A handful of years ago I broke my ankle and was given a half cast with a glorious walking boot.  How I broke my ankle is another story but the result was still the same… doctor’s orders to rest.  Sure I still used crutches but after a couple of weeks I was walking around no problem in the boot.  Leave it to me to still try and play golf.   The result?  I actually played okay!  Not great, but okay!

 

Whether it’s a broken ankle, shoulder surgery, pulled back muscle, whatever and you still want to golf, what about your Handicap Index?  With a temporary disability you may not be playing to your 17 handicap so the question arises of is it allowable to have a temporary handicap to go hand in hand with your temporary injury or disability?

 

ANSWER:  YES!

 

The USGA Handicap System manual does state that a Handicap Committee can temporarily adjust your Handicap Index.  Here’s the kicker… they decide what the modification will be and for how long.  Once that is determined the new handicap will be marked with a letter “M” to show it has been modified.  A specific time period can be built in as well so it will go back to normal by a certain date.

 

In conclusion, if you’ve had surgery or some other ailment and still want to golf but shouldn’t be held to your previous handicap number, you can!

 

Does the above sound like you?  Please reach out to your regional Handicap Chair (contact information in the main page of the Handicap Corner) and send him or her an email.  Be sure to state what you need and the committee will review.  More information may be requested but we’ll be able to get that handled swiftly.

 

 

 

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