New Member Handicapping

When new members join CTGA, they provide us with a current, official GHIN/USGA handicap card or they self-identify their average scoring ability. We use these to establish their initial provisional handicaps for CTGA tournaments. When the new members have competed in their 4th official CTGA tournament, their CTGA handicaps are calculated using CTGA tournament scores only.

GHIN Handicap Index
Using their GHIN handicap index, we input three scores into our CTGA Handicap Manager (HM) Software using the established course rating to equal his/her handicap index. This is the new member's starting handicap for CTGA. These provisional scores will be used along with each of the first three CTGA tournament scores to calculate the new member's current handicap. When the 4th CTGA tournament has been played, all provisional scores will be deleted from the HM database and CTGA tournament scores only will determine the member's continuing current handicap.

These new members are immediately eligible for all CTGA competition, including our Individual and Team player pools, Close To Pin, and Skins.

Self-Identifying Handicap
When the new member does not have an official GHIN/USGA handicap, we establish his/her handicap as follows:

• Using the Self-Handicapping Chart provided in our CTGA Website, the new member identifies his/her scoring average and uses the chart to determine his/her provisional CTGA handicap.
• We input three scores into our HM database that reflect the self-identified handicap, using Roy Kizer Blue course rating as the generic course to calculate his/her provisional handicap. This is the new member's starting CTGA handicap.
• These provisional scores will be used along with each of the first three CTGA tournament scores to calculate the new member's current handicap. When the 4th CTGA tournament has been played, all provisional scores will be deleted from the HM database and CTGA tournament scores only will determine the member's continuing current handicap.

New members using the Self-Handicapping Chart are not eligible for the Individual player pools until their 4th CTGA tournament. They are, however, immediately eligible to compete in all Team player pools, Close To Pin and Skin competition (optional).

Past members who rejoin CTGA must establish new handicaps using either of the above methods.

Note: If a new or returning member has a current, established USGA/GHIN handicap, this handicap takes precedence and must be submitted to establish a CTGA provisional handicap.

CTGA uses the honor system to allow new members and guests to provide us with scores for provisional handicapping purposes.

Revised 11/28/2002