Frequently Asked Questions

Handicapping can be a difficult subject to grasp. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions that we receive about handicapping.

How do I establish a Handicap Index?

  • First you will need to join the Utah Golf Association and select a home club.
  • New members may start posting scores right away and can even back-date their scores if they have old scorecards laying around.
  • Players will need to post 54 total holes before their Handicap Index will be established.


How is my Handicap Index Calculated?

  • Your Handicap Index formula is based on the best Handicap Differentials in a player’s scoring record.
  • If a player’s scoring record contains 20 scores, the best 8 Handicap Differentials of the most recent 20 scores are used to calculate the Handicap Index.
  • As the number of scores in the scoring record decreases, the percentage of Handicap Differentials used decreases.


What is Net Double Bogey

  • The maximum score for each hole played is limited to a net double bogey – which is equal to Par of the hole + 2 strokes (double bogey) + any handicap strokes the player is entitled to receive on that hole based on their Course Handicap.



How do I delete an incorrect score?

  • If you have a score that was posted incorrectly and needs to be changed or deleted, please email [email protected] or call the UGA main office at 801-563-0400 and we will correct the issue for you.


How do I post a score from an unrated tee?

If a USGA Course Rating and Slope Rating from a selected set of tees are not available for the appropriate gender, the player may apply the following procedure on a temporary basis:
  • Locate the nearest set of rated tees for the appropriate gender
  • Determine the yardage difference between the set of tees being played and the rated set of tees
  • Using the following table, find the range that includes the yardage difference:

  • Add the resulting table values to the ratings of the nearest set of tees rated for the appropriate gender if the unrated tees are longer than the rated tees, or subtract the resulting values if the unrated tees are shorter than the rated tees.