Resources & FAQ

Officials of the Maryland State Golf Association are often asked “How do I get a handicap?” According to the World Handicap System Rules of Handicapping, Rule 1.4a states that “in order to obtain a Handicap Index that can be administered in accordance with the Rules of Handicapping, a player must be:

• A member of a golf club that is affiliated with an Authorized Association, or
• A direct member of an Authorized Association which has assumed the responsibility of a golf club (see Rule 1.3 Responsibilities of Player, Handicap Committee and Authorized Association).

By returning a score for the purpose of obtaining or maintaining a Handicap Index, the player acknowledges that the use of their scoring record will be available for:

• Peer review purposes (See Rule 4.4 Certification of a Score),
• Issuance of a Handicap Index, and
• Administration and research purposes.

In affiliation with the USGA, the MSGA is the Allied Golf Association in Maryland and Washington D.C and will help you find an authorized golf club in this region.  The USGA and R&A authorize the MSGA to use the World Handicap System, and a golf club located in this region must be authorized by the MSGA to issue Handicap Indexes.  As the Authorized Association in this jurisdiction, MSGA may:

• Use the Rules of Handicapping and the Course Rating System.
• Use the registered marks of the World Handicap System.
• Issue a Handicap Index either directly or, where delegated, through a golf club.
• Issue a Course Rating and a Slope Rating.

If you do not plan to join a private club, check with a nearby public or daily fee facility, preferably one of the more than 50 MSGA Member Clubs that are public access facilities. Most of these facilities provide handicap services to the public for a modest fee (established by the club). You can search the MSGA Member Club Directory to find a club, or find more information on how to join the MSGA eClub by submitting the form below.

For more information on Handicap Procedure contact us or visit the the USGA Handicapping home page.

MSGA eClub

If you don’t play regularly at one course and would like the opportunity and convenience of joining the MSGA and getting a Handicap Index, you can apply for the MSGA eClub below. Joining the MSGA eClub gets you a Handicap Index and also makes you eligible for all MSGA events, including One-Day tournaments that are open to golfers of all ages and abilities.

In accordance with Rule 1.2 of the Rules of Handicapping, the eClub handicap service is administered directly through the MSGA. Members may post scores from www.ghin.com , from the free GHIN Mobile App on compatible Apple and Android devices, and from GHIN kiosks at courses throughout the country via their GHIN number. Members also receive bimonthly newsletters from the MSGA via email with their revised Handicap Index, news, and other offers.

Cick Here to Apply to Join the MSGA eClub

The FAQs below refer to the World Handicap System™ (WHS™) Rules of Handicapping as of January 16, 2024. For more information, visit the WHS 2024 Revision Hub

1. Why does my Handicap Index display NH?
Answer: It means “No Handicap,” because your scoring record does not contain the minimum number of scores to calculate a Handicap Index. It only takes 54 holes – any combination of 9 and 18-hole scores – to establish a Handicap Index and be a part of the World Handicap System (WHS™). When you’ve posted (54) holes, you will receive an official Handicap Index the following day. A Handicap Index is updated daily under the Rules of Handicapping.

2. What method should I use when I post scores?
Answer: From the “Post a Score” page on the website or app, you can change the posting method to Total Score or Hole-By-Hole from the top of the page.

• Hole-by-hole: We strongly encourage using the hole-by-hole (HBH) method when posting scores. Net double bogey is the maximum hole score for handicap purposes, and the HBH method automatically adjusts scores from holes which you record higher than net double bogey.
• Total Score: The total score option allows posting scores for the front nine, back nine, and total or only the total score. If you post a gross total score, you must adjust scores on holes which you recorded higher than net double bogey. Subtract any additional strokes beyond net double bogey to calculate your adjusted gross score for handicap purposes.
• Manually Input Course Name: You may encounter situations in which you play from an unrated set of tees. During a tournament the committee might set up the course using a mixture of yardages from multiple sets of tees. Or you might choose to play a blended set of tees that have not been rated, or a set of tees that has only been rated for either men or women. appears in the bottom left below Recently Played Courses. This method allows you to manually enter the course name, as well as Course and Slope Ratings to submit a score. This feature is necessary when playing from a set of tees with a difference of 100 to 300 yards from the yardage at which a tee set was rated. Find the Course and Slope Ratings for the set of tees you played or the set of tees nearest to the yardage you played. Use the chart in Appendix G of the Rules of Handicapping to calculate the Course and Slope Rating for the yardage you played and post the score with those ratings.

3. Am I allowed to post my score if I played alone?
Answer: No. Peer review is the process by which either a score or a player’s Handicap Index® can be confirmed or challenged, and when rounds are played without another person present, the process cannot be facilitated. (Rule 2.1, Rules of Handicapping) (see Rule 4.4).

