With colder weather well underway and many courses across the country shifting into winter routines, it’s a great time to brush up on a few Handicapping terms. Whether you’re still playing, travelling south for a round or two, or simply preparing for next season, understanding these concepts will help you get the most out of your Handicap Index all year round.

1. Playing Conditions Calculation (PCC)

The Playing Conditions Calculation (PCC) becomes especially relevant during Canadian winter and shoulder seasons. PCC automatically recalibrates Score Differentials on days when course conditions are notably harder or easier than usual. If the scores posted that day show that players, as a group, performed worse than expected, the PCC may adjust by +1, +2, or +3. Conversely, if scoring was better than anticipated, it may adjust by -1.

The best part? PCC is fully automatic. Golfers and clubs don’t need to do anything. The system reviews results at the end of each day, helping to keep your Handicap Index accurate and fair, even with unpredictable conditions.

2. Active Season

Canada’s Active Seasons vary by province. The Active Season is the period during which course conditions are suitable for generating acceptable scores for handicapping purposes. Any score recorded within a specific province during its Active Season will be included in your Handicap Index.

To simplify this process, the Golf Canada Score Centre automatically recognizes the Active Season of the course being played. Golfers simply post their round, and the system handles the rest. For more information on Active Seasons, please click here.

3. Most Likely Score

The most likely score is used when a golfer begins a hole but doesn’t finish it. This is especially common during cold weather rounds when players pick up more often.

To determine your most likely score, take:

· The strokes you have already taken (including penalties), plus

· The estimated number of extra strokes you would likely require to complete the hole from your current position.

The Rules of Handicapping include recommended guidelines. For example, if you’re within 5 feet, add 1 stroke; if you’re between 5 and 20 feet, add 2 or 3 strokes.

For more details on the most likely score, see Rule 3.3 in the Rules of Handicapping.

4. Scoring Record

A common misconception is that rounds played during your home province’s inactive season shouldn’t be posted because they won’t count toward your Handicap Index. While it’s true that inactive season rounds don’t factor into your Index, you should still post them, especially if you’re travelling somewhere that is in an active season.

So even if your course is open but not in its active season, or you’re playing somewhere that is in their active season, be sure to post all your scores. This helps you maintain a complete scoring record, even if some rounds don’t directly impact your Handicap Index.

5. Simulator Golf

Simulator golf continues to expand across Canada as winter leagues and indoor facilities become more prevalent. While excellent for skill development, competition, and enjoyment, simulator rounds cannot be posted for handicap purposes.

Why not?

· Simulators don’t have official ratings

· Playing conditions are controlled rather than natural

· Although simulators can be highly accurate, it’s tough to replicate variables such as elevation change, firmness, wind, rough length, etc.

Though simulator scores do not count toward your Handicap Index, we strongly encourage golfers to use these facilities during the winter. For more information on the benefits of simulator golf and how to find a facility near you, please visit the homepage for our new Just Swing initiative.

As the leaves turn and golf courses across the country begin preparing for winter, we mark the end of the “active posting season” for many Canadian golfers. Under the Golf Canada Handicapping system, an active season is the period during which scores from rounds played on regional courses may be submitted for a golfer’s Handicap Index® and officially count.

In practical terms, this means that for provinces such as Ontario and Quebec, the active posting window typically runs from about April 15 to October 31.

With that window now closing, golfers at clubs across Canada must shift their thinking. Here’s what this seasonal change means—and what to keep in mind as the clubs wind down for winter.

Why an active/inactive season matters:

The rationale behind the delineation is simple: golf courses in the off-months often play under very different conditions—frost-hardened fairways, slower greens, shorter roll-out, tree leaf fall, wet spots—that diverge significantly from the “mid-season” conditions assumed when course ratings and slope ratings were set. Allowing scores from such conditions to count would risk distorting players’ handicap indexes—either inflating or deflating them unfairly.

For that reason, rounds played on courses that are in their inactive season will still be recorded (in many cases) but won’t be included in handicap calculations. This ensures a fairer reflection of a golfer’s ability under more typical playing conditions.

What golfers should do now:

With the active posting season ending in many regions, now’s the time to make sure all your rounds played during the window are posted if you haven’t already. Since every player is responsible for submitting acceptable scores during the active season, missing a late-season round could leave your record incomplete.

If you plan to travel to warmer climates or play somewhere with a year-round active season (for example some clubs in British Columbia or in the southern U.S.), those rounds can still be submitted—provided the host course is in its active season. So even as your home club closes out, your golf doesn’t necessarily have to stop.

What changes for your game and club?

From the club’s side, this time of year often signals the winding-down phase—fewer tournaments, course maintenance ramps up, tees and greens may be adjusted for winter conditions, and the pace of play may shift. For players, the focus may turn from competitive rounds to skillrefinement: indoor putting, swing work, lessons, or planning for next season.

