[Dayreive]

I think I understand the difference between the USGA and EGA Handicap System and prefer the EGA system.Far better indication of one's handicap.

I know nothing of the Canadian system and would like to know how theirs works.If you are from Canada,pls explain how your system works and how it compares and differs from the EGA and USGA.

Thanks

[Chiquita]

Royal Canadian Golf Association - Handicap & Course Rating

[Dayreive]

This is what I was looking for.Unable to track one down for the canadian version

http://www.golfparks.ch/fileadmin/ne..._EGANormen.pdf

[rassedgesse]

I dont put much stock in handicap. It can vary signifigantly based upon the course you are playing and the weather.

[Esmeralfaf]

I dont put much stock in handicap. It can vary signifigantly based upon the course you are playing and the weather.

That's why you have a course handicap - GHIN takes that into account.

[Dayreive]

That's why you have a course handicap - GHIN takes that into account.

Speaking of that.How does the GHIN differ from the USGA?

[Poohoppesmase]

I dont put much stock in handicap. It can vary signifigantly based upon the course you are playing and the weather.

Real handicaps do not really differ. As Diane said, systems like GHIN factor everything in.

[Esmeralfaf]

Speaking of that.How does the GHIN differ from the USGA?

I don't understand your question. GHIN is maintained by the USGA.

[Dayreive]

I don't understand your question. GHIN is maintained by the USGA.

I thought it might be different. I know California just uses USGA and Arizona's system is AGA ,which is the same except the revisions happen every 15 days or so.

I thought the GHIN was different.

[Esmeralfaf]

I thought I read that the CA golf association was going to join GHIN.

[Dayreive]

I thought I read that the CA golf association was going to join GHIN.

I didn't know that,but you are correct.
GHIN news

Six Southern California Golf Associations To Join GHIN® In 2010

Far Hills, N.J. (Nov. 14) – The United States Golf Association has announced that six Southern California golf associations will shift to receiving support for their handicap operations to the Golf Handicap and Information Network® (GHIN) beginning Jan. 1, 2010.

Together, the Desert Women’s Golf Association (DWGA), Public Links Golf Association (PLGA), San Diego County Women’s Golf Association (SDCWGA), Southern California Golf Association (SCGA), Women’s Public Links Golf Association of Southern California (WPLGASC) and Women’s Southern California Golf Association (WSCGA) represent approximately 230,000 golfers in more than 1,700 golf clubs.

Southern California will be the largest region of clubs and golfers in GHIN’s stable of 68 state and regional associations and two international associations, which currently constitutes nearly two million golfers. Earlier this year, GHIN announced that the Virginia State Golf Association and the Federacion Dominicana de Golf will join the service beginning Jan. 1, 2009.

“We are very proud of the service we offer golf associations along with its diverse and technically forward composition of products,” said Steve Smyers, GHIN Committee USGA Chairman. “Plans are under way to make this significant transition go as smoothly as possible.”

During the past year, all six associations individually undertook detailed analyses of several handicap computation vendors for 2010 and beyond. Many discussions and presentations took place before each association selected the GHIN service.

“Although we have had a long, positive relationship with our current vendor,” said SCGA Executive Director Kevin Heaney, “in the end our board and staff felt unanimously that GHIN offers the best package of products and services as we move into 2010 and beyond.”

Founded in 1899, the SCGA has more than 170,000 members in more than 1,200 clubs in Southern California and Baja California. “One of the determining factors in choosing GHIN,” said Heaney, “is that a large number of our members belong to other associations, such as the Northern California Golf Association that already use GHIN. These members will now have just one membership number and their scores will be integrated seamlessly among the various associations.”

“We are excited by the prospect of linking with the largest provider of USGA Handicap Services in the nation,” says PLGASC Executive Director Craig Kessler, “and about the process of creating not only a seamless web among USGA-licensed golf associations here in California, but a seamless connection to the vast majority of USGA-licensed golf associations throughout the United States.”

WSCGA Executive Director Pat Blalock concurred. “The WSCGA is excited to move forward with this positive business decision.” Said Cheryl Wohlgemuth, Executive Director of the SDCWG: “We felt that GHIN had more to offer our members and provides the services we are looking for, so we are looking forward to our association with GHIN.”

