Question: Who calculates my Handicap Index?
Answer: Your Handicap Index is calculated using the formula in The USGA Handicap System. The New Jersey State Golf Association provides Handicapping Service to your club through the Golf Handicap Information Network, which is a USGA service.

Question: How is my Handicap Index calculated?
Answer: In order to calculate a Handicap Index you must determine the handicap differentials for each score that is recorded. Differentials are computed using your adjusted score, the USGA Course Rating, the USGA Slope Rating, and 113 (the Slope Rating of a course of standard difficulty). First, the USGA Course Rating is subtracted from your adjusted score, the result is then multiplied by 113. Next, divide the resulting number by the USGA Slope Rating. The final number when rounded to the nearest tenth is your Handicap Differential

Adjusted Score - USGA Course Rating: 95 - 71.5 = 23.5
Difference x Standard Slope: 23.5 x 113 = 2655.5
Result / USGA Slope Rating: 2655.5 / 125 = 21.24
Handicap Differential (rounded): 21.2

The Handicap Index is based on the best handicap differentials in a player's scoring record. If your scoring record contains 20 or more scores, the best 10 handicap differentials of the most recent 20 scores are used to calculate the USGA Handicap Index. The chart below displays the number of scores used to calculate your handicap if you have less than 20 scores in your scoring record.

Number of Acceptable Scores            Differentials To Be Used
5 or 6                                            Lowest 1 
7 or 8                                            Lowest 2
9 or 10                                          Lowest 3
11 or 12                                        Lowest 4
13 or 14                                        Lowest 5
15 or 16                                        Lowest 6
17                                                Lowest 7
18                                                Lowest 8
19                                                Lowest 9
20                                                Lowest 10

Question: Do I use my Handicap Index or my Course Handicap to compete against other golfers? Also, is there any difference between my Home Course Handicap and my Course Handicap?
Answer: When competing against other golfers a player must convert his handicap index to the Course Handicap. This is normally done using a Course Handicap Table that is available for viewing in the pro shop or locker room at most golf clubs and courses. Your Home Course Handicap, which is normally displayed on your updated handicap sticker, is your converted Course Handicap from the tee you most often play (default tee) at your home course

Other Ways to find your Course Handicap:

• If a Score Posting computer is available, look your name up through the Member Lookup option. Once you've highlighted your name, click on Course Handicap and your Course Handicap will be displayed for all tees.
• Again, if a Score Posting computer is available, on the front page there is a green button which states Course Handicap, enter your Handicap Index, click next or press enter on your keyboard and your Course Handicap for all tees will be displayed.
• If there is no Course Handicap Table and no Score Posting computers accessible the formula for converting your handicap index to the Course Handicap is as follows:
  

Handicap Index x Slope Rating / Standard Slope Rating (113) = Course Handicap (rounded to the nearest whole number .5 and up)

Question: During a four-ball match (teams of two compete against one another), for the sake of speeding up play, there are some holes that I don't finish the hole because my partner is in for a better score. What score should I post for these holes?
Answer: When you do not hole out or if you decide to "pick up" on a hole, for handicap purposes you should post the score you "most likely would have made". This score should be the number of strokes already taken plus, in your best judgment, the number of strokes you would need to hole out. This number may not exceed the your Equitable Stroke Control limit.
Note: There is no limit to the number of unfinished holes a player may have in a round provided that failure to finish is not for the purpose of handicap manipulation.

Question: If a hole is being played under temporary conditions such as a temporary tee box or green, what score shall I post under these conditions?
Answer: When a hole has temporary conditions, for handicap purposes, you should post par plus the number of handicap strokes you would receive on that hole.
Example: John Smith has a Course Handicap of 10, therefore, he receives a stroke on the first 10 allocated handicap stroke holes. He's playing the 7th hole which is a 435 yard par 4 and it is the number 5 handicap hole on the golf course. The hole has a temporary green in the fairway in front of the regular green, which is covered with a tarp. John Smith will post a 5 for the hole (Par4 plus 1 handicap stroke = 5).

Question: How do I adjust my hole by hole scores?
Answer: Hole by hole scores should be adjusted using Equitable Stroke Control (ESC), which limits the number of strokes you can take on a hole according to your Course Handicap. Please refer the chart below to see what your ESC limit is.
A Handicap Index determined from scores to which ESC has not been applied may not be termed a USGA Handicap Index.

                                                 Equitable Stroke Control
                                     Course Handicap   Maximum Number On Any Hole  
                                     9 or less               Double Bogey* 
                                     10 through 19       7 
                                     20 through 29       8 
                                     30 through 39       9 
                                     40 or more           10

Question: When should I post my score as a Tournament Score?
Answer: Tournament scores should be posted for scores made in Intra-Club and Inter-Club competitions organized and conducted by a committee in charge of the competition. The competition must identify a winner(s) based on a stipulated round(s), and must be played under the Rules of Golf.
Routine Events such as regular play days are not normally to be designated as T-scores because they are not significant in the traditions, schedules, formats, and membership of the club.

Examples:
Inter-club competitions - Team Matches, competitions restricted by age, member-guests, qualifying rounds for City, State, and National competitions conducted by golf associations.
Intra-club competitions - Low Gross-low Net, Four-ball match or stroke play, Stableford, club championships (stroke or match play) scratch or with handicap.

IMPORTANT: If you have any question as to whether or not to post a tournament score, always refer to your club's Handicap Committee.
 

Question: If I've only played 14 holes in a given round, should I still post my score?
Answer: Yes, you only have to play 13 holes to post an 18 hole score (7 holes to post a 9 hole score).The score for holes not played should be par plus handicap strokes.