Misconceptions abound about everything from the calculations behind what’s officially known as a Handicap Index to what those numbers represent. Here are seven of the most common myths, clarified.

A Playing Handicap is the actual number of strokes you receive or give during a round, and it’s the number used for scoring in a game or competition. While it’s often the same as your Course Handicap, ...

If you seem to play better or worse in competitions than you do in casual rounds, here's what you need to know ...

The ranking comes while the world handicap system is set to update this year. GOLF’s Josh Sens recently detailed the changes in a story published last Thursday, and you can click here to read that ...

Your Handicap Index® represents your demonstrated playing ability. It is a portable number, so you can use it from course to course and tee to tee. It is based on the Score Differentials™ from your ...

With handicap-posting season getting underway in April, here's a look at one of the system's quietly important features. The post How the handicap system stays steady even when conditions aren't ...

It's that time of the year again. The USGA officially released its GHIN Rewind feature in the GHIN app this week, which, a bit like its inspiration Spotify Wrapped, has a breezy look back at your 2024 ...

They used to say you could rely on two things: death and taxes. Well, when a golf major comes to town there is a third. A player will always get asked the question, ‘what would an average golfer shoot ...

An annual handicap report from the USGA provides a data-driven snapshot of player performance and other trends in the game. The post Average U.S. handicaps, best states plus 7 other facts from 2025 ...

FAR HILLS, N.J. -- The United States Golf Association (USGA) has announced three major modifications to the USGA Handicap System, effective Jan. 1, 2008. The most significant revision clarifies the ...

This content was first published in Golf Journal, a quarterly print publication exclusively for USGA Members. To be among the first to receive Golf Journal and to learn how you can ensure a strong ...