Northern Ohio Golf Association

GHIN/Handicapping Frequently Asked Questions

To view an answer, click one of the following questions:

How do I establish a USGA Handicap Index?

Can I post my scores over the Internet?

Why may I have a score used in my handicap index that is higher than some scores not being used?

Should I post scores outside NOGA area during the inactive season?

What power does the handicap committee have to adjust handicap indexes that change significantly over the inactive season?

What does the “R” mean after my handicap index?

How many scores do I need to establish a USGA Handicap Index?

How do I adjust my score for equitable stroke control?

What do I post for not finishing a hole?

My club recently assigned me a GHIN number. Should I be able to see my Handicap Index and/or post on-line immediately?

The club did transmit my data in the above scenario. Should I be able to see my Handicap Index?

I was newly added to my club and the club transmitted to GHIN. Should I be able to post scores online?

I posted a score on-line today, but went to GHIN.com and could not see that score. What happened?

I posted at my club or I posted at another club that I played yesterday. I cannot see my score on GHIN.com, even in the "view 20 most recent" section. What happened?

Our association recently had a revision effective on Friday. I went to GHIN.com on Friday morning and could not access my Handicap Index - is something wrong?

I have been told by my club that after I post five scores I will have a Handicap Index. I posted five scores on-line this morning, but my Handicap Index did not appear or change - is there something wrong?

Our revision date was August 12. I posted 8 scores on-line on August 11. These did not impact my Handicap Index - why?

I try and access certain functions of GHIN.com, but I get a message of "This page cannot be displayed." What is happening?

I just entered a score on-line, but I made a mistake. Can GHIN fix it?

What are the "I" denotations on my scoring record?

I am a member of a golf club and posted scores on-line through GHIN.com. The last time I posted this way was a few months ago. When I tried to look up my handicap today, I received a response of, "GHIN Number not found." I checked the number from my card and it is the correct number. Is there something wrong?

If I have any problem with the GHIN service, whom do I contact?

Is there any written material on the internet regarding USGA Handicap System policy?

Can I post my scores over the Internet?
Yes. The USGA now allows Internet score posting for all scores, however, your club must accept Internet score posting. If you are unsure about whether or not your club accepts Internet score posting, consult your handicap chairman or the Northern Ohio Golf Association.

Why may I have a score used in my handicap index that is higher than some scores not being used?
Your handicap index is based on the lowest differentials within your scoring history. These differentials take into account the course and slope ratings of the set of tees you play to calculate how well you play, with score being less important than the difficulty of the course.

Should I post scores outside NOGA area during the inactive season?
Yes. It is a requirement of the USGA Handicap System that such scores be posted. Section 6-2 of the USGA Handicap System Manual states: “Scores made by a player at any golf course in an area observing an active season must be posted for handicap purposes, even if they are made during the time when an area where he posts is in an inactive season. The club’s handicap committee shall make it possible for a player to post these away scores no later than the beginning of the active season. If possible, the club should calculate the player’s handicap index at that time, but no later than the first revision after these scores have been posted.”

What power does the handicap committee have to adjust handicap indexes that change significantly over the inactive season?
Section 8-4b of the USGA Handicap System Manual authorizes the club handicap committee to monitor a player’s scoring performance in relationship to his/her handicap index and make whatever adjustments necessary in the spirit of equity. However, Section 8-4b should not be applied unless the player’s handicap index has increased by three (3) or more strokes as a result of away scores and the player’s subsequent scores at home clearly indicate that his/her handicap index is too high.

What does the “R” mean after my handicap index?
An “R” following a USGA Handicap Index means that the index has been reduced according to Section 10-3 of the USGA Handicap System Manual. Section 10-3 is an automatic reduction based on exceptional tournament scores. Additional questions regarding a reduction should be directed to your club’s handicap chairman.

How do I establish a USGA Handicap Index?
USGA Handicap Indexes are issued to individuals only through recognized golf clubs. The USGA Handicap System requires golfers to be a part of a club so that “peer review” is part of the handicap process. Joining a club is not difficult, with many clubs in NOGA’s coverage area being a part of the USGA/GHIN Service. Please click the following link to find a course near you that offers the USGA/GHIN Service. GHIN Clubs in the NOGA area.

How many scores do I need to establish a USGA Handicap Index?
A minimum of five (5) scores are needed to establish a USGA Handicap Index. Once five scores are posted, the player’s index is calculated by using the best differentials of the most recent scores. Ultimately, the player’s index will be based on the best 10 of the most recent 20 differentials.

How do I adjust my score for equitable stroke control?
Section 4-3 outlines Equitable Stroke Control. The following are guidelines for adjusting gross scores:

Course Handicap	Maximum No./Hole
9 or less	Double Bogey
10 - 19	7
20 - 29	8
30 - 39	9
40 or more	10

What do I post for not finishing a hole?
Post the score most likely taken for the hole. In the case of a hole not played, you must post a par plus any handicap strokes you would normally get for that hole.

