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One of the requirements for a golf club to be authorized to use the World Handicap System™ in the United States is to have a Handicap Committee. The Handicap Committee plays a vital role in the successful administration of a player’s Handicap Index, ensuring that it represents the player’s demonstrated ability. One of the ways to accomplish this is by conducting a handicap review for members and adjusting a Handicap Index upward or downward when appropriate.
To support the Handicap Committee in these responsibilities, and to ensure that players are treated fairly and consistently from golf club to golf club, in July 2024, the USGA released Phase 1 of a new data-driven handicap review tool available exclusively to authorized golf clubs. It is used to identify players who are scoring above/below their expected scoring range more often than anticipated or have other abnormalities within their scoring record over a defined period of 12 months. In these instances, a recommended adjustment to the player’s Handicap Index is provided to the Handicap Committee. With Phase 1, a handicap review is limited to a single player at a time.
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Description and Timing of the USGA Handicap Review Tool – Phase 2
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The USGA Handicap Review Tool is continuing to roll out in a phased approach, and we are pleased to announce that the planned launch date for Phase 2 is Thursday, April 10, 2025.
Below is a brief description of Phase 2:
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A Handicap Committee can run a handicap review across its club’s roster.
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When a club-wide review is run, only home club golfers will be eligible for a recommended adjustment. Non-home club golfers will remain eligible for an individual review. For golfers whose Handicap Index is active at more than one club, the home club is the primary golf club designated by the golfer.
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A golfer must have a full scoring record (20 scores) to be eligible for a recommended adjustment.
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An upgraded Details Modal will be available for any golfer that receives a review.
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The Handicap Committee will have 14 days from the time of the review to apply or deny a recommended adjustment, after which the recommendation will expire.
Phase 3, which will offer a flexible handicap review timeframe, enriched reporting, and automated notifications, is planned for release in fall 2025. More details about Phase 3 will be communicated by the Florida State Golf Association.
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Use of the USGA Handicap Review Tool
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We strongly encourage you to access the toolkit created by the USGA which provides more detail about the USGA Handicap Review Tool.
https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/handicapping/world-handicap-system/world-handicap-system--education-resources-for-club-administrators/handicap-review-toolkit.html
This toolkit includes Questions and Answers, Data Points with descriptions, as well as a distinction between the USGA Handicap Review Tool and other software. Also please see the linked Handicap Review Notification, Appeal Process infographic, and Appeal Form documents below.
It is also important to consider that players must be informed of the club’s handicap review process, which includes that the player must be notified when the Handicap Index adjustment becomes effective and made aware of the timeframe for any appeals. More information about notification and appeal, and the two paths available to authorized golf clubs in the U.S., can be found in the toolkit.
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Customer Support and Feedback
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If you require support or have feedback on the USGA Handicap Review Tool, please contact the Florida State Golf Association at 813-868-5855 or clubservices@fsga.org.
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