HANDICAP FAQ's

 

 

 
 
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Q. What is peer review and why is it important?

A. Peer review is the process by which either a player’s score or Handicap Index® can be confirmed or challenged. While the Handicap Index calculation has built in safeguards to protect against handicap manipulation, the human element is equally important to ensure fair play.

Peer review is normally conducted by someone playing in the same group during a round, or by someone who has knowledge of a player’s demonstrated ability and can reasonably verify or challenge the player’s Handicap Index.

To facilitate the process of peer review, scores must be posted as soon as possible after completion of the round. Challenges and disputes should be raised with the player and/or reported to the Handicap Committee of the golf club where the player is a member for consideration. (Rule 4.4, Rules of Handicapping)

 

PMWGA Peer Review 2023 - 2024

 

PM Hole #18

Handicap Index Update

Q. How often is a Handicap Index® updated?

A. A Handicap Index is updated the day after a score is posted, at midnight local time based on the location of your Allied Golf Association. As a result, players are expected to post their scores the day they play.  

(Rule 5.4, Rules of Handicapping)



PCC

Q. What is the playing conditions calculation (PCC) and how does it work?

A. At the end of each day, the playing conditions calculation takes place automatically to determine if scores made at the course were significantly higher or lower than the expected scores of the players who made them, primarily due to weather and/or course set up.

If scores were abnormally low or high, a PCC adjustment between -1 and +3 will be applied in the calculation of Score Differentials™ of everyone who played that day. A negative (-) adjustment means the course played easier than expected and a positive (+) adjustment means the course played more difficult than expected. A PCC of 0 means the course played as expected, which will be the case on most days.

The PCC: Uses scoring data so no action is required by the club/course staff or golfer (except for posting scores),

Includes only scores made by players with a Handicap Index® of 36.0 or below,
Considers both 9-hole and 18-hole scores in the calculation, and
Only takes place if at least 8 scores were posted on a given day.
(Rule 5.6, Rules of Handicapping)
 

Match Play

Q. Should match play scores be posted even if I do not hole out on every hole?

A. Yes. When a hole is started but a player does not hole out, the player must record their most likely score for handicap purposes.

(Rule 3.3, Rules of Handicapping)

If the match ends with holes left to play and the players continue to play, the actual scores must be posted on every hole played.

If a match ends with holes left to play and the players do not play the remaining holes, the players should post using the hole-by-hole feature for each hole played (keeping in mind at least 9 holes associated with a 9-hole Course Rating™ and Slope Rating™ must be played for a score to posted).

 

Posting Scores

Q. Are scores designated as “Competition” scores treated any differently?

A. Scores posted with a Competition, or “C” designation are not used any differently for the purposes of calculating a Handicap Index®.

The Competition score designation provides a way for Committees to evaluate if any players perform better or worse in competitive versus recreational rounds, which may be used during a handicap review.

 

Q. I accidentally posted the wrong score – how can I change it?

A. Simply reach out to the Handicap Chair via the PMWGA website.  That person will be able to correct the posted score.



 

Handicap Index Safeguards

Q. Is there a limit on how much my Handicap Index® can increase?

A. To prevent extreme upward movement of a Handicap Index, every time it is updated, the new value is compared to your Low Handicap Index™ and:

  • If the result is more than 3.0 strokes higher, a soft cap will be applied to slow additional upward movement by 50%.
  • If the result is more than 5.0 strokes higher (after the application of the soft cap), a hard cap will be applied to restrict any additional upward movement beyond 5.0 strokes.

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