The following is a list of frequently asked questions the RCGA receives regarding handicapping and course rating. Please read carefully to see if any questions you may have are answered in this section. If you do not receive the answer you are looking for in the FAQ’s, feel free to submit a question using the email contact at the end of this page.
Q. Can a person obtain a handicap without being a member of a golf club?
A. One of the main principles within the RCGA Handicap System is that you must be a member of a golf club in order to obtain a Handicap Factor. However, some provincial golf associations have "Public Player" programs that give golfers the opportunity to play golf at different courses and still have the opportunity to obtain an RCGA Handicap Factor and be a member of the RCGA and provincial golf association. To find out if this program is offered in your area, please contact the appropriate provincial golf association
Q. What is ESC (Equitable Stroke Control)?
A. Equitable Stroke Control (ESC) is the downward adjustment of individual hole scores for handicap purposes in order to make handicap factors more representative of a player`s potential ability. ESC sets a maximum number that a player can post on any hole depending on the player`s Course Handicap. ESC is used only when a player`s actual or most likely score exceeds his maximum number based on the table below.
It is imperative that a player`s gross score be adjusted prior to posting for handicap purposes.
ESC (Equitable Stroke Control)
Q. I don’t seem to play to my handicap very often. Why?
A. The RCGA Handicap System is based upon the potential ability of a player rather than the average of all his scores. As such, the average player is expected to play to his Course Handicap (your Handicap Factor adjusted for the Slope Rating of the course and tees you are playing) or better only about 25 percent of the time, average three strokes higher than his Course Handicap, and have a best score (of the last 20) which is only two strokes better than his Course Handicap.
A player’s Handicap Factor is reflective of his or her playing potential because it is based upon the best scores posted for a given number of rounds, ideally the best 10 of the last 20 rounds. Since the worst 10 scores are tossed out, the Handicap Factor reflects the player’s best golf.
Q. What scores are acceptable for posting purposes?
A. Almost all scores are acceptable because the basic premise of the RCGA Handicap System is that every player will try his or her best on every hole, in every round regardless of where the round was played. Therefore all of the following are acceptable scores:
- 18 hole rounds
- 13 or more holes played you must post an 18-hole score
- 9 hole rounds
- 7-12 holes played you must post a 9-hole score
- Scores on all courses with a valid Course and Slope Rating, whether at home course, away course, or out of country (RCGA Equitable Stroke Control shall apply to international rounds)
- Scores in all forms of competition: match play, stroke play, team competitions
- Scores played with preferred lies
For handicapping purposes, the following are unacceptable scores:
- Scores of fewer than 7 holes
- Scores made on a golf course in an area during its inactive season
- Scores made in violation of the Rules of Golf
- Scores from courses under 3,000 yards for 18 holes
- Scores made in competitions stipulating the use of less than 14 clubs
- Scores made on golf courses without valid Course and Slope Ratings
- Scores made on courses that are not a member of Golf Canada/Provincial Golf Association
Q. What score do I post if I was conceded a stroke in match play?
A. If a player starts but does not complete a hole or is conceded a stroke, that player shall record for handicap purposes their most likely score. The most likely score consists of the number of strokes already taken plus, in the player's best judgement, the number of strokes that the player would need to complete the hole from that position more than half the time. This number may not exceed the player's Equitable Stroke Control limit, defined in Section 4-3 of the RCGA Handicap Manual. This most likely score should be preceded by an X, such as X6.
There is no limit to the number of unfinished holes a player may have in a round provided that failure to finish is not for the purpose of Handicap Factor manipulation.
Example 1: A and B are partners in a four-ball stroke play competition. On a hole on which neither player receives a handicap stroke, A lies two, 18 feet from the hole. B lies two, 25 feet from the hole. B holes a putt for a three. A picks up their ball because they cannot better B's score. A records X4 on the score card because 4 is their most likely score.
Example 2: A and B are playing a match. On a hole on which neither player receives a handicap stroke, A has holed out in 4; B has a 30 foot putt for a 5. B has lost the hole, and picks up. He records X6 on the score card because 6 is their most likely score.
Example 3: A and B are playing a match. On a hole on which neither player received a handicap stroke, A is one foot from the hole, lying 4. B is 10 feet from the hole, lying 3. B putts and misses. They agree to a half. Both players record 5 because that is the score they most likely would have made.
Q. What score do I post for a hole not played?
A. If a player does not play a hole or plays it other than under the Rules of Golf (except for preferred lies), their score for that hole for handicap purposes shall be par plus any handicap strokes the player is entitled to receive on the hole. When recording this hole score, precede the score with an "X".
