Score Posting Season Begins April 1 - What You Need to Know

KENILWORTH, NEW JERSEY - Monday, April 1 is the first day of the active score posting season in New Jersey, as well as nearby states in the region. Therefore, scores from rounds played in accordance with the Rules of Handicapping must be posted.

Acceptable scores are those that are obtained from a round played:

• In an authorized format of play (see Rule 2.1a) over at least the minimum number of holes required for either a 9-hole or an 18-hole score to be acceptable (see Rule 2.2),
• In the company of at least one other person, who may also act as a marker (subject to satisfying any other requirements of the Rules of Golf),
• By the Rules of Golf (see Rule 2.1b),
• On a golf course with a current Course Rating and Slope Rating, where length and normal playing difficulty is maintained at a consistent level (see Appendix G),
• On a golf course during its active season.

If one or more of the requirements set out above is not met, the score is not acceptable for handicap purposes. (Rule 2.1, Rules of Handicapping)

Additionally, due to early season conditions which sometimes require the closure of a hole, or multiple holes (due to wetness, construction, etc.), a player should record a score of net par for that hole.  Net par is equal to par plus any handicap strokes a golfer is entitled to receive based on his/her Course Handicap.

For example: A Player with a Course Handicap of 21 receives 1 handicap stroke on all 18 holes and 2 handicap strokes on holes with a stroke index of 1 through 3 on the scorecard. On a par-3 hole with a stroke index of 17, the player’s net par score is 4 (3 + 1). (Rule 3.2, Rules of Handicapping)

Next, there has been a host of changes to the World Handicap System. The NJSGA has developed a resources page with which explains these changes as well as key components and explanations of the WHS. Click here to learn more.

Finally, with regard to posting scores, any golfer who did not create a GHIN digital profile last year will be prompted to complete this process when he/she first posts a score or access their GHIN account. This is a requirement for all golfers who want to use the GHIN mobile app or GHIN.com. A valid email address must also be provided. Instructions are available through the process, and for assistance, click the 'contact us' button and use the field ‘update my email’ when sending your support request. The NJSGA support team is ready to assist with any inquiries regarding the GHIN mobile app and GHIN.com.

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