Rancho Park Golf Club

Club Handicap Policy
last updated: 08/20/17 | Total Club Page Views:2,118,887

All tournament rounds will be posted by the club, except for self-scheduled Major Tournament rounds. You will be responsible for posting those as (T) Tournament rounds. All other rounds should be posted as either (H) Home or (A) Away rounds. Failure to post withing 24 hours of a round will result in a penalty score being added to your SCGN file.

CLUB INDEX:

The Club Index is derived from using a player's lowest three differentials from his last six RPGC tournament scores. For example, if a player's last six RPGC differentials were:

7.5 - 7.5 - 11.7 - 10.2 - 9.2 - 11.1

We would keep 7.5, 7.5 and 9.2 and throw out the 11.7, 10.2. and 11.1.

We then add these three differentials together, divide by three and multiply by .96 (USGA formula, not ours, look it up at Google). When the math is done, it reveals that this player's Club Index is 7.7.

Here's the formula for any nerds out there:

(7.5+7.5+9.2)/3*0.96 = 7.744. Then truncate, not round, to an index of 7.7

If you don't have any tournaments in the last year, you'll play to zero (or half your index if you still have an SCGA index).

For more information on the Club Index, go here.

WHY THE CLUB INDEX?:

The Club Index has been in force at RPGC since 2011. Prior to using it, the same members would win tournament after tournament. They would shoot 93, 94 and 97 in recreational, non-RPGC rounds, but then shoot 85, 85, 84 in RPGC tournament rounds. The Club Index serves to mitigate handicap manipulation, by only taking into consideration scores within our tournaments.

For regular tournaments, players play to their Current Index or Club Index (whichever is lower). For Major Tournaments, players play to their Low Index or Club Index (whichever is lower).

PEER REVIEW:

The integrity of Rancho Park Golf Club depends on each golfer complying with "peer review." Peer review means that members within our club monitor other members to ensure that the USGA handicap procedures and policies are being adhered to…in the strictest sense of the word. When a member feels that another is not adhering to these procedures it is incumbent upon that member to notify the Handicap Chairman. The golfer in question will be given a chance to explain the situation, or be brought up to speed on handicap issues.

Our computerized handicap system is administered by GHIN and in most cases the index assigned to a given player is adequate and accurate. However, in some cases where a golfer’s true playing potential is lower than his/her index, the Handicap Committee is required to make an adjustment.

WHAT ARE HANDICAP ADJUSTMENTS BASED ON, ETC?

We are using Club Index as our primary indicator for adjustments for all RPGC tournaments. If you notice that your handicap is adjusted down prior to a tournament and are wondering why, please consider your Club Index. If you do not have a Club Index it is because you have not played in enough RPGC tournaments; Club Index is based on your lowest three of your last six RPGC tournaments. The Handicap Committee will review all available data to determine if an adjustment is warranted.

WHAT HANDICAP CAN NEW MEMBERS PLAY TO?

Our policy is simple, in most cases, new members will play to a zero handicap in the A Flight for their first tournament. While some may have an index from another handicap organization, we still must see at least one Rancho Tournament before we can allow a player to play to his given SCGA handicap. If a player joins a tournament after the adjustments have been made for the field, that adjustment may be made by the Handicap Committee after the tournament has been held. Contact the Fritz or Thor with any questions; in some instances allowances can be made for partial handicap in the first tournament and this allowance is at the discretion of the Handicap Committee.

WHEN IS A HANDICAP ADJUSTMENT DONE?

The Handicap Committee can adjust a player at any time for any tournament. A player can also be adjusted during Major Tournaments, regardless of the the policy that states a player's Low Index will be frozen. "Frozen" actually means that a player's Low Index may not go up during the course of a Major Tournament, but it can be adjusted downward if the Handicap Committee deems it appropriate. When it comes to handicap issues, the Handicap Committee has the final authority to make an adjustment at any time.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CURRENT AND LOW INDEX?: Regular tournaments are played at Current Index while Major Tournaments are played at Low Index. What is meant by Low Index and how is it calculated? Your best Current index over the last 12 months is your Low Index. Once your Low Index is established it stays with you for a 12 month period, or if you established a Lower Index, the 12 month period starts all over again.

POSTING ROUNDS:
The Handicap/Scoring Committee is now posting ALL round played within the club, with the exception of 2nd Round or later MATCH PLAY scores (Four Ball Championship and Match Play Championship). Self-scheduled rounds must be posted by the individual player within 24 hours of completing the round. Remember to post these rounds as (T) Tournament rounds. Failure to post as a T score within 24 hours after completing your self scheduled round will result in a Penalty Round (P) on your scoring file. No exceptions.

HOW DO I ADJUST MY SCORE USING EQUITABLE STROKE CONTROL?
Equitable Stroke Control (ESC) sets a maximum number that a player can post on any hole depending on the player's Course Handicap. The ESC procedure is as follows: