Establishing a USGA Index (handicap) number online

[CTgolfer]

I would like to establish an official USGA index (handicap) number. Since I don't have a "home" course and prefer playing different courses each week, is there an on-line website where I can enter my weekly scores and get an official handicap. I would love to have one established before I get to TV in January. Thanks for your help.

[Sandy222]

This website should give you all the information that you are looking for http://www.usga.org/questions/faqs/handicap_answer.asp?FAQidx=3

[Russ_Boston]

You can establish an on-line handicap by using:

http://www.ushandicap.com/

You will need to pick one club you play as your home club but that is not really important in the whole scheme of things. I use this system and it provides an official USGA index. My index is currently 10.7 and you can look it up using my ISAACID = 98653 if you'd like to see how it is derived. The only negative with it is that you will need to print the handicap card on your printer and glue it to a card if you wish to carry it on you.

To my knowledge there are two systems in the US that maintain handicaps. One is the GHIN system and the other is the ISAAC system. Both are valid for tournament play.

Hope this helps.

[Muncle]

If you are in TV, go by any of the adult courses and they will gladly set you up for the GHIN system. You don't need an actual home course. GHIN has all TV courses and all combinations for 18 holes therein, eg, for Mallory they have VA/Caroline, Caroline/Amelia, and Amelia/VA. Same for all the other three 9-hole facilities. You can then enter your scores at the clubs or on-line.

It costs a bit, can't remember exactly how much, but it compares to a box of balls.

http://www.ghin.com/

[jjdees]

Go to LMTT.com (Last Minute Tee Times). There's a handicap option available. You'll need the course slope and rating which you'll find on the score card.

[zcaveman]

I am not sure why you want the handicap. In order to play on the Mens/Ladies championship courses on mens/ladies day you also need a priority membership.

Plus some - if not most - TV hosted tournaments require a priority membership.

Just an FYI.

[Russ_Boston]

Z - there is a lot of reasons to have an official handicap. Not the least of which is for the 'friendly' wagers during the match. I don't know how it works in TV but I'm not playing for a $10 nassau WITHOUT seeing a card. Not that it could add up to too much but it might be $30-$50 if you are on the wrong side of things.

The handicap just keeps it fair and somewhat balanced. I know that there are many ways to fudge a handicap but believe me it would only happen once in our group!

Other than wagers an official handicap makes a golfer FEEL like a golfer. If a person tells me that they don't have one then I'm relatively sure that either they are out for my money or they probably don't take the game seriously enough to strive to be better. Just my opinion.

[zcaveman]

Russ - my comment was only because I signed up for the GHIN and established a handicap and then was told that I had to be a priority member to get into the Tuesdays Championship men's day tournament.

I always strive to be better. I just don't play the championship courses that much.

[Russ_Boston]

Oh thanks. I didn't realize that you need to have both to play in them. I thought you were equating the priority membership with the handicap. I'll see where my plans take me as it relates to the priority membership but this will be one more reason to get one. I think I can make the payout close to break even or better.

I do admire those that can just go out and play golf 'for the heck of it'. Unfortunately I have that competitive spirit which doesn't allow that option too often.

Do you need a priority membership to compete in the year end club championships as well? I don't have much hope of getting into the 'A' flight but you never know.

[zcaveman]

Russ - sorry for the delay. I wanted to do some checking. I think (but am not positive) that resident non-priority members can get into the end of the year championships. But only after the priority members get a chance to fill all of the slots.

For example - there is a writeup in the Daily Sun this morning for a tournament scheduled for Aug 6 and priority members can sign up starting on July 7 and residents can sign up starting July 28. I guess this allows them to fill up the holes. I know I have read about this type of sign-ups for other championship tournaments.

Hope this helps.