As the leaves turn and temperatures drop across the country, Fall is one of the most scenic and (often) favourite times of year to be on the golf course. It also signals that we’re nearing the end of the Active Season, which varies by province.
Before you pack up your clubs for winter, it’s important to know how Fall golf can impact your Handicap Index under the World Handicap System (WHS).
Here are five things to keep in mind about Fall golf and your handicap:
Active Seasons vary by Province
The Active Season is the period when scores from your specified area are eligible for handicap purposes. The active season dates are based on when courses are typically playing to mid-season conditions, and as the course was rated.
Weather and course conditions can impact the accuracy of Course Ratings, which is why at a certain point, the scores are deemed ineligible for handicap purposes. Please remember that even if the active season is over, you can still post your scores to your Golf Canada account, they just won’t be considered in your Handicap Index calculations.
Playing Conditions Calculation (PCC)
Battling frost delays, soggy lies, or swirling winds, are all conditions you might face while golfing in the Fall. Fall conditions can be unpredictable, but the Playing Conditions Calculation (PCC) helps account for those days.
PCC is an automatic process that is based on the score posted each day compared against your expected scoring patters. If enough players post outside their expected scores from the same course on the same day, the WHS automatically adjusts the Score Differentials to reflect the difficulty. The PCC is only activated if at least 8 rounds are posted from the same tee/course, so be sure to post the same day!
Dealing with Preferred Lies and Wet Fairways
Once the ground gets damp, many clubs implement preferred lies (lift, clean, and place) to ensure fair play. These rounds are still acceptable for handicap purposes under the WHS, as longs as the local rule is in place and the round follows the Rules of Golf. When in doubt, check with the pro shop before heading out.
Less daylight means more 9-Hole and Incomplete rounds
Fitting in a full 18-hole round can be a challenge in the fall with the days getting shorter. Fortunately, the WHS fully supports the posting of 9-hole rounds and incomplete rounds (10-17 holes).
As long as you play a full front or back 9, your score can be posted. You will receive a Score Differential for the holes played and not played, and they will be combined to produce an 18-hole Score Differential. Twilight nines are still a great option to get some more scores in your record!
Playing with Aerated Greens
Many Canadian courses aerate their greens in the fall. While those bumps and sand can pose as an obstacle when putting, it doesn’t mean your score is invalid.
Remember, rounds played under these conditions are still acceptable, and it’s possible that a PCC adjustment may occur. It is still important to post these scores, even if you feel the conditions were not typical.
Fall golf in Canada can be both stunning and challenging. While Fall may be a short season for golf, your final few rounds still play an important role in maintaining a fair and accurate Handicap Index.
Whether you’re playing competitively or just enjoying the last nice weather of the year, remember that the WHS is designed to work in these conditions.
So don’t put your clubs away yet! Post those scores, enjoy the colours, and finish your season strong.
The post Fall Golf and the World Handicap System – 5 Things Canadian Golfers Should Know first appeared on Golf Canada.
Article Link: https://www.golfcanada.ca/articles/fall-golf-and-the-world-handicap-system-5-things-canadian-golfers-should-know/