Example: A player with a Course Handicap of 10 receives a handicap stroke on the first 10 allocated handicap-stroke holes. If the player does not play the sixth allocated stroke hole because of construction on the green, the player shall record a score of par plus one for handicap purposes.
Q. We’ve made changes to our course and/or don’t think our Slope rating is correct. What do we do?
A. All Slope ratings are determined and issued by your provincial golf association. A club may never rate its own course or make adjustments to the course rating you have been issued. If you have made temporary (e.g. temporary tees/greens) or permanent changes to your golf course your club should notify the provincial golf association.
In the case of temporary changes, the association will decide whether scores made under those conditions will be accepted for handicap purposes and whether the Course or Slope rating should be modified temporarily. If you have made permanent changes to your course, the course will be re-rated by the provincial association.
Q. How do we determine if our handicap calculation software is certified by the RCGA?
A. You can find a list of the certified handicap calculation software programs on this website or call our Handicap Help Desk 1-800-263-0009 x209. Before you call, please determine the name and version of your handicap software, usually shown on the main screen of the program. Starting in 2000, the RCGA has requested that all licensed vendors of the RCGA Handicap System display a “RCGA Certified Handicap Software” logo on the main screen of their program – look for this symbol that the software conforms.
Q. Does the RCGA provide handicap calculation software?
A. Yes, all member clubs are entitled to utilize the internet-based RCGA Network as a member service.
Q. We have a number of questions regarding the RCGA Handicap & Course Rating systems. What do we do?
A. Your handicap committee should have an up-to-date copy of the RCGA Handicap Manual – the latest version is effective as of January 1, 2008.
If you can’t find the answer you are looking for in the manual, please call our toll-free Handicap Help Desk 1-800-263-0009, extension 209.
Q. How is an RCGA Handicap Factor calculated?
A.
1. Determine Your Adjusted Score:
For handicapping purposes, Equitable Stroke Control (ESC) sets a maximum number that a player can post on any hole depending on your Course Handicap. Adjust your gross score downward using the following chart:
Player`s Handicap Limitation On Hole Score
0 or plus maximum 1 over par
1 through 18 maximum 2 over par
19 through 32 maximum 3 over par
33 and over maximum 4 over par
2. Calculate Your Differential: A handicap differential is the difference between the adjusted gross score and the Course Rating multiplied by 113 and then divided by the Slope Rating with the result being rounded to the nearest tenth. The following is an example for a course with a 71.5 course rating and a 130 Slope Rating:
Adjusted gross score 95
Course Rating 71.5
Difference 23.5
Handicap Differential 113 x 23.5/130 = 20.4
The value 113 in the above formula is the national standard for Slope ratings and is used to weight differentials.
3. Calculate Your Handicap Factor:
a. The Handicap Factor is computed from the best 10 differentials of the player’s last 20 rounds as follows:
Total of lowest differentials 147.1
Average 14.71
Average multiplied by 96% 14.12
Delete all numbers after tenths digit 14.1
RCGA Handicap Factor is 14.1
b. If fewer than 20 differentials are available:
Number of Acceptable Scores Differentials to be Used
5 or 6 Lowest 1
7 or 8 Lowest 2
9 or 10 Lowest 3
11 or 12 Lowest 4
13 or 14 Lowest 5
15 or 16 Lowest 6
17 Lowest 7
18 Lowest 8
19 Lowest 9
Your current RCGA Handicap Factor is recorded and certified on the reverse of your RCGA/Provincial Golf Association membership card by the designated official at your club. This is the only acceptable means of verifying your Factor for the purposes of entering a golf tournament.
Q. How is my Course Handicap calculated?
A. Each time you play you must calculate your Course Handicap for the course and tees you are playing. You can use a Slope Conversion Chart, or you can do the simple math: Factor X Slope, divide by 113, round to nearest whole number (.5 rounded up).
Q. When players are competing from different tees, why do you make a second adjustment?
A. Many players question the application of Section 3-5, where players are competing from different sets of tees, or men and women are competing from the same set of tees. This is a difficult concept to understand and we are offering a few different ways to allow you to explain this to your club members.
We need to define what the Slope Rating does, as many players think the different Slope Ratings automatically take care of the difference in the two sets of tees. This is a myth. The Slope Rating is used to convert a Handicap Factor to a Course Handicap, which allows the player to receive the number of strokes he needs to play to the level of a scratch golfer for that particular set of tees. In other words, it is the number of strokes he needs to play down to the Course Rating for that particular set of tees.
