Is It Important to Have An Official Golf Handicap?

Many players when they first begin the game of golf, are simply focused on learning the game. They choose to play for a variety of reasons: for business networking, social gatherings, or just to have fun. But after a few rounds of golf, a player interested in improving her game and playing with a variety of players at different skill levels, begins to think about getting a handicap.

What is a golf handicap? According to Wikipedia,

A handicap is a numerical measure of an amateur golfer’s playing ability based on the tees played for a given course. It is used to calculate a net score from the number of strokes actually played, thus allowing players of different proficiency to play against each other on somewhat equal terms. The higher the handicap of a player, the poorer the player is relative to those with lower handicaps. Handicaps are administered by golf clubs or national golf associations. Exact rules relating to handicaps can vary from country to country.

Handicap systems are not used in professional golf.

If you want to play with golfers of different abilities, getting a handicap is the only fair way to compete.

The good thing is that a player’s handicap is NOT the average of her scores… but rather an indicator of a player’s POTENTIAL. The USGA refers to this as the “average best.” The player who plays to the best of her ability, taking handicaps into consideration, wins the round.

When calculating a player’s handicap, the difficulty of the courses played is also taken into consideration. The course slope and rating are part of the formula, so that a player who regularly plays on difficult courses will have that calculated into her final GHIN (Golf Handicap and Information Network) number.

How Do You Get A Handicap?

Most players can register for a handicap rating through their local golf club. You can also apply directly online at http://www.ghin.com

Once you have a handicap registration, you post your scores either by using your club’s handicap scoring system at the club house, or post directly at the GHIN website. It takes several rounds before a handicap can be formulated, but once it is, you can use that number when playing at your own or any golf course.

Having a handicap is also a great way to measure your improvement in the game. We encourage you to get one.

Do you have a handicap? Why or why not?

  7 comments for “Is It Important to Have An Official Golf Handicap?

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  6. Pat Mullaly says:

    If you want to play against golfers who are better or worse than yourself, getting a golf handicap is essential to make the game fair for all abilities.

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