Handicap question?
 

My handicap is at a 7.4 index at the moment but I believe that handicap is too low. I believe this because I've only posted 2 scores below my handicap (6.1 & 7.1). I guess what my question is .... is this normal???http://www.thehackersparadise.com/fo.../confused2.gif

p.s. I use greenskeeper.org to track my handicap.

Thanks

Keep posting scores and once you get more in there it will get to normal.

i have 25ish scores posted.... still not enoughhttp://www.thehackersparadise.com/fo.../confused2.gif

My handicap did not really level out until I hit about 40 scores way back when. However I use GHIN and I am not sure how all of the other programs work.

Should be - what are your other scores? Perhaps there is a glitch in the program.

I don't understand - and this isn't directed only at you - the purpose of having a handicap, but not getting a USGA handicap. If the USGA isn't certifying it - then it doesn't mean anything.

The USGA GHIN system, and any calculators using that forumla, only use the lowest 10 of the last 20 posted scores. The formula then reduces the average of those 10 differentials by another 4%, so your index will always be lower than your scoring average. Your handicap is supposed to show your scoring potential, and you should only match or better your handicap about 25% of the time. If you beat your handicap more than that, then it will drop lower to bring it back into that average.

I've constantly seen you posting scores of 74. I use greenskeeper as well. 25 scores is way more than enough. Are you playing little goat tracks? Or an easy course, because with a bunch of 74's you should be playing lower than a 7.4

I think it's cost. There's a bunch of free handicap systems. I kept mine on the GLMS for awhile, but our club requires a GHIN handicap for most events. So I get to pay for that. Plus, the systems don't talk to each other, so I got to print out my scoring record and enter it, score by score, into GHIN. Gotta love it.

The formula should be the same no matter who does it. I keep my handicap on Excel. It isn't official, but I don't need an official one anyway. Certainly don't need to pay for one.

To the OP -- make sure the course rating and slope are correct in the system you are using. If they are not, it would throw the number off. 25 scores is more than enough to get a good number. The handicap system uses the lowest 10 of your last 20 so it is what it is. Once a score is not in the last 20 entered it doesn't even look at it anymore. So in your case scores 21-25 don't figure into the number at all.

Yes Dent I do play a relatively easy course. It has a course and slope rating of 68.0/115 .... still I don't feel like I'm that good to warrant a 7.4 handicap. Maybe I'm being to hard on my selfhttp://www.thehackersparadise.com/fo...bulgy-eyes.png

If you are shooting 74 on that slope rating, a 7.4 seems to be about right. Actually it should be a little lower if my math is correct.

ok. sounds good to me .... 7.4 it ishttp://www.thehackersparadise.com/fo...es/biggrin.png

thanks for clearing that up!

Whatever the Handicap tracker says is correct. 25 rounds is alot and that handicap is an accurate judgement of your play.

That's it for me. I play ZERO events that require me to have an established, official handicap. Why would I pay for one? Seems they all use the same system, so they should all be fairly similar, although not "official."

If your hncp is from an easier course, and one was to play a tougher course with a higher rating, and slope, is there a not a formula that will adjust one's handicap?

Yes.

Your handicap is 96% of the average of your last (10) lowest differentials of your last (20) 18-hole rounds posted (9-hole rounds are combined into 18).


A score's differential is computed using the course's slope and rating.

( (Score - course_rating) * 113 ) / Course_Slope = score_differential

Using you handicap number, you then can calculate your course handicap using the course's slope and rating.

Your_GHIN_handicap * (Course_slope / 113) = Course_handicap

Add your course_handicap to the course_rating and if you shoot that number then you are "playing to your handicap".

Your ANTI-handicap is 96% of the average of your last (10) highest differentials of your last (20) 18-hole rounds posted (9-hole rounds are combined into 18).

The difference between your handicap and your anti-handicap is your consistency. (Mine is ugly high lol)

Most courses will have a chart posted somewhere that will give you a handicap for that course. It will list all the numbers and then give you a conversion number for that course so you don't have to figure it out.

I feel this handicap system needs to be revamped a touch. Handicap shouldn't be your potential.It should be your avg.

The R&A have it correct in my Opinion.Folks over there have a higher index for the same scores here.

It does seem they show low.I can see the explanations for potential and why they seem low..I also did mine and showed a 28.8 handicap which I felt was several points too low also. http://www.thehackersparadise.com/fo...es/biggrin.png