Example
Player A: Handicap Factor of 10.4
White set of tees: Course Rating of 71.1 and a Slope Rating of 130.
Course Handicap for player A on the white tees is a 12 (10.4 x 130/113).
He needs 12 strokes to play down to the level of a scratch golfer on the white set of tees. The scratch golfer is what the Course Rating is based upon, so that is 71.1. For the Course Handicap of 12 to play down to the level of a scratch golfer, he would need to shoot 71.1 + 12, or 83.1, which we will round to 83. So, if player A plays to his Course Handicap by shooting 83, he would tie the scratch golfer shooting 71 on the white set of tees. Now, we have found a way for a golfer to compete against a player with a different skill level from a specific set of tees.
Player B: Handicap Factor of 10.4
Blue set of tees: Course Rating of 73.2 and a Slope Rating of 140.
Course Handicap for player B on the blue tees is 13 (10.4 x 140/113).
Player B needs 13 strokes to play down to the level of a scratch golfer for this particular blue set of tees. As we said earlier, the scratch golfer is what the Course Rating is based upon, and on the blue set of tees that is 73.2. For the Course Handicap of 13 to play down to the level of a scratch golfer, he would need to shoot 73.2 + 13 or 86.3, which we will round to 86. So, if player B plays to his Course Handicap by shooting 86, he would tie the scratch golfer shooting 73 on the blue set of tees. Great, again we have found a way for a golfer to compete against a player with a different skill level from a specific set of tees.
So now the two non-scratch players decide to compete against one another; Player A from the white tees and Player B from the blue tees. We have determined their Course Handicap when they were going to play someone else from the same set of tees, but that is no longer the case. However, we have already determined that player A needs 12 strokes to play down to a scratch for the white set of tees and player B needs 13 strokes to play down to the level of a scratch player for the blue set of tees. If both players play exactly to their Course Handicap, player A scores 83 for a net of 71 and player B scores 86 for a net of 73. Player A wins every time if they shoot to their Course Handicap, as 71 is better than 73. This is because the Course Handicaps were set up allowing each player to score down to the level of the scratch golfer for the specific set of tees they are playing. SLOPE allows one to compete with someone from the same set of tees, but in our example the players are not playing the same set of tees.
Now we have to standardize/equalize the Course Ratings in order for the two players to compete equitably. The same thing would apply when two scratch players chose to play from these two different sets of tees. A scratch golfer would shoot a 71 from the white tees and another scratch golfer would shoot a 73 from the blue tees. Because the player playing the blue tees is playing a course with a higher Course Rating (more difficult set of tees), we must equalize the difference in Course Ratings in order to do any type of comparison or competition. This applies to every golfer, no matter what their level of skill, as all the Slope Rating has done is given a player enough strokes to play down to the level of a scratch for the specific set of tees.
Back to our net players A and B. Because player B is playing a set of tees with a higher Course Rating, we must add the difference between the two Course Ratings to his Course Handicap if he is going to compete with someone else from a different set of tees. 73.2 (blue) - 71.1 (white) = 2.2, which we round to 2. So player B will add two strokes to his 13, resulting in a Course Handicap of 15. Now let's look at the competition if both players score to their Course Handicap:
Target Score
Player A
83
Player B
86
Course Handicap
12
13
Diff. in Rating
2
Net Score
71
71
We have reached our desired goal. Both players have scored to their Course Handicap and their net score results in a tie.
Common thoughts:
1. My Handicap Factor converts to the same Course Handicap from two different sets of tees. This system must be screwed up because I definitely score higher on the longer set of tees and I need more strokes. Example, a player has a Handicap Factor of 10.4. The white set of tees has a Course Rating of 70.9 and a Slope Rating of 118. The blue tee has a Course Rating of 73.1 and a Slope Rating of 122. In both cases 10.4 converts to a Course Handicap of 11. As we learned in Example 1, the Slope Rating allows us to receive enough strokes to play to the level of a scratch golfer from a particular set of tees. So, when this player plays the white set of tees, he needs 11 strokes to play down to the Course Rating of 70.9. When he plays the blue set of tees, he needs 11 strokes to play down to the Course Rating of 73.1. So, to play to his Course Handicap, he needs to score 70.9 + 11 = 81.9 or 82 from the white tees and 73.1 + 11 = 84.1 or 84 from the blue tees. The system recognizes the difficulty difference in the two sets of tees, but it doesn't show up until we take into account both the Course Rating and the Slope Rating.
