Changes Take Effect January 1, 2011
Beginning in 2011, the Handicap Revision Schedule maintained and established by the Iowa Golf Association will be expanded to cover the entire year. Now, instead of Handicap Indexes™ being updated only during Iowa’s active season (April 1 – October 31), golfers must receive an updated Handicap Index™ on the 1st and 15th of every month. Read the frequently asked questions below to learn all about this change and what it means for you!
Q: The 2011 Handicap Revision Schedule has 24 revisions throughout the year; how does this number of revisions compare with the 2010 schedule?
A: In 2010 there were 16 revisions, all during Iowa’s active season of April through October.
Q: Does this mean that golfers should now post scores anytime they play in Iowa?
A: No. As in the past, the region covered by the Iowa Golf Association will continue to have an active season (April 1 – October 31) in which acceptable scores must be posted for handicap purposes.
Q: What is meant by the term “active season”?
A: Active season is a term defined in Section 2 of the USGA Handicap System Manual. An active season is the period during which scores made in an area will be accepted for handicap purposes determined by the authorized golf association having jurisdiction in a given area.
It is necessary for many areas to define an active season due to changes in course conditions during certain times of the year. As trees lose their leaves, grass turns dormant and other cold-weather changes take place courses do not play the same as they would during the active season. Course and Slope Ratings are based on a variety of factors which change dramatically in off-season environments and a defined active season helps ensure consistency.
Q: If the weather cooperates and I play golf in Iowa on a date that is not within the active season in Iowa I can’t post the score for handicap purposes, is that true?
A: Correct. Let’s say for example you play golf in Iowa on March 25th or November 3rd, you cannot post these scores for handicap purposes because they were made on a course during a time that is not within the active season.
Q: What if I play golf in an area away from Iowa in February, should I post the score?
A: It depends where exactly you played. You must determine whether the area in which you played is currently in their active season. Places like Texas, Arizona and Florida have a year-round active season so you know you must post scores made during anytime of the year in these areas. It’s all a matter of where and when you played. If where you played was active at the time then it must be posted.
Q: How will I know if the area I am playing in is currently in an active season?
A: You can ask someone at the golf course or contact the Iowa Golf Association and we can assist.
Q: It seems as if my Handicap Index™ will not be changing much in January, February, March, November and December. What is the benefit of this schedule change?
A: Unless you are playing golf in areas outside of Iowa during the months mentioned above you will not have any scores to post and your Handicap Index™ wouldn’t change during these off-season months. However, many golfers do travel and post scores to their handicap scoring record during the winter months. Under the current schedule these “winter” scores sat idle until spring when a revision finally came along. Golfers will no longer have to wait for an updated Handicap Index™ during the winter months.
Q: Why has the IGA decided to change the revision schedule starting in 2011?
A: The USGA announced that, beginning in 2012, all associations licensed to utilize the USGA Handicap System™ must begin updating Handicap Indexes™ on the 1st and 15th of every month. The IGA, like many other associations, has simply decided to make the change a year prior to the mandatory implementation.
Having all associations update Handicap Indexes™ on the same calendar days will ensure that members of multiple associations will have their scoring records updated on the same days.
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