Can the Handicap Committee adjust a Handicap Index for player injury or disability?
A. Yes. Under Section 8-4b(iii) of the USGA Handicap System manual, a Handicap Committee can grant an increase in handicap for temporary and permanent disabilities (as determined by the Handicap Committee). The increased handicap must be identified by the letter L to indicate that it is for local club use only. For example, a player having recent wrist surgery may be given a higher handicap while recovering. Whether it is a temporary or permanent adjustment, and the amount of adjustment, is to be determined at the club level by the players Handicap Committee. Temporary Treatment: Assign a local Handicap Index reflecting current abilityuntil posting five scores to the players Handicap Indexand then go back to observing players Handicap Index as calculated. Permanent Treatment: Disregard the players previous scoring records and assign a temporary local Handicap Index for use until posting five scores to establish a new Handicap Index. Please visit Section 8-4b and Decisions 8-4b/1 and 8-
