HANDICAP PROCEDURES AND CONTROLS

 The United States Golf Association (USGA) Handicap System is the official handicapping system of the Southern California Golf Association (SCGA) and the Los Verdes Men's Golf and Country Club (LVMC).  The purpose of the handicap system is to allow players of differing abilities to compete on an equitable basis.  All LVMC members' handicap indices will be computed in accordance with this system.  A handicap index must be earned.  No player has the inherent right to an index without providing evidence of his playing ability. Handicapping is the heart of the game of golf and the prime responsibility lies with the individual golfer to maintain his scores in the spirit of the handicapping rules delineated in this section.

PROCEDURE

Each member is responsible for the correct posting of his adjusted gross score. LVMC uses the SCGA/USGA GHIN computer system to collect and record  scores and to calculate handicap indices. After each round you should check your score, make the proper adjustments using the Equitable Stoke Control (ESC) system for each hole and post your adjusted gross score on the computer. This is the score that the SCGA/GHIN will use to determine your handicap index.

The GHIN computer we use is downloaded continuously to the SCGA/GHIN data processing center server.  On the 1^st and 15^th of each month, handicap indices are calculated and distributed to members via email.  They are also posted at the course in the men’s locker room and in the weekday playbook.  Scores posted after 9:00 PM the night before this index calculation will be used in the following period’s index calculation.

The SCGA website allows you to print onto your personal printer your current index information twice a month (after the 1^st and after the 15^th).  You may download this information at the following website: http://www.scga.org/Handicap/HandicapIndexLookup.aspx

MEMBERSHIP INDEX VERIFICATION CARD

Your SCGA Membership and Index Card is one way to verify and record your monthly index. The card is included in the year's first issue of the FORE magazine that is sent to you by the SCGA. Two cards will be provided for each club to which you belong. One card is for your wallet and the other can be attached to your golf bag if you so choose.. For each handicap period, you receive an email with your current handicap data which displays the last 20 rounds you played, the low rounds (highlighted) used for your index calculation, your lowest index in the past twelve months and your current index. This card should be kept handy and current, especially if you play away rounds or tournaments. It is recognized nationwide and, if needed, is a convenient way to introduce yourself to an "Away" club and verify your index at the same time.

SCORES

As a basic rule of handicapping, all 18 hole rounds played at any course (except for "scores not acceptable" as defined below) should be posted.

Scores not acceptable for posting

Scores made under the following conditions are not acceptable for index calculation purposes and should not be posted in any form.

1. When less than 13 holes are played for posting an 18 hole score or less than 7 holes are played for posting a 9 hole score. If you play 7 or more holes but less than 13 holes in any single round you may post the score as a 9 hole round score subject to the SCGA guidelines.

2. When the types of clubs used are limited or the number of clubs used is limited to less than 14 i.e., a competition in which only iron clubs or 3 clubs and a putter are allowed.

3. When the format does not allow the player to play his own ball for the entire round. (Scotch Twosome, Scramble, etc.)

4. When a game is played on a course under repair and temporary tees and/or greens arc being used - unless the SCGA office is notified when this type of situation exists and a temporary rating can be established while the course is under repair.

5. When a game is played on a course with no SGCA/USGA Course or Slope Rating

In all of the above-mentioned cases where a card is turned in the letters "N/C" should be noted on the card. This designation will preclude any penalty being imposed on the player for not posting a score for the round.

Incomplete Holes

In normal play, as well as Better-Ball and Match Play tournaments, a player who picks up and does not finish the hole must record (for indexing purposes) a score for the hole or holes as follows:

1. The player picks up before completing the hole he should record his score as the number of strokes taken to that point plus the number of strokes the player most likely would have taken most of the time from that point to complete the hole. His score for that hole is subject to not exceeding the maximum stokes allowed under the ESC system.

   • Example: A, a 15 handicap player, and B are playing a match. On a par 4 hole A is 10 yards in front of the green, lying 4. B is on the green 15 feet from the hole, lying 2. A concedes the hole and would record a score of "7X" as, most likely. It would take him three strokes to get down from that point most of the time.  B estimates a 2 putt considering he has a downhill put with a significant break and thus records a 4X..

2. When a putt is conceded, the score for index purposes shall be the number of strokes taken to that point plus the number of strokes the player most likely would have taken most of the time from that point to complete the hole. His score for that hole is subject to not exceeding the maximum stokes allowed under the ESC system.

   • Example: A and B are playing a match. A is on the green 15 feet from the hole, lying 3. B is on the green 10 feet from the hole, lying 3. A putts and misses and is 1 foot from the hole. They both concede a half and pick up. Both Players record a "5X" on their card because that is the score they most likely would have made from where they were on the green relative to the hole.

3. It is not contemplated that a player will discontinue play on a hole if there is a reasonable chance that he will play the hole in fewer strokes than allowed under the ESC system. If this does happen follow the guidelines mentioned in 1 or 2 (above).

In any of the three previous situations an "X" should be marked next to the score for the hole(s) affected.

Under no circumstance shall these provisions be utilized to artificially control one's index. If these provisions should be used for such purposes, the Handicap Committee may adjust the player's index arbitrarily downward. ass="MsoNormal"> Incomplete Rounds

If a player has an incomplete round, but has completed a majority (13 or more) of the holes, he must record a "Net Par" for those holes not played. In this way he will provide a complete 18-hole round score for indexing purposes.