Also, with posted rounds now finalised for the year, your Handicap Index® heading into winter is set. That gives you a baseline to work from for next season. During the “inactive” period you might still play—it’s just that those rounds typically won’t contribute to the index, so they serve more as practice or fun rather than ranking rounds.

Looking ahead to next season

With the active season behind us, it’s a good moment for reflection: review your stats for the year, set goals for next year (e.g., stroke reduction, improved short game, more fairways hit), and perhaps identify indoor or offseason training opportunities. Many clubs open lessons, simulator access or special winter programs precisely because the outdoor competitive calendar is winding down.

In short: the close of the active posting season isn’t the end of your golfseason life—it’s just the signal that for handicapping and official scoretracking purposes, the “clock” has been paused. Use the next months wisely: maintain your swing, play off-course golf, stay “dialled” so when Spring 2026 rolls around—you’re ready to hit the ground running.

One of the core principles of the World Handicap System (WHS) is fairness. For golfers of all skill levels to compete equitably, handicaps must reflect a player’s demonstrated ability as accurately as possible. A key part of achieving this is peer review — a principle that promotes transparency, accountability and integrity in the game.

What is peer review?

In the context of handicapping, peer review is the process by which fellow golfers, club members and club officials can view — and, if necessary, question — the scores a player submits for handicap purposes. It ensures that a player’s scoring record is open to reasonable scrutiny, promoting a culture of trust within the club.

The concept is simple: golf is largely self-regulated. With no referee overseeing every round, players are responsible for recording and attesting to scores in a manner that reflects the true spirit of the game. Peer review provides a safeguard within the self-managed system, allowing the golf community to support the integrity of each player’s scoring record.

What’s expected of golfers?

For peer review to work effectively, golfers are expected to:

• Submit all acceptable scores: This includes both competition and casual rounds played under the Rules of Golf, ensuring the Handicap Index is a true reflection of ability.
• Be truthful and transparent: Players should not manipulate scores to influence their handicap.
• Play by the Rules of Golf: Proper rules knowledge and consistent application ensure scores are fairly comparable across players and courses.
• Support fellow members: If there are irregularities or concerns with a player’s scoring record, golfers are encouraged to raise them constructively through the club’s handicap committee.
• Attest when required: In formal competitions, signing a fellow competitor’s scorecard is a direct form of peer review.
• Understand the Rules of Handicapping: A basic understanding of the WHS can help players know what should or shouldn’t be done on course or when posting a score.

Benefits to the club

Peer review strengthens the golfing community at your club in several ways:

• Promotes fairness: By discouraging manipulation and encouraging accountability, it ensures that competitions are won by ability rather than questionable handicaps.
• Builds trust: Knowing everyone is playing on a level field fosters confidence in the system and the club environment.
• Supports the handicap committee: Peer review provides the committee with valuable feedback, helping them address anomalies or investigate unusual scoring patterns.
• Encourages participation: When members trust the system, they are more likely to take part in competitions and club events.

Benefits to the World Handicap System

On a broader scale, peer review is fundamental to the integrity of the World Handicap System:

• It ensures a player’s Handicap Index is portable and meaningful worldwide.
• It provides a consistent, player-driven safeguard against misuse of the system.
• It maintains the reputation of the WHS as a fair and credible measure of golfing ability.

Golf has long been known as a game of honour. Peer review reinforces that tradition within the modern framework of the World Handicap System. By being open, honest and supportive of one another, golfers not only protect the integrity of their own handicap but also help sustain the fairness of the game at their club and around the world.

As the leaves turn and temperatures drop across the country, fall is one of the most scenic — and often favourite — times of year to be on the golf course. It also signals the approach of the end of the active season, which varies by province.

Before you pack up your clubs for winter, it’s important to know how fall golf can affect your Handicap Index under the World Handicap System (WHS).

Here are six things to keep in mind:

1. Active seasons vary by Province

The Active Season is the period when scores from your specified area are eligible for handicap purposes. These dates are based on when courses are typically in mid-season condition, as they were when rated.

Weather and course conditions can affect the accuracy of course ratings, which is why scores eventually become ineligible for handicap purposes. Even if the active season is over, you can still post your scores to your Golf Canada account, though they won’t be factored into your Handicap Index.

2. Playing Conditions Calculation (PCC)

Frost delays, soggy lies and swirling winds are all part of fall golf. Conditions can be unpredictable, but the Playing Conditions Calculation (PCC) helps account for tougher days.

PCC is an automatic process that compares daily scores against expected scoring patterns. If enough players post scores outside expectations from the same course on the same day, the WHS adjusts score differentials to reflect difficulty. The PCC only activates if at least eight rounds are posted from the same tee/course, so post your score the same day.