4. What Scores Can I Post?
Answer: A score is acceptable for handicap purposes if the round has been played:

• In an authorized format of play (see Rule 2.1a Played in an Authorized Format of Play) over at least the minimum number of holes required for either a 9-hole or an 18-hole score to be acceptable (see Rule 2.2 Minimum Number of Holes Played for Score to be Acceptable)
• In the company of at least one other person, who may also act as a marker (subject to satisfying any other requirements of the Rules of Golf),
• By the Rules of Golf (see Rule 2.1b Played by the Rules of Golf),
• On a golf course with a current Course Rating and Slope Rating, where length and normal playing difficulty is maintained at a consistent level (see Appendix G: The Golf Course, Course Rating and Slope Rating),
• On a golf course during its active season.
• In addition, the player’s score must always be certified in accordance with the Rules of Handicapping (see Rule 4.4 Certification of a Score). If one or more of the requirements set out above is not met, the score is not acceptable for handicap purposes.
• For an 18-hole score to be acceptable for handicap purposes, a minimum of 10 holes must be played.
• For a 9-hole score to be acceptable for handicap purposes, all 9 holes must be played. If a player has not played at least 9 holes, the score is not acceptable for handicap purposes.
  Note: An acceptable 9-hole score must be played over 9-holes with a current Course Rating and Slope Rating (see Rule 2.1).
• Scores from all courses with Course Ratings and Slope Ratings made during their active seasons, both at home and away, shall be posted by the player along with the appropriate USGA Course Ratings and Slope Ratings (see Rule 2.1). Scores in both match play and stroke play shall be posted for handicap purposes. This includes scores made in match play, multi-ball or team competitions in which players have not completed one or more holes or in which players are requested to pick up when out of contention on a hole (see Rule 2.1). Disqualification – The Committee has the discretion to accept a score for handicap purposes if a player is disqualified from a competition, but no significant scoring advantage has been gained. For example, a player who is disqualified from a competition for failure to sign his scorecard has an acceptable score for handicap purposes (see Rule 2.1b/1).

5. Which Scores are Unacceptable Scores?
Answer: A score would not be acceptable to post for handicap purposes in the following scenarios:

• When fewer than nine holes are played.
• When made on a golf course in an area in which an inactive season established by the authorized golf association is in effect.
• When a majority of the holes are not played in accordance with the principles of the Rules of Golf.
• When the length of the course is less than 1,500 yards for 18 holes or less than 750 yards for 9 holes
• When, as a condition of the competition, the maximum number of clubs allowed is less than 14, or types of clubs are limited as, for example, in a competition that allows only iron clubs.
• When a player does not play their own ball (Scrambles for example).
• When a player is being coached by an instructor
• When scores are made on a course with no USGA Course Rating and Slope Rating.
• When a player carries or uses non-conforming clubs or uses non-conforming balls.
• When artificial devices (as defined under Rule 4.3a) are used during the execution of a stroke.

6. When is the Active/Inactive Season for Posting Scores in Maryland?
Answer: The active season in Maryland and Washington D.C. is March 15 to November 30. All acceptable scores from rounds played in Maryland and Washington D.C. from March 15 through November 30 of any given year must be posted. Rounds played in Maryland and Washington D.C. from December 1 through March 14 are NOT to be posted.

Rounds played outside of Maryland and Washington D.C. must be posted, if the state you are playing in is in season (typically warm climate states). Rounds played outside of Maryland must not be posted, if the state you’re playing in is not in season (typically cold climate states). Check with the Pro Shop of the course you’re playing or look up on Active/Inactive seasons section of USGA website.

GHIN golfer products do not allow scores to be posted during Maryland/DC or any other state’s inactive season.

7. How do I Adjust Scores for Posting?
Answer: Net double bogey is the maximum hole score to post for handicapping purposes for a player with an established handicap index. Any scores that exceed net double bogey must be adjusted when posting a total score. For a player submitting their first scores to obtain an initial Handicap Index, the maximum score for each hole played is limited to par + 5 strokes (see Rule 3.1).

• Holes Not Played or Not Played Under the Rules of Golf – Expected score (see Rule 3.2).
• Unfinished Holes and Conceded Strokes – Most likely score (see Rule 3.3).

8. What is expected score? Answer: The score a player is expected to achieve over a specified number of holes on a course of standard difficulty. It is calculated using the player’s Handicap Index and attributes a numerical value against any hole or holes not played during a round.

9. Where do I View My Revised Handicap?

• GHIN Mobile App and GHIN.com – Use the lookup tool on the GHIN Mobile App or ghin.com to lookup your or another member’s handicap.
• Home Club Score Posting Computer – You can view your latest Handicap Index, Low Handicap Index, and Course Handicap.
• Handicap eRevision – Subscribe to an association newsletter emailed to you on the 1st and 15th of each month with your revised Handicap Index.

