Chapter Education

WE ARE HERE TO MAKE GOLF FUN FOR YOU!

Mentor Program

Remember to tell the league coordinator whether you would like a mentor during one of our league nights. Many of our long time members have signed up to be mentors and are great sources of information for the Central Indiana chapter. We are here to help.

Individual Scramble

Begin Below: Both new players and players who have been playing golf for many years have days where they feel like they are hitting the ball about every 20 yards. If you are having one of those days and know that you are NOT going to report your score for handicap, try the individual scramble. Tee off with your group and then pick up your ball and move it to the farthest hit ball and continue from there. You can play the individual scramble for your whole round or part of it. The important thing is you have fun and get experience playing golf.

Play Ready Golf. This means:

Tee off as soon as enough members have arrived and the starter approves. On subsequent tees, if the player with honors is not prepared, another player should set up and tee off.
If you must take a practice swing, limit it to one.
Proceed directly to your own ball. Do not hang back, especially if you are on the other side of the fairway from the away golfer.
In the fairway always be ready to hit. Ready Golf means to hit (safely) when ready, without distracting your partners. Walk briskly between shots.
While waiting to hit, survey your shot, select your clubs, take them from your bag, and stand ready to set up and make your shot.
Watch other's shots, as well as your own, this will reduce the time spent looking for lost golf balls. Hit a provisional ball whenever in doubt. Spend no more than 5 minutes looking for a lost ball. If the lost ball is not yours, look for it after you have hit your ball.
Pace yourself by focusing on the golf group ahead of you, not behind you. You should be one (1) stroke behind the group in front of you.

On the Green:

Always leave your clubs at the back or side of the green closest to the next tee.
On the green, line up your putt as others are putting out; use continuous putting (rather than marking putts close to the hole) and do not spend too much time with each putt.
Manage the pin: the golfer closest to the hole should tend the pin and the first person to putt out should be ready to replace it.

Etiquette

Stand quietly and still as another person plays their shot.
Stand out of the golfer’s line of vision.
Avoid standing directly behind the ball or behind the hole when a golfer is playing or preparing to play a shot.
Make practice swings only when there’s no chance that you’ll disturb another golfer.
Be prompt when it’s your turn.
Stay up with the group in front of you, but let them get safely out of range before hitting.
Shout a warning if your ball may hit someone – “FORE!”
After playing from a bunker, rake and repair any damage.
Avoid making divots with practice swings. If you make a divot, replace it. Simply pick up the piece of turf and gently press it back in place.
Ensure that any electronic device does not disturb another player
On the putting green, repair ball marks by gently pushing up the turf with a tee or a divot tool. Tap down repaired turf with your putter head.
Do not stand or walk on the line of another golfer’s putt.
Do not cast a shadow on a player’s line of his putt while he is making a stroke.
Do not run on the putting green or drop or lean on clubs.
Carefully replace the flagstick in the upright position.
Replace your divots on the course, or fill the damaged area with sand if it’s provided on the cart.
Never lay your golf bag (or drive the cart!) on the green.Place your bag on the fringe or collar, preferably on the side where you exit the green. Park your golf cart well off the green and on the side where you will exit.
Exit the putting green area as soon as everyone in your group has holed out.
To avoid delaying play, mark your score card on the next tee, not while standing on or in front of the green.

Level Of Play

New Golfer - Skill Level 1 May never have held a golf club May have been on a golf course Has never taken lessons Has little knowledge of golf etiquette Has uncomfortable stance and swing Is unfamiliar with golf terms
Beginner - Skill Level 2 Does not play regularly, two to four times a month Practices rarely, may have had some group lessons Scores over 125 regularly (18 holes) Sometimes picks up their ball Does not always keep score
Intermediate - Skill Level 3 Plays regularly, but weekly at most Practices occasionally Scores between 115 to 125 regularly (18 holes) Has an official handicap over 30
Advanced - Skill Level 4 Plays regularly, 2-3 times a week Practices regularly, 1-3 times a week Scores between 95 to 115 regularly (18 holes) Has an official USGA handicap of 30 or less (18 holes)
Competitive - Skill Level 5 Plays whenever, wherever, with whomever Practices regularly, 1-3 times a week Plays comfortably in competition Scores under 95 regularly (18 holes) Has an official USGA handicap of 25 or less (18 holes)

