Broadmoor Golf Club Handicap Policy

Transcription

1 2014 Broadmoor Golf Club Handicap Policy

2 "The purpose of the USGA Handicap System is to make the game of golf more enjoyable by enabling golfers of differing abilities to compete on an equitable basis. The System provides a fair Course Handicap for each player regardless of ability, and adjusts a player's USGA Handicap Index up or down as the player's game changes. At the same time, the System disregards high scores that bear little relation to the player's potential ability and promotes continuity by making a Handicap Index continuous from one playing season or year to the next. A USGA Handicap Index is useful for all forms of play, and is issued only to individuals who are members of a golf club. Two basic premises underlie the USGA Handicap System, namely that each player will try to make the best score at every hole in every round, regardless of where the round is played, and that the player will post every acceptable round for peer review. The player and the player's Handicap Committee have joint responsibility for adhering to these premises. The following Handicapping and Score Posting Procedures are in effect beginning March 1 st, 2014 at Broadmoor Golf Club for all members desiring to have an OGA/USGA Handicap Index. These procedures must be adhered to as part of "Requirements for Compliance" with USGA handicapping rules, and for Broadmoor Golf Club to retain certified and licensed membership status in the Oregon Golf Association. Our club firmly believes that "A player must earn a USGA Handicap Index. No player has an inherent right to a USGA Handicap Index without providing full evidence of ability to the golf club's Handicap Committee." (Section 8-4. USGA Handicap System Manual) 1. A Handicap Committee of has been appointed to ensure that the full intent of the USGA Handicap System is followed. (Section 8) Our club meets the USGA "Definition of a Golf Club", Tom Stell has been officially certified by the OGA through their Handicap Certification Program, and our club has been licensed by the USGA to issue Handicap Indexes. The committee members are Tom Hilleary, Steve Menning, JP Praisler, Todd Newman, David Anderson, Mike Cox and Howie Smith. 2. All rounds are to be played in accordance with the principles of the Rules of Golf. Although Preferred Lies/ Winter Rules conflict with the fundamental principle of playing the ball as it lies, a written local policy has been adopted by this club accepting scores turned in under Preferred Lies and will be posted for clarification when the weather conditions

3 are adverse enough to warrant such a declaration. All rounds played under Preferred Lies still must be posted in active season. (Section 5,7). The Handicap Committee has the authority to make the determination if course conditions are so poor that score posting should be suspended for a brief period. If score posting is suspended for an extended period, the golf club must obtain approval from the OGA. 3. Member's scores are to be returned to the GHIN Computer Located in the Pro shop at Broadmoor Golf Course or by posting scores using GHIN computers at away courses or by the internet service within 24 hours of completing play. Please note the Handicap Revision Schedule for the eighteen times per year ( the 1 st and 15 th of the month) that updated Handicap Indexes are issued for all clubs in the OGA region. Since the OGA is a seasonal association, there is an active handicapping period and an "offseason" in which local scores are not to be posted to your score history. Please take note of these dates. Handicap cards/stickers are available for printing on revision days at Broadmoor Pro Shop, (use computer to print your own labels). If you'd rather receive your updated Handicap Index via , please let Tom Stell know, or sign up directly at 4. All eligible scores must be posted to your score history, including all 9-hole rounds! Home scores are to be posted within 1 day of the round, and away scores within 1 day (or you may simply post as a guest at the away courses). If the player fails to post an acceptable score within these guidelines the Committee will post the actual score (if we know what that is) or a penalty score. Each golfer is responsible for adjusting their own scores for Equitable Stroke Control and for knowing how to adjust scores for not finishing either a hole or a round; if you are confused about the proper adjustments, please consult the bulletin board or ask a Committee member. (see "Score Posting Responsibilities"). If you are traveling during the OGA off season to sunbelt states, those rounds MUST be posted to your scoring history. Post when and where you play, if at all possible. It is imperative that you get your rounds in prior to the revision date, as the OGA updates Handicap Indexes at the end of each month during the off season. If you find you have made a mistake in posting at any time during the year, please tomstell@comcast.net to make the correction to your score history as soon as possible. 5. Peer review is an essential part of the USGA Handicap System and will be in place at all times at this club! Members' scores must freely be viewed by any other member at any time by way of (specific screen on GHIN program, printout listing members' score histories, or inquiries on and The responsibility rests on of all of us to keep each other honest! Please point out to your fellow players when they are not observing either the Rules of Golf or the Handicap System. If the player refuses to abide by the proper procedures, do not hesitate to contact the Handicap Committee. We are determined to keep our games fair and can only do so if everyone follows the same code. 6. The Handicap Committee has the responsibility for making certain that a player has a USGA Handicap Index reflecting their potential ability. Under the following circumstances, it will be necessary for the Handicap Committee to adjust the player's Handicap Index. However, the following list is not all-inclusive, and a Handicap Committee has the ultimate authority to adjust a Handicap Index under any circumstance that it feels necessary to do so.

