NORTON, Massachusetts – The start of April marks an important day on the calendar for golfers in the northeast each year. After a four-and-a-half-month inactive season, Massachusetts will enter Active Score Posting Season along with 18 other states and regions across the country.
This means that Mass Golf Members who play rounds of golf in Massachusetts can, and should, post scores using GHIN.com or the GHIN Mobile App beginning Monday. Other nearby states and regions that observe April 1 as the beginning of Active Score Posting Season include Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and the Metropolitan New York association area.
While some golfers are aware of the nuances of Active Score Posting Season, many have questions about handicapping and the score posting process. To help answer these frequently asked questions, more information has been provided below.
A Handicap Index represents a golfers demonstrated playing ability and the number is based on scores posted.
Massachusetts observes an Active Score Posting Season of April 1 – November 14. This means that you can only post scores for rounds played in Massachusetts during this period. If you played a round in Massachusetts on March 30, it cannot be posted.
Posting scores is necessary to establish or maintain an accurate Handicap Index. Because the H.I. is meant to represent a player’s demonstrated ability, it is important to post all acceptable scores.
GHIN.com or the GHIN Mobile App can be used to post scores. Both 9-hole and 18-hole rounds are acceptable, but golfers should remember that one should adhere to the Rules of Golf and Rules of Handicapping for rounds being posted.
While you don’t need a H.I. to play a round of golf in Massachusetts, it’s helpful in many ways. It helps determine your playing ability, which is useful in creating fair games or matches on the course. Using accurate indexes makes it possible for any two golfers, regardless of skill level, to compete in a fair competition on the course. It even allows for golfers to compete against each other using different tee sets. Maintaining an active Handicap Index also allows players to track their progress and statistics throughout the season.
Through its status as an Allied Golf Association of the USGA, Mass Golf is able to offer its members a Handicap Index as part of their membership. If you are already a member, you simply need to create a profile on GHIN.com. For those who are not yet members of Mass Golf, you can join or renew online.
A more thorough explanation of Handicapping can be found here.
Mass Golf is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is dedicated to advancing golf in Massachusetts by building an engaged and inclusive community around the sport.
With a community made up of over 123,000 golf enthusiasts and over 360 member clubs, Mass Golf is one of the largest state golf associations in the country. Members enjoy the benefits of handicapping, engaging golf content, course rating and scoring services along with the opportunity to compete in an array of events for golfers of all ages and abilities.
At the forefront of junior development, Mass Golf is proud to offer programming to youth in the state through First Tee Massachusetts and subsidized rounds of golf by way of Youth on Course.