To read more FAQs about the WHS and Rules of Handicapping, please click here.

Peer Review: The process by which a Handicap Index can be confirmed or challenged (see Rule 4.4)

Playing an entire round alone/unaccompanied doesn’t meet the definition of “peer review,” which is essentially having a reasonable and regular opportunity to play golf with others and the ability to form a reasonable basis for supporting or disputing a score that has been posted.

Entire rounds that are played alone/unaccompanied are unacceptable for the purposes of calculating a Handicap Index. These scores may be posted to a scoring record for the sake of tracking the rounds someone plays, but the “played alone” tab must be selected when posting. Any scores for rounds played alone will appear on the scoring record but will not be used to calculate a Handicap Index. Although listing someone with whom you played as an attestor is not a requirement while posting a score, it is recommended and supports the concept of peer review.

The Handicap Committee at each authorized golf club plays a key role in administering the Rules of Handicapping at the local level. It is ultimately club / Association Handicap Committee’s responsibility to ensure that each player’s Handicap Index continues to reflect their demonstrated ability.

To achieve this, a successful Handicap Committee conducts a handicap review:

1. Annually for all members
2. For individual players at any time during the year
3. As a result of Peer Review

When conducting a handicap review, the Handicap Committee should utilize reporting tools available within their handicap software, and consider items such as:

• Is the player posting all scores in a timely manner?
• Does the player perform differently in competitive rounds vs. recreational rounds?
• Do “home” Score Differentials vary drastically compared to “away” Score Differentials?
• Did the player have an injury or illness during the year?
• Is the player correctly applying net par and net double bogey adustments?

If, after conducting a handicap review, the Handicap Committee decides that an adjustment is warranted, they must:

• determine the appropriate value of the adjustment,
• determine the length of time for the adjustment, and
• provide the player with an opportunity to respond to the Handicap Committee.

Note: The Handicap Committee also has the authority to post a penalty score if a player fails to submit an acceptable score in a timely manner. If a penalty score is posted to a player’s scoring record, it will be identified with the letter “P”.

Resources for Players

Video: Handicap Review
Online Presentation- Handicap Committee Guide Overview Presentation
Poster – Handicap Committee Review
FAQ – A player at my club always tends to play well during net events
FAQ – Handicap Index® adjustment for Injury or illiness
Infographic – Conducting a Competition under the WHS™

MSGA eClub & USGA/Maryland-DC GC Members Only

A club-wide Handicap Review is completed once every year in midseason. If an adjustment is made to your handicap to your Handicap Index, you have ten (10) days to appeal the adjustment.

A link to an appeal form is provided below. Appeals may be submitted to Director of Handicapping and Course Rating, James Hewatt (james@msga.org).

Click here to download appeal form

Resources for Club Administrators

Handicap Review Toolkit

FAQs for Phase II
Data Points for USGA Handicap Review tool Phase II
Comparison to Other Software
Appeal Form

Sample Letters

Handicap Policies and Procedures for a Club
Resetting the Handicap Index

1. What is the USGA Handicap Review Tool? 

The USGA Handicap Review Tool is used by the club’s Handicap Committee to identify players who are scoring above or below their expected scoring range more often than anticipated or have other abnormalities within their scoring record over a defined period of 12 months. In these instances, a recommended adjustment to the player’s Handicap Index is provided to the club’s Handicap Committee.

An adjustment will be applied only at the discretion of the Handicap Committee. If the adjustment is applied, the player’s Handicap Index will be updated to reflect the adjustment and will be identified with an “M” next to their Handicap Index, e.g., 14.3M.

The tool utilizes Expected Score and Player Equations intrinsic to the World Handicap System™. A high or low flag is triggered when the Score Differential™ is outside of a tolerance that allows for a normal variance in expected scores for a player with a given Handicap Index – because we all have good and bad days on the golf course. Frequency of play is also considered, so the more scores in a player’s record during the Handicap Review period, the more high/low flags that are needed to result in a recommended Handicap Index adjustment.

2. What are the benefits of the USGA Handicap Review Tool?

It is an added safeguard – The handicap review process gives a Handicap Committee the ability to ensure the Handicap Index of its members reflects their demonstrated ability.

The analysis is data-driven – The USGA Handicap Review Tool uses the player’s handicap data to compare posted scores to expected performance.

There continues to be a human element – A Handicap Index adjustment will be applied only at the discretion of the Handicap Committee, based on any other knowledge or evidence that they have about the player and their ability.

Visit the USGA website to use the Course Handicap Calculator