Posting scores and
determining strokes per hole

Handicaps

The World Handicap System (WHS) requires that all scores be posted on the day played and adjusted according to the player’s handicap. 

The maximum score a player can post on any given hole is Net Double Bogey as follows:

Double bogey + the number of strokes you are entitled based on your handicap on that hole.

Example: Player A has a handicap of 18, so she gets one stroke per hole.

On hole #8 (Par 3), she can record a maximum of 6: par 3 + two strokes (double bogey) + 1 (which is what her handicap allows).

Scores can be made up of any combination of 9-hole and 18-hole scores. If playing at least 7 holes, post a 9-hole score.  If playing 14 or more holes, post an 18-hole score.  Revisions are made daily, so a player’s Handicap Index is updated daily.

Other Changes introduced with the WHS include:

  • Playing Conditions Calculation (PCC) which may result in an adjustment to handicaps if scores posted at the same course on the same day are unusually higher or lower due to weather or unusual course conditions.

  • Hard and Soft Caps which prevent a player’s handicap index from increasing more than 5 strokes over a 12-month period.

Players must post their scores for rounds played at courses other than Grand Haven.  If posting an “away” score, the GHIN system will prompt you to include the state played, name of course, tees played, par, and course/slope rating. Many courses are preloaded in GHIN so only the state and name of the course are needed.  See the Pro Shop staff for assistance.

Handicap Committee

The Grand Haven Handicap Committee ensures fairness of competition for all events in keeping with the U.S.G.A. rules.

The U.S.G.A. requires that each club establish an active handicap committee. The makeup of the committee or the number of audits to be completed is not preordained. However, it is expected that this activity will not be a passive endeavor.

The Women’s Golf Association (WGA) handicap representative will audit league game day cards as well as be assigned a random day of the month to perform an audit on all golf members for that day. She conducts audits by comparing the starter sheet, completed scorecards, and the official posting log for the day of the audit. The audit is typically completed 2-3 days following the random date.

Auditors are looking for the mis-posted scores or non-postings, as well as improper addition on the scoring cards.

 Once completed the auditor summarizes it, noting exceptions, and directs them to the Chairman of the club Handicap Committee for action.