2. A player develops a Handicap Factor from a certain set of tees, so a 10.4 who plays all the time from the blue tees is better than the 10.4 who plays from the white set of tees. Another way to read this is that a player develops a Handicap Factor from a specific set of tees. In our last example, we said the white tees had a Course Rating of 70.9 and a Slope Rating of 118. What would a player have to average with his ten best scores/differentials to become a 10.4? Let's skip the 96 percent factor in the formula to make it easier to determine. First, we need to determine how to calculate a handicap differential. It is the adjusted gross score minus the Course Rating multiplied by a 113 STANDARD for Slope Rating, divided by the Slope Rating of the tees played. 81.8 - 70.9 x 113/118 = 10.4. So if a player averaged 81.8 on his ten best differentials, the result would be 10.4. If a blue tee player averaged 81.8, the result would be 8.1 (81.8 - 73.1 x 113/122). Result: Shooting the same score from different sets of tees does not result in the same Handicap Factor.
For a player averaging 84.3 from the blue tees, the resulting Handicap Factor would be 10.4 (84.3 - 73.1 x 113/122). The combination of the differences in Course Ratings, plus the weighting of the Slope Rating shows that a blue tee player averaging 2.5 strokes higher than the white tee player would result in the same Handicap Factor. This is how we determine which ten rounds to count in your Handicap Factor, whether played from the blue tee at your course, the white tee at your course or the blue tees at Pebble Beach.
Nowhere in the above information did we mention the word par. Players often try to throw par into the mix when trying to figure if scores are equal. Par is of little relevance in the handicap system and is a terrible indicator of predicting score. For example, one course may be 5500 yards long and have a par of 72 and another may be 7200 yards long and have a par of 72. It is highly unlikely that scores on these two courses would be equal for any level of golfer.
In each of the examples, we have used both Course Rating and Slope Rating. The point is that Slope Rating by itself has little meaning within the Handicap System. There must be a Course Rating standard to connect/attach to the Slope Rating in order for there to be any meaning. If there is one thing to remember from all of this, it is that the Slope Rating is used to convert a Handicap Factor to a Course Handicap, which allows the player to receive the number of strokes he needs to play to the level of a scratch golfer for that particular set of tees.
Q. What system is used to allocate handicap holes?
A. See Section 17 of the RCGA Handicap Manual.
Q. What handicap allowance should be used for a scramble?
A. Since a scramble is not played under the principles of The Rules of Golf, it will not be found in the manual. However, this recommendation seems to work well for most groups, regardless of minimum number of drives required or other special conditions:
| 4-Person Scramble* |
|
2-Person Scramble* |
| 20% |
A |
|
35% |
A |
| 15% |
B |
|
15% |
B |
| 10% |
C |
|
|
|
| 5% |
D |
|
|
|
| * Based on a percentage of Course HandicapTM |
Q. Can a handicap be altered for a player who is injured?
A. An increase in an RCGA Handicap Factor shall not be granted because a player is temporarily off their game or has discontinued play. However, an increased handicap may be given for a temporary disability. The increased handicap is not an RCGA Handicap Factor, and it must be identified by the letter "L" to indicate that it is for local use. For example, a player having had recent surgery may be given a higher Local handicap while recovering.
Q. Can a score be posted if preferred lies were used.
A. Preferred Lies (Winter Rules) is a Local Rule that may be adopted by the Committee when adverse conditions are so general throughout a course that improving the lie of the ball in a specified way would promote fair play or help protect the course. Heavy snows, spring thaws, prolonged rains or extreme heat can make fairways unsatisfactory and sometimes prevent use of heavy mowing equipment. The RCGA does not endorse "preferred lies".
When a Committee adopts a Local Rule for "preferred lies," it should be in detail and should be interpreted by the Committee, as there is no established code for "preferred lies". Without a detailed Local Rule, it is meaningless for a Committee to post a notice merely saying "Preferred Lies" or "Winter Rules Today".
Scores made when the Local Rule "preferred lies" (winter rules) is used shall be posted for handicap purposes unless the Committee determines that conditions are so poor that such scores should not be posted.
Q. Must I post my score if I used an electronic distance-measuring device?
A. Yes. While electronic distance-measuring devices are not permitted under the rules of golf, if you use an EDMD you must post the score for handicapping purposes, providing the EDMD does not measure wind speed or gradient.
Q. What is the difference between an RCGA Factor and a USGA Index?
A. An RCGA Factor and USGA Index are considered equivalent. There are a few minor differences between the RCGA and USGA Handicap Systems (including different methods of Equitable Stroke Control) but even with these differences, an RCGA Factor and a USGA Index are considered equivalents.
