Welcome to our February Newsletter!
Congratulations to
Samuel R.
You are the winner of the January Newsletter – You gave the correct answer
I shot a 46 during my Christmas week golf at Interlochen Golf Course, my other score was 48.
I emailed you requesting the address you would like your Golf Up North Schwag sent to!
If you would like a chance to win some Golf Up North schwag, you have to subscribe to the newsletter. Subscribe at Golf Up North Newsletter and be on the mailing list for our next issue.
My Poor Lions
Football is almost over, all that is left is the big game. I am finally over my boys losing to the 49ers. Well, kind of, it was hard to watch a former Ohio State University player sack my quarterback. Bosa was a beast at Ohio, and he has only gotten better. As much as I hate to admit it, he is a fun player to watch, when he is not playing against my Lions.
That first half I thought we were going to win it; I think many did. That second half darn near killed me. I was yelling at Dan Campbell to kick a $%#@#$%# field goal! He stayed true to form and this time it did not work out. As much as I did not like his not listening to me, his crazy calls is what got the Lions to the NFC Championship game, nothing has changed. I am excited for next year!
Lions Through the Years
If you are interested in some Lions history, the curse and Dan Campbell, I wrote a blog post titled Detroit Lions through the Years.
Just because my Lions will not be playing, does not mean I will not be where I always am on Super Bowl Sunday. Right in front of the TV rooting for one of the teams. This year since none of my preferred teams made it, I think I will be rooting for the 49ers. There is something comforting about losing to the eventual Champions. (even if that Ohio guy is on the team. 😊).
Ready for Courses to Open
Our weekends have opened up again and golf will be on our television a lot. Of course, that is going to make me more anxious to get on the course. I would love to see a mid-winter thaw where some of the courses open like they did in December. It was such a treat to play a round locally in a month you would never expect to be able to. I am heading to Virginia in the next couple of weeks, hoping the weather is right for a round or two with my Virginia son.
Around March we will start tracking the Northern Michigan Golf Courses opening day and will publish a link to the Courses Opening page on the home page of our website golfupnorth.com
Did You Know?
For those that follow us on social media you have probably seen some of the Did You Know Fun Facts. Since not all of our subscribers follow us on social media, I thought I would start sharing some of them in the newsletters.
I think everybody knows the answer to this one, but just in case the 19th hole is the bar or lounge for a drink after a round of golf. I call it the 9 ½ hole because I usually stop for a cold beverage as we turn the corner. 😊
USGA Handicap Index
Towards the end of Guy’s league season last year there was talk of getting their USGA Handicap Index. Several of the men had or were retiring and planned to play a lot more golf and it would be nice to have official handicaps. I did a cursory look when we got home, but our home course was not rated, and it just seemed like a lot work.
A ladies golfing Facebook group I belong to talks a lot about their handicap index, and it reminded me about looking into it deeper, so I did. It is actually quite fascinating, at least to me who had no idea what all goes into this.
After taking my deep dive I realized that we were missing a key filter option on golfupnorth.com and we have added a filter for GAM member courses in our Search Near Me feature and list if they are member under facilities in the individual course listings. So, if you are wanting to make sure every score counts towards your Handicap Index, you can now find GAM member courses easily in Northern Michigan on Golf Up North
How to get a Handicap Index
To get a Handicap Index through USGA.org, you have to join your local Allied Golf Association (AGA). In Michigan you would join The Golf Association of Michigan (GAM). This membership is for GAM only. You will not have a USGA membership, but will be able to get a Handicap Index.
You have to declare a home course and your home course must be a GAM member. As a GAM member you would post your scores from GAM member courses for either 9 or 18 holes on their website or on the GHIN Mobile App. Per GAM’s website this is how they determine a Handicap Index:
A Handicap Index is calculated by averaging the lowest 8 of the most recent 20 Score Differentials. To establish your first official USGA Handicap Index, you will need to post a minimum of three 18-hole scores (six 9-hole scores, or equivalent number of nine- and eighteen-hole scores). The more scores you post, the more representative your index. To maintain a current index, you should continue to post all adjusted gross scores for rounds played under authorized formats and by the Rules of Golf.
Three Different Types of Handicaps
As I went further down the rabbit hole, I found that there was a Handicap Index, a Course Handicap, and a Playing Handicap. I have read GAM’s explanation several times and I still am not sure I fully understand it. I get why there are different handicaps. It even makes sense why those handicaps would change depending on the course. But figuring out the math? Well, remember sitting in Algebra class and saying I would never use it again? You were wrong. Graphic explains the differences and the math. Maybe you will do better than me. 😊 Click on image to enlarge.
Even though you are a member of GAM if your primary course is not, you will have to find a new “home” course that is a GAM member. For GAM/USGA to recognize the course they have to be a member of GAM and Course Rated by GAM. This is another whole ball of wax.
Course Ratings
Both public and private clubs may become members of GAM and request a Course Rating. The Course Rating is good for 10 years, GAM will re-rate the course every 10 years. An official Course Rating allows golfers to post their scores played at that facility to maintain their USGA Handicap Index. Gam provides the following as part of their Course Rating:
- Verified Yardage Measurements for each tee.
- Course Rating and Slope Rating for each tee
- Stroke Index (Handicap Hole Allocation) for Men and Women
- Ability to create “Hybrid or Combo” tee Ratings.
If you really want to know more about Course Ratings click here for the 10-page 2023 Edition of the GAM Course Rating Guide. It offers everything you will ever need to know about how a course gets a Course Rating.
Start the Process to Get Your Index
So, if you are a GAM member and your home course is a GAM member you can start the process to get your Handicap Index. To establish your Handicap Index, you need at least 3 18 scores or any combination of 9- and 18-hole scores that will equal 54 holes. They combine two 9-hole scores and show them at 18-hole scores. You can post scores from any GAM member course; it does not have to be just your home course.
It may seem like a lot of work just to get an official handicap, and maybe for most people it is. There is some benefit to having a Handicap Index. Many local tournaments open to amateurs require it as do many club tournaments.
GAM Membership
Besides being able to have an official handicap, a membership in GAM does have other benefits. They have several golf events that are less competitive than a traditional tournament. Save at other GAM member course and some stores. Even if you do not want the Handicap Index for $41 year, the other benefits may be worth it to you. You can join at Join the Gam.
What started out as a question took me down many interesting rabbit holes. There is still a lot more to learn. I am not promoting/recommending a GAM membership, that is your call. It is interesting everything that goes into getting an official handicap.
Even though they may laugh as I post scores, I am going to join and start the process. We will find out if Guy giving me a stroke a hole is fair or not. 😊
Golf Quote of the Month
Since we have been talking about handicaps, thought I would share this quote from Alice Cooper.
Alice Cooper is an avid golfer. He has been known to have a passion for the sport for many years. In fact, golf has been a significant hobby for him outside of his music career. Cooper has often been seen on golf courses, and he even participates in charity golf events and tournaments. His love for golf is well-documented. He has mentioned in interviews how he enjoys the relaxation and camaraderie that comes with the game.
Click here to see all the pictures we have taken of courses over the years.
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