap table above, if I have two bad games in a row, will my handicap index increase?

No. The 2 games will be entered in column 1 and 2 pushing the scores to the right which  pushes out the scores in column 19 and 20 out of the table. As you can see the good games are still in the table (marked with asterisk in row D). The worst 10 games are ignored by the calculation. Every time a revision is made, the process always looks for the best 10 differentials in your last twenty games.

 

In Columns 12 and 15, they both had a score of  88, how come their differentials (row C) are different?

The differentials were calculated based on the courses’ difficulty or slope rating. The formula goes as follows: After adjusting the score, subtract the course rating and divide the difference by the course’s slope rating. Multiply this number by the constant 113. The answer is rounded to the nearest 10th. This gives you the standardized differential.

 

OK, What if I had 2 great games in row, will my handicap change?

If you have differentials better than the ones marked with an asterisk your handicap will definitely change (lowered). Remember, the best games are taken into account; the bad games, ignored.

 

How is my handicap index calculated?

Using the example table, add up all the 10 best differentials. The sum is then averaged (divided by 10). The result is then multiplied by 0.96. The final result, to the tenth decimal (no rounding off), is your handicap index.

 

I am confused, what is the difference between the handicap index and a handicap?

Your handicap is based on your home course slope rating. At Tamaraw Golf Club our home course slope rating is 116. If you divide your handicap index by 113 then multiply the result by 116, rounding the result to the nearest unit which yields your course handicap.

 

How does our Handicap and Peer Review Committee work?

The main function of the committee is to ensure equity in our handicap system. When reviews are made, the player(s) handicap(s) in question are presented to the committee for study. Committee members have access to the records of the player(s). The members vote on the case(s) presented. Majority rules. The Chairperson, votes only when there is a tie.

 

Who makes the recommendation for handicap index adjustment?

A computer program reviews the records of the players which flags a player for review. This is done for exceptional performance. For others, a formal petition must be made by the player for consideration.

 

If I have a complaint who do I talk to?

A player must communicate with the Chairperson of Handicap and Peer Review Committee or its members. It must be properly identified as to the source of the complaint. Complaints made outside the committee are discouraged and will be ignored.

 

Before I make a complaint, what should I do?

READ THE USGA HANDICAP SYSTEM MANUAL AND THE TAMARAW PLAYERS’ MANUAL