hpGA - How to Adjust and Post Your Scores

The basis of the USGA handicapping system is the true and accurate reporting of scores by golfers as they play.  This means that you should post your score EVERY time you play a post-able round of golf.  This includes eighteen-hole rounds, rounds you couldn't finish but played at least thirteen holes, and nine-hole rounds.  You must have played under The Rules of Golf.

Adjusting

In order to more accurately reflect the true potential ability of a golfer, the USGA came up with what it calls Equitable Stroke Control (ESC).  This means that you 'throw out' strokes above a certain number on holes that you may have scored higher on than someone of your ability normally would.  For example, a golfer with a COURSE handicap of ten to nineteen is normally expected to be able to complete a hole in seven strokes or less, regardless of par.  Therefore, whenever they score more than a seven on a hole, the additional strokes are not counted when posting their score.  A change that went into effect on February 1, 1998 is to allow golfers with single-digit COURSE handicaps to post a maximum of double bogey on any hole.  The previous method allowed a maximum of six strokes on any hole.

A way to remember how many strokes you are allowed on each hole is to take the first digit of your course handicap and add six to it.  E.g., a golfer with a course handicap of 20 to 29 would be allowed to have an eight (2 plus six) on each and every hole.  (Those with course handicaps of nine or less only have to remember 'double bogey.')  In table form:

So, when you finish a round of golf add up your score.  That is your GROSS score, and is used when paying off bets with your playing partners, tournament results, etc.   Then take away those strokes that are greater than the number that you are allowed on any hole.  That would be your ADJUSTED GROSS SCORE.  This is the score you post.

Posting

Normally, you post on the computer terminal at the course where you played.  It is usually located in the pro shop but is sometimes hidden in the men's and women's locker rooms (hopefully, one in each).  You will need to know your last name, your GHIN#, whether you are male or female, and which tees you played from, in order to post correctly.  Enter your ADJUSTED gross score.  That's all there is to it, and this is the MUCH preferred way to post scores.  This can be done in most states, and even in Southern California with a little effort.

Alternately, you may post on this web site.  This is not preferable, however, sometimes it cannot be avoided.

The hpGA always handles the posting of our tournament scores.  We will provide a posting sheet at the scorer's table that everyone must use to post their score after each and every round of each and every tournament.  (If computer scoring is being used, there will not be a posting sheet, as it will be done automatically.)  In either case, DO NOT post on the terminal at the course for an hpGA tournament.  All you need to know when using the tournament posting sheet is how to find your name in an alphabetized list and what your adjusted gross score was.  These tournament posting sheets are usually encased in a plastic envelope with a cutout in the column where the adjusted gross score should be written.

Failure to post scores, whether tournament or casual play, is a serious breech of the handicapping system, and can result in action being taken by the Club.

Posting Incomplete Rounds When at Least Thirteen Holes Played

When you can't finish a round for some reason, but have played at least thirteen holes, you are required to post that round.  The score you use for the holes you did not complete is determined by taking par plus any handicap strokes you would be entitled to on that hole, i.e., net par.  For example, if you did not complete the eighteenth hole, a par-4 and the number ten handicap hole, you would record a 4 if your handicap is less than ten (par plus zero strokes), a 5 if your handicap is ten through 27 (par plus one stroke), a 6 if your handicap is 28 through 45 (par plus two strokes), and a 7 if your handicap is 46 or greater.

Nine-hole Scores

NCGA golfers should now post nine-hole scores at the course where they play.  The handicapping computer will handle combining two nine-hole scores into an eighteen-hole score.  The nine-hole scores do not have to be consecutive without an intervening eighteen-hole score.  There is a difference for those golfers who belong to a club at a course, such as those hpGAers that also belong to Woodcreek's golf club; see below.

When you play a nine-hole round at a course at which you are not a member, once the score is entered and successfully transmitted to GHIN, the nine-hole score will be combined with the next "away" nine-hole score to be received by GHIN.  This combined (C) score will be treated like any other 18-hole round in the computation of your Index.

When you play a nine-hole round at a course at which you are a member, i.e., a Home Course, once the score is entered, the nine-hole score will wait for your next nine-hole score to be posted on that PC, i.e., your Home Course's PC, and will then be combined to form an eighteen-hole score.  This combined (C) score will be treated like any other eighteen-hole in the computation of your Index.

The most common occurrence of these nine-hole situations for most of us is the summer weekly golf league (hpGL).  Now all we have to do is post our nine-hole scores on the computers at the course and everything else will be taken care of for us.

Please note that if you have a Home Course and post on your Home Course computer, those scores will not be combined with Away scores posted at other courses.

  Contact the hpGolfWebGuy