Why is my new USGA handicap so much different than last years handicap?
There are a number of reasons. One is the equation that is used. The old handicap equation from last year used the difference between your gross score and par as part of the calculation. The USGA handicap equation uses the difference between your gross score and the course rating as part of the calculation. The course rating is usually less than par, resulting in a larger number. Another reason is that last years handicaps were based upon averages of a number of outings. So it took into account good and bad rounds. Because were starting from scratch with the new USGA handicaps, everyone is starting out with their best round from the last 6 rounds played.