4 a. Improving Faster Than the System Can React. b. Numerous Away or Internet Scores Change Index. c. Temporary Disability. d. Failure to Post. e. Player Manipulates Round: posting erroneous scores, stopping play after 6 holes to avoid posting scores, repeatedly playing more than one ball to avoid posting scores, not adjusting hole scores under Section 4, deliberately reporting more or fewer strokes than actually scored, or deliberately taking extra strokes to inflate a score. f. Continued violations of Section 5-1f ("Unacceptable Scores"). If it is necessary to attach a penalty score, it will be denoted as a "P" score on a members' score history and the member will not be notified. If a modification (adjustment) is due, a letter will be sent to the member describing the infraction and what the adjustment to his Handicap Index will be. The member will be invited to respond to the Committee prior to the official adjustment. If a member persists to violate score posting procedures and thereby does not observe the spirit of the USGA Handicap System, the Handicap Committee is authorized and encouraged to consider withdrawal of the player's Handicap Index. (Section 8) 7. A Tournament Committee has been appointed to administer club events. JP Praisler and David Anderson are the 2014 co Tournament Chairman. They and there committee's decisions are final. The committee members are Tom Hilleary, Steve Menning, Todd Newman, Tom Stell, Mike Cox and Howie Smith Certain events listed on the club calendar shall be denoted as "tournaments" (check the calendar for which events will have this designation) and these rounds will be posted as a score type "T" to members' score histories by the Committee, not by the individual golfer. Tournament performance will be reviewed by the Handicap Committee, and if a golfer has had their Handicap Index reduced for exceptional tournament play the Committee may further reduce or override the reduction after careful evaluation (the player has a right to appeal to the committee if they wish), or continue to allow the reduction to run its normal course. Only the club's Handicap Committee can make an override decision; not the OGA or the USGA. (Section 8-4 and 10-3) 8. For new members, the Handicap Committee will make every effort to obtain any previous scoring records available, with corresponding USGA Course and Slope Ratings (through the player's previous golf club, authorized golf association, or computation service, or by communicating directly with the player) so that a continuous history can be maintained. If such a scoring history is unavailable, the new member must return 5 scores to establish a USGA Handicap Index at the next revision period. (Section 8) If there are any questions regarding these procedures, please contact Tom Stell or any board member for clarification and assistance. Please check the handicap bulletin board for pertinent information from our club, USGA and the OGA throughout the year. We ask that you assist us in providing equitable and accurate handicaps at our club by complying with all of these policies. Your role is essential in helping to make the game of golf at Broadmoor Golf Club both fair and enjoyable.

