2005 #8 What is your Handicap?

The Scene:
You played on a Thursday play-day and shot a record low score for you. You were excited. You hurried to the breezeway to post your score. The score sheet was broken up into flights A, B, C and D. Your handicap was listed on the handicap sheet (near the computer) as 25.1. So you entered your score in flight B (19-26). But your gross score is higher than most of the others in that flight and your net score is 71, only one below par. There is no way you can win.

What would you do?
A. Throw up your hands and accept it. Golf is just not fair.
B. Recheck your handicap. Make sure you got your course handicap and not your handicap index.

B is correct. If your score is really low for you, your net score should be lower than 71.
Where should you look? There are two places that have your course handicap. One is the computer and the other is the list in the handicap book near the computer.
Both give you two numbers, your handicap index and your course handicap. You want your course handicap, the number without the decimal place. But what’s the difference? Why do they have two numbers?
Your handicap index is the true measure of your golfing skills. It is the same no matter where you play. Your course handicap is the number of strokes you are given to play a particular course, like Bay Hill. If the course you are playing is difficult you’ll be given more strokes; if it is easy you will be given fewer strokes.

For example, suppose your handicap index is 25.1. When you play Bay Hill your course handicap will be 28. When you play Tuscawilla your course handicap will be 27; when you play Grand Cypress GC your course handicap will be 25. But at every one of those courses your handicap index will be the same 25.1. If you had given your course handicap in the scenario above (instead of your handicap index) your net score would have been 68. And you probably would have won your flight.

If you play as a guest at another course and are asked for your handicap, give them your handicap index (the number with the decimal place). They will use that to calculate a course handicap for you to use there.

REMEMBER: On any playday when you are asked for your handicap, give your course handicap.