Local Educational Discounts

LPGA Amateur Golf Association DISCOUNT EDUCATION FROM LOCAL PROS

•Barla Golf Academy at Sahm: Scott Barla is offering a complimentary club evaluation before the season starts for members of LPGA AGA. He also has refer a friend program. You will get a free 30 min lesson from Scott for each referral that books a lesson. Email Scott Barla at sbarla69@gmail.com or call (248)635-4183.

•Crossing Golf Course: 5 lessons for $100 in a group setting 4-6 individuals needed (you can pick the time), individual lessons available $50 LPGA AGA discount. Contact Rylan Porter at Rylan58@gmail.com

•The Legends: Get Ready Golf 4 Clinic Series for $99. This will run for 4 consecutive Tuesdays in May from 6 – 7:15pm. Contact Crystal Morse at 317-370-3100 or cjanglea@yahoo.com or Ted Bishop at (317) 736-8939 or tedbishop38pga@aol.com

•Golf School of Indiana: Erika Wicoff is holding Women’s only golf clinics at Sahm Golf Course on Wednesdays @ 6pm for 1 hour clinic. $30/lesson (6th lesson is free). Also at The Fort at 3:30pm.

•Jan Kleiman Golf and Ironwood: Jan Kleiman has a 20% discount or $48 on private lessons. Also she will do a 9 hole playing lessons for $80 or $60 per person, minimum of two people. Contact Jan Kleiman at jan@jankleimangolf.com or call 863-604-0594.

Handicap Information

2023 LPGA Amateur Golf Association - CENTRAL INDIANA CHAPTER HANDICAP INFORMATION

Overview

A handicap is a numerical measure of a player's ability. A specific formula is
used to compute a handicap index by factoring in a player's score, tees used and the difficulty of the course played. Benefits of maintaining a handicap include the ability to compete with golfers of other skills levels on an equitable basis on any course, from any tees. It also provides an objective way to measure golf skill improvement.

A Handicap Index compares a player's scoring ability to the scoring ability of a scratch golfer on a course of standard difficulty. It reflects the player's potential because it is based upon the best handicap differentials posted for a given number of rounds, ideally the best 10 of the last 20 rounds.

Is there a fee for a handicap?

Access to the LPGA Amateur Golf Association’s Handicap System (GN21) is no longer part of your LPGA Amateur Golf Association membership. You must signup for a USGA-sanctioned posting service from your Chapter, or another posting service through a golf club or directly with the Indiana Golf Association. This system calculates a handicap index based on requirements set forth by the USGA, so LPGA Amateur Golf Association members who utilize it are receiving official USGA handicap indexes.

How do I establish my handicap?

· Log into the member's section of the posting service you have joined and post your rounds played at the golf course of your choice.

· Play in LPGA Amateur Golf Association events (or in non-LPGA Amateur Golf Association events with other people) and start getting your scores posted.

· Your handicap index is calculated once you have posted five (5) 18-hole rounds (or ten (10) 9-hole rounds).

· Handicap indexes are updated every evening during the season and, once enough rounds are posted, are calculated based on the best 10 of your last 20 rounds.

Who do I contact with questions regarding my handicap?

Lisa Hall at educationLPGAAmateurscentralin @gmail.com for questions, fixing mistakes, editing scores, etc.

Will someone be posting our scores from league play & LPGA Amateur Golf Association events this year?
No. You must post your own scores. It is avantagious to post the same day as played to take advantage of the weather adjustments made by the system.

How do I get my scores posted for non-LPGA Amateur Golf Association golf rounds or if I need a league score to be posted?

