Handicap Committee Update 6.20.26:
A question came up this week on how to post scores for incomplete rounds. Here are some important facts for GG live scoring during league or posting to GHIN other days of play.
- Hole Started & Not Finished: Post ‘X’ and GHIN will calculate a Net Double Bogey.
- Holes NEVER Played: Leave the holes blank. GHIN will calculate the Expected Score Differential (based on your handicap). DO NOT post ‘X’ or GHIN will post a Net Double Bogey, and this will result in an inaccurately inflated score.
- 9 holes must be played for a score to be “post-able”. If a hole was started and you picked up, that is considered a hole played. A 9-hole score will post in GHIN as score type ‘N’.
- If you play 10-17 holes, GHIN will post an 18-hole score notating the last hole played in (subscript). Leave all un-played holes blank (NO X’s) and GHIN will calculate your Expected Score Differential.
- Practice Rounds are rare, but if you do one, you need to declare before play begins to your group, that it is a Practice Round.
- NOTE: WHS Handicap Rules were updated in 2024, so google often will quote the outdated rules. For up-to-date Rules of Handicapping, go to https://www.coloradogolf.org
Handicap Committee Update 6-8-26
How to Change an Incorrect Posting: Contact the Handicap Chair, Lori Myers, Text: (970) 531-0006 or myerslk@comcast.net, not Jesse or Tanner. The correction will show pending until midnight (1 am MT) at which time, the correction will appear and the erroneous post will go away.
(Jesse indicated at the Luncheon that he wants the Leagues to be as self-sufficient as possible. He and Tanner have more on their plate now w/o JT in the Pro Shop.)
Post ALL Scores, Hole By Hole, On The Day Of Play: This is important to ensure fairness in competition for Leagues, Tournaments, games w/ friends and accountability to USGA/CGA that our league is in compliance. GHIN will adjust “your max” and for PCC (Playing Conditions Calculation). Use of the GHIN app is encouraged for scoring and immediate posting after the round. If you forgot to post, post it later and you will receive a message from GHIN to post same day in the future.
Partial Round Played Must Be Posted: Post all your scores to GHIN and GHIN will do the calculations. Leave unposted holes blank. Your handicap will be unfair/ inaccurate, if you don’t post ALL rounds, even partial rounds. You must play at least 9 holes for your score to be “post-able”.
Match Play: Use the Handicap Calculator on the GHIN app to determine the # strokes to give. If you need help or how to determine where to put the “pops”/ strokes on your card, please ask the Handicap Committee for help.
Effective 2020, the USGA introduced the new World Handicap System. The USGA and R&A consolidated previous systems used in the US, Europe and the rest of the world.
What has changed?
1. There is no longer an ‘equitable stroke control’ or “Max” score.
2. For score posting purposes, the “Max” score has been replaced by Net Double Bogey and it varies by hole.
3. There is now a Competition (C) score instead of a tournament (T) score.
4. Index will refresh every 24 hours so it will be important to post your score on the day of play.
Definitions:
Handicap Index: The measure of a player’s demonstrated ability calculated against the slope rating of a golf course of standard playing difficulty. It is the number that the GHIN system gives you and is calculated from the scores that you post.
Course Handicap: It is the number of handicap strokes a player receives from a specific set of tees as determined by the Slope Rating and the difference between Course Rating and Par.
Net Double Bogey: A score equal to the par of the hole plus two strokes and adjusted for any handicap strokes applied to that hole. A Net Double Bogey is a player’s maximum hole score for handicap purposes.
Net Par: A score equal to the par of a hole adjusted for any handicap strokes applied on that hole.
Most Likely Score: The score a player records for handicap (posting) purposes for a hole that is started but where the player does not hole out.
World Handicap System – The Basics
A Handicap Index is an indication of your ability when you are playing well. The handicap system assures fair play across a range of golfing ability.
When should I post a score?
All scores from stroke play, match play and team formats where you play your own ball are acceptable – as long as you play and another person is present during your round. Posting on the day of play is important.
Posting your score
Download the USGA GHIN app and post your score as you play, so when you are finished you can immediately post your score to GHIN. You should post your score hole-by-hole and GHIN will make the adjustments for you. Since the system updates daily, it is important that you post your score on the day of play. GHIN will also make adjustments based on PCC – Playing Conditions Calculation; another reason why posting the same day is important. Lastly, posting the same day is important to ensure your handicap is accurate and current to be fair in the events you play in such as League, Tournaments or games with your friends.
It is highly recommended that you post your score hole by hole in GHIN. This is the easiest way to post and does not require ANY calculations as the GHIN system will adjust for your net double bogey maximum.
If you started the round and did not complete a hole or if you did not play a hole at all, leave those holes blank and GHIN will make the calculation for you. You must play at lease 9 holes in order to post. If you continue on and quit after hole 10 or further, post the holes you played and leave the others blank. GHIN will do the calculations.
Guidance for holes NOT played or Holes NOT completed
You need to play a minimum of 9 holes, to post a score. If you continue on and play the back 9 and due to illness, lightning, or other reason, leave the holes blank that were not played and GHIN will make the calculation for you.
What if I forgot to post on the day of play? Post your score and date it for the day of play and you will receive a message from GHIN reminding you in the future to post the same day of play.