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USGA Handicap System

The club uses the USGA Handicapping system, along with the other golf clubs in Brunei. This means that Handicaps issued by the PGC are valid worldwide.

Players are reminded that under the USGA system, all cards (even social cards) should be submitted for inclusion in the player’s handicap record.

Outline of the USGA handicap system

USGA Handicap index

Your USGA handicap index is based on the average handicap differential of the lowest 10 of your last 20 cards. Your handicap will be updated on the 1st day of each new month and posted on the PGC Noticeboard.

The handicap differential is not simply the difference between your gross score and the par rating for the course. The following formula is used so that handicap differentials can be compared between courses of different playing difficulty:

Handicap Differential = (Adjusted Gross Score - USGA Course Rating) x 113 / USGA Slope Rating

A 'bonus for excellence' factor of 0.96 is applied to the average handicap differential to arrive at the USGA handicap index

If you have not submitted 20 cards, the number of cards used to calculate your handicap will be based on the following table:

To account for the occasional “disaster hole” the maximum score on any particular hole is capped, for the purposes of calculating your handicap as follows:

The difference between your USGA and your course (playing) handicap

The USGA handicapping system defines two separate handicaps

(a) Handicap Index (or USGA Handicap index)

This is the USGA’s service mark used to indicate a measurement of a player’s potential ability on a course of standard playing difficulty. It is expressed as a number taken to one decimal place, and is used for conversion to a Course Handicap.

(b) Course Handicap

This is the USGA’s mark that indicates the number of handicap strokes a player receives from a specific set of tees at the course being played to adjust his scoring ability to the level of scratch or 0-handicap golf. For a player with a plus Course Handicap, it is the number of handicap strokes the player gives to adjust his scoring ability to the level of scratch or 0-handicap golf. A Course Handicap is determined by applying the player’s USGA Handicap Index to a Course Handicap Table or Course Handicap Formula. A player’s Course Handicap is expressed as a whole number of strokes.

Your course handicap is calculated from the Slope rating of the course according to the following formula:

Course handicap = Handicap index x USGA Slope Rating/113

However you won’t normally need to worry about making this calculation yourself as both handicap index and course handicap are posted on the PGC noticeboard. If you play on another course, you need to remember your USGA handicap so you can look up your course handicap on the table which should be posted at that course. You can also refer to the conversion tables below:

Conversion Table - PGC Men

Conversion Table - PGC Ladies

Course and Slope ratings

The Course Rating represents the playing difficulty of a course for a scratch golfer under normal weather and course conditions. Bogey Rating represents the playing difficulty of a course for a specifically defined non-scratch golfer under normal weather and course conditions. Slope Rating is the difference between the Bogey Rating and the Course Rating multiplied by a mathematical constant. Therefore, Slope Rating represents the relative playing difficulty of a course for a non-scratch golfer compared to a scratch golfer. The higher the Slope Rating the greater the gap in expected scores between the scratch golfer and the bogey golfer. A course of standard playing difficulty has a Slope Rating of 113. Slope Ratings range from a minimum of 55 to a maximum of 155.

The course and slope rating of the Panaga Golf Course are:

Obligation to submit all cards

For this system to be an accurate reflection of members playing ability, it is important that all members submit all cards for handicap purposes. In particular:

· Post scores in all forms of play; match play, stroke play, even team competitions in which you are requested to pick up.

· Post scores from both PGC and away courses.

· Post scores for both 9 and 18 hole rounds when you play at least 13 holes out of 18-holes or at least 7 out of 9 holes. On the holes you didn't play, record a par plus any handicap strokes you would have received.

There are only a very limited number of cases when cards should not be returned.

· If you played fewer than 7 or 13 holes (Remember that you still have an acceptable 9-hole score if you play at least 7 holes).

· When you play in a competition limiting the types of clubs used, such as a one-club or irons-only tournament.

· When an 18-hole course is less than 3,000 yards.

· When a majority of the holes aren't played under the Rules of Golf, as in a "Texas scramble”.

Cards should be placed in the box located outside the Administration Office. The PGC staff will enter your scores into the computer system. You are welcome to review your scoring record as well as that of any other PGC member. If you feel that your handicap is not an accurate reflection of your current standard of play please notify the Hon. Membership and Handicap Secretary by leaving a note at the Administration Office explaining why you feel your handicap is incorrect. You may also send an e-mail to: pgc.admin@panaga.com.bn

Please note that the PGC Committee has determined that all members must submit at least 5 scorecards per year to retain an official USGA handicap.

Further Details

For further information on the USGA handicap system, please refer to the USGA Handicapping manual