Handicaps

CWDGA member clubs must use the World Handicap System (WHS). To ensure the consistency of WHS, the Handicap Index of every player in the United States is calculated and issued by the USGA. CDGA is the authorized Golf Association in our area providing this information. To be “eligible” to play in any CWDGA event, the player must have golf privileges at a CWDGA member club, have amateur status and must maintain a current, valid CDGA Handicap Index® at that club.

Handicaps for the Chicago Women's District Golf Association shall be kept in accordance with the R&A and USGA World Handicap SystemTM (WHS). The current manual is entitled Rules of Handicapping, Effective January 2024. There were 3 key changes made for 2024: a) A lower minimum length for a golf course to obtain a Course Rating™ and Slope Rating™ b) A new treatment of 9-hole scores c) Method for posting score when 10-17 holes are played An electronic version of the complete manual is available on the CDGA's World Handicap System Resource Hub website at https://www.cdga.org/golf-handicaps/golf-info.asp?id=943 as are numerous other educational materials relating to the WHS. Member clubs should thoroughly review and comply with all aspects of the WHS.

• A Handicap Index® is calculated from the lowest Score Differentials in the player's scoring record. The number is based on your 8 best Score Differentials out of the past 20.

• Safeguards are in place to protect your Handicap Index®. The system accounts for abnormal playing conditions, limits extreme upward movement of a Handicap Index (Soft Cap) and reduces the Handicap Index when an exceptional score is posted.

• The WHS formula for calculating your Course Handicap remains the same. Slope, Rating, Course Rating and Par are used to determine your Course Handicap, allowing you to play from different sets of tees without any adjustment.

• Net Double Bogey (Par + 2 strokes + any handicap strokes you receive) is the maximum score on any hole, for handicap purposes. It is each player's responsibility to know her Course Handicap and on which holes she receives strokes.

• 10-17 holes are now considered to be an acceptable 18-hole score for posting. Refer to Rule 3.2 Rules of Handicapping, Effective January 2024 page 38-41 for specific guidelines when a hole is not played. Where one or more holes have not been played during the round, the player must submit hole-by-hole scores and designate which holes were not played. Refer to Rule 3.3 Rules of Handicapping, Effective January 2024 page 43 for specific guidelines for determining “most likely score” when a hole is started but the player does not hole out. 9 holes must be played to post a 9- hole score.

• Handicap Indexes update daily. (If you submit a score, your index will update the day after you post a score). On days you don't submit a score, no update will take place. In order to maintain an accurate, current handicap, it is important to post your score before midnight on the day you played.

Every player is responsible for posting all acceptable scores, as defined in the Rules of Handicapping, Effective January 2024, made at her home course or away. Scores made at any golf course in this district during the inactive season may not be accepted for handicap purposes, but scores made at a golf course in an area observing an active season must be posted for handicap purposes, even if they are made during the inactive season in this district. If you spend the winter in a section of the country that is “in season” (e.g., FL, AZ, CA, MS) you must post those scores for handicap purposes. “Sun Belt” scores may be posted through My CDGA Caddie (website) or My CDGA App. Post your score on the day you play. Don't wait to bring back your last 20 scores.

On January 8, 2024, CDGA transitioned from using a CDGA number as a member's unique identifier to using the, Handicap ID. This will now be the number used for My CDGA Caddie/My CDGA app log in, CWDGA website, peer review, event registration, etc. If you have a Handicap ID (i.e.GHIN number) issued through another state, your number should be the same with all active memberships in all states. The CDGA made this change in order to seamlessly connect your Handicap Index® to the World Handicap System™ (WHS). Every golfer throughout the world who has a Handicap Index® was assigned a unique Handicap ID. As such, this is not a new number, but rather one all CDGA members already had that will be utilized more effectively moving forward.

If your Handicap ID number is incorrect and should be your GHIN number, please contact Lynn Boyd, CDGA Director of Handicapping, at (630) 685-2304. Let her know that you are a member of another club in another part of the country and you would like to have your accounts linked.

If a player belongs to more than one club, she will use the same identification number at both clubs. She can post at both clubs and the scores will automatically appear on her records at the other club.

A score is acceptable for handicap purposes if the round has been played in the company of at least one other person. This includes another golfer, a caddie, or a spectator (including a child if the child is old enough to count). See Rule 2.1 Rules of Handicapping, Effective January 2024 page 28 for the complete list of Acceptable Scores.

Season officially begins on March 15.
(This is the first day for accepting local scores.)

Season officially ends November 14.
(This is the final day for accepting local scores.)

For more information contact the CWDGA Handicap Chair or:

CHICAGO DISTRICT GOLF ASSOCIATION
Midwest Golf House Complex
11855 Archer Avenue • Lemont, IL 60439
Phone (630) 257-2005 • Fax: (630) 257-2088
www.cdga.org
Lynn Boyd, CDGA Director of Handicapping
(630) 685-2304

USGA Handicap Department
Phone 908-234-2300 ext. 5
Email: hdcpquestions@usga.org
www.usga.org