Tournament Handicaps

Verifying Golf Handicaps

Over the past 16 years the Pacific Amateur Golf Classic has grown to be the premier amateur golf event in the West, where every participant has an equal and fair opportunity to be crowned the Lithia PacAm Champion.

Assigning Tournament Handicaps

Participants in the competitive net divisions will compete using an assigned Tournament Handicap. This handicap is calculated using one of two methods and may be adjusted by the Handicap Committee during the event at any time.

  • The lowest Handicap from recent history. The Handicap Committee may assign a handicap from a previous month if it deems the participants historical handicap is a better representation of scoring potential. This is the most commonly used method for Handicap assignment.
  • A calculated Tournament Handicap calculated by using past Pacific Amateur tournament scores and scores from other Tournaments. Tournament scores (especially those from the Pacific Amateur) are weighted more heavily in the calculations to help prevent golfers from having “repeat career rounds” during tournaments.

*The tournament committee reserves the right to adjust Handicaps at any time during the event.

Handicap Requirements

All entrants must have an established USGA Handicap Index prior to September 1, 2013. Players should contact their local PGA professional for assistance in establishing a USGA Handicap Index. If a player maintains two Handicaps, the lower USGA Handicap must be used.

All participants are required to notify tournament officials prior to on-site registration if there has been a change in their Handicap. A valid USGA Handicap reflects all golf scores regardless of the course or conditions, and must be formulated according to the guidelines established by the USGA. Any unusual posting procedures, such as ceasing to post scores for a period leading up to the event, may be grounds for disqualification. Any participant found using a fraudulent Handicap will be expelled from the tournament and all fees will be forfeited.

To ensure that the integrity of the event remains unblemished, we require all participants to submit a full score and Handicap history. This information should clearly show each participant’s current Handicap index and their handicap history for the current year.

The PacAm Handicap Committee will use this information to help in assigning each participant a Tournament Handicap Index.

The tournament will be conducted using the USGA Handicap System. Based on an assigned Tournament Handicap Index, each entrant will play their tournament rounds with a daily Handicap determined by the USGA Slope Rating of that entrant’s assigned golf course.

International Participant Handicaps

International handicaps are reviewed on an individual basis. In most cases, a corresponding USGA Handicap is calculated for the individual to use in the Pacific Amateur. The participant will need to provide a complete scoring history to the Handicap Committee. The committee will use this score history to determine the participant’s Tournament Handicap for the Pacific Amateur Golf Classic. If adequate score history can not be provided, the participant’s Handicap will be considered invalid and will not be accepted for tournament play.