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

World Handicap System

Fundamentals of Handicapping

Handicap Index Calculation 101

Handicap Index Safeguards

9-Hole Scores

Adjustment of Hole Scores

Course Handicap and Playing Handicap

Posting Scores

Handicap Competitions

Handicap Committee

The Golf Course

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.


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