2022 Most Improved Handicap
Congratulations to Diane Patton and Russell Gielski, winners of our 2022 Lower Your Handicap Challenge. Thank you to GOLFTEC for providing 5-lesson prize packages.
Prizes
First Place (Grand Prize) – winner from each division will receive:
- GOLFTEC lesson package that includes a Swing Evaluation and five 30-minute lessons
- Round of golf for two (cart included) at Highlander Golf Course
- Sleeve of WA Golf logoed golf balls, hat and towel
Top-5 most improved golfers from each division will receive a sleeve of WA Golf logoed golf balls, hat and towel.
Winners in each division will also receive a five-lesson package from GOLFTEC. Package includes a Swing Evaluation and five 30-minute lessons.
Details & Rules
Eligibility: Open to all golfers who have an up-to-date USGA Handicap Index issued by Washington Golf. RENEW or JOIN
Entry fee: None
Entries open: March 15, 2022
Entries close: April 30, 2022 at midnight.
Beginning Revision Date: May 1, 2022 – The participant’s Handicap Index on this date will be used as the beginning point for determining improvement through the duration of the challenge.
Ending Revision Date: October 1, 2022 – The participant’s Handicap Index on this date will be used as the ending point for determining improvement through the duration of the challenge.
Minimum Number of Rounds: Golfers must post a minimum of 180 holes in any combination of 9 or 18-hole rounds from May 1, 2022 through September 30, 2022.
Posting Scores: In the spirit of the Rules of Handicapping, players are expected to post ALL ELIGIBLE SCORES immediately after play.
Divisions: Field will be split into two divisions for Women and Men.
Determination of Winners
Winners will be determined using the USGA recommended method for determining the Most Improved Player. The method is as follows:
Add 12* to the player’s Handicap Index at the start of the season. This is Value A. Add 12 to the player’s Handicap Index at the end of the season. This is Value B.
Divide Value A by Value B and round to three decimal places. This is the improvement factor. The player with the highest improvement factor will receive the Most Improved Player award.
Example: Starting Handicap Index = 22.6, Ending Handicap Index = 17.4
Value A: 22.6 + 12 = 34.6
Value B: 17.4 + 12 = 29.4
A / B: 34.6 / 29.4 = 1.177
Improvement Factor: 1.177
*The number 12 has been determined by the USGA as equitable in gauging the improvement of players encompassing the entire spectrum of handicaps. For example, it is relatively the same improvement factor to go from a 20.0 to a 10.0 Handicap Index (improvement factor of 1.454) as it is to go from a 5.0 to a scratch, or zero Handicap Index (improvement factor of 1.416), yet the change in Handicap Index is “10” (20 – 10) versus “5” (5 – 0) strokes. The number 12 takes into consideration the level of a player’s improvement rather than the net change in Handicap Index.
Breaking Ties: Ties will be broken by extending beyond three decimal places until a winner is determined. Example:
Player A Improvement Factor (IF): 1.134 (Beg. Index = 15.1, End Index = 11.9)
Player B Improvement Factor (IF): 1.134 (Beg. Index = 31.3, End Index = 26.2)
Player A Expanded IF: 1.1339
Player B Expanded IF: 1.1335
Since Player A’s IF is larger by .0004, she is the winner.