Ask Linda #15 - posting winter scores

Dear Linda,

I have a handicap posting question or questions. I don't know what an "active" course means. Does this mean that we do not post any scores played on say, NJ courses from October 31st to April 1st? Does it mean that we do post scores played on NJ courses, but post via computer all the winter scores and our handicaps are not adjusted till spring? Does it mean you can play all you want in the off season in NJ and toss out the scorecards, but if you go to Las Vegas or Florida, etc. you must post those either via computer or save them and post them at your home course after April lst??

Lulu

Dear Lulu,

This is a great question, and will certainly impact all you snowbirds.

You can play all you want in the off season in NJ and toss out the scorecards, but if you go to Las Vegas or Florida (or anywhere else golf is considered “active”) you may now post the scores at the club (if the club has a GHIN computer) or you may post them online at GHIN.com. (This is new for 2008.)

Courses in New Jersey are only considered "active" from April 1 to October 31. Any rounds you play up here from November to March are strictly for fun--no posting permitted. The reason for this is that courses up here simply don't play the same in the winter months. The grass doesn't grow; the rough is sparse; the hard ground allows your ball to roll unusually far; many courses establish winter tees that are not on the customary tee boxes.

All you lucky gals who get to spend part of your winter in Florida, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, or other warm locations are playing golf in places that are "active" year round. All of those scores should be posted. You should be able to post them at the club or on the GHIN.com site, but if you encounter any difficulties, just save your cards (so you'll have the correct dates, slope, and rating) and post all your winter scores on April 1. If you're uncertain as to whether the state you're playing in is "active," go to the GHIN.com site, click on "Revision Schedule," and scroll down to your state. It will either say "year round" or "seasonal." If it says "seasonal" it will indicate which months are "active."

Linda

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