• measuring golf courses
• evaluating obstacles and conditions that affect playing length
• computing a Course Rating and Slope Rating based on the measurements and evaluations

• Exercise & being outdoors
• Paid travel expenses
• Opportunity to golf at the courses being rated
• NSGA Clothing
• Training and materials

Welcome to Golf Handicaps for Dummies: Why having a handicap is not a handicap.

No, I’m not calling you a dummy, but if you’re a golfer of any ability who doesn’t maintain an accurate and consistent handicap, you’re not taking advantage of one of the fundamentals that makes golf the most democratic of sports. And that’s just dumb.

With all due respect, you can’t go one-on-one with a pro basketball player or hope to score on an NHL goalie. They’re not going to let you shoot at a basket that’s lower than regulation or a net that’s 10 feet wide and six feet high.

But golf’s handicap system allows you to compete on an equitable basis with players who are more or less accomplished than you are. Maintaining a handicap also allows you to monitor your progress every time you play. It’s an integral part of your golf experience.

And, starting Jan. 8, the new World Handicap System makes that scenario even more attractive. More user-friendly, in other words.

“The new system gives golfers an increased opportunity to have fun and compete equitably across all skill levels and ages,” says Shaun Hall, Golf Canada’s senior manager of handicap & course rating.

“You don’t have to be a competitive golfer. If you simply enjoy playing, having a handicap makes the game more enjoyable and allows you to track whether you’re improving.”

I reached out on Twitter with the question, “Do you maintain a handicap and why?”  and received some testimonials.

Ontario golfer Donal Byrne says, “I’m a huge fan of keeping a handicap. I was thrilled to have closed the season inside of 20 [Handicap Index] for the first time. We should celebrate everyone who plays, no matter how they play. I just won’t play anyone who doesn’t have a handicap for money!”

And from Charlottetown, Jeff Craig, whose Twitter profile says he’s “dedicated in my quest to break par,” says, “It bugs the Hell out of me when someone [without a handicap] says, ‘Well, I usually shoot in the mid-80s and wants to play for something.’”

On a personal note, my wife loves the game and posts every score. Her pride in seeing her handicap decrease is evident. Because she is diligent about maintaining her handicap and improving her skills, she was able to win the ladies’ net championship at her club. As a side note, she plays annually in a member-guest at another club where you must have an official Golf Canada Handicap Index to participate.

When she first took up golf, she had waffled about establishing a handicap because, in her words, “I don’t think I’m good enough to have a handicap.”

And that’s the most common excuse recreational golfers give for not caring about a handicap. “I’m not good enough.” Hall disputes that, especially given the fact that under the new system the maximum Handicap Index (which replaces the previous “Handicap Factor” in Canada) has been raised to 54.0 for both men and women. Previously, it was 36.4 for men and 40.4 for women.

Another significant change is to Equitable Stroke Control (ESC). Starting in 2020, net double bogey on any hole is the maximum allowed, whether it’s a par 3, par 4 or par 5. So, for handicap purposes, you can count a maximum of two strokes over par plus any strokes you are entitled to, based on the stroke allowance for that hole.

Obviously, from its name, the World Handicap System is now accepted globally, meaning the same parameters are in place no matter where you play, a boon for Canadians who travel and golf outside the country. As before, all scores can be conveniently posted on the Golf Canada Score Centre, club kiosk or Golf Canada app from your phone or tablet.

3 more significant innovations

1. Only three 18-hole scores (or the equivalent combination of nine-hole scores) are needed to establish a Handicap Index. Previously, the minimum was five. What golfer doesn’t play more than 54 holes in a season?
2. Only eight of your lowest 20 most recent scores will be used to calculate your Handicap Index, rather than the previous 10.
3. And a Playing Conditions Calculation will analyze how you played that day compared to your expected performance on that particular course, taking into account weather and course setup.

Don’t ask me how that last one works, because I’m a tech dummy.

If you want to delve deeper into the mechanics and details of the new World Handicap System, click here.

But even if you don’t, don’t be a dummy. Take advantage of the new World Handicap System in 2020.

The USGA and The R&A are conducting a review of the Rules of Amateur Status to make them easier to understand and apply.

The comprehensive evaluation is part of the continued joint effort to modernize the Rules by reducing complexity and ensuring the Rules effectively guide how the game is played today.

As part of a review process that began earlier this year, the governing bodies will seek the perspectives of golf’s stakeholders as an integral component of the review process, including elite amateur golfers, golf event organizers, national golf associations, professional golf associations and other industry partners.

The aim is to provide the golf community with a modernized set of the Amateur Status Rules in late 2021, with the goal of an effective date of January 1, 2022.

Thomas Pagel, senior managing director of Governance at the USGA, said, “One of golf’s greatest benefits is that it can be played by all ages and played for a lifetime. It is our goal to ensure that the fundamental concept of what it means to be an amateur golfer is clear and retained to promote fair competition and enjoyment for everyone, while still addressing many issues that seek to protect the game. This is a forward-thinking approach and engaging golfers is a key component of doing what’s best for golf.”

