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Preferred Lies: The OGA Handicapping Blog

Did you know you can’t post scores made on most par-3 courses?

An 18-hole golf course must be at least 3,000 yards in length, or at least 1,500 yards per 9-holes in order to be posted to your scoring record for a USGA Handicap Index.

Did You Know These Golf Related Numbers?

OGA Members play on average more than 50 rounds of golf and post more than 2 million rounds of golf on GHIN each year.

DID YOU KNOW? Beginning in 2012, Handicap Revision Dates Will be the Same Everywhere!

An important new policy in the upcoming revised USGA Handicap System Manual (2012-2015) will be a National Revision Schedule.

Did You Know A Slope Rating Has Nothing To Do With Topography!

Slope actually indicates the mathematical slope of a line (rise over run) when graphing scores against a Handicap Index.

Did You Know? The term “handicap” was first used in golf inthe 1870’s

.... and the first computation was based on the player’s best three scores.

Did you know? You can’t compare a golf course’s difficulty from the Slope Rating alone!

It seems natural as golfers to want to note (and perhaps argue about) the similarities or differences regarding the difficulty of golf courses by looking at the Slope Ratings. Its really not that simple! Read more!

Did You Know, taking a “mulligan” does not negate your score for Handicap purposes?

A score must NOT be posted to a USGA Handicap Index if a majority of the holes are not played under the principles of the Rules of Golf. In an 18-hole round, a majority would be 10 or more holes, so a mulligan here or there still requires tha you post your score!

100 Years of Handicapping

On October 11, 1911 at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, New Jersey, the USGA adopted the first USGA Handicap System.

DID YOU KNOW there are 10 “Handicap Controls” incorporated into the USGA Handicap System?

It all begins with licensing, and golf clubs may only issue a USGA Handicap Index to its members by agreeing to apply those controls as set forth by the system.

Did You Know Net Contests Often Require Handicap Allowances?

A primary purpose of the USGA Handicap System is to provide the most possible equity between golfers of different skill levels, and often this requires computing different allowances of a full course handicap depending on the format of the competition.

The USGA Handicap System Formula Includes A “Bonus for Excellence”

The USGA slightly rewards the accomplishments of more skilled players with this aspect of the formula.

Par has very little meaning within the Handicap System

Par is a poor indicator of difficulty. So what is the meaning of PAR and is it important to handicapping?

Slope By Itself Does Not Equalize The Game When Two Sets Of Tees Are In Play

The procedure for making adjustments, described in Section 3-5 of the USGA Handicap System, is a Rule of Golf (Rule 6-2) and cannot be waived.

To post or not to post, that is the question!

Did you know that if you follow the rules of the USGA Handicap System, you have no choice regarding which scores to post?

Did You Know Match Play Scores Must Be Posted?

It is a black and white rule of the USGA Handicap System that “Scores in All Forms of Competition” be posted to a Handicap Index.

Join the OGA and GET GAME!

YOU KNOW YOU WANT ONE!
5 Reasons to GET GAME with a USGA Handicap Index from the OGA!

Handicapping - Did You Know? #2

You’ll play to your handicap (or better) only one in five times.

Handicapping - Did You Know?

The number one handicap hole on your course is not (or shouldn’t be) the “hardest” hole.

Adjusting Hole Scores

Under the rules of the USGA Handicap System, each player is required to record a hole score for a hole not finished, not played, or not played under “The Rules of Golf”, and to reduce any hole score where it is higher than the maximum allowed under Equitable Stroke Control (ESC).

Unacceptable Excuses for Not Posting Scores

Two basic premises underlie the USGA Handicap System, namely that each player will try to make the best score at every hole in every round, regardless of where it is played, and the player will post every acceptable round for peer review....yet for some golfers, they come up with a littany of excuses for not posting their scores.

Beyond the Rules of Golf

An OGA Member recently called stating, “I certainly know the Handicap System is a different book than the Rules of Golf, but I thought it described guidelines, not hard and fast rules.” This comment spoke volumes, leading me to believe others might erroneously think the same way! They do not denote mere suggestion, or something that might simply be a good idea. They indicate, in a word, rules.

Why We Set the Handicapping Season As We Do

I’m often asked why we begin our handicapping season on March 1st, and end it on December 1st. There’s one basic and crucial reason: course ratings and their effect on handicaps.

What’s the Right Score to Post—You Be The Judge!

While most golfers are familiar with Equitable Stroke Control (ESC) and the “Par Plus” method of deriving a hole score, the little-known (or perhaps little understood!) “Most Likely Score” adjustment is the only type that brings the golfers own good judgment into the end result. It’s also the only type of adjustment that uses the golfer’s actual strokes taken.

OGA Receives Customer Service Award

For the second time in the past three years, the Oregon Golf Association (OGA) has been recognized for exemplary customer service among its peers.

USGA Obtains Injunction against ISaAC Scoring Systems

The U.S. District Court has issued a permanent injunction against ISaAC Scoring Systems, LLC, protecting USGA trademarks.

Posting Scores When Traveling to Sunbelt States During the Off-Season

Although local scores are not valid to your official handicap after December 1, you are under obligation per the USGA Handicap System, the OGA and your club to post rounds played in year-round golf associations if you travel throughout the winter.

Should You Post Scores As Course Conditions Decline?

If golf course conditions decline, most of the time you would not automatically want to turn to the use of "Winter Rules" / Preferred Lies. The Rules of Golf covers these situations. Most important, if an individual golfer invokes some sort of Preferred Lie when we are in season he/she still must post their score.

Why should I post my scores? You’re not!

Now that many of our golfing friends have returnedg from their winter homes in sunbelt areas such as Southern California or Arizona, handicap committees are double checking to see whether their members have been living up to their responsibility in posting all their scores.

The USGA is coming to town!

Welcome to the New OGA Handicapping Blog

Welcome to Preferred Lies, the new OGA Handicapping Blog. Why would we use the term "Preferred Lies" when it is actually contrary to anything we support?

OGA Receives GHIN Customer Service Award

The Oregon Golf Association (OGA) was awarded the 2008 GHIN® (Golf Handicap Information Network) Service Award at the conclusion of the recently held GHIN Users Meeting. The annual award is presented to a golf association based on club survey and feedback, along with input from the GHIN staff.

Are the Days of the Sandbagger Over?

Often, the sandbagger is someone who has not taken the time to understand the Rules of Golf or the Rules of Handicapping as well as join the Oregon Golf Association in order to obtain an authorized and correctly calculated handicap index. Of course, we all know those knowingly greedy golfers who demands more strokes than they deserve, taking the fun out of the game for the rest of us.

Fairness offers all golfers a Championship Experience

Fairness is the goal of the USGA Handicap system. Its success, however, relies on the honesty and integrity of individual golfers starting with full reporting of scores.

Compete Against Tiger Woods On Your Home Course

Can you beat Tiger Woods in a Net game of golf? All you need to start is his Handicap Index, and the USGA Course and Slope Ratings™ for the U.S. Open.