Golf Handicap
The golf handicap system was introduced by the United States Golf Association (USGA) in the early 20th century. Luckily for most golfers, they do not have to figure out their own handicap, but having a vague idea of how it is done helps.
The United States Golf Association (USGA) introduced the golf handicap system in the early part of the 20th century. The idea was to level the playing field so that golfers could compete against each other on a more equal level. The idea is also used in handicap bowling leagues and even in Chess Federation ratings. What it really does is equalize competition on any given day. In other words, whoever does better than they normally do on any given day, they are that day's winner.
In order to get a USGA handicap, you need to shoot a minimum of 5 rounds at a course under the jurisdiction of a golf club authorized to issue handicaps. Thankfully, you do not have to figure out your own handicap as it is done by a rather complicated formula. The Golf Club will do the work for you. All the golfer needs to do is submit his results. There are some terms that you need to understand in the handicap process.
Each course has a "course rating." This is established by the USGA and is expressed in strokes. It is the average score that is expected to be shot by the best 50% of scratch golfers. In calculating the handicap, a second rating is used. This is called the slope rating. This rating is a more recent innovation designed to make the handicap system more accurate. It is a number between 55 and 155 with an average slope rating being about 113. It is not expressed as strokes but rather a ratio comparing the expected results of "bogey" golfers compared to scratch golfers relative to the USGA course rating.
Another figure used is the ESC, or Equitable Stroke Control. This figure is used to take away the impact of what is called a disaster hole. Disaster holes happen to all golfers from time to time. This is when you shoot the ball into the water five straight times, or 8 putt a green. Rather than take the 15 or 16 score for the disaster hole, the ESC for the course might be, say 8, which means that is the maximum score that can be taken on any hole for an adjusted total score. It is this adjusted total score, with the disaster now factored out that is used for handicap computation.
If this sounds a bit like learning Greek grammar, you need to worry. All you have to really understand is how to submit your scores and adjust for the ESC. The handicap committee of your club will do the rest. If you want to check their computations, there are computer programs that will help you calculate your handicap online. Once you have an established handicap, you need to continue to submit official rounds of golf to the handicap committee so; hopefully, it will be reduced as you improve. Now, you will be ready to compete on a fairly even basis with any golfer on any given tournament or even friendly round of golf.