The USCA Handicap Committee has made a few minor changes to the handicap tracking point system. After a review of the current system, it was discovered that half handicaps have not been counted as full handicap steps. This primarily effects handicaps below 5 and the changes are mostly in losing points rather than gaining points. For example, the difference between a 0 and -2 has been considered a two handicap difference when it should be a four handicap difference (-0.5, -1, -1.5, -2). To correct this, half handicaps will be considered full steps so that now a two handicap difference would be -0.5, -1. The logic behind this is that it takes the same + 28 points to change handicaps to half points as whole points so they should both be treated the same.
The changes are very subtle and are described in the below chart. Just note that the difference between 0 and 0.5 is now considered one handicap difference and the same as the difference between 7 and 6. The Taylor workbooks have been updated to reflect the latest changes and are available for download from the USCA website. All tournament directors should download the current workbooks.
The USCA feels that these changes will have minimal impact on the tracking point system and will make half handicaps as meaningful as whole handicaps.
Handicap Tracking Points – Effective 2/10/2022
Level Play – Plus Points (Handicap Lowered)
A. Higher handicap player defeats lower handicap player:
2 or more whole handicaps lower (6 defeats 4)
1 ½ handicaps lower (5 defeats 3.5)
1 whole handicap lower (6 defeats 5)
½ handicap lower (0.5 defeats 0)
B. Defeat player of equal handicap (6 defeats 6)
C. Defeat player of higher handicap:
½ handicap higher (0 defeats 0.5)
1 whole handicap higher (5 defeats 6)
1 ½ to 2 whole handicaps higher (5 defeats 7)
More than 2 whole handicaps higher (0 defeats 2.5)
Level Play – Minus Points (handicap increase)
Note: Half handicaps count as a full handicap
D. Lose to a player greater than 2 handicaps lower (7 loses to 4.5) (6 loses to 4) (5 loses to 3.5)
E. Lose to a player 1 to 2 handicaps lower (7 loses to 5) (6 loses to 4.5) (5 loses to 4)
Level Play – Minus Points (handicap increase)
H. Lose to a player of equal handicap (6 loses to 6)
I. Lose to player of higher handicap (6 loses to 7)
Handicap (Bisque) Play-Plus-Points
J. Handicap difference is less than 5 (4 defeats 0)
K. Handicap difference is 5 or more (6 defeats 0)
Handicap (Bisque) Play-Minus-Points
L. Handicap difference is less than 5 (4 loses to 0)
M. Handicap difference is 5 or more (6 loses 0)