3. Preferred lies and wet fairways

When the ground gets damp, many clubs implement preferred lies (lift, clean and place) to ensure fair play. These rounds are still acceptable for handicap purposes under the WHS, as long as the local rule is in place and the round follows the Rules of Golf. When in doubt, check with the pro shop.

4. Shorter days means more 9-Hole and incomplete rounds

With less daylight in the fall, fitting in 18 holes can be a challenge. The WHS supports posting 9-hole rounds and incomplete rounds (10–17 holes).

As long as you play a full front or back nine, your score can be posted. You’ll receive a score differential for the holes played and the system will combine them to produce an 18-hole differential. Twilight nines are still a great way to keep scores in your record.

5. Playing on aerated greens

Many Canadian courses aerate their greens in the fall. While bumps and sand may affect putting, these scores are still valid.

Rounds played on aerated greens are acceptable, and a PCC adjustment may apply. It’s important to post these scores, even if conditions feel less than ideal.

6. Keep posting your scores

Fall golf in Canada can be both stunning and challenging. While the season may be short, those final rounds still matter in maintaining a fair and accurate Handicap Index.

Whether you’re playing competitively or just enjoying the last stretch of good weather, remember the WHS is designed to account for seasonal conditions.

So don’t put your clubs away just yet — post your scores, enjoy the colours and finish your season strong.

In golf, par is one of the most familiar — and sometimes misunderstood — terms. It’s more than just a number on a scorecard. Par is the benchmark that helps golfers measure performance, compare scores and set personal goals. Whether you’re logging a casual round with friends or competing in a tournament, knowing what par means can make the game more enjoyable and less intimidating.

What is par?

Par is the standard number of strokes a scratch golfer (a golfer with Handicap Index of 0.0) is expected to achieve on a hole under normal playing conditions. This includes two putts on the green plus the strokes needed to reach it from the tee.

• Par 3: One stroke to the green, two putts.

• Par 4: Two strokes to the green, two putts.

• Par 5: Three strokes to the green, two putts.

Guidelines for establishing par are outlined in the Rules of Handicapping and are determined mainly by hole length for each gender.

Why correct par values matter

With the World Handicap System (WHS), the assigned par for each hole — and for the course overall — carries weight well beyond tradition. Correct par values affect:

1. Course Handicap calculations: par is part of the formula that determines your Course Handicap. Wrong values can mean golfers aren’t receiving the right number of strokes.
2. Posting scores: your maximum hole score (net double bogey) is tied to par. Incorrect values can inflate or deflate a Handicap Index.
3. Tournament play: formats such as Stableford, scoreboards and competition fairness all rely on accurate par values.
4. Enjoyment and expectations: understanding par helps golfers set realistic goals and celebrate achievements.

Net par – a personal benchmark

While par reflects the standard for a scratch golfer, net par adjusts that benchmark for each player’s ability. It is calculated by adding the handicap strokes you receive to the hole’s par.

• A golfer with a Course Handicap of 18 receives one stroke per hole. On a par 4, a score of 5 is considered net par.
• A beginner who receives two strokes on a par 5 can take 7 and still record a net par.

Why net par matters

• Builds confidence: meeting your personal standard is a real accomplishment.
• Creates realistic goals: helps golfers focus on progress at their own pace.

• Makes the game more enjoyable: encourages healthy competition against yourself, not just against par.

Enjoy the game to its fullest

Focusing only on par can discourage newer or higher-handicap golfers. Net par reframes each hole as a personal challenge and allows every golfer to find success.

By understanding both par and net par, you can:

• Track improvement more meaningfully

• Compete fairly with players of different skill levels

• Celebrate the small wins that make golf so rewarding

Take the next step

Par and net par aren’t just numbers. They are tools to help you enjoy the game more. Make sure your club is using correct par values and that you’re posting scores accurately.

If you or your club have any questions about par, reach out to Golf Canada’s Memberships team or visit Golf Canada’s Handicap Resources to learn more.

Understanding par is the first step to playing your best—and enjoying golf to its fullest.

Course Ratings happen quietly in the background, but its impact is felt by every golfer, every day. They provide the foundation for fair handicapping, equitable tournament play, and consistent competition across all skill levels.

While your Provincial Golf Association is responsible for conducting and issuing Course and Slope Ratings, it’s valuable to understand how the process works and why it matters.

Understanding Course Rating and Slope Rating

Course Rating and Slope Rating might not be something golfers think about every day, but they shape the fairness and accuracy of play at your club.

• Course Rating measures the difficulty of the course for a scratch golfer (a player with a handicap of 0) under normal playing conditions.

