Not sure if any of you fellas are aware of the automatic adjustment to your handicap, following a "career" round. I certainly wasn't aware that this was part of the handicap system.

Basically, what the USGA says is that if you were to post a round that was 7.0 to 9.9 strokes better than your handicap index, your previous 20 posted handicap scores will be reduced by one stroke each, automatically. Of course this will affect your index until such time that those scores are pushed off. If you were to post a score that is 10 shots better than your index, your previous 20 scores get reduced by 2 strokes!

Handicapping FAQ: What is an Exceptional Score Reduction?
Occasionally, you might post a round that's well below your current Handicap Index. When that happens, the World Handicap System steps in with a built-in safeguard called the exceptional score reduction (ESR). Its purpose? To keep your Handicap Index aligned with your demonstrated ability.

Here's how it works:

If your Score Differential is 7.0 to 9.9 strokes better than your Handicap Index on the day of the round, a -1 adjustment is applied to each of your most recent 20 Score Differentials.

If your Score Differential is at least 10.0 strokes better than your Handicap Index, a -2 adjustment is applied to each of your most recent 20 Differentials.

A couple of other things to keep in mind:

- If you post more than one exceptional score, the adjustments are cumulative so multiple standout rounds can lead to a more significant adjustment.

- The ESR doesn't apply to future scores (unless they're also exceptional), so the effect of the reduction will gradually fade as you continue to post scores.

To learn more about Exceptional Score Reduction, click here.

https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/handicapping/world-handicap-system/topics/exceptional-score-reduction.html

Edit to fix second link

Of course, it only works if you log it.

And notorious sandbaggers will likely forget...

I just experienced this. I had my best round ever a few weeks ago. My handicap dropped 2 points after that round.

I agree Trinity. Where I could see this working, would be in a member/guest tourney or a club sponsored tourney where all scores are recorded by the pro shop. These score remain in your GHIN just like any other score, but are adjusted down until the next 20 scores bump them off.

Had this happen to me. Shot an 81 as a 13 handicap.

I only keep handicap for one tournament a year. Been doing it for 3 years now. Plenty of rounds at numerous courses for the app to spit out the number. Still haven't completely figured it out and now this wrinkle.

I've been told-or thought I understood that a course has to pay to get the slope and ratings changed. Some courses I play I don't feel like they're accurate compared to others.

I've played well in this tournament before and had people question my handicap. I've been playing poorly as of late and haven't posted my really bad scores because I don't want it to go any higher a month out.

I use the Grint for scoring my rounds and it automatically inputs it into GHIN. Every round I play gets input into the system (good or bad) and I let the chips fall where they may. I wouldn't care if someone questioned my handicap because I've entered every score.

I do think the handicap system needs a major overhaul. But if players aren't putting all their scores into it, nothing created is ever going to be accurate.

DargelSkout said:

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I just experienced this. I had my best round ever a few weeks ago. My handicap dropped 2 points after that round.

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I remember getting ribbed for it pretty hard.

Years ago, I shot a 73 in a MGA tournament at Gleannloch Farms while carrying my 12-handicap at the time. It was a glorious day that I'll never forget. It's not an overly long course and I was fairways and greens all day. I holed in twice (one of them was out of the sand). It was just "my day".

My handicap index dropped a couple points afterwards.

Just played 9 holes at Law Park for the first time. Currently a 15 handicap and shot 38 on a par 34.

So all of my previous entries for the year will be reduced?

Edit: Nvm - the slope is like 106 on there lol

Not that I care but the tournament has some money in play. Happened twice though.

Thank you for the info. I will definitely have to cheat slightly less to make sure I don't qualify for the exceptional score reduction thing