SJGA POLICY ON POSTING AND ACCEPTING HANDICAPS

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Any player who does not post all adjusted scores at his/her home course during the active season shall be deemed ineligible to participate in SJGA Tournaments.

  USGA Guidelines must be followed when posting scores for less than 18 holes of play.

  Players who participate in SJGA Tournaments must have a valid handicap calculated to USGA Standards. Furthermore, a player must have his/her handicap calculated by the service provided by the member club. Handicaps calculated outside the club handicap service will not be accepted for tournament play.

  Any player whose scores in SJGA Tournaments are consistently lower than his/her playing ability will have an adjustment made to the playing handicap by the Tournament Director at said tournaments.

  Each club or handicap chairman is responsible for seeing that the opportunity is present for members to post and review scores, that handicap revisions are done a minimum of once a month during the Association Active Season (Apr 1-Nov 1) and that said revisions are posted for peer review.  Clubs or the SJGA Representative of those clubs that do not use GHIN or Tru-Score must provide a monthly revised handicap list to the two tournament directors. 

Handicaps

The South Jersey Golf Association (SJGA) is authorized by the USGA to issue
Course Ratings and Slopes which are used in the computation of a player's
handicap index. To preserve its integrity, an  index can only be issued by
handicap computation services that compute handicaps using the entire USGA
Handicap System.

As an integral part of this computation process, each club is assigned Course
Ratings and Slopes for both men and women for most tee markers. e.g. The white
markers typically represents the men's middle and the red marker typically
represents the women's forward tees. The rating and slope numbers are computed
to specifications set forth by the USGA and are designed to allow players of
varying skill levels to compete on an equitable basis from golf facility to golf
facility.

Handicap Index

A handicap index is computed using the USGA Handicap System of formulas and
rules. This number is established during the handicap computation process and
requires the date, the score and tee rating and slope. An additional factor is
whether the score was made during an organized competition or tournament.

To arrive at a playing handicap for a competition, a player checks his handicap
index against the Handicap Conversion Chart for the tee marker from which he or
she will play. These charts are available at all member clubs. Once a playing
handicap is determined, it is then used to produce a net score for the
competition.

In order to obtain and maintain a handicap index, a player must be affiliated
with a golf club and must post all adjusted gross scores at this club. This
affiliation can exist as a club membership or as a member of the Men's or
Women's Golf Association of that club. All scores and handicap indexes should be
available for peer review.

You must post 18 hole scores when you play a minimum of 13 holes, and 9 hole scores with a minimum of 7. A handicap index can be calculated on as little as five (5) scores but twenty (20) scores will give a more accurate handicap index. All scores posted become part of a player's permanent record. Scores made during tournament play are denoted as T-scores. Weekly league play is not considered tournament play.
Tournament scores will affect the Handicap Index for a period of up to one year
and can adjust the player's index if significantly lower than regular play.

Handicap Indexes are regularly revised during the Active Season. These revisions
occur at a minimum of once a month.

Active Season

The Active Season is the period during which scores are to be posted for Handicap
Computation purposes. The active season for the SJGA is April 1 through October
31.

In other parts of the country, the Active Season is extended and in some places
the Active Season is year round. Any score made during an Active Season is a
legitimate score for handicap computation purposes. For example, a score made in
Florida will need to be reported to the player's home club and posted at the
beginning of the active season.

Equitable Stroke Control

When a player has an unusually high score on a hole it is necessary that the
score be given a downward adjustment for handicap computation purposes. This
makes the hole score more representative of a player's potential scoring
ability. The adjustment amount varies with a player's handicap. An Equitable
Stroke Control (ESC) Chart, devised by the USGA, is available to assist in making
these adjustments. The chart can be found at all member clubs and in the USGA
Handicap System Manual.  The adjustment is made prior to posting the score.

For those golfers who may only manage to play nine holes per round of golf or
happen to belong to a 9-hole league, the USGA Handicap System allows for such
score posting and has developed a 9-Hole Handicap Index denoted as an Index (N).
Most of the same rules apply in calculating the Index (N); however, some of the
table has different numerical data which is more appropriate for 9-hole
computation.

For those golfers maintaining an 18-Hole Handicap Index and the opportunity
exists to play 9-Hole rounds of golf in addition to the 18-hole scores, there
are special computations and combinations applied to the nine hole scores.
These scores need not be played in succession. For example, golfer may play
three nine-hole rounds then a few eighteen-hole rounds and then five additional
nine-hole round. As long as the player posts all of the scores, the Handicap
Index that is computed will be accurate.  Most importantly, a score is included
in the computation process if, and only if, the score was made during the Active
Season and is accompanied by a USGA Course Rating and Slope for the nine holes.