5 Score Posting Responsibilities The Oregon Golf Association firmly believes that the responsibility of score posting should be on the INDIVIDUAL GOLFER, not the Pro Shop Staff or the Handicap Committee. For a golfer with an OGA/USGA Handicap Index, posting a score immediately after play should be an automatic duty to be carried out effortlessly. Every OGA member club should ensure that their handicapping computer or score posting sheets are easily available, preferably in the Pro Shop or adjacent hallway, for members and guests alike. Not only does this make it convenient to quickly post a score, the Committee must make all scores of every member available for inspection at all times to satisfy peer review requirements. FUNDAMENTAL PLAYER RESPONSIBILITIES: KNOW AND APPLY THE RULES OF GOLF KNOW YOUR CURRENT OGA/USGA HANDICAP INDEX CONVERT YOUR OGA/USGA HANDICAP INDEX TO A COURSE HANDICAP USING THE PROPER SLOPE CHART FOR THE SET OF TEES YOU ARE PLAYING IS YOUR PARTNER PLAYING A DIFFERENT SET OF TEES? YOU MUST MAKE A SECOND ADJUSTMENT TO YOUR COURSE HANDICAPS BEFORE YOU PLAY! THE DIFFERENCE IN THE COURSE RATINGS MUST BE GIVEN AS EXTRA STROKES TO THE GOLFER PLAYING THE HIGHER RATED SET OF TEES DETERMINE HOW MANY STROKES YOU RECEIVE FOR THE GAME YOU ARE PLAYING, AND ON WHAT HOLES TO TAKE THEM ADJUST YOUR SCORES FOR: EQUITABLE STROKE CONTROL (ESC), INCOMPLETED HOLES, CONCEDED STROKES, AND HOLES NOT PLAYED POST EVERY SCORE IN SEASON PLAYED UNDER THE RULES OF GOLF, NO MATTER WHERE YOU PLAY. IF YOUR HANDICAP COMMITTEE HAS DETERMINED THAT PREFERRED LIES/WINTER RULES ARE IN EFFECT, YOU STILL MUST POST YOUR SCORE! KNOW WHAT MAKES A SCORE UNACCEPTABLE FOR HANDICAP PURPOSES

6 Handicap System Manual Section 5 - Scores USGA Handicap System Manual, Player and Handicap Committee Responsibilities SCORES 5.1. Acceptability of Scores Fair handicapping depends upon full, accurate information regarding a player's potential scoring ability as reflected by a complete scoring record. Every player must be responsible for returning all his acceptable scores, as defined in this section. For handicap purposes, all Section 4 adjustments, including Equitable Stroke Control, must be applied to all scores including Tournament Scores. a. To post a 9-hole score, the player must play 7 to 12 holes, and at least 7 holes must be played in accordance with the principle of the Rules of Golf. To post an 18-hole score, the player must play at least 13 holes in accordance with the principles of the Rules of Golf. (See Decisions 5-1a/3 through 5-1a/5.) b. Scores on All Courses - Adjusted gross scores from all courses with a USGA Course Rating and Slope Rating made during an active season, both at home and away, must be posted by the player, along with the appropriate USGA Course Rating and USGA Slope Rating. (See Decision 5-1b/1.) c. Scores in All Forms of Competition - Scores in both match play and stroke play must be posted for handicap purposes. This includes scores made in match play, multi-ball or team competitions in which players have not completed one or more holes or in which players are requested to pick up when out of contention on a hole. (See Decision 5-1c/1 & Section 4.) d. Disqualification - A player who is disqualified from a competition, but has an acceptable score, must record an adjusted gross score for handicap purposes. For example, a player who is disqualified from a competition for failure to sign his scorecard has an acceptable score for handicap purposes. e. Unacceptable Scores - Scores made under the following conditions are not acceptable for handicap purposes and must not be entered in the player's scoring record: (i) When fewer than seven holes are played;

7 (ii) When made on a golf course in an area in which an inactive season established by the authorized golf association is in effect; (iii) When the length of the course is less than 3,000 yards for 18 holes (or less than 1,500 yards for 9 holes); (iv) When, as a condition of the competition, the maximum number of clubs allowed is less than 14, or types of clubs are limited as, for example, in a competition that allows only iron clubs; (v) When scores are made on a course with no USGA Course Rating or Slope Rating; (vi) When a player uses non-conforming clubs, non-conforming balls, or tees; (vii) With respect to Rule 14-3 (Rules of Golf), when an artificial device or piece of unusual equipment is used during the execution of a stroke or when equipment is used in an unusual manner during the execution of a stroke. (See Decision 5-1f/2 for an exception.) 5-2. Posting Scores a. General Posting scores in person immediately following the round at the course where the round is played is the preferred way to expose scores to peer review. This method of posting must be used whenever possible. The place for returning scores from all courses should be convenient to make it as easy as possible for players to record every round played. The form of reporting is the responsibility of the golf club or the authorized golf association, and will depend upon the procedure adopted by the Handicap Committee. The posed scores for the day must be immediately available to all members for peer review. For handicap purposes, the following information shall be returned in person immediately following the round at the course where the round was played or, if that is not possible, as soon as practicable prior to the next revision so that a scoring record is up-to-date (See 5-2a/2): (i) (ii) Player's name or identification number; Date; (iii) Course Name; (iv) USGA Course Rating and USGA Slope Rating of the course played; (v) Adjusted gross score; (vi) Score type for Tournament Scores or scores posted via the Internet. (See Score Type definition in Section 2.) The Handicap Committee may adopt a policy to occasionally accept scores returned

