Golf is one of the only sports in history where the individual member of the game keeps his own score. This has brought honesty, integrity, and individuality to the greatest game ever played.

With the individual score keeping come challenges and hurdles that must be overcome to promote fairness and equality to all players. This is the heart of the "Handicap System" promoted by the OGA, and further promoted by the U.S.G.A, governing the rules of Golf.

If the handicap system was perfect, and scores were posted perfectly, and the system worked perfectly every time, then out of 64 players, your chance of winning a tournament or event would be 1 in 64 or 1.8 %. Each of the other 63 players would have the exact same chance, and everything would be equal.

This cannot be done exact because we don't live in a perfect world. Therefore players that are playing better than their averages will win more tournaments and events. If players win events year after year, or their handicaps never change then we "the handicap committee" will want to look at this to see why this is happening.

All Diamond Woods Men's Club members are asked to post all their scores as soon as possible after the rounds are over. Please post honestly and with integrity, as this will promote fair play and an equal chance for all to win events.

As like last seasons events we will be playing all games with the two tee box rule in effect. All seniors 60 years and older are eligible to play from the white tees or blue tees. For those choosing to play from the white tee box you must comply with the OGA rule and adjust your handicap accordingly. If you are not familiar with how this is done contact a handicap committee member.

Following will be links on the OGA site pertaining to myths, and handicapping in the rules of golf.

• Ghin Handicapping Online
• Course & slope rating Lookup
• Course Handicap Explained
• Rules of Golf
• Competing from different set of tees
• Post your score online
• Equipment conformity list

Any handicapping questions contact Richard Smith, Billy Wilson, or Todd Tinker which compose of the D.W. Handicap Committee.

Thank You,
Richard Smith
Handicap Chairman