Linda, in the past year or so we have questions come up as to a sub’s eligibility for ‘Most Improved Golfer’. What is the ruling on this? Is it fair for someone golfing 4-5 games a season versus a regular member golfing 15 or more games? Thanks for explaining the ruling on sub eligibility for ‘Most Improved Golfer’.
Lulu
Dear Lulu,
There is no USGA ruling regarding who is eligible for a Most Improved Golfer award. That decision rests with the governing board of your organization. It would be best to establish eligibility rules for such awards at the onset of the season.
There is, however, a USGA-recommended procedure for determining who is the Most Improved Golfer, which is described in Appendix H of The USGA Handicap System:
1. Add 12 to each player’s Handicap Index at the start of the season. Call this number “A.”
2. Add 12 to each player’s Handicap Index at the end of the season. Call this number “B.”
3. Divide A by B, calculating out to three decimal places. This is the player’s “improvement factor.”
Do this calculation for all players who improved. The player with the highest improvement factor will be your most improved golfer.
Linda
Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