8 by , facsimile, Internet or surface mail. Scores may not be returned verbally by the telephone. Scores returned to the club by , facsimile, Internet or surface mail must be exposed to the same peer review as scores posted in person at the club. If a club adopts a policy to accept scores via , facsimile, Internet, or surface mail, the Handicap Committee must designate an official at the club who is authorized to receive these scores. If a golf club adopts a policy to accept scores posted via the Internet, the club must also provide the ability to review all scores for all members via the Internet. Total scores may be returned and need not be recorded hole-by-hole. The Handicap Committee may require the returning or attesting of scorecards periodically in order to assist in its responsibilities, but this requirement must not be used to affect the acceptability of a score. A score is acceptable for handicap posting purposes regardless of whether a scorecard accompanies it. (See Decisions 5-2a/3 & 5-2a/4.) b. Posting a Score When a Complete Round is not Played If 13 or more holes are played, the player must post an 18-hole score. If 7 to 12 holes are played, the player must post a nine-hole score. In either case, scores for unplayed holes must be recorded as par plus any handicap strokes that the player is entitled to receive on the unplayed holes. (See Section 4-2 & 5-1a.) Example: A player with a Course Handicap of 30 stops playing after 16 holes because of darkness. Hole 17 is a par 3 and is the number 18 handicap-stroke hole. The player will record 3 (par) plus 1 handicap stroke for an x-4 on hole 17. Hole 18 is a par 4 and the number 12 handicap-stroke hole. The player will record 4 (par) plus 2 handicap strokes for an x-6 on hole 18. c. Posting Nine-Hole Scores To be acceptable for handicap purposes, nine-hole scores must meet the following conditions: (i) (ii) The course must have a nine-hole USGA Course Rating and USGA Slope Rating; At least seven holes must be played. There is no restriction on the number of nine-hole scores posted to a player's record. Even if a player plays a majority of nine-hole rounds, he can still utilize a Handicap Index (see Section 10-2) rather than a Handicap Index (N). (See Section 10-5 for computation of a Handicap Index (N).) (See Decision 5-2c/1.)

9 d. Treatment of Nine-Hole Scores Once posted, a nine-hole score will be treated as follows: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) Nine-hole scores must not be designated as T-scores; When two nine-hole scores are combined, the USGA Course Rating is the sum of each nine-hole USGA Course Rating and the Slope Rating is the average of the Slope Rating of the two nines (if the average is.5, it is rounded upward to the next whole number); Two nine-hole scores combined to create an 18-hole score should be designated with the letter C (e.g. 85C). If either of the two nine-hole scores was posted via Internet (see Section 5-2a(vi), the score should be designated CI; Nine-hole scores are combined in the order that they are received into the player's scoring record from any club or from any combination of nines, regardless of score type. For example, a front nine middle tee score could combine with a front nine back tee score made from any course. An 18-hole score created by the combination of two nine-hole scores will display the date and course name (if applicable) of the latest nine hole score (e.g., April 29 and May 4 = May 4). A nine-hole score will be retained for the combination with another ninehole score until it is older than the twentieth oldest eighteen-hole score in the scoring record, and nine-hole scores will be combined in the order they are received in the player's record, and "not necessarily by date." e. Posting a Tournament Score 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 should be played under the principles of the Rules of Golf. The committee (preferably the Handicap Committee, in consultation with the committee in charge of the competition) must determine in advance if these conditions are met, and announce in advance whether the score must be identified by the letter "T" when posted. Routine events, such as regular play days normally are not to be designated as T-scores because they are not significant in the traditions, schedules, formats and membership of the club.

