A new term, "Low Handicap Index" is included within the Rules of Handicapping and is now made visible to players. This value serves as the baseline for the soft and hard cap procedures.
5.7 Low Handicap Index
The Low Handicap Index represents the demonstrated ability of a player over the 365-day period preceding the day on which the most recent score in their scoring record was played and provides a reference point against which the current Handicap Index can be compared.
- A Low Handicap Index is established once a player has at least 20 acceptable scores in their scoring record.
- Once a player has established a Low Handicap Index, it is re-evaluated every time a new acceptable score is submitted and must be displayed in the player’s scoring record.
- A newly-determined Low Handicap Index is considered in the processing of the player’s next acceptable score whenever the next round is submitted. A player’s Low Handicap Index may become more than 365 days old in the period between two rounds being played.
- Where a Handicap Committee-applied adjustment reduces a player’s Handicap Index, the adjusted Handicap Index resets the Low Handicap Index to the adjusted Handicap Index, unless a lower Handicap Index is still eligible (See Rule 7.1a Conducting a Handicap Review and Adjusting a Handicap Index).
- Where a Handicap Committee-applied adjustment increases a player’s Handicap Index, the Committee should consider resetting the player’s Low Handicap Index to the same value as the adjusted Handicap Index.
