The Handicap Index determines the handicap we use wherever we play golf. It is based on the lowest 8 scores of the last 20 posted. The GHIN system, used by the Clubs at St. James, revises our handicap index daily so it’s important that scores be posted promptly. This handicap index is the basis for the team and flight assignments in SJP LGA Niners events. Every golfer in the system will be issued an 18- hole Handicap Index which is valid for the purpose of calculating a 9-hole Course Handicap (which should be one-half of the 18- hole index).
Your Course Handicap depends on the course being played and the tee box you play from, and is used to set the number of strokes allotted to you at any SJP LGA Niners event; the total strokes allotted for your handicap is marked on the far right side on the SJP LGA Niners Scorecard.
All SJP LGA Niners events are organized on the basis of the handicaps of the members participating in each event. The World Handicap system allows players with different skill levels to play competitively.
Your Course Handicap depends on the course being played and the tee box you play from, and is used to set the number of strokes allotted to you at any SJP LGA Niners event; the total strokes allotted for your handicap is marked on the far right side on the SJP LGA Niners Scorecard.
All SJP LGA Niners events are organized on the basis of the handicaps of the members participating in each event. The World Handicap system allows players with different skill levels to play competitively.
Handicaps
All SJP LGA Niners events are organized on the basis of the handicaps of the members participating in each event. The World Handicap system allows players with different skills levels to play competitively. Niners must maintain a handicap of 45.0 or lower to participate.
Each member has 2 critical responsibilities to maintain a valid handicap:
NOTE: The St. James Golf Handicap Committee completes periodic analyses of member posting records. The Committee compares individual member scores posted in GHIN versus rounds scheduled to play in Chelsea. The USGA requirement is that all round should be posted when a golfer plays in accordance with the rules of golf. The St James Golf Handicap Committee has currently established a 95% posting rate and will follow up with any members who has not posted at or above this rate. This rate must be maintained if the member wants to participate in Club sponsored tournaments, Men's and Ladies' Golf Association events, or to have a handicap verified for any tournament outside of St. James.
Each member has 2 critical responsibilities to maintain a valid handicap:
- Accurately record her scores;
- Accurately post all acceptable rounds, both at St. James and from other courses, as soon as possible after a round is completed, preferably prior to midnight of the day of play. Under WHS, a member’s handicap is recalculated daily. After LGA Niners play, the pro will post any acceptable rounds for you.
NOTE: The St. James Golf Handicap Committee completes periodic analyses of member posting records. The Committee compares individual member scores posted in GHIN versus rounds scheduled to play in Chelsea. The USGA requirement is that all round should be posted when a golfer plays in accordance with the rules of golf. The St James Golf Handicap Committee has currently established a 95% posting rate and will follow up with any members who has not posted at or above this rate. This rate must be maintained if the member wants to participate in Club sponsored tournaments, Men's and Ladies' Golf Association events, or to have a handicap verified for any tournament outside of St. James.
SCORING & POSTING SJP LGA NINER PLAY
The basic process for scoring SJP LGA Niners play is:
The “Maximum Score” you are allowed to POST for any hole will be limited to a NET DOUBLE BOGEY. The calculation for this is simple: Par + 2 + any handicap strokes you receive on that hole. For example, if a member gets 1 stroke on a par 4, then the maximum score they can take on that hole is 4 + 2 + 1 = 7. Handicap strokes will be dotted on the cards for Niners play. It is important to keep in mind however that for tournament play you still record your actual score on any given hole on the score card and this will be adjusted for posting purposes by the Pro. This can also be marked with an “x”.
There are several SJP LGA Niners formats in which we are asked to speed up play by not completing every hole. For example, when only two scores of a foursome are to be counted, two players may pick up their balls if the other two players have completed the hole with the best scores. For those who pick up their balls, each one will record a score that is equal to the number of strokes already taken PLUS the number of strokes the player MOST LIKELY needs to complete the hole more than half the time, not to exceed one’s net double bogey limit. The score for an uncompleted hole is preceded by an “x”.
