Roanoke Valley Senior Golf Tour

Handicap Information

The RVSGT utilizes the USGA/WHS Handicap System slightly modified to accommodate the limited number of Tour rounds we play during each season. The Tour calculates a Handicap Differential  for each TOUR round you play using a USGA formula incorporating the players score, the course rating, the standard slope (113) and the course slope. Each course has a course rating and slope for each set of tees reflecting the diffculty of the course from those tees. These course and slope ratings may be found on the VSGA website, or the Event Handicap page of this website. After each Tour round the resulting handicap differentials are calculated for each individual player.
Handicap Differential = Score − Course Rating × 113 ÷ Course Slope

Scores and differentials are retained in our system for the last 18 tournaments. The last 10 tournaments for each individual are used as the basis to calculate the Handicap Index. Based on the number of Tour rounds played by the individual, as set out in the table at the bottom of this page, an average is taken of the lowest differentials. This becomes the individual's Handicap Index.  The maximum allowable index for the Tour is 36.4.

Handicap Index = Average of Lowest Differentials (# rounds based on the table below)

A player’s Handicap Index is adjusted for the next Tour event to reflect the upcoming course’s ratings, slope, and par for the tees being played. This new figure becomes the player’s Course or Event Handicap for that tournament, and will be marked on the player’s scorecard as the amount to be deducted or added to determine the NET score.  A 95% factor is then applied to the entire field per recommendation of the USGA for large field events.  This action improves the overall fairness of competitions having a diverse range of handicaps. The resulting Event Handicap represents the number of strokes you should expect to shoot over Par, if you shoot to your handicap.  Normally, you should expect to achieve this once every 5 rounds.  
Event Handicap = (95% × Handicap Index × Course Slope Rating ÷ 113) +  (Course Rating - Par) 

Example: A player with a 20.0 index playing a Par 72 course with a 67.0/120 Senior tee rating would have a 15 Event Handicap.  Playing from typical Forward Tees, Par 72 with 64.0/113 rating, the same player would have an 11 Event Handicap.


   


New Tour members will play their first event with a “0” handicap unless the player submits either: a verifiable VSGA/USGA Handicap Index, or their 2 lowest scores from his latest 10 rounds. Your initial handicap, as determined by either method, will be treated as one round for handicap purposes through the 4th tournament round you play. Your Event Handicap for the 5th tournament will be based soley on RVSGT Tournament play.  

A stroke control provision will apply to the first four tournaments for new members who do not provide a verifiable VSGA/USGA handicap. This provision limits your Net Score performance to Par for the tees played in each event. The player is still eligible to win with his limited net score. After 4 tournament rounds on the Tour this special provision no longer applies.

If the committee feels a new player's Tour peformance is not consistent with the handicap information sumbitted on the player's application, the committee reserves the right to adjust the initial handicap index accordingly.  Once the player completes 4 tour rounds this adjustment will have no effect.

Please note: New Tour Members, not submitting verifiable VSGA/USGA handicaps, are not eligible to play Forward Tees unless they are age 75 or over as of 7/29/24.

* The Stroke Control Limit (see table below) may vary tournament to tournament based on the Par rating for the course.


RVSGT Rounds # Rounds to be used for Handicap

RVSGT Round #

Stroke Control Limit
for Net Score* 
1-3 Lowest 1 Differential 1 Course Par
4-5 Lowest 2 Differentials 2  Course Par
6-7 Lowest 3 Differentials 3 Course Par
8-9 Lowest 4 Differentials 4 Course Par
10+ Lowest 4 Differentials 5+ No Stroke Control