S/NO INACTIVE HANDICAP COURSE HANDICAP
INDEX REDUCTION
1. 0.0 to 5.0 Reduce by 1
2. 5.1 to 10.0 Reduce by 2
3. 10.1 to 15.0 Reduce by 3
4. 15.1 to 20.0 Reduce by 4
5. 20.1 to 25.0 Reduce by 5
6. 25.1 to 30.0 Reduce by 6
7. 30.1 to 35.0 Reduce by 7
I have a golf handicap from another club. How do I get it transferred to the SingaGolf?
Click here to find out how to transfer your golf handicap/USGA HI.
Click here to see list of international golf associations authorised to use the USGA Handicap System.
Do I need to post all my scores?
If you play 13-holes or more, you must post an 18-holes card, and if you play 7-holes and less than 13-holes, you must post a 9-holes card.
All unfinished holes (including holes where strokes are conceded) are recorded with the most likely score for handicap purpose, must not exceed member’s Equitable Stroke Control and proceeded by an “X”.
Scores are not posted if the majority of holes are not played under the principles of the Rules of Golf.
Holes not played or not played under the Rules of Golf are recorded with a score of par plus any handicap strokes entitled and proceeded with an “X” (e.g. X-5).
9-holes scores are accepted on courses that have 9-holes USGA Course Rating and Slope Rating and at least 7-holes are played.
How can I submit my scores?
The Handicap Committee will accept scores submitted by facsimile, email or surface mail. If submitting by email, the following format is to be adopted:
a) Player’s Name and Club Number.
b) Date of the game.
c) Course Name.
d) USGA Course Rating and Slope Rating of the Course played.
e) Adjusted Score (using ESC).
f) Is this a Tournament Score?: Yes/No
The Handicap Committee may from time to time require a member to submit attesting scorecards to assist the committee to meet its responsibilities.
If I have a Handicap Index, why is there the need for a Course Handicap?
Course handicap is really the crux of the USGA Handicapping System. It’s the number that determines how many strokes – if any – you get on each hole. Therefore, it’s the number that makes the system work, which ensures the ability of golfers of differing skill levels to compete against one another, and to do so fairly regardless of where they are playing.
Your Handicap Index is compared to the slope rating of the course you are playing and the average slope of 113. The calculation is this: Your Handicap Index multiplied by Slope Rating of Tees Played divided by 113.
For example: Your Handicap Index is 14.6 and you play a course with a slope of 127. The formula is: 14.6 x 127 / 113. The answer to this example is 16.4. Your course handicap is therefore 16 (round up or down). And that figure is the one used to determine how many strokes you get, and on which holes.
What is Equitable Stroke Control (ESC)?
Equitable Stroke Control (ESC) is the system put in place by the USGA to eliminate the effect of “disaster holes”. You know that one hole per round where you put three balls in the water and then 5-putt. It’s also a way to combat sandbaggers who intentionally blow up on a hole in order to raise their handicaps.
Equitable Stroke Control puts a limit on the number of strokes you can write down on the scorecard for any one hole, based on your course handicap. For example, on that one disaster hole you might have taken 14 strokes to get the ball in the cup. But based on your course handicap, ESC might require you to post only a “7″ on the scorecard you turn in.
Taking the “14″ might throw your Handicap Index out of whack. And remember, the Handicap Index is not meant to reflect your average score; it’s meant to reflect your best potential.
To determine the Equitable Stroke Control limits for your round, you must first know your course handicap. Once you have determined your course handicap, you can check the chart down below (which should also be available at golf courses) to determine the ESC limits.
Here is the chart that shows Equitable Stroke Control limits:
Course Handicap Maximum score
0-9 Double Bogey
10-19 7
20-29 8
30-39 9
40 or more 10
What is a Course Rating?
The USGA course rating is a numerical value given to each set of tees at a particular golf course to approximate the number of strokes it should take a scratch golfers are expected to post an average score of 74.8 from that set of tees on that course.
A course rating of 74.8 is pretty stiff, but there are no hard-and-fast parameters for how high or low course rating can go. Most course ratings will range from the upper 60s to the mid-70s.
What is a Slope Rating?
Slope rating (a term trademarked by the USGA) is a measurement of the difficulty of a course for bogey golfers relative to the course rating.
While a course rating tells scratch golfers how difficult the course will be; a slope rating tells bogey golfers how difficult it will be.
The minimum slope is 55 and the maximum is 155 (slope does not relate specifically to strokes played as course rating does). The slope rating for a course of average difficulty is 113.
The most important role of slope is levelling the playing field for players of different skill levels. For example, let’s say Player A and Player B average a score of 85 for 18-holes. But Player A’s average is established on a very difficult course (say, a slope rating of 145), while Player B’s average is established on a very easy course (say, a slope rating of 95). If handicaps were simply estimates of golfers’ average scores, then these two players would have the same Handicap Index. But Player A is clearly the better golfer, and in a match between the two Player B would clearly need some strokes.
Slope rating allows the Handicap Index to reflect these factors. Because he plays on a course with a higher slope rating, Player A’s Handicap Index will be lower than Player B’s (when it is calculated using the slope ratings), despite the fact that they both average scores of 85. So when A and B get together to play, B will get those extra strokes he needs.
What is Handicap Differential?
Handicap differential is a term applied to the difference between your score and the course rating, adjusted for slope. The number that results is used in the calculations that determine your Handicap Index.
Handicap differential is not a number you have to worry about unless you are one of those who like to do the math behind the Handicap Index. But just for the record, the equation to get handicap differential is this: (Score minus Course Rating) x 113 divided by Slope Rating.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What Handicap System does the SingaGolf follow?
The Singapore Golf Association (SGA) adopted the USGA Handicap System in August 2006. SingaGolf was approved by the SGA to be an Associate Member of SGA with effect from 1st April 2013. Hence, is authorised and licensed to issue the USGA Handicap Index to golfers, focusing on membership and providing opportunity for members to qualify and maintain the USGA Handicap Index (HI) in accordance with USGA rules.
On 1 February 2009, the SGA removed all scorecards submitted by members prior to July 2006 as the scores submitted before July 2006 would not have been in accordance with the USGA Handicap System.
How do I get a Handicap Index (HI) from SingaGolf?
If you are already a handicap holder, steps as follow:
1) Request for transfer letter and score differentials records from your club to SingaGolf.
2) Ready for transfer from the next revision date.
If you are already a handicap holder without score differentials records, steps as follow:
1) Submit together with transfer letter, five 18-holes scorecards.
2) Register for Courtesy Round.
3) Ready to obtain your HI from the next revision date.
If you are a PC holder, click here to find out more.
Has SingaGolf got a schedule for Courtesy Rounds?
Yes, please call or email to SingaGolf office for the current month’s schedule ro check out the dates on the website.
For how long is this HI valid?
A member’s HI is valid for as long as he is a member of a club authorised to issue and maintain a USGA HI. However, the USGA requires a club to maintain a member’s records for one year after his resignation from the club. This is simply to facilitate transfer of records should the member decide to join another club.
Is there an online Handicap Register?
The SGA maintains an online register for Ordinary and Associate clubs.
Click here to check your HI online at the SGA website.
What is an “inactive” Handicap?
Golfers who have not posted a score for 6 months will have the remarks “Inactive” listed against their names. Golfers in the Inactive List may not be accepted for participation in any tournaments. However, a Tournament Chairman may allow them to play with a lower Course Handicap than they would be entitled to if they were in the Active List.
The SingaGolf will use the following guidelines for our members to participate in our club tournaments:
