Whether it’s a casual 9-hole outing, an 18-hole round with friends or a competitive tournament, posting ensures your Handicap Index accurately reflects your current playing ability.
One of the most common questions golfers ask is, “Can I post this score to GHIN?” The answer is simple: if you play it, you can post it.
The World Handicap System™ (WHS) was designed to make handicaps more inclusive, consistent and fair across the globe. As part of this system, nearly every round of golf you play can — and should — be posted to GHIN.
Whether it’s a casual 9-hole outing, an 18-hole round with friends or a competitive tournament, posting ensures your Handicap Index® accurately reflects your current playing ability.
Here are a few key reminders:
• Course Setup: As long as the course has a valid Course and Slope Rating™, your score is eligible.
• Formats of Play: Even if you’re playing a four-ball, match play or a casual round where every putt isn’t holed out, you can still post using your most likely score or expected score for each hole, following WHS guidelines.
• Minimum Holes: An acceptable 9-hole score must be played over 9 holes with a current Course Rating and Slope Rating. For an 18-hole score to be acceptable for handicap purposes, a minimum of 10 holes must be played.
Holes Started but Not Finished
If a hole is begun but not completed (e.g., picking up in match play, pace of play, etc.), post the most likely score the player would have made (not to exceed net double bogey).
Holes Not Played (Stopped Early or Started Late)
Post your score hole-by-hole, leaving those holes not played blank. An expected Score Differential™ for the hole or holes not played is calculated, based on a given Handicap Index and a course of standard difficulty.
Maximum Hole Score
The maximum hole score for posting purposes is a net double bogey, equal to double bogey plus any handicap strokes you receive based on your Course Handicap™.
Posting every acceptable round keeps your Handicap Index current and helps ensure fair competition for everyone. So next time you tee it up, remember: if you play it, you can post it.
