TOUR HANDICAP POLICIES

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1 Tour Handicap Policies 2018

2 Contents TGAA HANDICAP SYSTEM... 2 HANDICAPS FOR BRAND NEW PLAYERS... 3 HANDICAPS FOR RETURNING MEMBERS... 4 HANDICAPS FOR MEMBERS RETURNING FROM A MULTI-YEAR ABSENCE... 4 HANDICAP ADJUSTMENTS FOR MEDICAL REASONS... 4 FIRST TIME PLAYER RULE... 5 TOUR HANDICAP POLICIES TGAA HANDICAP SYSTEM The TGAA Tour Handicap System promotes fair competition for all players as the handicap value is based solely on TGAA tournament scores. The TGAA Tour handicap formula is calculated using only rounds played on the TGAA tour, applying a Reasonable Stroke Adjustment, and utilizing the standardized course rating and slope. Only scores posted from the current season and most recently completed season are used to calculate a member s TGAA Handicap Value. The table below illustrates the number of differentials used to calculate the player s TGAA Handicap Value (based on the number of available scores). Number of TGAA Scores Number of Differentials Used 6 or less Best Best Best Best Best Best 6 17 Best 7 18 Best 8 19 Best 9 20 Best 10

3 Reasonable Stroke Adjustment (RSA) is the downward adjustment of individual hole scores for handicap purposes in order to make the gross score more representative of a player's potential ability. RSA sets a maximum number that a player can post on any hole depending on the player's TGAA Handicap Value. RSA is used only when a player's score exceeds the maximum number based on the table below. There is no limit to the number of holes on which a player may have scores adjusted. Once RSA is applied, this becomes the player s adjusted gross score, and is used in the TGAA Handicap formula. TGAA Handicap Value Max Strokes Up to 9.4 Double Bogey 9.5 to 19.4 Triple Bogey 19.5 and Above Quadruple Bogey The TGAA Handicap Formula was developed after a statistical analysis of thousands of rounds and is detailed below. The TGAA formula differs from the USGA formula as it standardizes two of the most misunderstood factors in the equation: slope and rating. The TGAA formula uses Course Par, instead of the course rating, as a player understands his score in relation to par. The second is a standardized slope, which represents the average slope of all courses played throughout the season. By standardizing both the rating and the slope, every TGAA player s handicap value is calculated using the same set of main elemental data points, no matter which course played during the season. TGAA Handicap Formula: [(Adjusted Gross Score Course Par) X 113 / Standardized Course Slope] X.96 (Note: Since the TGAA Handicap formula differs from the USGA handicap method, the computed handicap value is not a USGA handicap and cannot be used as such. Players must subscribe to a USGA Handicap Service to obtain an official USGA Handicap) HANDICAPS FOR BRAND NEW PLAYERS A brand new player is defined as a player who has never played a TGAA Tour event and, as such, has no TGAA scoring history. To play in a TGAA Tour event, the new player must have a verifiable handicap. This may be through (but not limited to) a national or state golf association, at a golf club, or with an online service. When requested, the new player must

4 submit the information to the TGAA Tour in a timely manner, allowing the TGAA Tour enough time to research the information. Once the process is complete, the TGAA Tour will notify the player of their starting TGAA Handicap Value. If the player does not have a verifiable handicap, or cannot provide enough information for the TGAA Tour to make a reasonable decision, the player s starting TGAA Handicap Value will be 0. This is done to protect the entire field and ensure the integrity of the TGAA Handicap System. At its discretion, the TGAA Tour may adjust the player s TGAA Handicap Value to a number more representative of the player s potential at their next event. HANDICAPS FOR RETURNING MEMBERS A player s current year starting TGAA Handicap Value is based on their prior season s differentials. The number of rounds in the player s scoring history determines, whether or not, the player is subject to the First Time Player Adjustment (see below for definition of the adjustment). Below are examples if a player is/is not subject to the adjustment. Example #1 Player A posted at least five (5) rounds in the prior season. The player is not subject to the adjustment. Example #2 Player A posted more than one (1) but less than five (5) rounds in the prior season. The player is subject to the adjustment until the player reaches the five (5) score threshold. HANDICAPS FOR MEMBERS RETURNING FROM A MULTI-YEAR ABSENCE For any member returning from a multi-year absence (i.e. no scores posted in the previous season), unless there is a request for a review, their starting TGAA Handicap Value is based off of their last calculated handicap. The player is also subject to the First Time Player Adjustment as their TGAA Handicap Value is re-established during their first five (5) rounds. HANDICAP ADJUSTMENTS FOR MEDICAL REASONS The player must contact the TGAA Tour for the adjustment and must state the medical reason (i.e. surgery, illness, etc.). Situations will be handled on a case by case basis. If the player receives an upward handicap adjustment he is subject to the following: If the player posts a score better than net even par with the adjusted handicap, the player will either be adjusted back to net even par, or revert back to their original handicap before the medical adjustment.

5 As an example, Player A is given a medical adjustment, and the TGAA Handicap Value is increased from 10 to 13. On a par 72, the player posts a gross score of 84 for net 71. The player is brought back to par (72) and their TGAA Handicap Value is reduced to a 12. The player keeps the 12 and that is their TGAA Handicap Value for their next event. As a second example, Player A receives a medical adjustment, and their TGAA Handicap Value is raised from 10 to 13. The player posts a 79 on a par 72. The player reverts back to their original TGAA Handicap Value of 10, keeps the net score, and the medical adjustment is removed. Medical adjustments are for three (3) tournament rounds and do not include majors. If a Player under a medical adjustment wants to play in a major the player must play back to their original TGAA Handicap Value. FIRST TIME PLAYER RULE This is defined as a brand new player to the TGAA with no prior scoring history or a returning player with less than five (5) rounds in their current TGAA scoring history. In order to protect the field, and the integrity of the TGAA Handicap System, any player governed by this rule may not post a tournament round that betters their TGAA Handicap Value. If this occurs, the player s TGAA Handicap Value is reduced, so that their net score equals par and is done prior to the results becoming official. The adjustment does not apply to the optional side pots.

TOUR HANDICAP POLICIES

TOUR HANDICAP POLICIES Handicap Policies 2019 Contents TGAA HANDICAP SYSTEM... 3 HANDICAPS FOR BRAND NEW PLAYERS... 4 HANDICAPS FOR RETURNING MEMBERS... 5 HANDICAPS FOR MEMBERS RETURNING FROM A MULTI-YEAR ABSENCE... 5 HANDICAP