Grant Moir, director – Rules at The R&A, said, “We will be looking at the Rules of Amateur Status carefully and considering ways in which we can modernize them and bring them more into line with the way the modern sport is played. The code remains a fundamental framework for amateur golf and we will be listening to the views of players, officials and associations to give us a fully rounded view of how we can improve them.”

In a separate move, effective January 1, 2020, the USGA and The R&A will introduce one change to Rule 3-2b of the Rules of Amateur Status, which regulates hole-in-one prizes. The Rules will no longer limit the prize an amateur golfer may win when making a hole-in-one outside a round of golf, including “stand-alone” and “multiple-entry” hole-in-one events. It is hoped the change will help to promote the game and cater to new audiences as well, and eliminate unnecessary restrictions for event organizers.

New Rule 3-2b will read as follows:

Rule 3-2b. Hole-in-One Prizes

An amateur golfer may accept a prize in excess of the limit in Rule 3-2a, including a cash prize, for making a hole-in-one during a round of golf on a golf course.

An amateur golfer may also accept a prize in excess of the limit in Rule 3-2a, including a cash prize, for making a hole-in-one during contests held outside a round of golf, including multiple-entry contests and contests conducted other than on a golf course (e.g., on a driving range, golf simulator or putting green) provided in all cases that the length of the shot is at least 50 yards.

• Sara Wilson, PGA Professional Oakfield and owner of Metro Ladies Golf
• Laura Reid, PGA Professional Ken Wo
• Daria Leidenius, PGA Professional Glen Arbour
• Anne Balser, NSGA Technical Director

Round 2 Parings & Tee Times.

The 2019 Atlantic Golf Championships got underway today at the Humber Valley Resort in Western, NFLD. Competitors from across Atlantic Canada enjoyed a beautiful day at the Doug Carrick designed course, ranked 8th in Canada by ScoreGolf in 2019.

Originally contested in 2014, this years’ championship marked the sixth year of the Atlantic Golf Championships where teams from New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland & Labrador compete for both the “Atlantic Cup” as well as eight (8) exemptions into 2020 National Championships in their respective divisions. Exemptions include men’s and women’s Canadian Amateur, Mid-Master, Senior and Super Senior.

After the first round, New Brunswick leads the team competition with a cumulative team total of 19 points. In second place in the team competition is Newfoundland & Labrador with a total of 17 points. Prince Edward Island is currently in third place with 14 points and Nova Scotia is in fourth position with 8 points.

Bathurst, NB native, Molly MacDermaid and Kathleen Jean from Stephenville, NFLD are tied for the lead in the women’s amateur competition after recording rounds of 89. Sitting one stroke behind the leaders is Taylor Cormier from Blomidon Golf & Country Club in Corner Brook, NFLD.

Alex Palmer from The Riverside Country Club in Rothesay, NB had the round of the day after carding a six under par 66 during today’s first round. The 32 year old carded 2 eagles, 4-birdies and 2-bogeys to tie the competitive course record at the Humber Valley Resort. Sitting in second place in the amateur men’s competition is Michael Furlong, the 2019 Atlantic Champion (NFLD). The Bally Haly Country Club member fired a two-over par 74.

Cameron King from Georgetown, PE carded a four-over par 76 today and has a two stroke lead in the men’s mid master division over Stu Musgrave from Moncton, NB and a member of Country Meadows Golf Club. Musgrave carded 6 over par 78.

Melissa Castle from the Belvedere Golf Club in Charlottetown is leading the women’s mid-master competition after carding a first round total of 83. There is a two-way tie for second place between Erin Musgrave from the Country Meadows Golf Club in Moncton, NB and Anderson Creek member Myrna Millar from Ellerslie, PE who each carded first round 87’s.

Eddie Bearns from Paradise, NL and member of Bally Half Country Club is leading the senior division with two-over par 74. Garry Jenkins from the Fredericton Golf Club is one stroke behind Bearns.

Mary Walton-Rossingnol from the Fredericton Golf Club is leading the senior women’s division with a first round total of 83. One stroke behind in second place is Paula Napke-Flanagan from the Miramichi Golf & Country Club.

Sharon Case also from the Miramichi Golf & Country Club is leading the women’s super-senior division with a first round total of 88.

Blomidon member Wayne Ford from Corner Brook, NL is leading the men’s super senior division with a first round total of 74.

For more information on the Atlantic Golf Championship please click HERE

For more information on the Provincial Golf Association please click below:

Golf Newfoundland & Labrador

Prince Edward Golf Association

Golf New Brunswick

Nova Scotia Golf Association

About Humber Valley Resort

The beautiful Humber Valley Resort is located in Western Newfoundland. Ranked the 8th in Canada by ScoreGolf Magazine, the Resort features an 18-Hole Championship Golf Course, Wellness Spa, Luxury Vacation Condominiums and Luxury Chalets all in the heart of Humber Valley. The Eagles Perch Clubhouse sits 400 feet above the Humber River offering a panoramic view of Deer Lake and The Appalachian Mountains. This spectacular setting is a premier facility for weddings, golf tournaments, conventions, business meetings and social events.