Every club should have a current copy of the USGA Handicap System. Refer to this
book for a more detailed picture of the USGA Handicapping System.

Rules of Golf

Golf is a game in which a ball is struck with a club from a prepared area, known as the "teeing ground", across fairway and rough to a second prepared area, which has a hole in it, known as the "putting green". The object of the game is to complete what is known as a hole by playing a ball from the teeing ground into the hole on the putting green in the fewest possible number of strokes. A "round of golf' consists of playing 18 such holes.

There are basically two forms of play, one which is decided by holes won and lost (match play) and the other which is decided by the total number of strokes taken to complete the round (stroke play).

There are three important principles to remember when playing golf:
"Play the course as you find it."
"Play the Ball as it lies."
"And if you can't do either, do what's fair."

To do what's fair you need to know the Rules. The following is a summary of the Rules of Golf, simplified where possible.

Etiquette

Etiquette covers both Courtesy and Priority on the Course as well as Care of the Course. Whilst the following points are not Rules as such they are an important part of the game.

• Don't move, talk or stand close to a player making a stroke.
• Don't play until the group in front is out of the way.
• Always play without delay. Leave the putting green as soon as all players in your group have holed out.
• Invite faster groups to play through.
• Replace divots. Smooth footprints in bunkers.
• Don't step on the line of another player's putt.
• Don't drop clubs on the putting green.
• Replace the flagstick carefully.

Definitions

The Definitions section of the Rules of Golf contains over forty Definitions which form the foundation around which the Rules of play are written. A good knowledge of the defined terms will help in the correct application of the Rules. These include:

• Teeing Ground - the starting place for the hole, defined by two tee-markers.
  Through the Green - the whole area of the golf course except the teeing ground and putting green of the hole being played and all hazards.
  Hazards - any bunker or water hazard.
  Putting Green - an area specially prepared for putting and containing a 41/2 inch diameter hole.
  Out of Bounds - ground on which play is prohibited i.e. not part of the course. A ball is out of bounds when all of it lies out of bounds.
  Loose Impediments - natural objects such as stones, leaves and twigs provided they are not fixed or growing, are not solidly embedded and are not sticking to the ball.
  Obstructions - any man-made object, except:

• objects defining out of bounds
• any part of an immovable man-made object which is out of bounds; and
• any construction declared by the Committee in the Local Rules to be an integral part of the course.

General Points

Before commencing your round:

• Read the Local Rules on the score card.
• Put an identification mark on your ball. Many golfers play the same brand of ball and if you can't identify your ball, it's lost.
• Count your clubs. You are allowed a maximum of 14 clubs.

During the round, don't ask for "advice" from anyone except your partner or caddie. Don't give advice to anyone except your partner.

During a hole you may not play a practice stroke.

Teeing Off

Tee off between and not in front of the tee-markers. You may tee off up to two club-lengths behind the front line of the tee-markers.

Teeing off outside this area - in match play there is no penalty but your opponent may ask you to replay your stroke; in stroke play you incur a two-stroke penalty and must then play from within the proper area.

Playing The Ball

Play the ball as it lies. Don't improve your lie, the area of your intended swing or your line of play by moving, bending or breaking anything fixed or growing except in fairly taking your stance or making your swing. Don't press anything down or build a stance.

If your ball lies in a bunker or a water hazard don't touch the ground in the bunker, or the ground or water in the water hazard, before your downswing.

The ball must be fairly struck, not pushed or spooned.

Playing a wrong ball (except in a hazard) - in match play you lose the hole; in stroke play you incur a two-stroke penalty and you must then play the correct ball.

On The Putting Green

You may repair ball marks and old hole plugs on the line of your putt but not any other damage, including spike marks.

You may mark, lift and clean your ball on the putting green. Always replace it on the exact spot.

Don't test the putting surface by scraping it or rolling a ball over it.

Ball played from putting green strikes flagstick - in match play you lose the hole; in stroke play you incur a two-stroke penalty.

Ball At Rest Moved

If your ball is at rest and it is moved by you, your partner or your caddie, except as permitted by the Rules, or if it moves after you have addressed it, add a penalty stroke and replace your ball.

If your ball is at rest and is moved by someone else or another ball, replace it without penalty to you.

