Handicap Information

Handicap Information

The purpose of the Handicap System is to make the game of golf more enjoyable by enabling players of differing abilities to compete on an equitable basis.  Each golfer who wishes to maintain a handicap is expected to make the best score on every hole in every round, regardless of where the round is played, and the golfer is expected to post every acceptable round for peer review.  The players and the Handicap Committee have a joint responsibility for adhering to these principles.

According to Golf Canada, all scores played where an active season is in effect and where a course rating exists are to be entered.  Our active season at the Okanagan Golf Club is from March 1 to November 15; scores played at the OGC should only be posted during this active timeframe.  If you play in a warmer climate during the winter, during their active season, you are expected to post those scores.

Scores to post:

  • 9 holes, if you have played at least 7 holes
  • 18 holes, if you have played at least 14 holes
  • Scores from both stroke play and match play
  • All games that are played according to the Rules of Golf

Scores not to post:

  • Fewer than 7 holes played
  • Games played on a course that does not have a course rating
  • Competition where the number of clubs is limited
  • Games not played according to the Rules of Golf (e.g., changing the lie of the ball, playing two balls, taking do-overs without taking the appropriate penalty strokes, etc.)

Some new guidelines for posting:

3.1b After a Handicap Index Has Been Established

For a player with an established Handicap Index, the maximum score for each hole played is limited to a net double bogey, calculated as follows:

Par of the hole + 2 strokes + Any handicap stroke(s) that the player receives on that hole*

  • If you do not play a hole (because the hole has been conceded, or it got dark, or whatever) your score for that hole would be par plus the number of strokes you would get according to stroke allocation on the scorecard).
  • If you begin to play a hole and don’t finish it (maybe a long putt has been conceded, or the weather has caused you to quit early, or whatever), you would take your most likely score on the hole. This would be the score you think you would get most of the time from that same position.

Where to post scores:

  • You can either post your scores on your own personal computer or by using the Club’s computer. If you are using the Club’s computer, log on to the internet by going to Golf Canada Network.  If you don’t know your username and password, ask at the Golf Shop.
  • Visit Posting Scores page for additional information.

Handicap Factor

A Handicap Factor, issued by a Golf Canada Member golf club or authorized provincial golf association (through its member clubs), indicates a player’s skill and is a number taken to one decimal place e.g., 10.4.  A Handicap Factor is issued only to individuals who are members of a Golf Canada Member golf club.

A Handicap Factor is computed from the best 8 or your last 20 scores. It reflects the player’s potential because it is based upon the best handicap differentials posted for a given number of rounds.

The Handicap Committee has the responsibility to monitor player’s posting of scores.  A player must earn a Handicap Factor.  No player has an inherent right to a Handicap Factor without providing full evidence of their ability to the golf club’s Handicap Committee. You are expected to post as soon as it is practicable after you have played your game, and before your next round of golf.  The Handicap Committee has the responsibility to adjust handicaps of players who are not posting correct scores and to give penalties to players who fail to return scores.

All the information is taken from the Golf Canada Handicap Manual. 

 Please see attached document for the Rules of Handicapping

ADJUSTMENT OF HANDICAPS IN COMPETITION FROM DIFFERENT TEE BOXES

Stroke Play and Match Play formats (where results are recorded as gross or net scores). A player competing from a set of tees with a higher par must receive additional strokes for the round, equal to the difference between the par of the tees they are playing and the tees with the lowest par.

For example:

The Bear Course is par 73 from Silvers tees, and par 72 from the Red Tees. Therefore, if two players were playing against each other from different tees, the person playing from the silver tees would receive 1 extra stroke.

** Also note Hole #17 on the Bear score card does not show that it is a par 5. Please adjust your score properly if playing off the Silver tees.