Best way to get a handicap

[jimb6golf]

I'm trying to find out the best way to obtain a USGA handicap. As I am not currently a member at a club I use GolfShot to collect my scores and it determines an 'average to par' or handicap (they are the same calculation per GolfShot, it's just a naming rights thing with USGA). As I am planning a trip to Scotland this summer I need an official USGA handicap but am unclear as to how to obtain without a club membership. I've looked into MassGolf.com but they are on hold while the update the world handicapping process change. Any suggestions?

[Warrior42111]

I use the grint app. It gives you a virtual home club and you get a USGA HC. Just pint the card from the site and you're good to go overseas.

[Springsteennut]

I also use the Grint and the previous poster is correct.

[ksmoot81]

I don't use Grint but heard its great. Unfortunately it doesn't look like Mass offers an eClub like Virginia does (where I live) so that's probably your only option.

[Newby]

Whether or not you will need a handicap depends on which courses you intend to play.

[Imp]

The Grint is a good way if you won't wish to join a club. Minial fee of around $20.

Barring that, since you're in MA, there are many ways to get one locally. Find your nearest public course and inquire if they have a club there that does handicapping. Many times, it's a nominal fee. Anywhere from $30-$80-$100 or ... membership to a club.

If you want to play some different courses with like minded individuals in a tournament setting, you could join a "club " like the New England Amateur Tour or similar: http://www.bagsri.com/index.html $100 or so, and access to weekly and weekend tournaments at sceduled clubs through RI, MA, NH.

Lots of options. :)

 

--kC

[jimb6golf]

I play as a single a lot, many times alone, and am wondering how the handicap would be affected. My understanding is that you need to get your round attested to count. How do you address this issue if not a member of a club or like me are playing along quite a bit?

[ThinkingPlus]

You cannot post any scores when you play alone.

[davep043]

In the USGA areas, you do not need someone to attest you score, you're responsible for entering it into the system on your own. However, as @ThinkingPlus says, you are not allowed to post scores from rounds you play by yourself. Now if you get paired up and play with someone else, you're required to post those scores.

[Newby]

The following relates specifically to the USGA.2.1 Acceptability of Scores

l In the company of at least one other person, who may also act as a marker (subject to satisfying any other requirements of the Rules of Golf),

In addition, the player’s score must always be certified in accordance with the Rules of Handicapping (see Rule 4.4). 4.4 Certification of a Score

A score submitted for handicap purposes must be made available for peer review as soon as possible after completion of the round. To facilitate the process of peer review:

(i) A player, or someone authorized by the player, must submit their score as soon as possible after completion of the round, and

(ii) The Handicap Committee should ensure a submitted score is posted to the player’s scoring record as soon as possible.4.4/1 – Clarification of Meaning of Peer Review as a Method of Certification of Scores

Peer review is normally conducted by someone: l Playing in the same group or who was present during the round, and/or l Who is a member of the same golf club as the player. In all cases, it must be someone who: l Has formed a reasonable basis from which to provide support for a score that has been posted or challenge the player on any anomalies in the posted score, or l Has knowledge of the player’s demonstrated ability and can reasonably verify or challenge the Handicap Index issued to the player. Challenges or disputes should be raised with the player and/or reported to the Handicap Committee for consideration. To facilitate the process of peer review, player scoring records must be accessible to all other members of the golf club (see Appendix B).