NWO Golf Links December 2016

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My neighbor and his wife
recently retired from their
careers and started playing
golf. Being new to the sport
they are high handicappers and
not proficient, nor confident in
their game. Because of these
items, they feel they can’t play
at a regulation golf course for
fear of holding up pace or
being non-competitive with
others, thus they only visit par-
three and practice courses.
What they don’t realize is the
game of golf has rules and
optionsto help them over these
hurdles and allow them to play
competitively and equitably
regardless of the course, or
who they compete against - It’s
called a .
GHIN, pronounced ‘gin’
like the drink but not as
tasty, is the
provided by the United
States Golfing Association
). This amenity is offered
through clubs and associations
so golfers can enter their scores
from each round to receive a
sanctioned number that can
be compared to other golfer’s
GHINs to allow for strokes to
be subtracted, to fairly compete
against a better player.
And since every course plays
differently (slope/rating), your
GHIN Handicap score can be
applied to each unique course
to factor in that difference,
known as a ’.
The handicap system allows
anyone of any ability to play
on equal terms with other
golfers. A 25 handicap can
play against a scratch golfer on
a level playing field, provided
they each follow the rules.
Additionally, for those golfers
that aren’t as proficient or as
long off the tee, the forward
tees can be chosen. Each tee
has its own stated rating to
further allow for a fair match.
It’s worth mentioning that even
high scoring golfers can make
it around the links in a timely
manner. Remember to play
ready golf, watch the clock
when searching for lost balls,
hit a provisional ball when in
doubt if your shot can be found,
and let others pass if they are
playing faster and there’s an
open space in front of you.
Get yourself an official
handicapanduseit forequitable
competition, whether that be
in a tournament, a friendly
match, or just for yourself to
see how you perform from day
to day.
Using a Handicap
for Fair PlayBy Richard Todd
NWO Golf Links