From the USGA - Moving from Inactive to active

[bobfoster]

Many are probably aware, but just thought I'd post this:

 

As more than 30 states move from the “inactive” season to “active” between March 1 and April 15, golfers across these regions are undoubtedly excited to post scores again. They are also likely to encounter occasional weather or course maintenance conditions that are unique to the season.

Here’s everything you need to know about spring golf and the World Handicap System™ to navigate your round:

1. Struggling to finish your round? As long as you play 9 holes with a corresponding 9-hole Course Rating™ and Slope Rating™, you can post a 9-hole score. If you play between 10 and 17 holes, that score is acceptable too, just make sure you use the hole-by-hole feature to indicate which holes were played. In both cases, you’ll receive an 18-hole Score Differential™, which are changes introduced with the 2024 WHS™ Revision.

2. Playing in tough conditions? You may see the playing conditions calculation (PCC) come into play more often than you would during the summer. The PCC compares the actual scores made each day to the expected scores of the players who made them – and if the scores are significantly higher (or lower) than expected, an adjustment will automatically be applied within each player’s Score Differential calculation. Just remember, at least 8 scores must be posted at a particular course on the day of play for the PCC to be calculated – so encourage your friends to post their scores as soon as possible!

3. Are preferred lies in effect due to wet and soggy conditions? Don’t worry, you can still post your score. The Handicap Committee at the club should make this determination each day, so check with the golf shop before teeing it up.

4. Were the greens recently aerated? If so, unless the Handicap Committee decides to temporarily suspend score posting due to poor putting surfaces, putt it out. The use of an “automatic two-putt” is not acceptable for handicap purposes.

5. Planning to start your season with a friendly match among friends? Match play scores are acceptable for score posting. On the holes you don’t hole out, simply record your most likely score for the hole – keeping in mind your most likely score cannot exceed your net double bogey limit.

For more information or to learn more about the World Handicap System, visit www.usga.org/whs.

[davep043]

On 3/12/2024 at 1:14 PM, bobfoster said:

For more information or to learn more about the World Handicap System, visit www.usga.org/whs.

Good information for this time of year.  I believe that other parts of the world also have inactive seasons, and they can refer to their own National Associations for more guidance.  

[Mr. Bean]

Inactive here means there is snow on top all five parts of the course 😎

 

 

Edited March 15 by Mr. Bean
typo

[Hawkeye77]

Ours becomes active in a couple weeks, just got an email from our state association with general info and all sorts of helpful links.

Edited March 15 by Hawkeye77

[Mr. Bean]

It is strange. Older I get, less entusiastic I am about spring and golf courses opening. Some 25 years ago I started polishing my gear in early February but now my main concern is how the sewers on our yard can be melted down in order to get the water out coming from snow melting...

 

Well, 25 years ago I had way less time to golf so I guess I just had to be prepared. Today I could play much more than my body can take.

 

It is not fair. If I could decide I would golf more and work less when I am 30-40 years old and at the age of 60 vice versa. After all at the age of 60 one prefers sitting down 😁

 

 

 

Edited March 15 by Mr. Bean