“Using this online golf reservations system is free and it’s relatively simple to navigate.  You don’t have to be a member or register to use the website …” – by Justine Moss

Well, this next piece of information from the USGA Handicap System might come in handy:

Under the USGA Handicap System,

“All scores for handicap purposes, including tournament scores, are subject to the application of Equitable Stroke Control (”ESC”). This mandatory procedure reduces high hole scores for handicap purposes in order to make handicap more representative of a player’s potential ability.”

ESC sets a maximum number that a player can post on any hole depending on the player’s Course Handicap* as follows:

Course Handicap                  Maximum score

9 or less                               Double bogey

10 through 19                      7

20 through 29                      8

30 through 39                      9

40 or more                           10

*A Course Handicap is determined by applying the player’s Handicap Index to a Course Handicap Table or you can calculate it by multiplying your Handicap Index by the Slope Rating of the course played and divide it by 113, round up to nearest whole number)

Example

A player with a Handicap Index of 10.4 has a Course Index of 13 at a course with a slope rating of 140. The maximum score he can post on any hole during the round is 7.

The next time you meet the seemingly decent bloke, show your ‘generosity’ by telling him to write down a 7 instead of 10 on his scorecard for the par-5 hole 17. =)

Better still, the next time your buddy does a ‘Phil M’, be gracious enough to tell him about ESC and make his day.

David

(reference: USGA Handicap System 2008-2011)