COMMUNITY

GHIN & Stracka are separate.

I'm not an admin, but here is what I know.

" GHIN is an acronym for the Golf Handicap and Information Network, a handicapping service provided by the USGA to participating associations and clubs."

While Stracka is also licensed under the U.S.G.A. for using their handicap index, it has nothing to do with GHIN.

Two entities are not connected, however, you could post scores on both sites, but they're not interactive so you'll have to post twice. Stracka does not charge members a fee and the licensed clubs under Stracka are managed by volunteers with no compensation.

Find or start a local club, it'll be as legit as any organization since they all used the U.S.G.A. handicap index.

The GHIN or Handicap is just a tool to help with sandbagging/cheating/cheators! As much as honesty is part of the game if you want ot play in certain events you must obtain an established handicap.

If you're not part of one of these clubs, you shouldn't make statements like this unless you have your facts straight. There may be some clubs that aren't following the USGA guidlines. Being part of a club gives you a recognized USGA handicap, in case you wanted to play in any tournaments. Anyone can create a spreadsheet that can calculate a handicap, but you wouldn't get very far with that.

Peer review is an absolutely fundamental part of the USGA's handicapping system - it's not dependent on the 'honor system' at all. If you are a GHIN member at a real-world golf course, your scores are subject to review by your playing partners and other members of the club. Members of 'virtual' (Type 3 in USGA terminology) clubs like Stracka clubs have to compete together and enter club-sanctioned tournaments in order to maintain the eligibility of their handicaps.

See the USGA's Handicap Manual for specifics. Hope that helps.

How to Establish a Handicap Index

In order to establish a Handicap Index, a player must join a licensed golf club and post adjusted scores. These scores are subject to peer review. After at least five scores have been posted, the golf club will issue a Handicap Index to the player in accordance with the USGA Handicap System.

Peer Review Defined

“Peer Review” is the ability of golfers to gain an understanding of a player’s potential ability and to form a reasonable basis for supporting or disputing a score that has been posted.

There are two essential elements of peer review:
1. Members of a golf club must have a reasonable and regular opportunity to play together (see Decision 2/8).
2. Access must be provided to scoring records, as well as to Handicap Index list, for inspection by others, including, but not limited to, fellow club members.

Decision 2/7. Clarification of Compliance/License Issues for Golf Club Categories Described in the Golf Club Definition

"Playing Requirements and Club Size" (applies to type 3 only)
The USGA will consider the playing requirement met if each member returns at least three scores played with other club members during the season, and at least one of those rounds is played in a club sponsored event. Anyone not meeting this minimum requirement should be dropped from the handicap rolls.

straight from the USGA website.

Exactly so !

When our club was in the process of being licensed, the representative from the U.S.G.A. called and this was one of the subject discussed, peer review, plus the handicap chairman would over see the scores posted.
Hence the "playing requirement - to play minimum of one tournament qand 3 rounds of golf with other members".

I belong to a USGA (Greater Cincinnati) certified golf course and have been keeping my handicap there for some time now. I also have unitized the handicap feature offered here at Straka. Since Straka offers an official USGA index as well, it is great to have confirmation. I'll go and enter my Straka scores to my GHIN and see if there are any variations.

With regard to 'verification', my handicap does me no good unless it is the result of honest scores. Sandbaggers will always be around and at some point they are found out. "Character is when you do the right thing even when no one is watching" - JC Watts mother - so if someone wants to cheat, he/she will cheat. That's the bottom line. I can rest comfortably knowing I am not cheating myself or others.

God bless 'yall,
Steve

Is a Stracka number the same as a USGA number?

STEVE

I am a Chairman of a club that uses this site to maintain it. For a club of this type; the USGA requires each member to play in at least one club sponsored event and also play at least 3 times with other members of the club per season. Below is my BYLAWS for our club. I require each member to follow them. They way I make them POST scores also is a better way for their peers to review their game.

These bylaws must be followed by every member of the club.
1) The USGA Rules of Golf should govern all play. All rounds should be played to the best of your ability.
2) All scores should be posted in accordance with the USGA handicap system. Also in a timely manner. Please try to POST within 24 hours of play. All 9 hole and 18 hole rounds should be posted.
3) All Scores need to be Posted using the Hole - by - Hole method. This way you can enter your gross scores and Stracka will automatically control the ESC system. Make sure the tees, rating/slope, date you played is all correct when POSTING scores.
4) All scores need to be posted with the following minimum info: Score, Fairway in regulation, puts and avg. driving distance ( please get this by the avg. of your 2 best drives of the day). This is the best way to see trends in your game, where you need to improve, and let all members have fun comparing stats. Also, in a golf club your peers and handicap committee need to be able to review your game and with these stats it is better than just looking at scores. The Handicap Committee can reduce or increase handicap for any player whose handicap does not reflect their ability.
5) Once you are a member you MUST accept me (Scola1234) as a friend on the site. This is important so we can communicate easily. I would also like everyone in the club accept everyone else as friends on the site for the same reason.
6) Under your profile on Stracka, you must have your correct First and Last name and correct Zip Code.
7) The USGA requires you play at least 3 times a season with other members in the club. At the end of every season be prepared to answer what rounds you have played with other members. Also, it is required that you play in one club sponsored event a season. CT Hackers will have at least 3 events a season and it WILL be MANDNATORY to play in one. Keep in mind, this is a USGA requirement, some of you belong to more than one club so you will have to meet this requirement for each club you belong to. If you can't do that I suggest you limit yourself to one club of your choice.
8) Also you must play and post scores regularly throughout the season. If you don't you will be considered INACTIVE and will be removed from the club. If you are out because of injury be sure to let me know. There will be no set # of rounds played; The handicap committee will decide whether a player is INACTIVE.
These bylaws are mandatory of all members to help me ensure we keep the integrity of the USGA Handicap System. Failure to follow any of these bylaws could result in removal from the club.
Anthony Mascola - CT Hackers Chairman
Don Hutson - VP Handicap Committee

I joined a private club and they are asking for my GHIN #. I gave them the # provided to me on this site and they do not recognize this #. Where can I find my GHIN #?

I may be new at this, but I did read my club bylaws, which very specifically state that I must play at least 3 rounds with a fellow club member, plus required to participate in club sponsored tournament.