What are some of the circumstances a committee can use to reduce a handicap index?
Section 8-4 of the Handicap System Manual clearly defines the circumstances and procedures, but we must point out that there are circumstances where a committee might have to raise a handicap index. Some of the reasons for modifying (either down or up) an index are: • The Player is Improving Faster than the System can React – this usually involves a person who is just learning the game. Many times, they improve so quickly that the standard calculation process is not able to reflect their current ability so the committee would have to look at modifying the index down. • Temporary Disability – it is possible that someone is recovering from surgery or an injury, for example, and is not able to play to their prior ability. The committee needs to look at this and potentially adjust the index up. • Failure to Post – the committee needs to monitor this and might have to adjust a person’s index up or down, based on the scores they are not posting. If a person forgets to post one score, the com
