Handicap News
FAQ
FAQs
Below are some common FAQs related to
For detailed information on handicap information, visit the USGA Handicap page or the NCGA Handicap page.
How to I obtain a Handicap Index?
Once our Membership Chair assigns you a GHIN number, you can use that number to post your rounds of golf. Post 54 holes of golf, any combination of 9 and 18 holes, and you’ll have an index!
Where do I post my rounds?
Rounds are posted to the NCGA app or the USGA app. During the pandemic, most clubs made the kiosks unavailable. Some courses have reintroduced these and are available for posting.
Can I post 9 hole rounds? Can I post if I play alone?
Absolutely you can post 9 hole rounds. Most courses will have a rating and slope for front and back 9. When you post two 9 hole rounds, these will be combined and denoted with an “N”. Unfortunately, if you play alone, that is not considered a postable round. All the more reason to ask a friend to join!
What is the maximum I can post on a hole?
The most you can post on any hole is a net double bogey. The net double bogey is determined by adding any handicap strokes to two over par on a given hole. If you are playing as an 18 handicap, you can post 3 over par on every hole. If you are playing as 7 handicap, you can post three over par on the seven most difficult holes.
The NCGA app shows that a “soft cap” has been placed on my index. What did I do?
One aspect of the World Handicap System is to prevent handicaps from increasing too rapidly. To prevent this, a soft cap is placed on your index when you reach 3 strokes over your 12 Low index. This restricts upward movement to 50% of any differential. Once you reach 5 strokes over your LI, a hard cap will be placed on your index.
There is a little cloud and “-1” next to the round I posted yesterday. What does that mean?
The World Handicap System allows for changes to be made to the course rating based on posted scores on the day you played, known as a Playing Conditions Correction (PCC). There is an expected spread of scores on any given day. If those scores skew higher or lower, the course rating may be adjusted to reflect how the course played that day. Note that you must post your scores on the day you play to have them included in the calculation, however, they will be subject to the PCC even if posted late.