FORE Magazine

Top Menu

  • About Me
  • Contact Us
  • Home

Main Menu

  • Current Issue
  • Digital Book
  • Profiles
  • Sustainability
  • Travel
  • 19th Hole
  • Classic Course
  • FORE Her
  • More
    • Know the Rules
    • Handicap Hints
    • SCGA Junior
    • Where Are They Now?
    • News
    • Public Affairs
Sign in / Join

Login

Welcome! Login in to your account
Lost your password?

Lost Password

Back to login

logo

FORE Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Digital Book
  • Profiles
  • Sustainability
  • Travel
  • 19th Hole
  • Classic Course
  • FORE Her
  • More
    • Know the Rules
    • Handicap Hints
    • SCGA Junior
    • Where Are They Now?
    • News
    • Public Affairs
Fall 2016Handicap Hints
Home›Issues›Fall 2016›Golf’s Great Equalizer: It’s a Safe Bet that the Handicap System Makes Your Games More Enjoyable

Golf’s Great Equalizer: It’s a Safe Bet that the Handicap System Makes Your Games More Enjoyable

By Kevin O'Connor
October 24, 2016
5849
0
Share:

Golf can bring all kinds of feelings, from despair making someone want to quit the game to the euphoria from a great shot or round. For some, the thrill of competition is an essential element to heighten interest in the game. One can almost envision the heart rate of certain people speeding up over the thought of a six-foot putt to win a match.

Periodically, people call the USGA Handicap System™ “the great equalizer” for the game of golf. That phrase is an understatement. Consider what many of us witnessed during the Olympics over the summer. Could any of us keep pace with swimmer Katie Ledecky in the 800-meter freestyle; or generate a score equivalent to Simone Biles on the floor exercise; or take on Usain Bolt in the 200-meter dash? I think it would be a close battle with Ledecky if she went 800 meters and I went 50 meters, one length of the pool. Then there is golf!

In golf, maybe most of us don’t have the skills of Olympic gold medalists Justin Rose or Inbee Park, but if we utilized the USGA Handicap System, each of us could have a sporting chance competitively. Utilize the USGA Course Rating™ and Slope Rating®, convert the Handicap Index® to a Course Handicap™, and let’s go — there is hope!

handicap-image

There is a significant amount of science and analysis that has been done for years by the USGA to heighten the likelihood of equitable competition, so using all of this work is to our benefit. There are often questions as to why only the 10 best of 20 scores (handicap differentials to be exact) are used in the calculation and that it might be more fun if all 20 scores were considered. Well, we might play to our handicap more often under that environment, but a significant portion of equity for competing in differing formats would be thrown out the window.

Also, don’t forget that differing formats may have different recommendations to heighten the equity element. The USGA calls those allowances. Certain team events are handled differently than individual events; and match play is handled differently than stroke play. Section 9-4 of The USGA Handicap System gives guidance on many formats of play.

Okay, so the underpinnings for equitable competition are there. Then, the element of a friendly wager may inspire some golfers; golf seems to be well connected to wagering of one form or another. There are all kinds of iterations and nuances and various games, some designed to tilt the playing field in a certain direction, yet we all have this great system in place to help us heighten the likelihood of equity.

Keep your hand on your wallet and your eyes focused on the flagstick and derive enjoyment and comradery through the nature of competition.

Previous Article

The Rewards of Giving Back: For One ...

Next Article

Lessons from the Drought “Emergency”: A funny ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Kevin O'Connor

Kevin joined the SCGA in August of 2012, and will oversee utilization of the USGA Handicap System by SCGA members and member clubs, including utilization of the GHIN service. Having worked at the Northern California Golf Association in a similar role, and then more recently in a senior management role with the United States Golf Association, his experience positions him to assist the SCGA and its members in continued successful implementation of these core programs.

Related articles More from author

  • Handicap HintsSpring 2022

    Keeping You Informed: GHIN Push Notifications on your Mobile Phones

    April 20, 2022
    By Kevin O'Connor
  • Fall 2016Profiles

    Stand By Me: Temecula Native Joe Skovron On Life As Rickie Fowler’s Caddie

    October 26, 2016
    By Jonathan Coe
  • Handicap Hints

    Mobile App Eases Verification

    July 1, 2014
    By Kevin O'Connor
  • Fall 2016Profiles

    A Heck of a Show: Nick Raffaele On His Plans to Boost the CareerBuilder Challenge

    October 24, 2016
    By Matt McKay
  • Handicap HintsSpring 2019

    Your Potential Ability: Why You Don’t Always Play To Your Handicap

    April 26, 2019
    By Kevin O'Connor
  • Classic CourseFall 2016

    Strong Roots, Sturdy Growth: Redlands CC

    October 24, 2016
    By Matt McKay

Leave a reply Cancel reply

Recent Posts

  • FeaturedIn The ClubhouseSpring 2025

    John Henebry

  • Core MissionFeaturedKnow the RulesSpring 2025

    Rule 25

  • At The TurnFeaturedSpring 2025Travel

    Irish Ayes

  • FeaturedOn The TeeSpring 2025

    Club Spotlight

  • FeaturedIn The ClubhouseSpring 2025

    Original Wonder Woman

FOLLOW US

Facebook 0Fans
Twitter 0Followers
Instagram 0Followers
Youtube 0Subscriber
  • Recent

  • Popular

  • Comments

  • John Henebry

    By Judd Spicer
    May 15, 2025
  • Fun & Games

    By Kevin O'Connor
    May 15, 2025
  • Rule 25

    By Jimmy Becker
    May 15, 2025
  • Doing More With Less

    By Kevin Fitzgerald
    May 15, 2025
  • Original Wonder Woman

    By Joe Passov
    May 15, 2025
  • The Diva Golfer

    By Azucena Maldonado
    January 31, 2017
  • The USGA’s Major Proposed Changes to the Rules of Golf

    By admin
    December 14, 2017
  • Stand By Me: Temecula Native Joe Skovron On Life As Rickie Fowler’s Caddie

    By Jonathan Coe
    October 26, 2016
  • Remembering Jim Murray: Best of the Best

    By Bill Dwyre
    February 14, 2017
  • Watching the Tiger Watchers

    By Andy Brumer
    February 20, 2018
  • リアルラブドール
    on
    May 8, 2025

    Horse Sense: Micro Investing in Everything From Ponies to Golf

    When comparing canned options,look ...
  • Julie
    on
    November 13, 2022

    The Single Life: The Simple Pleasures of Being “That Guy”

    Thanks for this. I ...
  • free proxy list
    on
    December 5, 2018

    Top 4 College Golf Names You Need To Know

    Hello,I log on to ...
  • Adela C. Garcia
    on
    November 17, 2018

    Revolutionizing the “Ladies Club”

    Azucena Maldonado is a ...
  • Rose Sauceda
    on
    November 15, 2018

    Revolutionizing the “Ladies Club”

    Congratulations my lovely Amiga ...

RECENT COMMENTS

  • リアルラブドール on Horse Sense: Micro Investing in Everything From Ponies to Golf
  • Julie on The Single Life: The Simple Pleasures of Being “That Guy”
  • free proxy list on Top 4 College Golf Names You Need To Know
  • Adela C. Garcia on Revolutionizing the “Ladies Club”
  • Rose Sauceda on Revolutionizing the “Ladies Club”
© 2016 FORE Magazine About Us | Contact Us | Advertise