The Social Golfer online golf handicap service provides a free, quick, and effortless way for Golf Club members and non-club members alike, to record and analyse their scores.
Additionally, it is a great tool for Golf Group and Golf Society Organisers.
A golf handicap is a numerical measure of a golfer’s playing ability, used to level the playing field when golfers with different skill levels compete against each other.
It is the ideal way to quantify a golfer’s potential based on their past performance and give the player the proof needed when entering Open golf competitions.
Essentially, your Golf Handicap Index is your passport to the world of golf!
Here we give you a detailed overview of what a golf Handicap is, how it is calculated, and what the benefits of tracking your golf handicap are.
Finally, we explain how our Handicap Calculator follows the guidelines as laid down by the USGA and the R&A.
The handicap system allows players of varying skill levels to compete on an equal basis.
The lower the handicap, the better the golfer. Golf handicaps are expressed as a number, usually in the form of one decimal point (e.g., 10.4).
A golfer with a lower handicap index is more skilled than a golfer with a higher handicap.
Here is how it works:
“For those of us who do not have loads of golfing friends, The Social Golfer is a fantastic way to play golf regularly with a great bunch of people. It is easy to track your Handicap and create and join games. There are “Major” competitions organised by TSG which are great and played, for me, in the right spirit: fun but serious (there are trophies to win!).” Pete Mayo (Cheshire)
The Social Golfer! Well, I have been a member since its launch, and I am still a major fan. The website is easy to navigate, and the people you meet are excellent with a shared interest. Totally, I would recommend The Social Golfer to anyone, and the regular competitions are genuine fun. Join as a group or a single, male, female does not matter. I cannot recommend it enough. Hit the join button” – Gary Wilson (Kent)
Probably, one of the most frequent questions we are asked. Unfortunately, the only way to hold an ‘Official Golf Handicap’ is via your governing body. In the UK these are administered by England Golf, Wales Golf, Scotland and in Northern Ireland by Ireland Golf.
However, golf is the ONLY sport in the world, whereby the ‘scoring’ system is only considered legitimate if calculated by an official sporting organisation i.e. unless it is tracked by your club or your national body, it is not official.
Why is this and does it matter? Well firstly, in the UK, England Golf receives a fee from all their members for their handicap Index. It is approx. £25 per annum per player. Alternatively, non-members can use their smart phone app, which is £44 per year.
So, it would seem this is a revenue driver for them. The good news is that event if you upgrade to our HANDICAP membership, it is approx. half the price you will pay with them. e.g. ONLY £20 per year.
By Ian Mullins