Added Sharon Fries, President of the DWGA: “The DWGA looks forward to being part of the largest handicapping network in the world.”

In addition to touch-screen posting monitors at each club, the ability for clubs to authorize online posting and for members to use online handicap lookup, two important changes will be instituted under the new service. Beginning in 2010, there will be twice-monthly revisions instead of the monthly revisions, and GHIN’s tournament software program, TPP®, will be available to all association clubs.

“We are confident that the handicap technology and the peripheral services that GHIN provides will be extremely beneficial to the golfers who are members of WPLGASC,” said Claire G. Ittner, Executive Director of the WPLGASC. “As part of a national network with an excellent resource and development reputation, our clubs will also have access to many new and exciting options that will continue to enhance their golfing experience.”

About the USGA
The USGA is the national governing body of golf in this country and Mexico, a combined territory that includes more than half the world’s golfers and golf courses.

The Association’s most visible role is played out each season in conducting 13 national championships, including the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Open. Ten additional USGA national championships are exclusively for amateurs, and include the U.S. Amateur and the U.S. Women’s Amateur.

The USGA also writes the Rules of Golf, conducts equipment testing, provides expert course maintenance consultations, funds research for better turf and a better environment, maintains a Handicap System and administers an ongoing “For the Good of the Game” grants program, which has allocated more than $62 million over 11 years to successful programs that bring the game’s values to youths from disadvantaged backgrounds and people with disabilities

[piramirra]

California is split into 2 groups. Southern California (SCGA) and Northern California (NCGA). The NCGA has been using GHIN for quite a while now (at least 5 years) but until recently the SCGA did not use GHIN.

When I was part of the SCGA I was always asked for the GHIN number and I had no idea what that was.

[Dayreive]

California is split into 2 groups. Southern California (SCGA) and Northern California (NCGA). The NCGA has been using GHIN for quite a while now (at least 5 years) but until recently the SCGA did not use GHIN.

When I was part of the SCGA I was always asked for the GHIN number and I had no idea what that was.

I fully know what you are saying,having been playing golf in so cal for 26 yrs that's all I knew..that's why I thought it was totally a different system.I guess it's just the same thing just better organized by these people?

[Esmeralfaf]

I believe the USGA only recognizes certain handicap systems - GHIN is one of them.

[mensforyouthis]

GHIN is just the USGA's reporting system, based on the USGA's handicap system. All of the USGA affiliated state golf associations use one or another software program to report it's members handicaps to the GHIN system. Most use GHIN, my own association the Colorado Golf Association uses the GHIN system. I can report my scores directly to the GHIN website. If you have a GHIN identification number then you are reporting to that system.

There are many online handicapping services which use the USGA formula, but most are not officially recognized, and do not record the handicaps into the GHIN database.

[dwestemesse]

Sounds confusing, I know I suck and don't need a machine or formula to tell me how bad.

Does anyone here play golf for fun?? Does a score have to count for something?

[Esmeralfaf]

Sounds confusing, I know I suck and don't need a machine or formula to tell me how bad.

Does anyone here play golf for fun?? Does a score have to count for something?

Having fun and keeping score/a handicap are not mutually exclusive.

[fotodemujerahldesnugdo]

Sounds confusing, I know I suck and don't need a machine or formula to tell me how bad.

Does anyone here play golf for fun?? Does a score have to count for something?

I have no need of one, but I like knowing what my hc is. It's part of how I rate if I'm improving. Also, I like all the different stats I get with an online type.

[Senasivar]

Having fun and keeping score/a handicap are not mutually exclusive.

Yes.

It's part of how I rate if I'm improving.

Me too. And I keep FW hit, GIR, Scramble, and Putts to know where I need to improve.

Today I I learned that I need to improve on reading the wind and that I putted like my arms were made of cooked spaghetti.

[Esmeralfaf]

Me too. And I keep FW hit, GIR, Scramble, and Putts to know where I need to improve.

I keep track of everything except scrambling, but for me I don't think that putting stats really tell me anything because the rest of my game is so bad.