USGA/GHIN HANDICAP through the SCGA & the Chapter
The Southern California Golf Association (SCGA) is Southern California’s resource for an official Handicap Index®. If you don’t have one, please go to scga.org, select a membership level and join. When the system asks for your club, enter or select: LPGA Amateurs Palm Springs/Desert Cities.
If you have never had a handicap index, you will be assigned a GHIN number. Keep that number. Using it, you’ll be able to post scores at GHIN.com.
Here’s a link to join SCGA as a Palm Springs/Desert Cities Chapter member (copy and past into your browser):
https://clubfinder.scga.org/byClub?club=lpga-amateurs-palm-springs-scga&lat=33.83029600&lng=-116.54529600
With an SCGA Associate Membership, you receive other benefits, in addition to a handicap index, such as access to SCGA events, member discounts, etc.
If you already hold a handicap index through SCGA at a private club or women’s golf association, and join LPGA Amateurs, you may be able to get a multi-member rebate. For information, visit: scga.org/knowledge/multi-member-rebate.
Why obtain a Handicap index? From the USGA official website:
- It’s a great way to track your progress
There’s no better feeling than seeing your Handicap Index go down after posting a good score and knowing the hard work is paying off. And since your scoring record is carried over from year to year, in just a matter of seconds, you can look back and see how you’ve progressed over time. Conversely, if your number goes up, you can review your statistics and identify which parts of your game need the most work.
- You can use it to set a target score
Before teeing it up, you can use your computer or mobile app to convert your Handicap Index into a Course Handicap™ – which represents the number of strokes you need to play to par from the tees you’ll be playing. You can then simply add together your Course Handicap + par and you’ll have your target score for the round – which is the score you’ll shoot if you’re able to play well.
- It opens up new playing opportunities in your area
When you sign up for a Handicap Index through your state or regional Allied Golf Association (AGA), you become part of a growing community of golfers in your area. Even better, the AGAs offer playing opportunities throughout the season for players of all skill levels.
- You can experience competition – on your own terms
Do you have a friend or family member who also has a Handicap Index? If so, you can have a fun and fair game with them, regardless of the difference in skill level. And you don’t even have to play a serious 18-hole round to do it! Since scores from many formats, including match play, are acceptable for handicap purposes, try setting up your next golf date by issuing a friendly challenge: loser buys a round after the round!
- It’s easy to get started
All you need to do is post scores from a total of 54 holes, made up of any combination of 9- or 18-hole rounds, and you’ll have a Handicap Index the very next day. Your handicap will continue to update the day after you play, so whether you play once a week or once a month, you’ll always have an up-to-date measure of your ability. Be sure to get in the habit of posting your score right after your round.
Understanding Handicapping in Golf
A handicap index will help you compete in Chapter events. For example, many events give prizes for low gross (the exact amount you shot on the course) and low net (the amount you shot minus any “strokes” you are given based on the course rating, versus opponents with lower handicaps).
An easy example to help understand “net” tournaments is this:
Let’s say you usually shoot around 100 on a course (that is 28 strokes above par-72). That means in a net competition, you will be given one or two strokes per hole against better players. Depending on the course rating (how hard it is), the A player in your group may receive only 4 or 5 total strokes; the B player may receive 6-10 strokes; and the C player may get 12 or more strokes.
NOTE: If you don’t have a GHIN number and want to play in a “net” event, the Chapter will assign you a handicap based on information you provide about your average score for 18 holes.
Questions: please ask at an LPGA event.
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