GPGC CLUB INDEX POLICY

 

WHAT IS A CLUB INDEX?

Normally, your playing handicap in any GPGC event is based on two things – your current GHIN index, and the course rating according to the tees you're playing from. However, in order to account for any drastic improvements in play, you may occasionally find yourself playing to your club index instead. (You can check your current club index here.)

 

Your club index is based solely on how you've played in your most recent 3 or 5 GPGC events.  If you've consistently been playing better than your GHIN index suggests you should be, your playing handicap in your next event will be based on your club index instead of your GHIN index. This is a common occurrence and can happen anytime a golfer hits a hot streak.

 

Shifting to your club index is by no means a suggestion that you're sandbagging or being dishonest in any way. We're happy you've been playing so well! We simply want to ensure that tournament play remains fair and balanced for all members at all times. Your GHIN index alone (based on your past 20 rounds) isn't always reactive enough to account for sudden improvements in play, and this is why a club index can be helpful.

 

WHAT TRIGGERS A SWITCH TO YOUR CLUB INDEX?

Your club index is only used if your most recent tournament scores average out to at least 1 stroke lower than your GHIN index. (i.e., if your GPGC event scores average out to 0.9 lower, we will still use your GHIN index.)

 

HOW IS YOUR CLUB INDEX CALCULATED?

Here's the precise formula we use: The average of your 3 best net scores from your last 5 GPGC events, minus 4%.

(*For newer members, and in some other cases, we may use your best 2 of 3 instead.)

 

Here's an example of how it works:

 

Let's say your GHIN index is 10.0, and your last 5 tournament scores produced differentials of 8.5, 7.5, 12.2, 9.1, 13.1

 

The average of your best 3 (8.5, 7.5, 9.1) is 8.4.

 

8.4 minus 4% is 8.0. So instead of having a playing handicap based on a 10.0 GHIN index in your next event, your playing handicap would be based on a club index of 8.0.

 

HOW LONG WILL YOUR CLUB INDEX REMAIN IN EFFECT?

We will continue to use and adjust your club index until it is no longer at least 1 stroke lower than your GHIN index. Club indexes often fall off after one or two events, and things go back to normal.

 

WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT CLUB INDEX?

Each member's club index is continually tracked in a spreadsheet. In the interest of transparency, we have made a read-only version of this spreadsheet available to all GPGC members. You can check your current club index here. 

 

Note that tracking club indexes can be tedious, and mistakes are sometimes made. If you believe your club index has been miscalculated, please reach out to our handicap chairman Susan Freed.

 

The Handicap Committee reserves the right to alter any of the conditions and schedules herein. The Committee reserves the right to reject the entry of any applicant, at any time, for any reason. Any decision by the Committee, in any matter, shall be final.