What is the USGA Handicap Formula?
(Go to: http://www.usga.org and select Handicapping, then select the USGA Handicap System manual. See Section 10.) 12–Explain Equitable Stroke Control. How do I figure it if I don’t yet have a handicap? Equitable Stroke Control is the USGA’s system for limiting your maximum score on any one hole so that your handicap reflects your true proficiency. It is the first line of defense against sandbagging because it prevents a golfer from deliberately recording a high score on one hole. A player with a Course Handicap of 9 or less can post up to a double bogey on any hole. 10-19 handicappers can have a maximum of 7 on any hole, 20-29 an 8, 30-39 a 9 and 40 or more a max of a 10. A player without an established USGA Handicap Index uses the maximum Handicap Index of 36.4 for men, or 40.4 for women, converted to a Course Handicap to determine his maximum number. 13–How long are my scores good for? When is it too late to submit them? Scores are good as long as they are in the golfer’s scoring
