Handicap Information -------------------- Handicap Index: The formula used by GolfCap to produce the Handicap Index has been revised to provide results that should match the Handicap Index provided by both the United States Golf Association and the Royal Canadian Golf Association. ------------------------------------------------------------- Differentials: The Handicap Index is determined based on the differentials from a selected number of 18-hole rounds the Golfer has played. The criteria for selecting these differentials is as follows: Number of Differentials Rounds Used ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1-4 ---- No Index calculated if less than 5 18-hole rounds 5 ---- Lowest 1 of all 18-hole rounds 6-7 ---- Lowest 2 of all 18-hole rounds 8-9 ---- Lowest 3 of all 18-hole rounds 10-11 ---- Lowest 4 of all 18-hole rounds 12-13 ---- Lowest 5 of all 18-hole rounds 14-15 ---- Lowest 6 of all 18-hole rounds 16-17 ---- Lowest 7 of all 18-hole rounds 18 ---- Lowest 8 of all 18-hole rounds 19 ---- Lowest 9 of all 18-hole rounds 20 ---- Lowest 10 of all 20 18-hole rounds 21+ ---- Lowest 10 of LAST 20 18-hole rounds >> Note that when a Golfer has 21 or more rounds of 18 holes, the >> lowest 10 differentials from the last 20 rounds are used. The >> "last 20 rounds" are based on the last twenty 18-hole rounds >> entered into the GolfCap database. For this reason it is VERY >> INPORTANT that Game Records be entered in the order they were >> played (by date). 9-hole rounds are recorded but not used in >> handicap computations however they are included in all the stats. Differentials are determined by the following method: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When the Gross Score is higher than the course Rating, the course Rating is subtracted from the Gross Score. When the Gross Score is lower than the course Rating, the Gross Score is subtracted from the course Rating. The next step is to multiply 113 by the figure from the above calculation then dividing that figure by the course Slope. This figure is carried to ONLY ONE decimal place WITHOUT ROUNDING. Example: A Golfer shoots a Score of 86 on a course with a Rating of 71.5 The Rating of 71.5 is subtracted from the Score of 86 giving a result of 14.5 113 is multilpied by 14.5 giving a result of 1638.5 This is divided by 133 producing a Handicap Differential for this game of 12.3 113 x 14.5 = 1638.5 = 12.3 (Differential) ------ 133 GolfCap automatically determines the Handicap Differential for each game at the time it is recorded and saved in the database. --------------------------------------------------------------- Course Handicap: A Golfer does not play off his/her Handicap Index. Rather a Course Handicap must be determined using the following method: Multiply the Handicap Index by the Slope value of the course being played and divide by 113. The resulting figure is ROUNDED to the nearest whole number (.5 is rounded upward). Example: A Golfer with a Handicap Index of 11.7 playing on a course with a Slope value of 133 11.7 x 133 = 1556.1 = 13.7 (round to 14 for Course Handicap) ------ 113 To obtain the Slope value of a Course, contact the Club Pro or Manager. In many cases, both the Slope and Rating are listed on the score card provided by the Club. When adding a Game Record to the database, GolfCap will always automatically determine the Course Handicap for that round (if the golfer has an established Handicap Index). To get a quick Course Handicap use the "Quick Handicap" option under the HANDICAP heading at the Main Menu. -------------------------------------------------------------- OverAll Differential: The figure shown as a Golfer's OverAll Differential is based on the Golfer's Handicap Index. This figure can be used to measure improvement over days, weeks, months, most improved Golfer, etc. It is updated after each new 18-hole game is added to the database. After you have recorded 5 18-hole games, make a note of your OverAll Differential then compare it to the revised figure after your record additional games (if it gets lower, you're improving). ----------------------------------------------------------------- Other: The Handicap Index provided by GolfCap is not to be considered as ones "official" Handicap Index. It is NOT to be used in place of a Handicap Index provided by the U.S.G.A. or the R.C.G.A. when you are entering tournaments. The Course Handicap provided by GolfCap should match that provided by the U.S.G.A. and the Royal Canadian Golf Association (provided the same Slope and Handicap Index values are used). ------------------------------------------------------------------ NOTE: It is IMPORTANT that Game Records be entered in the order they were played (by date) to insure accurate Handicap Index results. This document may be printed by typing: COPY HANDICAP.TXT PRN < End Of HANDICAP.DOC >