Ask Linda #39-Understanding ESC

Hi Linda,
I just wanted to ask you to emphasize to those women who may not be aware of it that the ESC limit for each hole may vary depending on the slope and rating of the course being played, especially if one's Handicap Index is near the upper part of its decade (i.e., 19 or 29). I've experienced casual games at very difficult courses with people whose Handicap Index is 18 or 19. They didn't seem to realize that the more difficult slope and rating also increased their handicaps and, correspondingly, their ESC limit. Of course, that can also work in reverse. When we discussed it, they seemed to be unaware of the adjustments this might require.
Lulu


Dear Lulu,
This is an excellent point, and I’m glad to have an excuse to explain Equitable Score Control® (ESC®) to everyone.

Let’s start with the basics. Every serious golfer has a Handicap Index®. This is a number taken to one decimal place (e.g., 18.2), and it represents your potential playing ability.

When you play at any given course, your Handicap Index has to be converted into what is known as a Course Handicap®. You have to consult the Course Handicap Table for the set of tees you are playing (e.g., blue, white, red), locate your Handicap Index, and look across to see what your Course Handicap will be at that particular course. Each course should have a handicap table for you to consult.

If you would like to know your Course Handicap before you arrive at any given course, go to USGA.org, put your cursor on Rules and Handicapping and click on Handicaps, click on Course Handicap Calculator, enter your Handicap Index and the slope rating of the course you will be playing (that’s a three digit number between 100 and 155), click on Calculate, and the site will display your Course Handicap.

Example 1, Course A:
1. Your Handicap Index is 18.2.
2. The slope rating from the red tees at the course you are playing is 106.
3. The handicap table indicates that players whose Handicap Index is between 17.6 and 18.6 will have a Course Handicap of 17.

Example 2, Course B:
1. Your Handicap Index is 18.2.
2. The slope rating from the red tees at the course you are playing is 142.
3. The handicap table indicates that players whose Handicap Index is between 18.0 and 18.7 will have a Course Handicap of 23.

Course A is so easy that your Course Handicap (17) is actually one less than your Handicap Index (18.2). Course B is so difficult that your Course Handicap will be 23, five strokes higher than your Handicap Index.

After you finish your round, you will total your 18-hole score. If you are playing in a tournament, this is the score that will determine where you place. However, when you record your score for handicap purposes, you must review the score for each hole and subtract strokes from each hole where your score was greater than the maximum number you are allowed to record (this is known as your ESC score).

If your Course Handicap (NOT your Handicap Index) is 9 or less, the maximum score you are allowed to record for any given hole is double bogey; for a Course Handicap between 10 and 19, the maximum is 7; between 20 and 29, the maximum is 8; between 30 and 39, the maximum is 9; and over 40 the maximum is 10.

Returning to my examples, on Course A, where your Course Handicap is 17, your ESC maximum is 7; on Course B, where your Course Handicap is 23, your ESC maximum is 8.

In summary, the maximum number of strokes you are allowed to take on a hole (for handicap purposes only) may change from course to course, depending on how your Handicap Index converts to a Course Handicap at each particular course.

Linda

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