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. That's where we come in!

At least when it comes to dealing with the latter, the USGA created the USGA Handicap System.  It is comparable to the Rules of Golf that govern play, but it takes it one step further.   The System is designed to allow golfers of differing abilities to have a means to compete on an equitable basis and thereby increase the enjoyment players can derive from both competitive and social rounds of golf. 

In order to ensure the integrity of USGA Handicap Indexes (a number that allows a player to computer a course handicap based on that course’s difficulty, determined by its rating and slope), the USGA permits only authorized Associations and licensed golf clubs to use the USGA Handicap System and issue properly certified handicaps as USGA Handicap Indexes.

So are the days of the sandbagger over?  Probably not, since the system is based on the assumption that every player will try to make the best score he can at each hole in every round played, and that he will honestly report every round for handicap purposes, including all tournament scores, regardless of where the round is played. 

We do our part by educating and certifying the volunteer Handicap Chairs that oversee score posting at our Member Clubs, and we provide additional help when they have the unpleasant task of applying penalty scores or adjustments to those with questionable handicap indexes.  In fact, we were recognized by GHIN in 2008 as the Association providing the best customer service among more than 60 golf associations that utilize GHIN as the handicap processing service.  Kevin O'Connor, Senior Director of Handicapping for the USGA stated, "the award for outstanding association is based upon club surveyfeedback and input from GHiN staff. It reflects the highest level of successful service to member clubs and a commitment to excellence. If a similar award for excellence in relation to USGA Handicap System education existed, the OGA and Kelly Neely (Senior Director of Handicapping & Course Rating) would have earned that more than ten years ago.  

The OGA is your Association.  It consists of member golf clubs (not to be confused with golf courses) governed by amateur golfers, operated under bylaws and formed for the purpose of conducting competitions for amateur golfers and promoting and conserving the best interests and true spirit of the game of golf in Oregon and SW Washington.

OGA benefits and services are extended principally to the members of its Member Clubs.  However, ALL golfers are served by the Association in its interpretation of the Rules of Golf, Course Rating and Measuring as well as oversite of the USGA Handicap System.  An OGA Handicap Card is recognized nationally, and the OGA is the only Association authorized to issue USGA Handicap Indexes its region.

We sincerely hope that in the best interests of fair play and competitive golf, that you will join the other golf courses and non-real estate Associate clubs that have implemented the centralized handicap service offered by the Oregon Golf Association.

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