Over the course of 2021, we saw healthy growth in the number of affiliated golfers, with a 4,3% increase in golfers on our system. We also saw a 1,9% increase in the number of rounds registered, meaning that not only are more golfers playing, but golfers are playing more often.
In light of the high number of new and returning golfers on the HNA Handicap system, this month we provide a brief summary of the process that should be followed in order to successfully enter scores on the system.
Before your round
1. Open your round
Golfers are obliged to ensure that a round is opened on the HNA system before play. Most rounds are opened by the Club when you check in, but you can open a round on the Handicap Terminal at the club, on the HNA website or on the free HNA phone App.
Rounds not opened before play will be flagged on the system and reported to the club’s Handicap Committee for further investigation.
2. Look up your Course Handicap for the round
Each course and each tee potentially present you with a different Course Handicap, so it is important to make sure you check your Course Handicap before you play.
You can easily do this via the HNA Handicaps & Tournament App, the HNA website or through the handicap terminals at golf clubs.
During your round
3. Ensure you apply the maximum score rule correctly
The maximum score for each hole is limited to a Net Double Bogey, which is equal to the par of the hole + two strokes (double bogey) + any handicap strokes you are entitled to receive on that hole, based on your Course Handicap. Put another way, this is the score on which you earn zero Stableford points.
Examples
If a golfer has a Course Handicap of 18, they get 1 handicap stroke per hole, so they must enter a maximum score of 3 over par on any hole where they blow out.
If a golfer has a handicap of 9, then on stroke holes 1 to 9 they must enter a maximum score of 3 over par on those holes if they blow out and, on stroke holes 10 to 18, a maximum of 2 over par.
After your round
4. Close your round
All valid rounds, played with a marker and under the Rules of Golf, must be entered on the HNA system. This includes all Match Play scores.
Scores can be entered via the HNA mobile App, at any handicap terminal, online via the ‘Golfer Login’ section of the HNA website or by contacting your home club’s handicap administrator.
If you have played fewer than nine holes, then you must enter a ‘No Return’ (NR) on the system, which will have no effect on your Handicap Index. If you have played more than nine holes but fewer than 14 holes, add net par for the unfinished holes plus one additional stroke for the first hole not played. If you have played 14 or more, but fewer than 18, then you can enter par for each unfinished hole plus any handicap strokes you were entitled to receive for the holes you did not play.
You can also select hole-by-hole when submitting an unfinished round on the HNA App, terminal or website. Then, once you press ‘Submit Score’ after, for example, 14 holes, the system will prompt you with a message saying, ‘You are about to submit an incomplete round.’ If you then press ‘Enter’, the system will complete your score for you by allocating par plus or minus any Course Handicap strokes you would have had on the remaining holes.
Golfers are requested to enter their scores as soon as possible after the completion of the round, and before midnight, on the day of play. This is important for the Playing Conditions Calculation, which is calculated overnight.
The HNA system automatically applies a late score entry penalty for any score entered more than 24 hours after midnight on the day of play.
Quote of the Month
“A kid grows up a lot faster on the golf course. Golf teaches you how to behave.” – Jack Nicklaus.