10 f. Committee Posting a Score For a Player If a player fails to post a score, the Handicap Committee may post the score without the player's authorization. (See Section 8-4b). In a competition, the committee in charge of the competition may post the scores of all competitors. The Committee must notify the players that it will post the scores in order to prevent scores from being posted by both the players and the Committee. g. Posting a Score from an Unrated Set of Tees on a Rated Course Authorized golf associations issue a USGA Course Rating and Slope Rating for the most commonly played sets of tees. If USGA Course Rating and Slope Rating from a selected set of tees are not available for the appropriate gender, the player may apply the following procedure on a temporary basis: Locate the nearest set of rated tees for the appropriate gender; Determine the yardage difference between the set of tees being played and the rated set of tees; Using the following table, find the range that includes the yardage difference;

11 Course Handicaps Explained Official definition from the USGA Handicap System Manual ( ): Converting a USGA Handicap Index against a slope chart (or conversion table) is what makes your handicap "portable" from course to course and lets you know how many strokes you will receive from the set of tees you are playing. (You may need more strokes on a difficult golf course, fewer on an easier course.) Your Handicap Index is denoted as a whole number and a decimal fraction; for example, 15.5, and you must "convert" this Index to a whole number course handicap every time you play. This also leads you to what your maximum hole stroke number would be (Equitable Stroke Control). "A Course Handicap is the USGA's mark that indicates the number of handicap strokes a player receives from a specific set of tees at the course being played to adjust the player's scoring ability to the level of scratch or 0-handicap golf. For a player with a plus Course Handicap, it is the number of artificial strokes the player gives to adjust the player's scoring ability to the level of scratch or 0-handicap golf. A Course Handicap is determined by applying the player's USGA Handicap Index to a Course Handicap Table or Course Handicap Formula. A Player's Course Handicap is expressed as a whole number." Remember, a "home course handicap" is the number of strokes you receive AT YOUR HOME COURSE (usually appears on your GHIN Handicap label)! You still must complete a conversion of your USGA Handicap Index before you play at any other golf course, or a different set of tees at your own course. KNOW YOUR CURRENT USGA HANDICAP INDEX CHECK THE COURSE HANDICAP TABLE (SLOPE OR CONVERSION CHART) FOR THE TEES YOU'RE PLAYING TO DETERMINE HOW MANY STROKES YOU WILL RECEIVE Slope Charts are available at every golf course, or check the back of the "USGA Handicap System Reference Guide" DETERMINE YOUR COURSE HANDICAP, AND ESC MAXIMUM FOR YOUR GAME ON THAT DAY REMEMBER, FAILURE TO POST SCORES CREATES ERRONEOUS HANDICAPS! PLEASE SUPPORT THE INTEGRITY OF HANDICAPPING AT YOUR CLUB AND TAKE ACTION IF A GOLFER DOESN'T POST THEIR SCORES.

12 Our Favorite Excuses for Not Posting a Score What's your Favorite Excuse? I was playing with my wife/husband/my kids/my grand kids I'm just a beginner/i was playing with a beginner I was too embarrassed and just wanted to go home I didn't know the Course/Slope Rating I was on vacation I was in another state and they're not on GHIN I wasn't playing my Home Course The clubhouse was closed I only played seven holes/thirteen holes after work I finished in the dark The weather was really bad I was playing alone My score was too low/too high There was a temporary tee/temporary green on the course I forgot I forgot my GHIN card I was playing in a match and picked up twice/ I was playing in a match and I lost I lost my scorecard I was playing in a best-ball I played a different set of tees I was using new clubs I was just practicing; I practice a lot I don't play in tournaments anyway I was drinking beer while I was playing I was just playing for fun I haven't played in a long time I was in a hurry I was playing Winter Rules in July The course was a cow pasture My ball went in the water and a fish ate it I don't want my handicap to go down/up I didn't keep score/i don't have to post every score do I? Our group doesn't start playing for another week/stopped playing last week I don't understand handicapping; I just signed up because we have great card games after we play "So and so" doesn't post; why should I? POST YOUR SCORES! (SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO USE ONE OF THESE RIDICULOUS EXCUSES)