LCMC - Handicap Committee Policies and Procedures

The Rules of Golf, The Rules of Amateur Status, and the Rules of Handicapping are written and jointly governed by the USGA and the R & A. The World Handicap System, which includes the Rules of Handicapping and the Course Rating System, is administered locally by The Washington State Golf Association (WaGolf) and its club affiliates. Through this affiliation the Latah Creek Men’s Golf Club Board of Directors will establish a Handicap Committee to ensure compliance, education, and clarification of the Rules of Handicapping to all its club members who have designated Latah Creek as their Home Course.

In addition, the Latah Creek Men’s Golf Club Handicap Committee provides guidance to Latah Creek Golf Club officials and other Latah Creek Men’s Club Committees to ensure Latah Creek Men’s Club Members can consistently access their Handicap Index to play a recreational round or compete with anyone on a fair and equal basis. 

The Latah Creek Men’s Golf Club Handicap Committee will consult with the Latah Creek Men’s Golf Club Tournament Committee to establish the terms of all competition for all applicable events. The Handicap Committee liaises with Latah Creek’s Golf Course Superintendent in maintaining both length and normal playing difficulty of the Latah Creek Golf Course at a constant and fair level.

Latah Creek Men’s Golf Club Members shall: 

1. Act with integrity by following the Rules of Handicapping.
2. Refrain from using or circumventing the Rules of Handicapping for the purpose of gaining an unfair advantage. 
3. Attempt to make the best score possible in playing each hole. 
4. Submit all acceptable scores. 
5. Play following the Rules of Golf. 
6. Certify the score of other players.

The Latah Creek Men’s Golf Club Handicap Committee shall:

1. Maintain an active membership roster generated within the USGA Golf Handicap Information Network. 
2. Stress the requirement to post all acceptable scores. 
3. Emphasize that acceptable scores are to be posted the same day as the round being played. 4. Educate and clarify the proper adjustments for all scores for posting purposes. 
4. Advocate the expectation to achieve the best score at every hole in every round.

Posting Acceptable Scores for handicap purposes if the round has been played: 

1. In an authorized format of play (Rule 2.1a) over at least the minimum number of holes required for either an 18-hole score (Rule 2.2a) or a 9-hole score (Rule 2.2b). 
2. In the company of at least one other person, who may also act as a marker, and satisfy any other requirements on the Rules of Golf. 
3. Following the Rules of Golf Rule 2.1b 
4. On a golf course with a current Course Rating and Slope Rating, where length and normal playing difficulty is maintained at a constant level (Appendix G) 
5. On a golf course during its active posting season. 
6. Scores made before a handicap index has been established (Rule 3.1) 
7. Scores made under Rule 3.2b – when a hole is not played. 2 
8. Scores made under Rule 3.3 – when a player does not hole out.

Disciplinary Actions for failure to post acceptable scores or player manipulating their Handicap Index: 

1. First failure to post or potential manipulation of your score will result in a verbal warning. 
2. Second failure will result in a written warning. 
3. Third failure will result in the appropriate penalty score issued for scores not posted. 
4. After your fourth failure to post your score or continued manipulation of the scoring record, further disciplinary action will be taken as the Handicap Committee deems fair and equitable. 

All acceptable scores are to be posted on the same day of play using one of the following methods: 

1. The GHIN app 
2. The WaGolf website 
3. By any hosting tournament committee using tournament software 

Handicap Index Review and Adjustments and Appeals The USGA strongly recommends that all Club Handicap Committees perform a handicap review monthly, at the request of any current Member or at least annually. The purpose of a Handicap review is for the Handicap Committee to make certain the Handicap Index of any Member is representative of their demonstrated ability based on statistical data contained in their scoring record. 

Whether to apply any adjustments to a Member’s Handicap Index remains solely at the discretion of the Handicap Committee using all the USGA Handicap Review tools available that identify specific scoring anomalies and provide support. Prior to making an adjustment or withdrawal of a Member’s Handicap Index, the Member will be provided with all the statistical information available as to why their Handicap Index is being adjusted or withdrawn with the opportunity to respond either in writing or in person to the Handicap Committee. (Rules of Handicapping, Rule 7)

The Member has the option to appeal the Club’s decision to the WaGolf Handicap Committee for review if they believe the Latah Creek Men’s Golf Club Handicap Committee is not operating within the Rules of Handicapping.

A player must earn a Handicap Index. No player has an inherent right to a Handicap Index without demonstrating and maintaining the ability to follow the Policies and Procedures set by the USGA, WaGolf, and administered by the Latah Creek Men’s Golf Club Handicap Committee.