You are responsible for posting your own scores in these cases. All individuals maintaining an official handicap have the following responsibilities:

· Post every eligible score during the posting season.

· Play all rounds eligible for posting under the USGA Rules of Golf.

· Make an effort to make the best score on each hole of every round played.

Please CLICK HERE for instructions on how to post your own scores.

How do I access my handicap information online?

Replace

What is Equitable Stroke Control (ESC) and do I need to follow it when posting my scores?
Equitable Stroke Control (ESC) is the downward adjustment of individual hole scores for handicap purposes in order to make handicaps more representative of a player's potential ability. ESC sets a maximum number that a player can post on any hole depending on the player's Course Handicap. ESC is used only when a player's actual or most likely score exceeds the player's maximum number based on the table below.

If the score you would like posted for league or an event is different than the actual score you wrote down on the scorecard for the round, please make the ESC adjustment and note it on the scorecard.

Is my GN21 handicap the same as a GHIN handicap?

The GN21 and GHIN handicaps are both USGA handicaps and are calculated using the same method. Some clubs require a specific handicap, such as GHIN, for entry into a tournament. If you are in need of a GHIN handicap, you will need to establish it at an IGA/PGA member club at an additional cost. The ISinging up with the eclub with LPGA Amateurs - Central Indiana gives you a GHIN Handicap. Indiana Golf Office website contains information on IGA/PGA member clubs: http://www.indianagolf.org/index.php

USGA Handicap System Definitions (information from the USGA Handicap Manual – www.usga.org)
The purpose of the USGA Handicap System is to make the game of golf more enjoyable by enabling players of differing abilities to compete on an equitable basis. The System provides a fair Course Handicap for each player, regardless of ability, and adjusts a player's Handicap Index up or down as the player's game changes. At the same time, the System disregards high scores that bear little relation to the player's potential ability and promotes continuity by making a Handicap Index continuous from one playing season or year to the next. A Handicap Index is useful for all forms of play, and is issued only to individuals who are members of a licensed golf club.

Two basic premises underlie the USGA Handicap System, namely that each player will try to make the best score at every hole in every round, regardless of where the round is played, and that the player will post every acceptable round for peer review. The player and the player's Handicap Committee have joint responsibility for adhering to these premises.

A Handicap Index compares a player's scoring ability to the scoring ability of a scratch golfer on a course of standard difficulty. A player posts scores along with the appropriate USGA Course Rating and Slope Rating to make up the scoring record. A Handicap Index is computed from no more than 20 scores plus any eligible tournament scores. It reflects the player's potential because it is based upon the best handicap differentials posted for a given number of rounds, ideally the best 10 of the last 20 rounds.

A Handicap Index is portable from course to course, as well as from one set of tees to another set of tees on the same course. A player converts a Handicap Index to a Course Handicap based on the Slope Rating of the tees played.

A USGA Course Rating is the USGA's mark that indicates the evaluation of the playing difficulty of a course for a scratch golfer under normal conditions based on yardage and other obstacles that affect scoring ability. A Slope Rating is a measurement of the relative difficulty of a course for players who are not scratch golfers. Each course is rated from each set of tees for both the scratch golfer and the bogey golfer. The USGA Course Rating and Slope Rating together reflect the difficulty of the course for a player who is not a scratch golfer. The greater the difference between the scores of the scratch and bogey golfers on a certain course, the higher the Slope Rating will be and the more strokes players will receive. Conversely, the less the difference, the lower the Slope Rating will be and the fewer strokes players will receive.

A "scratch golfer" is a player who can play to a Course Handicap of zero on any and all rated golf courses. A male scratch golfer, for rating purposes, can hit tee shots an average of 250 yards and can reach a 470-yard hole in two shots at sea level. A female scratch golfer, for rating purposes, can hit tee shots an average of 210 yards and can reach a 400-yard hole in two shots at sea level.

Information sources include the USGA Handicap Manual, the Handicapping section of the USGA website.