My club recently assigned me a GHIN number. Should I be able to see my Handicap Index and/or post on-line immediately?
The club may not have submitted the data or "transmitted" it to the GHIN database. It is somewhat like a check, which has not been cashed yet. If the club has not transmitted the data to GHIN, accessing GHIN.com will not result in any success.

The club did transmit my data in the above scenario. Should I be able to see my Handicap Index?
Your Handicap Index is updated according to a revision schedule set by the regional golf association in your area. The general handicap lookup is a snapshot of scores that were in your scoring record prior to that effective revision date. So, if you were added on June 10, but the last revision in your area was June 5, then no scoring record or Handicap Index will appear on GHIN.com until after the next revision.

I was newly added to my club and the club transmitted to GHIN. Should I be able to post scores online?
If the data has been transmitted, your record has been sent to GHIN and you should be able to post online. However, just because your information has been sent to GHIN, does not guarantee that you can post scores on-line. Each golf club independently makes the decision as to whether its members may post on-line. If you get the message, "Not a member of a club that allows Internet Posting", your club has either decided not to accept scores on-line or has done nothing to activate that feature. If the club wants to allow Internet Posting, it needs to notify the regional golf association from which it receives the GHIN service.

I posted a score on-line today, but went to GHIN.com and could not see that score. What happened?
The initial Handicap look-up screen is a snapshot tied to a revision date - that screen will not show recently posted scores. However, if you click on the image link entitled "View 20 Most Recent" at the bottom left of your scoring record, you will see a snapshot of what is in the database at this moment. The score that you posted online should appear there.

I posted at my club or I posted at another club that I played yesterday. I cannot see my score on GHIN.com, even in the "view 20 most recent" section. What happened?
Until a club transmits the score from a PC, that score is not in the GHIN database. Once it is transmitted to the GHIN database it will appear in the "20 Most Recent Scores" area.

Our association recently had a revision effective on Friday. I went to GHIN.com on Friday morning and could not access my Handicap Index - is something wrong?
There is a small window of time each Friday where GHIN.com is being updated. During that timeframe, the handicap lookup feature is not available. This update occurs early in the day, so try again a little later.

I have been told by my club that after I post five scores I will have a Handicap Index. I posted five scores on-line this morning, but my Handicap Index did not appear or change - is there something wrong?
Handicap Indexes are only revised according to a revision schedule determined by the regional golf association. Your Handicap Index will not change until the next revision.

Our revision date was August 12. I posted 8 scores on-line on August 11. These did not impact my Handicap Index - why?
There is a little time window between the cutoff for scores counting toward the upcoming Handicap Index and the effective revision date. This window is so that Handicap Indexes can be revised, reports printed and mailed and received by the clubs. In general, Tuesday night at 9pm EST, the window closes for Handicap Indexes being revised effective Friday. For those on monthly schedules, the cutoff window is a little longer.

I try and access certain functions of GHIN.com, but I get a message of "This page cannot be displayed." What is happening?
There is a small probability that the site is down for a short time. More than likely, you may be blocked from accessing the site. Many companies have filters prohibiting access to certain web sites. The service provider you use may also have its own filters. Last, but not least, some folks forget to type in "www" before the URL when trying to get to the site.

I just entered a score on-line, but I made a mistake. Can GHIN fix it?
No. Your golf club oversees your scoring record and Handicap Index. If you make a mistake, you need to contact a representative from your club to correct the error.

What are the "I" denotations on my scoring record?
These are in the Type column and denote a score posted via the Internet. This allows for monitoring of Internet scores, just like an "A" denotes "Away" scores and "T" denotes "Tournament" scores.

I am a member of a golf club and posted scores on-line through GHIN.com. The last time I posted this way was a few months ago. When I tried to look up my handicap today, I received a response of, "GHIN Number not found." I checked the number from my card and it is the correct number. Is there something wrong?
Many clubs "inactivate" their rosters when a new season or year starts. This prevents the club from accidentally being billed for someone who is not returning to the club this year/season. Most often, a visit to your club and payment of membership fees for this year/season will get the ball rolling. The club will then activate your record. As stated in an earlier question, until the club transmits this activation, your record will not be available on GHIN.com.

If I have any problem with the GHIN service, whom do I contact?
Your golf club receives the GHIN service from the Northern Ohio Golf Association. If your golf club cannot answer your question, you should contact NOGA. Contact information is available on the home page of this Web site.

Is there any written material on the internet regarding USGA Handicap System policy?
Click here to go to the USGA Handicap System Manual

For more information about the GHIN System, please contact the Northern Ohio Golf Association at handicapping@noga.org. Thank you for your interest!