Frequently asked questions for the off-season

New! Two Handicap Index revisions will be provided in our next off season; January and February 1st, 2010. The purpose of the off season revisions is to provide Handicap Index updates for our members who typically travel and play golf in sunbelt states over the winter.

Q: The weather isn't too bad! Why can't we post scores?
A: It is the responsibility of each state amateur golf association to set the handicapping season parameters based on the golf courses in the region "playing to their ratings". This would be what we would deem mid-season "normal" conditions. The OGA, relying on feedback from members, common sense, fairness, and knowledge of both Northwest winter weather limitations and the USGA Course Rating System, has determined that our season should be set from approximately March through December. Most often, these dates are more than reasonable. At times, however, the sun makes a welcoming appearance and nicely dries up the fairways. OGA golfers, still, must disregard those rounds played in our off season for handicapping purposes, as our goal is to provide consistently accurate handicapping for every OGA member regardless of which part of the state you reside in.

Q: What are "Preferred Lies"/"Winter Rules" and how can they be used?
A: A local rule of Preferred Lies/Winter Rules can be adopted by a Handicap Committee at a club, but such a rule conflicts with the fundamental principle of playing the ball as it lies. Too often golfers may unrealistically expect perfect course conditions. Instead of properly relying on USGA Handicap System hole score adjustments (Section 4, USGA Handicap System Manual) or the Ground Under Repair rule (Rule 25, The Rules of Golf), golfers may turn to a commonly misunderstood and overused "Winter Rules Today" assertion. Preferred Lies/Winter Rules can be adopted locally only when the club Handicap Committee deems that adverse conditions are general throughout the golf course, and their intent is to promote fair play or to protect the course. If the conditions at your facility are so unfavorable at times that maintenance equipment cannot be used, then it would behoove the officials at your club to draft a detailed, written policy for Preferred Lies as part of their Handicapping Policy, thereby providing necessary clarification of an oft-times confusing issue. We strongly recommend using "Guidelines for Preferred Lies", "Local Rules & Conditions of Competition for Your Club", and "Disadvantages of Preferred Lies" in drafting a policy and using the proper verbiage.

Q: How do Preferred Lies/"Winter Rules" affect handicapping?
A: Scores made when such a policy is applied must be posted for handicap purposes during the active season; the use of Preferred Lies does not negate a score. Rounds played in our area while in the off season are NOT to be posted, regardless. It is interesting to note that more often than not, improving your lie repeatedly throughout your round tends to produce lower scores, and in turn may lower your Handicap Index.
 
Q: Can my "Trend Handicap" be used in the off season?
A: Yes. Although unofficial and not recommended for use by the USGA, a Trend Handicap may successfully be used throughout the winter if your club so desires. Each OGA member club using the GHIN Handicap Program on their club's computer may choose to participate in our Winter Trending program by posting off-season scores to a copy of their official data. In other words, your trend would be an estimation of a handicap based on the posting of local scores but would in no way affect your original, official USGA Handicap Index record come spring. (Trend handicaps are displayed after the posting screen sequence on your club's GHIN computer.) Winter Trending can be a fun way for an active group to continue their regular weekly games with a semblance of the handicap they closed the regular season with.

Q: How do I post if I play rounds during the winter in the Sunbelt states?
A: Rounds of golf played in a year-round golf association (Sunbelt states, Florida, Hawaii, etc.) are legal to your handicap at any time and must be posted. There are two ways to post Sunbelt scores to your OGA/GHIN handicap. The very best way is to locate a computer in the pro shop of the facility you are visiting, and find out if they are set up on the IGN (International Golf Network—many golf associations, including the OGA, are members). Even if the club isn't signed up with the GHIN system you may still post through this larger network. Your scores will then be housed on the GHIN server to wait for your home club to route them back during the OGA spring start-up, becoming part of your official scoring record. If this option is neither practical nor possible, Sunbelt score cards may also be saved until you return to your OGA home club in the spring to post.

 

Share Your Comment

Name:
Email:
Location:
URL:

Comment:

Remember my personal information
Notify me of follow-up comments?

Please enter the word you see in the image below: