100 Years of Handicapping

Until early in the 20th century, handicaps in the United States were determined by sometimes heated negotiations on the first tee. (For those of you who are relying on this faulty bargaining method, we urge you to become a member of the Oregon Golf Association by joining an OGA Member Club so you can earn a USGA Handicap Index as soon as possible!)

The pioneer in developing a more objective handicap system in the United States was Leighton Calkins, of Plainfield, New Jersey (who later served on the USGA Executive Committee). He proposed to the Metropolitan Golf Association the British system of averaging the best three scores. It was adopted, and he was quickly appointed Handicap Chairman of the MGA.

Another prominent golf association of the period, the Massachusetts Golf Association, quickly adopted the formula as well, but insisted that bogey be the scratch standard. Ultimately, Calkins – who had argued for a par standard – won out, and it was adopted by the Metropolitan Golf Association.

Then, at a meeting on October 11, 1911 at the Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, New Jersey, the United States Golf Association adopted a modified form of the Calkins system, which became the first USGA Handicap System.

A year later, the USGA created the first national USGA Handicap list for use at the 324 USGA member clubs, naming those golfers who were eligible to enter the U.S. Amateur Championship, which at the time required a 6 handicap or better.

The USGA also accepted Calkins's proposal that “par ratings” be based on the standard of ability of the U.S. Amateur champion, Jerome Cravers. Rating courses according to the "expected" score of the national amateur champion became accepted, and Course Rating was born in America.

This October, the USGA will return to the venerable Baltusrol Golf Club for a 100th Handicap System Birthday celebration.