Do I Need a Handicap for a Golf Trip?

Among the frequently asked questions received by our planning team, one in particular may seem like a rather trivial detail, but it has the potential to derail some of the most anticipated rounds of your trip.

Do I need a handicap for my golf trip?

The short answer is, yes. Before embarking on your Ireland or Scotland golf trips, you’ll want to ensure that your handicap is both established and current.

Why You Need a Handicap

Some of the marquee courses across the pond will not only ask to verify your handicap credentials before playing, but it will also need to fall below a set maximum.

The Old Course at St. Andrews requires all golfers to have a handicap of 36 or below. Muirfield and Royal Portrush Golf Club are a little more restrictive, requiring 24 and 18 respectively to play the course (24 for females at Royal Portrush).

You will be asked to present your handicap credentials at these clubs and possibly others throughout your trip. So be sure to pack either a paper copy in your bag, or a digital version on your smartphone.

In fact, it’s not a bad idea to have both.

How to Get a Handicap

If you don’t have a handicap, don’t worry. You’re far from alone. According to the National Golf Foundation, only about 9% of golfers in the United States carry an official handicap.

But there’s a couple relatively easy ways to establish a handicap before your trip.

• Speak to Your PGA Professional - Your home club or course should be able to establish a handicap for you. The USGA has provided this helpful Authorized Club Listing where you can verify your club’s participation.
• Join an Allied Golf Association - Many of the state and regional golf associations around the country administer handicaps on behalf of their members. You can find a list of Allied Golf Associations here.

Once you’ve established your handicap with either your club or association, don’t forget to post your scores. A minimum of 54 holes of posted scores are required in order to set your first handicap.

Ask your PGA Professional about the club’s procedure for posting scores. You can also download the official GHIN app, where you can post scores and access your handicap card right on your smartphone.

Finally, the USGA and R&A recently introduced the World Handicap System, which unified the handicapping process across the globe for the first time. This means that your scores during your H&B golf trip to Scotland, Ireland, and England can now count toward your official handicap.