Ball In Motion Deflected Or Stopped

Ball struck by you is deflected or stopped by you, your partner or your caddie - in match play you lose the hole; in stroke play you incur a two-stroke penalty and the ball is played as it lies.

Ball struck by you is deflected or stopped by someone else - play your ball as it lies wihout penalty, except (a) in match play, if an opponent or his caddie deflects the ball you have an option to replay the stroke or (b) in stroke play, if the ball is deflected after a stroke from on the putting green, you must replay it.

Ball struck by you is deflected or stopped by another ball at rest- in matchplay, no penalty and the ball is played as it lies except. In stroke play you incur a two-stroke penalty if your ball and the other ball were on the putting green before you played.

Lifting, Dropping, And Placing The Ball

If a lifted ball is to be replaced, its position must be marked. If a ball is to be dropped or placed in any other position (e.g. taking relief from GUR, etc.) it is recommended that the ball's original position be marked.

When dropping, stand erect, hold the ball at shoulder height and arm's length and drop it. If a dropped ball strikes you or your partner, caddie or equipment it must be re-dropped without penalty.

There are eight instances where a dropped ball rolls to such a position that it must be re-dropped - see Rules of Golf Rule 20 - 2c

Ball Interfering With Or Assisting Play

You may lift your ball if it might assist any other player.

You may have any ball lifted if it might interfere with your play or assist any other player.

Loose Impediments

You may move a loose impediment unless it and your ball are in a hazard. However, if you have touched a loose impediment within one club-length of your ball and your ball moves, the ball must be replaced and (unless your ball was on the putting green) you incur a penalty stroke.

Obstructions

Check the Local Rules on the score card for guidance on immovable obstructions (e.g. surfaced roads and paths etc.) .

Movable obstructions (e.g. rakes, tin cans etc.) anywhere on the course may be moved. If the ball moves it must be replaced without penalty.

If an immovable obstruction (e.g. a water fountain) interferes with your stance or swing, you may drop the ball within one club-length of the nearest point of relief not nearer the hole. There is no relief for intervention on your line of play unless your ball and the obstruction are on the putting green.

Casual Water, Ground Under Repair, Etc.

If your ball is in casual water, ground under repair or a hole or cast made by a burrowing animal e.g. a rabbit, you may drop without penalty within one club-length of the nearest point of relief not nearer the hole.

Water Hazards

Check the Local Rules on the score card to establish whether the sea, lake, river etc. is a `water hazard' or a `lateral water hazard'.

Ball in watery hazard - play the ball as it lies or, under penalty of one stroke, (a) drop any distance behind the water hazard keeping a straight line between the hole, the point where the ball crossed the margin of the water hazard and spot on which the ball is dropped, or (b) play again from where you hit the ball into the hazard.

Ball in lateral water hazard - in addition to the options for a ball in a water hazard (see above), under penalty of one stroke, you may drop within two club-lengths of (a) the point where the ball crossed the margin of the hazard or (b) a point on the opposite side of the hazard equidistant from the hole.

Ball Lost Or Out Of Bounds

Check the Local Rules on the score card to identify the boundaries of the course. If your ball is lost outside a water hazard or out of bounds you must play another ball from the spot where the last shot was played under penalty of one stroke i.e. stroke and distance. You are allowed 5 minutes to search for a ball, after which if it is not found or identified it is lost. If, after playing a shot, you think your ball may be lost outside a water hazard or out of bounds you may play a `provisional ball'. You must state that it is a provisional ball and play it before you go forward to search for the original ball. If the original ball is lost or out of bounds you must continue with the provisional ball under penalty of one stroke. If the original ball is not lost or out of bounds, you must continue play of the hole with it and the provisional ball must be abandoned.

Ball Unplayable

If you believe your ball is unplayable outside a water hazard (and you are the sole judge), you may under penalty of one stroke, (a) drop within two club-lengths of where the ball lies not nearer the hole, (b) drop any distance behind the point where the ball lay keeping a straight line between the hole, the point where the ball lay and the spot on which the ball is dropped, or (c) replay the shot. If your ball is in a bunker you may proceed under (a), (b) and (c). However, if you elect to proceed under (a) or (b) you must drop in the bunker.

Conclusion

A good score may be spoiled, or a match lost, due to a penalty incurred through ignorance or confusion concerning the Rules. A sound knowledge of the above summary should aid the golfer in tackling a "Rules problem". Nevertheless, the complete Rules of Golf as approved by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews and the United States Golf Association, should be consulted where any doubt arises.