Earning a new handicap

The path from beginner to a registered Handicap Index:

1. Practise in the driving range and take lessons, then course lessons, from the Club Golf Professional. Other clubs’ golf professionals may not give course lessons on the JGCC course.
2. Obtain a Proficiency Certificate from the Club Golf Professional, a recognised assigned professional, or a Club member authorised by the Captain.
3. While holding the P.C., play only when accompanied by a Club member who has played golf for at least two years, or by the Club Golf Professional.
4. Submit scores for at least 10 rounds of 18 holes (or equivalent), of which at least 6 are played on the JGCC course.
5. Sit the written test. The certificate of attendance at the Golf Rule Workshop, introduced in 1998, is a prerequisite for applying for the handicap test.
6. Take the on-course handicap test, conducted by the Captain or a representative of the Handicapping Committee.
7. On passing, hold a probationary Home Handicap for 6 months and submit a further 10 scores. The scores are then admitted to the National Handicap System for computation of the USGA Handicap Index.

Juniors

Junior handicaps are issued by the Johor Junior Program. Course lessons and Proficiency Certificates may be handled by the Junior Program coach or by visiting junior coaches authorised by the Junior Development Subcommittee. A junior submits 5 score cards before applying for the handicap test, and junior handicaps are not submitted to the National Handicap System.

Members joining with a handicap

• Notify the Handicapping Committee in writing before playing, stating the Handicap Index held and the name of the home club.
• The Committee assigns a provisional Home Handicap for 3 months, or another specified period.
• Submit at least 5 scores played on the JGCC course, then play a courtesy round with the Captain or a Committee representative.
• A member who does not play the courtesy round within the period may not play on the course until the Captain grants an extension.

Revisions

• Home Handicaps for the coming month are displayed in the Club before the month begins; revisions commence on the 1st of the month.
• Tournament scores are entered as T-scores and stay in the computation for one calendar year.
• An exceptional tournament score is subject to a Home Handicap revision by the Captain, who chairs the Handicapping Committee.
• A modified Handicap Index is computed on the course ratings of the Blue tees, and of the Red tees for ladies, and stands for the period the Captain stipulates.
• A player subject to a revision must declare and use the revised Handicap Index in all games.

Finding a mentor

New golfers are encouraged to seek a mentor among the golfing members of the Club who has held a golf handicap for at least two years and whose Home Handicap is at least 24.