Youth Handicap

Junior golfers that join the Nebraska Junior Golf Association will receive a USGA Handicap Index through the Nebraska Golf Association. The NGA uses the GHIN computation system so you will be assigned a GHIN number allowing you to post scores for handicap purposes. Starting May 1 of each year, NJGA members will have access to a web page allowing members to post scores and track their scoring stats.

A handicap is an important aspect to the game of golf. First, a handicap allows you to track the progress of your skills as they improve and your scores lower. Second, players of different skill can fairly compete against one another in net tournaments and informal games. Finally, a handicap is required for entry into almost all competitive golf events in Nebraska and across the United States.

The USGA Handicap System
Under the USGA Handicap System, a Handicap Index is computed using your ten best scores of your most recent twenty scores and the appropriate USGA Course Rating and Slope Rating for each course played. The Handicap Index is then converted to a Course Handicap.

A Handicap Index indicates the potential ability of a player as compared to an expert player on a course of average difficulty. It is expressed in a number taken to the nearest tenth, such as 5.3. A Course Handicap is the number of strokes a player receives in a net competition from a particular set of tees at the course being played. It is the number used to calculate Equitable Stroke Control (ESC) hole score maximums for posting all NJGA 18-hole tournament scores.

The GHIN System
Nebraska uses the USGA Golf Handicap and Information Network (GHIN) to compute USGA Handicaps for NJGA members. Scores made in both stroke play and match play shall be recorded. A minimum of five 18-hole attested scores are required to establish a Handicap Index. As more scores are posted the more accurate the Index will become. Handicap procedures allow for 9-hole scores to be posted.