Handicaps

River Creek WGA Handicap Committee and Function

The purpose of the USGA Handicap System is to make the game of golf more enjoyable by enabling players of differing abilities to compete on an equitable basis.

The WGA Handicap Committee works throughout the year in conjunction with the Pro Shop to ensure that all players understand the USGA rules of Handicap posting. The Handicap Committee will:

Regularly monitor WGA members in tandem with the Pro Shop to ensure proper postings are occurring.
Ensure that all “tournament” scores are entered into the system under “tournament” and will be monitored by the WGA Handicap committee and the Pro Shop.
Review registrations for all WGA events and notify the board of any WGA member who fails to comply with the WGA Handicap Rules and Regulations. Those individuals will not be eligible to play for “Net” prizes in WGA tournaments at River Creek.

When To Post

You should post all scores played on courses in an active season. There are a few specific rules to follow in particular cases:

If 13 or more holes are played, the player must post an 18-hole score. If 7 to 12 holes are played, the player must post a 9-hole score. In either case, scores for unplayed holes must be recorded as par plus any handicap strokes the player is entitled to receive on the unplayed holes.
Since the System automatically will combine the posting of two (2) 9-hole scores into an 18-hole score, it is no longer necessary for you to post an 18-hole score if you play two consecutive nines even if it's the same nine, or nines from different days.
When you pick up on a hole, jot down the score you most likely would have made, which is not necessarily your maximum. If this score is higher than the maximum number you are allowed under the ESC system, then you need to adjust your score to this maximum.
You must play by the principles of the Rules of Golf in order to post your score. (For instance, if you use a mulligan, you aren't playing a hole under the Rules of Golf, so treat it as a hole not played and record par plus any handicap strokes you would have received.)

When Not to Post

When don't you post scores?

When fewer than seven holes are played. (If you play 7, post as a 9-hole score as par plus any handicap strokes the player is entitled to receive on the unplayed holes.)
When made on a golf course in an area in which an inactive season established by the authorized golf association is in effect;
When a majority of the holes are not played in accordance with the principles of the Rules of Golf;
When the length of the course is less than 3,000 yards for 18 holes;
When scores are made on a course with no USGA Course or Slope Rating;
When taking a playing lesson and USGA rules are not being observed;
And, when playing alone.

The WGA Handicap committee will be providing updates and information to all WGA members throughout the season to ensure everyone is well educated on the USGA Handicap System and rules. Our goal is to serve primarily as an educational committee however action will be taken if a WGA member is found to not be in compliance with the USGA Handicap rules. If you have any questions please contact any of the Handicap Committee members.

WGA Handicap Rules and Regulations

All WGA members, regardless of handicap, are welcome to participate in all WGA events. However, all events will have the condition of a maximum course handicap of 40 from the red tees. Players with a course handicap greater than 40 will have their handicap adjusted downward to 40. The Board may make modifications to this rule for an individual tournament; in that instance the tournament rules will take precedence, e.g., in an ABCD Tournament a home course handicap maximum limitation may be applied.

All rounds of 7 – 12 holes must be posted as a 9-hole round and all rounds or 13+ holes must be posted as an 18-hole round. Posting must occur prior to the next GHIN revision following play (1st and 15th of the month). (See our website www.rivercreekwga.com for an explanation of rounds that are excluded from posting, and how to post incomplete rounds). If it is known that the player is in violation of this requirement, they will be allowed to play for gross only. One violation will result in penalty for the next WGA sponsored event played. Two or more violations will result in penalty for the next 6 WGA sponsored events played.

All WGA tournament rounds will be posted by tournament or Handicap Committee or other designated party. Rounds played in non-WGA organized events (e.g. Interleague, Districts) will be reviewed by the organization chairman or club representative.

If it is known that a WGA player is posting inaccurate scores, or intentionally manipulating their scores while playing, they will be allowed to play for gross only. One violation will result in penalty for the next event played. Two or more violations will result in penalty for the next 6 WGA sponsored events played.

Once a player has participated in a net event and demonstrated exceptional play (as determined by the handicap committee utilizing USGA Handicap Guidelines) well beyond their current USGA Handicap index, that individual will be notified that she is being placed on a “watch” list for the next 6 events played. If that same individual has a 2nd occurrence of exceptional play in a net event, her handicap may be adjusted by 20% for that event as well as the next 6 WGA sponsored events played. The Handicap committee has the responsibility of making certain that each player has a Handicap Index reflecting potential ability. Therefore, the handicap committee has the final authority to adjust any handicap that, for whatever reason, does not reflect a player's true ability.

The Handicap Committee will verify handicap indexes as required by the USGA Handicap System. The Handicap Committee shall periodically review posted scores, Handicap Indexes, and such other public records or information available to it for purposes of verifying Handicap Indexes. The Handicap Committee will be the final authority for any disputes concerning handicaps.