After extensive consultations with WA Golf and Pacific NW PGA, the Auburn Men’s Club is implementing the following changes to our tournament handicap system. This system will be in effect beginning with the 2024 Turkey Shoot.
Here’s a summary of the key points:
Handicap Adjustments:
Points will continue to be assessed for the top 5 NET SCORES in each flight over the trailing 24 months. After 24 months, points assessed will be dropped from the player’s total.
These points will influence the Handicap Reduction Scale applied to players’ tournament handicaps for Major Member Events.
Major Member Events:
Defined as events where the club adds additional money to the prize fund.
No points are issued for top finishes in weekly desk games and summer best ball competitions since no additional money is added to these payouts.
LOW H.I. (Handicap Index):
Available on the GHIN mobile app and used for several local tournaments including Cascade Golfer events.
Starting with 16 points assessed, GHIN LOW H.I. will be used for the player in the tournaments.
More points accumulated will lead to a minimum percentage reduction off the handicap index.
Below is the handicap reduction scale for 2025
Handicap Reduction Scale
16 - 19 points | Tournament handicap will be GHIN LOW H.I. last 12 months |
20 - 23 points | GHIN LOW H.I. – must be at least 10% reduction off CURRENT H.I. |
24 – 27 points | GHIN LOW H.I. – must be at least 20% reduction off CURRENT H.I. |
28 – 31 points | GHIN LOW H.I. – must be at least 30% reduction off CURRENT H.I. |
32 - 35 points | GHIN LOW H.I. – must be at least 40% reduction off CURRENT H.I. |
36 points and above | Board discretion |
Example scenarios:
John Doe has a handicap of 15.0 and his Low H.I. is 14.2.
If John accumulates 17 points, his tournament index would be 14.2
If John accumulates 22 points, his tournament index would be 13.5 = 15.0 less 10%.
If John accumulates 25 points, his tournament index would be 12.0 = 15.0 less 20%.
If John accumulates 28 points, his tournament index would be 10.5 =15.0 less 30%.
If John accumulates 33 points, his tournament index would be 9.0 =15.0 less 40%.
If john has over 36 points, the percentage assessment is at the boards discretion.
Link from USGA Rules to read and review: https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/handicapping/world-handicap-system/world-handicap-system-usga-golf-faqs.html
Handicap Committee
Q. There is a player at my club who always tends to play well during net events and wins often. Are there any provisions in place to ensure that everyone is playing on a fair level?
A. There are several safeguards to ensure the integrity of a player’s Handicap Index® – including a soft cap and hard cap that limits extreme upward movement over a rolling 365-day time frame and an exceptional score reduction that reduces a player’s Handicap Index each time they post a score that produces a Score Differential™ at least 7.0 strokes below their Handicap Index.
A club’s Handicap Committee, along with the local Allied Golf Association, also has access to reporting tools that provide additional insight.
The Committee in charge of a Competition can protect the field by modifying a player’s Playing Handicap™ before or between rounds when appropriate.
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