Q. Should I post the scores from my winter vacation?
A. If the round(s) played were in an area observing an Active Handicap Season then you must post the score(s). Most of the southern United States observe a year-round Active Season, but you can confirm the Active Season for where you are playing by calling the State golf association for that area.
Q. What are the Active Handicap Seasons for posting rounds played in Canada?
A. BC = Mar.1 - Nov.30
AB = Mar.1 - Oct.31
SK = Apr.15 - Oct.31
MB = Apr.15 - Oct.31
ON = Apr.15 - Oct.31
QC = Apr.15 - Oct.31
NS = Apr.15 - Oct.31
NB = May.1 - Oct.31
PE = Apr.15 - Nov.14
NL = May.1 - Oct.31
Q. How soon after playing do I have post my score for handicap purposes?
A. The score must be posted immediately following the round, or if that is not possible, as soon as practicable.
Q. How do I know if a score is supposed to be posted as a Tournament Score?
A. The committee in charge of the competition and the Handicap Committee at the club must decide if a particular score is to be posted as a 'T' score. It is important that the committee declare to the players beforehand whether or not the score must be posted as a 'T' score.
Q. Are tournament scores calculated differently than regular scores?
A. No. Tournament scores are calculated the same as regular scores, but if tournament scores posted are much lower than regular scores posted the Handicap Factor may be subject to an automatic reduction. See Section 10-3 of the RCGA Handicap Manual.
Q. Should only a percentage of a player's Course Handicap be used in competition?
A. In most forms of competition the RCGA recommends that players be allowed to compete with their full Course Handicap. However, there are certain forms of team competion where the RCGA recommends a percentage be used in order to ensure a fair competition. See Section 9-4 of the RCGA Handicap Manual.
Q. Does my club have to have a Handicap Committee?
A. Yes. As per the RCGA Member Club Handicap License Agreement, in order to issue Handicap Factors to its members, a club must have a Handicap Committee.
Q. In a match between a man and a woman, if a hole is par-5 for women and a par-4 for men and both players score a 4 on the hole, who wins the hole?
A. In match play, par is irrelavent. The player who scores the lowest on the hole wins the hole.
Q. What is the maximum handicap a person can have?
A. The maximum Handicap Factor for men is 36.4 and for women is 40.4. A Handicap Factor exceeding these limits must be identified as a Local Handicap.
Note: A maximum Handicap Factor will convert to a Course Handicap that exceeds the max. on golf courses with a Slope Rating greater than 113. Ex. A player with a Handicap Factor of 36.4 will have a Course Handicap of 43 on a course with a Slope Rating of 133.
Q. I've just played golf in the UK. Can I post the scores for handicap purposes?
A. Only scores from courses with a Course and Slope Rating are eligible for handicap purposes. Most courses in the UK do not have a Course and Slope Rating, so scores from these courses are not eligible. Some courses in the UK do have a Course and Slope Rating and its becoming more and more common as North American golfers have requested the ability to post scores for handicap purposes. Check the scorecard for a listing of Course and Slope Rating, or ask a golf course official.
Q. How are 9-hole score combined to create an 18-hole score?
A. 9-hole scores are combined regardless of where they were played, i.e. a front nine score from Pebble Beach will be combined with a front nine score from Hamilton GCC. The 18-hole combined score is the sum of the 9-hole Course Ratings and the average of the 9-hole Slope Ratings (.5 rounded up).
Q. How do I post a score for hole with a temporary green?
A. If the hole's character and playing length have not been altered and you can play the hole under the Rules of Golf, then you can post your actual score on the hole. Otherwise, you must post par, plus any handicap strokes you would be entitled to on that hole. See Section 4-2 of the RCGA Handicap Manual.
Q. Can I post a score if I play alone?
A. Yes, provided the round is played in accordance with the Rules of Golf.
Q. Can I post a score if I have played two balls?
A. No. A score may not be posted for either ball.
Q. How can I become Handicap Certified?
A. Each provincial golf association conducts a series of handicap seminars throughout the year. The seminars are generally 3 hours long, including a brief quiz. Upon passing the quiz an attendee is then considered handicap certified (every RCGA club must have a representative attend a handicap seminar) and prepared to be part of the Handicap Committee at their club (every RCGA club must have a Handicap Committee).
If you have any additional questions, please contact mmackay@rcga.org or call 1-800-263-0009 x209
