How to Track Your Golf Handicap

GHIN (golf handicap index) is a service provided by the USGA that monitors and tracks your handicap as you post scores. It is always the last 20 scores you've posted that create your current handicap and establish the amount of strokes you will deduct from your next amateur tournament round of golf. The handicap system was devised as a way of leveling the playing field for all golfers, regardless of skill level, so everyone can be compared by a net score. This is a system used in only amateur tournaments.

Things You'll Need

  • Computer with either Internet or USGA access.
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Instructions

    • 1

      Log into the USGA GHIN system by either typing www.GHIN.com into your Internet browser or using the handicap monitoring system provided in the pro shop of your home golf course.

    • 2

      Click the tab labeled "handicap lookup" to monitor the current state of your handicap. Click the tab labeled "post score" if you have recently finished a round of golf and wish to post your score.

    • 3

      Enter your 7-digit GHIN number without any hyphens and click "look up." Your last 20 scores, as well as your current handicap, will appear on the screen. If you are posting a score, a screen will appear asking for the score as well as the slope and rating for the course you played. All this information is located on the back of the course score card. Enter this information and the system will generate your current handicap.