NEW!  AGL Handicap System

In seasons past, the Atlanta Golf League calculated an adjusted scoring average based on league matches played.  The adjusted scoring average was historically used only to flight players in future seasons and to determine wildcard AGL Champions so that even if your bracket was made up of the best player(s) in the Flight, you could still be crowned an AGL Champion.  Beginning with the 2011 Spring Season, the adjusted scoring average is now your league handicap.  We are excited about this recent change in the league and have been happy to hear the good feedback about the system from the 2011 Spring Season members. Every change we make is aimed at making the Atlanta Golf League more affordable, competitive, flexible and fun.

Benefits of AGL's Handicap System

• No sandbagging.  Unlike the USGA Handicap System where players have no restrictions on entering their own scores, the AGL Handicap System uses only league matches to calculate handicaps.  This means that there is no sandbagging or other types of handicap manipulation in the Atlanta Golf League.
• Closer matches.  Handicaps will further level the playing field within each flight so that everyone will have a chance in each match.  This will make matches closer and more fun.
• Less forfeits. Now every player in each flight will have a chance in each match and will have a chance to become an AGL champion.
• Save money.  By using its own handicap system, AGL members save $40-60 per year compared to Amateur Golf Tours that mandate a USGA handicap.

How It Works

An adjusted scoring average is used as your league handicap in order to level the playing field for all players regardless of which course or tees a match is played.  If you do not win your bracket based on points, you will still have the opportunity to be crowned an AGL Champion based on a strong adjusted scoring average in comparison to other players in your flight.  The adjusted scoring average is calculated by taking your score, subtracting the course rating, than subtracting 4 from that if 18 holes were played and 2 if nine holes were played and then adding back the par for the course.  (e.g. a 90 shot on a par 72 course with a 71.5 course rating from the white tees would equal an adjusted scoring average of 86.5)   This equalizes results regardless of whether players play 9 hole matches or 18 hole matches.

Prior to each match, the lower adjusted scoring average should be subtracted from the higher adjusted scoring average to find the number of strokes to be given in the match.  Then, the difference should be rounded to the nearest whole number.  The player with the highest adjusted scoring average receives the strokes on the hardest holes.  If Player 1 has an adjusted scoring average of 95.0 and Player 2 has an adjusted scoring average of 90.2, then Player 1 receives 5 shots distribued evenly on the 5 hardest handicapped holes (95.0 - 90.2 = 4.8 rounded to nearest whole number of 5). 

Scores should then be entered net of strokes received.  In the previous example, if Player 1 shoots 98 and Player 2 shoots 90, then Player 1 should enter a score of 93 and Player 2 should enter a score of 90.

To start the season, returning members use the adjusted scoring average from their most recent season played.  New members start with an adjusted scoring average based on their flight:

 Flight 1 = 75

Flight 2 = 85

Flight 3 = 95

   Flight 4 = 105 

After your first match, your handicap match will always be your most recent adjusted scoring average.  Your adjusted scoring average will update after each league match played.

What to Expect

Like any handicapping system, the first 1-2 matches may result in wider margins of victory. Also, since net scores are used to generate the adjusted scoring average, it may be possible that your adjusted scoring average may decrease even if your gross score is higher than your existing adjusted scoring average.  However, after 1-2 matches and for all matches and all seasons afterward, players will have a valid league handicap with their adjusted scoring average.  The new AGL Handicap System is unique in that it uses net score to generate the handicap.  This creates a handicapping system based on head-to-head competition.  Unlike the USGA handicapping system where anyone can enter whatever score they choose at any time, head-to-head handicapping based on real AGL matches played eliminate sandbagging and other forms of handicap manipulation

Why is the net score used to calculate adjusted scoring average instead of gross?

By using the net score to calculate adjusted scoring average, a player who may be one of the higher handicappers in his flight can still earn a low enough adjusted scoring average to still be a wildcard season winner.