Handicaps

Welcome to The Villages Golf Handicap Page. Here, you will find information about how handicaps are managed in The Villages and helpful information about the ins and outs of handicapping.

The Villages is a USGA Golf Club with Membership in the Florida State Golf Association (FSGA). The Golf Handicap Information Network (GHIN) through the Florida State Golf Association provides USGA/WHS handicap indexes. All competitive play in The Villages requires participants to have a current USGA handicap index from The Villages.

To ensure the integrity of the handicaps in our community and in accordance with the USGA/WHS Handicap System, The Villages Community Golf Handicap Committee (TVCGHC) was established. The Committee operates to fulfill the duties imposed by the USGA/WHS Handicap System. There are 31 volunteer members, segregated into 2 regional teams, governed by a 5-member executive committee. Click on the link above to access contact information.

The USGA system requires that every GHIN member report all acceptable scores for handicap calculation personally, or as otherwise authorized by the committee, as soon as possible after the round is played, preferably the day of play. Scores may be posted using the USGA GHIN app on your mobile device or at any of the computer stations located in the golf shop of each of the championship courses. There are no computer stations at any of the courses located south of Rt. 44. There are two websites you can access to do so, FSGA.org or GHIN.com. The golf shop teams are trained to be of assistance if needed. Report posting errors to any pro shop employee as soon as possible.

Handicapping FAQs

Q: Do I have to have a handicap?

A: The simple answer is no. A handicap is required to participate in competitive events in The Villages. For example, play in Mens and Ladys Day, Summer Series events, tournament play, and in some circumstances, to play with weekly groups where competitive games are played. A handicap is also useful if a player is interested in tracking their progress in improving their game.

Q: Do I have to have a handicap if I only play on the Executive Courses?

A: No, however, beginning on January 16, 2024, the USGA introduced new rules to include Executive Courses into the world of handicapping. All Executive Courses in The Villages have been rated with a SLOPE and RATING which allows a Handicap Index to be established when a player posts a score after playing a round.

At this time, Golf Administration will not require a handicap index to play in Executive Course Mens and Ladies Day events. Updates to that decision will be posted here. Like with Championship Course play, a handicap is useful if a player is interested in tracking their progress in improving their game.

Handicap Account Management

• I need help finding my Handicap ID

World Handicap System

• What is the World Handicap System all about?
• Has the World Handicap System impacted the way the game is played in the United States?

Fundamentals of Handicapping

• What does a Handicap Index represent?
• How do I get a Handicap Index?
• How many scores do I have to post before I get a Handicap Index?
• Someone asks me what my handicap is when we are standing on the first tee. What do I tell them
• What is peer review and why is it important?
• I recently posted scores, but my Handicap Index has not changed. Why?

Handicap Index Calculation 101

• What is a Score Differential™ and how is it calculated?
• How is a Handicap Index calculated?
• I always play the same tees at the same course. Is my Handicap Index "established" from that set?
• What is the maximum Handicap Index?
• How often is a Handicap Index updated?

Handicap Index Safeguards

• What is the playing conditions calculation (PCC) and how does it work?
• I forgot to post my score the day I played. Will I still get the PCC adjustment?
• What is an "exceptional score" and what happens when I post one?
• What is my Low Handicap Index and why is it displayed in my scoring record?
• Is there a limit on how much a Handicap Index can increase?

9-Hole Scores

• How did the treatment of 9-hole scores change under the World Handicap System in 2024?
• How is a golfer's expected score determined to create an 18-hole Score Differential?
• How will a 9-hole score be displayed in my scoring record?
• When establishing a Handicap Index, how are 9-hole scores treated?

Adjustment of Hole Scores

• What is my maximum hole score for handicap purposes?
• I started a hole but did not complete it. What score do I post?
• I did not play a hole. What score to do I post?
• Why is hole-by-hole score posting required when 10-17 holes are played?
• How will a 10-17-hole score be displayed in my scoring record?
• If I play 10-17 holes, will it count as 18 holes for the purposes of establishing a Handicap Index?

Course Handicap and Playing Handicap

• What is the difference between a Course Handicap and Playing Handicap?
• How do I calculate my Course Handicap and Playing Handicap?
• When players compete from different tees, do we have to make any adjustments?
• Where does rounding occur within the Playing Handicap calculation?

Posting Scores

• How do I determine if a score is acceptable for handicap purposes?
• How many holes must be played to post an acceptable score?
• I accidently posted the wrong score - how can I change it?
• I would like to play from a set of tees that are not rated for my gender. How can I post a score?
• Are scores designated as "Competition" scores treated any differently?
• I played a round by myself. Why can't I post the score?
• Why am I expected to post my score the day I play?
• I dont know the Course Rating and Slope Rating for the tees I played, how can I post the score?
• Can I manually enter the Course Rating, Slope Rating and par for a course I played?

Handicap Competitions

• What are handicap allowances and why are they recommended for various formats of play?
• Do handicap allowances favor a plus handicap player since it moves their Playing Handicap closer to zero (up), while those above scratch move down towards zero?
• When running a multi-round competition, should the Handicap Index be updated between each round?
• Should match play scores be posted even if I do not hole out on every hole?
• Why does the player with the lowest Playing Handicap play at scratch (0) in match play?
• At what age should a golfer be allowed to play the forward tees?
• On which holes do players receive strokes in a competition?
• What scores should be posted as "Competition" scores?

Handicap Committee

• I had a recent injury and can no longer play to my handicap. Can the Handicap Committee make an adjustment?
• There is a player at my club who always tends to play well during net events and wins often. Are there any provisions in place to ensure that everyone is playing on a fair level?
• What is a Penalty Score? How and when is it applied?
• How does the Handicap Committee determine the stroke index allocation at their course?
• I am a member of multiple clubs, why do I have to designate a "home club"?

The Golf Course

• Who provides the Course Rating and Slope Rating for each golf course?
• What is a Course Rating and what does it represent?
• What is a Slope Rating and what does it represent?
• Does a course have to be a certain length to have a Course Rating and Slope Rating?
• How does a course get scheduled for a rating visit?

QUESTIONS about Handicapping can be directed as follows: The Villages Community Handicap Committee at , The Villages Community Golf Handicap Committee or the USGA Handicap Department by phone at (908)234-2300 extension 5 or by email at hdcpquestions@usga.org.