Example: On a par four hole that he receives a stroke on, the player would put a "5X" down as the score for that hole. If he did not receive a stroke then he would put a "4X" as the score for that hole.

Home Scores

All games played by a member at the Los Verdes Golf Course shall be recorded on a card that is either available from the course starter or the tournament captain. The card should contain the first and last name of each player, the SCGA identification number of each player, the handicap of each player (if one exists), the number of strokes taken on each hole, and the gross, net and adjusted score for each player. The card should identity which set of tees were used and be signed and dated by the player keeping score and attested by another person present during the round.

Immediately following the completion of the round the player will post their adjusted score on the GHIN computer. Make sure that you select the "LVMC Men’s 18" option when the system asks which course did you play. If it were a tournament round then the adjusted score would be posted as a "T''' tournament round and the card turned into the tournament committee. I f it is a non-tournament round then the adjusted score is posted as a "H" Home round and the card returned  by placing it in the RED BOX located in the Men's locker room. The Handicap Committee will review both Tournament and Home scorecards and compare them to scores posted on a regular basis.

Away Scores

All Away games should be posted.  Most golf courses have some form of computerized handicapping system (GHIN, EHS, IGN or other) where you can post your score. It is the responsibility of the player to make certain that his correct SCGA identification number and adjusted score (according to the ESC system) has been entered. When possible, the scorecards for rounds played at "Away" courses, and posted at that course, should be properly completed and returned to Los Verdes and placed in the Red Box in the men's locker room. The card should reflect whether the adjusted gross score had been posted, or not, at the course played.

At some non-SCGA, Pub-Links or out of state courses you may not be able to post your score. If the course does not have a computerized handicapping system, or the IGN system is not available, it is permissible to post via the internet using www.LVMGCC.ORG or www.SCGA.ORG. Whether posting on the internet or not, properly dated, attested and signed scorecards are to be returned to Los Verdes and placed in the Red Box in the men's locker room. It is imperative that the tees used and the course rating are circled, or otherwise identified, on the scorecard. For all “not posted” cards, a Handicap Committee member will enter these "Away" scores into the GHIN system.

The scoring peculiarities of many golfers must be considered in order to produce equitable indexes. This is why a handicap is not simply the difference between a player's average score and the course rating. It is also why index controls are incorporated as checks and balances to offset abnormal scoring.

Equitable Stroke Control

Under the ESC system an 18-hole score is adjusted downward when, due to one or more unusually high scores on an individual hole or number of holes, the score is abnormal in relation to the player's general playing ability.

 Each player is responsible for adjusting his score in accordance with the ESC formula before it is turned in for indexing purposes. It is a simple procedure to add the number of strokes taken in excess of the formula on any hole, or holes, and deduct the total from the gross score to arrive at an adjusted figure for index purposes. ESC applies to all 18 holes and not just to incomplete holes on which a player is entitled to handicap strokes.

 The ESC range is based on your course handicap for the applicable course being played.  Thus if your index is an 8.9 and you play a course with a Rating of 100 you handicap would be a 9.  Thus per the ESC Table the maximum score you may post would be a 5 on a Par 3.  On the other hand, if you played a course with a Rating of 122, such as Los Verdes from the White Tees your handicap would be a 10 and thus you may post a 7 on a Par 3.

Equitable Stroke Control Table

Temporary Index

 A player may have a temporary index established on as few as 5 scores and based on the lowest of the 5 scores and continue according to a formula until he has accumulated 20 scores. Scoring records shall be maintained continuously from year to year. Scores made in a new calendar year shall be added to those of the preceding calendar year to make up the required total of 20 scores from which to select the player's 10 lowest index differentials used to calculate his monthly index.

Penalty Assessments (Local Rules)

 During the regularly sponsored club tournaments the player is responsible for his score on the scorecard. He is also responsible for posting his correctly adjusted gross score on the GHIN computer. The tournament committee will correct scorecards for errors in addition and net score as relates to the tournament. The Handicap Committee will review the cards for proper score adjustment and correct posted scores for the tournament for any posting errors.

 During tournament or regular play, a warning or penalty may be assessed on a player for:

1.  Failure to Post

2.  Scorecard omissions such as first and last name, date, scorer's signature, attester's signature, SCGA number, handicap not indicated, tees used, etc.

3.  Failure to return a scorecard.

4.  Posting a tournament score as Home (H) instead of Tournament (T).

5.  Failure to make proper adjustments prior to posting

6.  When there is an error in addition indicating a higher score than the player actually incurred and that gross score was adjusted and posted.

No penalties will be assessed by the handicap committee for scorecards incorrectly added resulting in a lower score than the player actually incurred. The incorrect lower score may be corrected or may be allowed to remain.

Handicap Increases and Decreases (USGA Rules: Section 8-3d.)

ARBITRARY PENALTY - Based on analysis, and at the discretion of the Handicap Committee, a player's handicap may be reduced, or frozen, when normal computation methods produce a handicap obviously too high for the individual's ability.

Example: A player who scores consistently better in tournaments than what his index indicates is his "normal" playing ability.

USGA/SCGA Penalty Policy

Continued violations or deviations by an individual player from written or stated policies of the U.S.G.A., S.C.G.A or local Handicap Committee may result in a player’s suspension from tournament play by deletion of his handicap index.

Definitions

Adjusted Gross Score o:p>

&"Adjusted Gross Score" is a players' gross score minus any adjustment under the ESC system (see below). The adjusted score shall be used for index calculation purposes only.

Equitable Stroke Control /b>