The Rules of Handicapping Key Changes
Designating a Home Club | New Rule helps with integrity of WHS ensuring one Handicap Index for each golfer. For multi-members, all clubs will be permitted to provide oversight (edit scores, etc.). Where any disagreements or conflict arise, the player’s Home Club will have final authority on the matter (and its AGA). |
Minimum Number of Holes Played for a Score to be Acceptable | a. For a 9-hole Score Minimum of 7 holes for WHS b. For an 18-hole Score Minimum of 14 holes for WHS (changed from minimum of 13 holes today) |
Information Required for Scoring Record | New Rule recommends 3 initial scores to be posted hole-by-hole |
Calculation of a Handicap Index | Calculation is based on the best 8 of a player's most recent 20 score differentials. |
Maximum Handicap Index | 54.0 for both genders |
Frequency of Revision of a Handicap Index | Daily |
Playing Conditions Calculation | The statistical calculation that determines if conditions on a day of play differed from normal playing conditions to the extent that they significantly impacted players’ performance. |
Low Handicap Index | The new Rule is designed to provide more insight into a golfer’s demonstrated ability over time and is required to support the limit on upward movement of a Handicap Index. This will present a change to golfers. |
Limit on Upward Movement of a Handicap Index | The new Rule limits upward movement of a Handicap Index when movement is more than 3 strokes above the player’s lowest index within the trailing 12 months. In addition to this, a player’s Handicap Index will be prevented from rising more than 5 strokes above the player’s lowest Handicap Index in the trailing 12 months. This will present a change to golfers. (i) The soft cap. The soft cap is triggered when the difference between a player’s newly calculated Handicap Index and their Low Handicap Index is greater than 3 strokes. When a calculated Handicap Index increase is greater than 3 strokes, the value above 3 strokes is restricted to 50% of the increase. (ii) The hard cap. The hard cap triggers to restrict the amount by which a player’s Handicap Index can increase, after application of the soft cap, to no more than 5.0 strokes above their Low Handicap Index. |
Course Handicap Calculation | Course Handicap = Handicap Index × (Slope Rating ÷ 113) + (Course Rating – Par) Playing Handicap = Course Handicap x handicap allowance |
Submission of an Exceptional Score (ESR) | When a score differential is 7.0 strokes below a player’s Handicap Index at the time the round was played, an Exceptional Score Reduction will take place.
This rule will consider all scores, not just tournament scores, and essentially replace Section 10-3 of “The USGA Handicap System.” |
Net Double Bogey | A score equal to the par of a hole plus two strokes and adjusted for any handicap stroke applied on that hole. A net double bogey is a player’s maximum hole score for handicap purposes. |
Did you know that if you have an Mass Golf/USGA GHIN Handicap Index with any Member Clubs, you have your own personalized home portal on the Mass Golf web site? One of the many centerpieces of the Golfer Benefits program is the ability to manage your handicap information directly and through the My Mass Golf Home program which is accessible through the Member Login section.
This golfer benefit was designed to provide superior customer service to the golfers across the state who were looking to access their handicap information and, if their club allows, to post scores from any computer with internet access. Mass Golf is one of only a few golf associations to offer this type of program to its members!
The program also allows them to register for Championships, Tournaments and Member Days, update their contact information, change their password and manage all of their subscriptions (e-revisions, MassGolfer, etc.). If you are not yet a member, you must join through your club before utilizing this benefit.
Under the USGA Handicap System, each player is required to record a hole score for a hole not finished, not played, or not played under 'The Rules of Golf,' and to reduce any hole score when it is higher than the maximum number allowed under Equitable Stroke Control. Unfinished Holes and Conceded Strokes.
You Already Have a Mass Golf/USGA GHIN Number
If you are using the My Mass Golf Home program for the first time, the system has automatically set your password to be the same as your GHIN number. To log in, enter your current GHIN number in the login and password fields. If you have established a password in the past (most likely through Mass Golf’s online registration program), please input your GHIN # and your personal password.
CLICK HERE to input.
If you have forgotten your password, click here and we will email you that information. Remember that you can change your password at anytime once you log in to the system.
You Have Never Had a Mass Golf/USGA GHIN Number
If you have never had a handicap index with a Mass Golf Member Club or utilized a third-party vendor service (such as US Handicap or My Scorecard), you currently do not have access to the My MGA Home program and are not eligible for any of the Mass Golf Golfer Benefits.
To obtain your handicap index for the season, do one of the following.
CLICK HERE to obtain an index online through the Mass Golf Members Now! program
Members Now! makes it easier than ever to obtain a handicap index through participating Member Clubs online. The program will allow you to select a club from a drop-down menu. Upon completion of the transaction, you will be assigned a GHIN # and you can start posting scores.
Once you have posted five adjusted gross scores, the system will calculate your personal handicap index. You will also be able to immediately utilize your personal My Mass Golf Home portal, download Mass Golf Mobile, begin receiving your e-revision emails and much more!
CONTACT a Mass Golf Member Club to get set up
You can also always visit one of the more than 360 facilities located across the state. A member of pro shop will be able to set you up with a Mass Golf/USGA GHIN handicap index for the season.
The Member Club database includes contact information, course rating data and direct links to the club’s home page. The Bay State offers a wide assortment of courses to choose from and every club listing includes contact information, course rating data and direct links to the club’s home page. The Member Club directory allows you to sort by:
- Region (North Shore, South Shore, Berkshires, Cape Cod, Greater Springfield and Greater Springfield and Greater Boston )
- Type (public, private, semi-private, municipal and non real estate)
Professionals or Non-Affiliated Amateurs
The Massachusetts Open Championship, Massachusetts Junior Amateur Championship, Massachusetts Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship and the Massachusetts Young Golfers’ Amateur Championship allow certain non Mass Golf members to register. Those individuals who do not hold a MassGolf/USGA GHIN Handicap Indices with a Member club must create a new, non-affiliated account.
To get started, CLICK HERE and fill out the fields for first name, last name and email. Since you do not have a GHIN #, you can leave that field blank and then click “find me”. You will then go through the account set-up process. Once that has been completed, you can always access your My Mass Golf Home account via the Member Login link.