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Publisher's
Essay
Changes ahead, but with protections
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John Bodenhamer
Publisher |
As with the Rules of Golf, the United States Golf Association reviews and modifies the USGA Handicap SystemT every four years.
In an effort to keep pace with technological advancements of the "information age," the USGA modified its Handicap System in 2002
allowing golf clubs to permit members to post occasional scores via the Internet for handicapping purposes. The Royal Canadian Golf
Association did likewise for clubs accepting occasional scores for Handicap Factor purposes.
The USGA Handicap System manual, which is the key reference document for club handicap chairpersons in the U.S., currently addresses
the matter as follows:
Section 5-2a Posting Scores
The Handicap Committee may adopt a policy to occasionally accept scores returned by mail, facsimile, e-mail or the Internet.
Note the words "may" and "occasional" have been key parts of this provision pertaining to Internet scores. A club has the option to
accept such scores and most thus far have chosen not to do so primarily because of Internet access issues and administration purposes.
Also, it is currently taboo to post a majority of scores via the Internet in order to prevent possible abuses.
Consider this advanced notice that all is about to change. The USGA and RCGA have announced intentions to redefine the definition of a
golf club beginning in 2006 by creating a new "Type 3" golf club that will allow its members to join and post ALL their scores
entirely over the Internet. Currently, there are two types of golf clubs. One is the traditional club with real estate (i.e., Pumpkin
Ridge GC, BanBury GC, Shaughnessy G&CC, etc.). The other is the club without real estate whose members play at various courses (i.e.,
Boeing Employees GA, Floggers United GC, Tacoma Firefighters GC, etc.). These clubs also will have the option in 2006 of allowing
their members to post a majority or even all of their scores over the Internet.
Rest assured these new Type 3 clubs will be closely scrutinized by golf's governing bodies. In fact, numerous safeguards also will be
adopted requiring members of these clubs play golf together a minimum number of times, live within a reasonable geographical distance
from one another and more.
You might be surprised to learn the USGA estimates between 400 to 500 web sites already exist that offer golfers a type of tabulated
golf score related number. Of those, there are some that claim their number is an "Official USGA Handicap Index." However, remember
only occasional scores can be posted over the Internet, which render false most claims of USGA endorsement. Unfortunately, it is not
practical for the USGA to combat all such violators.
Changes to the Handicap System in 2006 also will include mandatory golf club licensing and golf association certification provisions
that will expand education and enhance compliance. Golf associations throughout North America initiated the certification process
several years ago and hope to have all their member clubs successfully complete a handicap seminar and accompanying quiz by the Dec.
31, 2005 deadline. This seminar and quiz completes one of many club compliance checklist items necessary for a golf club to be
licensed to use the USGA Handicap System. Beginning in 2006, the USGA, RCGA and most golf associations will list on their respective
web sites all golf clubs that have successfully completed the licensing process and are recognized as offering legitimate handicaps.
Simply stated, a club or Internet entity not listed will be deemed NOT in compliance and will NOT be able to offer handicaps.
A golf club audit procedure also will be added to randomly verify that golf clubs and golf associations are following the USGA and RCGA
Handicap Systems. Those clubs that choose not to follow the requirements will lose their ability to offer handicaps.
It is important to note that golf associations in the Northwest and most tournament organizers require a USGA Handicap Index or RCGA
Handicap Factor as a condition for entering and participating in their competitions. With real estate and non-real estate type golf
clubs, as well as differing handicap vendors offered by amateur golf associations and who knows what offered on the Internet, it can
be quite befuddling for a tournament committee to determine what is a legitimate handicap. With Type 3 clubs on the horizon, this
situation might get hazier.
If your club is conducting a competition that includes players from other clubs and you want to make sure all competitors have a "real
handicap," just contact your governing amateur golf association for assistance.
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