2020 IGA Yearbook

As a starting point, the club should run a most improved golfer report for the period of time which the review is taking place (last 12 months, last six months, etc.). This report can be viewed from two perspectives; which player in the club had the best improvement ratio and which player’s game has taken a turn for the worse. Often times, players who are manipulating their Handicap Index will do so to have a vanity Handicap Index or to increase their Handicap Index to gain additional shots. Reviewing the number of rounds posted by each player during the stipulated timeframe may provide additional information. Was there a correlation between the number of rounds posted and an improvement to the player’s Handicap Index? Do the number of rounds posted match up to the number of times the player was on the tee sheet? Score types can be used to analyze a player’s performance at home versus away. Compare the average score differentials between home play and away play. What is the average score differential for the player in competition rounds? Do these numbers change throughout the year (summer versus winter)? Look at timestamps of scores. Are multiple scores posted on the same day and within seconds of each other? Are scores being posted on the day of play or is the player waiting one or several days to post? Exceptional Score Reductions (ESR) are one of the safeguards built into the Rules of Handicapping. The Handicap Committee should review the number of ESRs that havebeenapplied toplayer’s scoring records and the number of players that were impacted as these may be a true indication of the player’s ability. Review both -1 and -2 ESRs. Who was impacted and were there multiple ESRs per player? Were the ESRs applied to home scores or away scores? The Low Handicap Index is another safeguard that was introduced with the Rules of Handicapping. As defined, the Low Handicap Index is the lowest Handicap Index achieved by a player during the 365- day period (one year) preceding the day on which the most recent score on their scoring record was played. This number is then used to limit extreme upward movement of a Handicap Index – the soft cap and hard cap. A review of players that have been impacted by either the soft or hard cap may reveal the player needs further adjustment to their Handicap Index; e.g., the player has had an injury which caused the higher scores. The Handicap Committee should keep track of any players for whom they have taken the action to adjust the Handicap Index. The list of players should be reviewed to determine if the adjustment should be removed, continued until the expiration date or re-adjusted. This includes adjustments to both the Handicap Index and the Low Handicap Index. As the Handicap Committee prepares for its first review, there are a few important considerations: • The Rules of Handicapping were introduced in January 2020 which included new safeguards and formulas • The handicap review should be based on the Handicap Index and Low Handicap Index since January 2020 • Scores posted since January 2020 should be considered during the review • Were the most likely score guidelines properly followed by the players when playing a course that had implemented modifications to the hole (e.g., foam insert, elevated hole liners) for player safety during COVID-19? IGA/USGA RESOURCES • USGA Committee Guide • Rules of Handicapping - Appendix D • IGA WHS Homepage • IGA - Request a Handicap Review webpage