Handicap Systems

[goldwolf]

Please explaing US system to me

Can someone explain the US handicapping system to me, I know that you do something like discounting the worst 2 round from 10, but all rounds have to be entered or something, and there's slope systems and course ratings etc but I would like a definitive answer.

I have a few American friends who come over and play here in the UK and they say that the handicapping system in US makes it easier to get low than in Uk.

For instance, one is a +1 and the other is 2, yet they have never shot lower than +4 when they play in England (20 or so rounds). I've looked at their scores and they would come out at about 3 and 5 handicaps (but yes, they are playing courses unfamiliar to them).

They say that it's because of the handicapping systems but I've never got them to fully explain it.

Please don't think I'm trying to have a go here, I'm genuinely interested.

[doubleagle2]

That would be about right the usga web site has the formula I went through it once but it actually only counts 5 out of 10 and there are some other things I can't rember all of it but in the end what is try to do is figure what the best you may shoot and still you get abot 96% of that if you go to usga.org handicap section it lays it out pretty well.

[Mainlinegolfer]

If you are really interested, it's all here: http://www.usga.org/playing/handicaps/manual/manual.html

[HoosierGolfer]

If you are really interested, it's all here: http://www.usga.org/playing/handicaps/manual/manual.html

Mainlinegolfer, You beat me to it. Here is another; http://www.usga.org/playing/index.asp

Search engine's are our friend!

[Mainlinegolfer]

If you are really interested, it's all here: http://www.usga.org/playing/handicaps/manual/manual.html

Mainlinegolfer, You beat me to it. Here is another; http://www.usga.org/playing/index.asp

Search engine's are our friend!

 

I've been on golf boards for years and responded to many questions about rules, handicaps, and etiquette. There really is no reason to speculate; if you don't know the definitive answer, go to the USGA website-- the details are all there. I am also on my club's green committee and it's amazing how much information the USGA make available on golf course construction and maintenance issues.

[dlygrisse]

In summary the US system takes the best 10 rounds out of the last 20 and then adjusts by slope and averages those scores only.

A US handicap shows potential score more than average score. With a US handi you only play to your handi something like 22% of the time. If you shoot a couple of really low rounds (for you) your handi will drop in a hurry, whereas if you shoot a couple of high rounds your handi may not go up at all, just depending on what scores get bumped off the last 20 rounds list.

 

I know I am missing some detail here but this is a pretty good global picture of how it works.

[Dean NC]

with out a link here is what i have from the Golf.com site on how it is calculated

 

10-1. How to Determine Handicap Differentials

A handicap differential is computed from four elements: adjusted gross score, USGA Course Rating, USGA Slope Rating and 113 (the Slope Rating of a course of standard difficulty). To determine the handicap differential, subtract the USGA Course Rating from the adjusted gross score; multiply the difference by 113; then divide the resulting number by the USGA Slope Rating. Round the final number to the nearest tenth.

Handicap Differential =

((Adjusted Gross Score - USGA Course Rating) x 113) / USGA Slope Rating

 

10-2. USGA Handicap Index Formula

The USGA Handicap Index Formula is based on the best handicap differentials in a player?s scoring record. If a player?s scoring record contains 20 or more scores, the best 10 handicap differentials of the most recent 20 scores are used to calculate the USGA Handicap Index. The percentage of scores used in a scoring record decreases from the maximum of the best 50 percent as the number of scores in the scoring record decreases. If the scoring record contains 9 or 10 scores, only the best three scores (30 to 33 percent) in the scoring record will be used. Thus, the accuracy of a player?s Handicap Index is directly proportional to the number of acceptable scores posted. A USGA Handicap Index shall not be issued to a player who has returned fewer than five acceptable scores. The following procedures illustrate how authorized golf associations and golf clubs calculate a player?s Handicap Index.

The procedure for calculating Handicap Indexes is as follows:

i. Use the table below to determine the number of handicap differentials to use;

 

Number of Acceptable Scores DifferentialsTo Be Used

 

5 or 6 Lowest 1

7 or 8 Lowest 2

9 or 10 Lowest 3

11 or 12 Lowest 4

13 or 14 Lowest 5

15 or 16 Lowest 6

17 Lowest 7

18 Lowest 8

19 Lowest 9

20 Lowest 10

ii.

iii. Determine handicap differentials;

 

iv. Average the handicap differentials being used;

 

v. Multiply the average by .96; *

 

vi. Delete all numbers after the tenths? digit. Do not round off to the nearest tenth.