If a player drops out of the event or if player does not complete the round because of weather, etc., the Handicap Rules provide that we post a 9-hole score for rounds of 7 or more completed holes; an 18-hole score for rounds of 14 or more completed holes. For those holes NOT PLAYED, the player’s score is PAR plus the stroke(s) the player would get on that hole, according to the scorecard prepared by the Club Pro. The score for an un-played hole is preceded by an “x”.
The Niners Pro posts our SJP LGA Niners rounds each week. When he/she does the posting, they enter each player’s gross score for each hole, adjusted for the “maximum score” allowed for that player, into the GHIN system. If the Pro finds errors on the score cards, they will notify the player. A few days after play, you should check the accuracy of the posting and notify the Niners Pro of any errors.
- The Club Pro announces the scoring rules for the day’s event, whether “in the leather” is good for putts or if the event is “individually flighted” each player must “hole out” her ball; her score is her total strokes played on the hole plus any penalty strokes.
- Record your gross score, net score or point total where indicated on the lower part of the scorecard as prepared by the club for the given game on that day.
- If the event involves a “team” score, enter the resulting score or scores where indicated on the scorecard. For example, for a 2-best ball event, enter the 2 lowest NET scores.
- Enter the total score for each player and format for the 9 holes.
- Compare the two scorecards (one from each cart) and resolve any discrepancies.
- The scorer signs her name and the attester signs her name on both scorecards.
- Once in the clubhouse, use the scorecard to record Ringers and Birdies.
- Hand in both completed and signed scorecards to the pro or person assigned to collect the scorecards that week.
The “Maximum Score” you are allowed to POST for any hole will be limited to a NET DOUBLE BOGEY. The calculation for this is simple: Par + 2 + any handicap strokes you receive on that hole. For example, if a member gets 1 stroke on a par 4, then the maximum score they can take on that hole is 4 + 2 + 1 = 7. Handicap strokes will be dotted on the cards for Niners play. It is important to keep in mind however that for tournament play you still record your actual score on any given hole on the score card and this will be adjusted for posting purposes by the Pro. This can also be marked with an “x”.
There are several SJP LGA Niners formats in which we are asked to speed up play by not completing every hole. For example, when only two scores of a foursome are to be counted, two players may pick up their balls if the other two players have completed the hole with the best scores. For those who pick up their balls, each one will record a score that is equal to the number of strokes already taken PLUS the number of strokes the player MOST LIKELY needs to complete the hole more than half the time, not to exceed one’s net double bogey limit. The score for an uncompleted hole is preceded by an “x”.
If a player drops out of the event or if player does not complete the round because of weather, etc., the Handicap Rules provide that we post a 9-hole score for rounds of 7 or more completed holes; an 18-hole score for rounds of 14 or more completed holes. For those holes NOT PLAYED, the player’s score is PAR plus the stroke(s) the player would get on that hole, according to the scorecard prepared by the Club Pro. The score for an un-played hole is preceded by an “x”.
The Niners Pro posts our SJP LGA Niners rounds each week. When he/she does the posting, they enter each player’s gross score for each hole, adjusted for the “maximum score” allowed for that player, into the GHIN system. If the Pro finds errors on the score cards, they will notify the player. A few days after play, you should check the accuracy of the posting and notify the Niners Pro of any errors.
for NON-SJP LGA NINER ROUNDS
Follow the same basic rules as outlined above. Use your handicap index and convert it to the course and tees that you are playing. This is easily done in the GHIN app. After your round, be sure to post your score in a timely fashion.
If you have any questions about scoring, posting and the handicap system, please contact one of the LGA Niners Executive Board members, whose contact information can be found under the Executive Board & Committee tab.
If you have any questions about scoring, posting and the handicap system, please contact one of the LGA Niners Executive Board members, whose contact information can be found under the Executive Board & Committee tab.