A friend is probably going to be a decent golfer someday and would like to get a USGA handicap. She has been saving her scorecards, but isn't sure how to apply ESC adjustments since she has no index at this point. Once she joins whatever club and posts her "however many" saved scores what index should she assume for ESC purposes? Just use the max? Make a good faith estimate of your course handicap for each round played and use the appropriate ESC limit?

Thanks.

dave

I'm in the same boat.... I used a good faith estimate. Of course, as a beginner golfer, my good faith estimate is the max.

No harm, no foul- eventually, the scores you enter will drop off once you keep playing rounds and your handicap is established. Once established, your ESC number will be more accurate. So, eventually, even if you start a little off, it will stabilize on the correct number as time goes on.

But it will be interesting to see what others have to say about this.

According to the rules (USGA manual):
"A player without an established Handicap Index must use the maximum Handicap Index of 36.4 for men, or 40.4 for women, converted to a Course Handicap, to determine a maximum ESC number."

That is the answer - thanks.

dave

Thanks for posting the link to the USGA website. I have done the same many times.

I have read countless posts on different golf boards relating to rules and handicap questions. I've have responded to many of these questions, but ONLY when I KNOW the answer or have verified my answer by referring to the USGA website (or even calling the USGA). All too often it's a matter of the "blind leading the blind" when people on golf boards simply speculate or write that "me and my buddies always do _____" when it comes to the rules. There is simply no reason to speculate-- the USGA rules of golf, decisions, and handicap policies are readily available on its website and in a published booklet. The answers are virtually always there, and when it's not clear, you can always pick up the phone to call the USGA handicap experts. It's not a matter of opinion; it's a matter of fact, IF you want to follow the rules.

Now, if someone simply doesn't chose to follow the rules (for a variety of reasons), that's another subject. Not knowing or following the rules and not posting scores properly leads to "vanity" handicaps and "sandbagging"-- the bane of the handicap system. When it comes to useful handicaps, garbage (scores) in, garbage out, and the validity of having handicaps is lost.

This may be old, but I thought you had to post 5 gross scores to establish a handicap, and then once you got that you could post as per ESC. So for you first 5 rounds, you hole out to establish a true handicap, and then work from there..

You must have 5 scores in order for a handicap to be calculated. However you don't actually "have" a USGA handicap until your sponsoring organization has actually formally issued you a handicap.

dave

Because she has saved a few score cards, I would suggest taking a look at the better half of those scores....use an average of those scores to identify her approximate hdcp....for instance:
Let's say the better half of those scores averages around 92-95...that would most likely put her in the 20-29 handicap range...so her max ESC score per hole would be 8...if she is on the edge of a cut-off point then use the higher range until she establishes an official hdcp....hope that makes sense...it's not offical but it is what I would do