 

Example 1: Fewer than 20 scores (11 scores available).

Total of lowest 4 handicap differentials: 104.1

Average (104.1 / 4): 26.025

Multiply average by .96: 24.984

Delete digits after tenths: 24.9

USGA Handicap Index: 24.9

* Bonus for Excellence is the incentive that is built into the USGA Handicap System for players to improve their golf games. It is the term used to describe the small percentage below perfect equity that is used to calculate Handicap Indexes (96%). As his Handicap Index improves (gets lower), the player has a slightly better chance of placing high or winning a handicap event.

Example 2: Twenty Scores available. The following is a sample scoring record of a player with 20 scores.

Total of 10 lowest differentials: 154.8

Average (154.8 / 10): 15.48

Average multiplied by .96: 14.861

Delete all digits after tenths: 14.8

USGA Handicap Index: 14.8

[teejaywhy]

I'm not familiar with the mathematics of the UK system, but one of the big differences between the UK and the US system as I understand it is that with the UK system, only competition rounds are used whereas in the US system, EVERY round (including casual rounds) is supposed to be posted.

[goldwolf]

I'm not familiar with the mathematics of the UK system, but one of the big differences between the UK and the US system as I understand it is that with the UK system, only competition rounds are used whereas in the US system, EVERY round (including casual rounds) is supposed to be posted.

 

Exactly that. In my view, it's easier to score well in casual rounds when there's nothing riding on it.

 

So from what I've read, the US system gives you a handicap that is basically your potential; what you can score when you're on form, whereas the UK system is more what your average is.

[Double True]

with out a link here is what i have from the Golf.com site on how it is calculated

 

10-1. How to Determine Handicap Differentials

A handicap differential is computed from four elements: adjusted gross score, USGA Course Rating, USGA Slope Rating and 113 (the Slope Rating of a course of standard difficulty). To determine the handicap differential, subtract the USGA Course Rating from the adjusted gross score; multiply the difference by 113; then divide the resulting number by the USGA Slope Rating. Round the final number to the nearest tenth.

Handicap Differential =

((Adjusted Gross Score - USGA Course Rating) x 113) / USGA Slope Rating

 

10-2. USGA Handicap Index Formula

The USGA Handicap Index Formula is based on the best handicap differentials in a player?s scoring record. If a player?s scoring record contains 20 or more scores, the best 10 handicap differentials of the most recent 20 scores are used to calculate the USGA Handicap Index. The percentage of scores used in a scoring record decreases from the maximum of the best 50 percent as the number of scores in the scoring record decreases. If the scoring record contains 9 or 10 scores, only the best three scores (30 to 33 percent) in the scoring record will be used. Thus, the accuracy of a player?s Handicap Index is directly proportional to the number of acceptable scores posted. A USGA Handicap Index shall not be issued to a player who has returned fewer than five acceptable scores. The following procedures illustrate how authorized golf associations and golf clubs calculate a player?s Handicap Index.

The procedure for calculating Handicap Indexes is as follows:

i. Use the table below to determine the number of handicap differentials to use;

 

Number of Acceptable Scores DifferentialsTo Be Used

 

5 or 6 Lowest 1

7 or 8 Lowest 2

9 or 10 Lowest 3

11 or 12 Lowest 4

13 or 14 Lowest 5

15 or 16 Lowest 6

17 Lowest 7

18 Lowest 8

19 Lowest 9

20 Lowest 10

ii.

iii. Determine handicap differentials;

 

iv. Average the handicap differentials being used;

 

v. Multiply the average by .96; *

 

vi. Delete all numbers after the tenths? digit. Do not round off to the nearest tenth.

 

Example 1: Fewer than 20 scores (11 scores available).

Total of lowest 4 handicap differentials: 104.1

Average (104.1 / 4): 26.025

Multiply average by .96: 24.984

Delete digits after tenths: 24.9

USGA Handicap Index: 24.9

* Bonus for Excellence is the incentive that is built into the USGA Handicap System for players to improve their golf games. It is the term used to describe the small percentage below perfect equity that is used to calculate Handicap Indexes (96%). As his Handicap Index improves (gets lower), the player has a slightly better chance of placing high or winning a handicap event.

Example 2: Twenty Scores available. The following is a sample scoring record of a player with 20 scores.

Total of 10 lowest differentials: 154.8

Average (154.8 / 10): 15.48

Average multiplied by .96: 14.861

Delete all digits after tenths: 14.8

USGA Handicap Index: 14.8

 

SNORE!!!! Sorry for that :)