• Bogey Rating measures the difficulty of the course for a bogey golfer (a player with a Handicap Index of approximately 20.0 -24.0).  The Bogey Rating is not commonly promoted but is essential when calculating the Slope Rating.

• Slope Rating compares the relative difficulty for a bogey golfer versus a scratch golfer.  It is effectively the slope of the line (rise/run) between the Course & Bogey Ratings when plotted on a graph.

Together, these ratings are core components of the World Handicap System, ensuring golfers of different skill levels can compete equitably.

How and When Course Ratings Are Conducted

Course Ratings are administered by trained volunteers from your Provincial Golf Association using standardized procedures from the World Handicap System.

• Ratings are valid for up to 10 years, but most courses are re-rated on an 8–9 year schedule.

• A re-rating is triggered sooner if major changes occur—such as altering yardages, redesigning holes, adding or removing hazards, or making substantial modifications to greens, bunkers, or tee boxes.

During a rating visit (or part of a pre-rating visit), teams:

• Measure and verify yardages for each tee

• Rate each tee for both genders (for both the scratch and bogey golfer)

• Consider factors that impact the effective playing length of the hole, including elevation, roll and doglegs/forced layups.

• Analyze landing zones based on shot distance and accuracy patterns and assess how obstacles affect difficulty.

• Assess obstacles, including bunkers, water hazards, rough, trees, penalty areas, and green speed.

Preparing for a Course Rating Visit & What to Expect Afterwards

Club staff play a key role in supporting a successful rating process. Ahead of the visit:

• Your Provincial Association or a Course Rating Team Leader will reach out to verify information about the course, which could include:

• Any changes made to the course since the last rating,

• Course maintenance practices (mower heights, watering schedules, etc.).

• A date will be scheduled for the Course Rating Team to visit the course (this may also include a pre-visit where initial measurements are collected).

Once the rating is completed:

• The Course & Slope Rating will be calculated for each set of tees (for each gender).

• These ratings are reviewed by the Course Rating Team and Provincial Golf Associations before being released to the club.

• The Golf Canada Score Centre is updated with the new ratings

• As part of the Course Rating process, you will also have access to recommended Stroke Index Allocations, which are based on Course Rating data.

Why Accurate Ratings Matter to Your Club

Course maintenance practices can impact the accuracy of the Course & Slope Ratings, so it is important for course set up and conditions to reflect the normal conditions as much as possible.  Any significant differences should be communicated to the Provincial Golf Associations to determine if an adjustment is required.

Accurate Course and Slope Ratings are more than just numbers—they’re the foundation for fairness, trust, and compliance:

• They ensure handicaps reflect true playing ability, and that a Handicap Index is portable for competition outside of your club.

• Helps Maintain fairness and credibility in tournaments

• Your club stays in good standing with your Provincial Golf Association and the World Handicap System.

If you have questions or concerns regarding your Course & Slope Ratings —or think a re-rating might be necessary—contact your Provincial Association for guidance, clarification and next steps.

Golf thrives on fairness, integrity, and inclusivity—values that are upheld by the Rules of Handicapping, a key component of the World Handicap System (WHS). These rules ensure handicaps are calculated and maintained accurately, allowing players of all skill levels to compete equitably and enjoy the game.  They rely on everyone (Handicap Committees, golfers, club staff and event organizers) to play their role and ensure the integrity of the World Handicap System.

To ensure proper understanding & knowledge, the certification program is designed to educate individuals on how handicaps work and the role everyone plays in maintaining them. This includes topics such as:

• What a Handicap Index is and how it ensures equitable play
• The role of the Handicap Committee, golf club staff and golfers in upholding the Rules of Handicapping
• Acceptability of scores for handicap purposes
• Properly adjusting hole scores (when needed)
• What to do if you have a question or concern about your Handicap Index or a fellow golfers’

Completing the Rules of Handicapping certification is critical for Handicap Committee members, players and club officials who want to ensure the game remains fair and transparent.  Certified individuals are better equipped to manage their own handicaps and support best practices at their clubs.

Moreover, the certification strengthens the governance and integrity of the game. Handicap Committees rely on certified individuals to enforce correct procedures, review anomalies, and maintain the integrity of handicap records. Without proper understanding of the rules, inconsistencies and misunderstandings can undermine confidence in the system.

Benefits for Club Officials (Handicap Committee, Club Staff, Event/League organizers)

• Accurate Handicap Oversight through properly trained Handicap Committee members.
• Equitable Competition across all club events with accurate and validated Handicap Indexes.
• Greater Credibility and Trust among members through transparent score management.
• Improved Customer Service with informed staff and volunteers ready to support players and resolve issues.
• Support for Inclusive Play by promoting a system that adjusts for skill level, gender, age, and ability.
• Enhanced Club Reputation for upholding the values of the game.
• Compliance with Golf Canada’s handicap system policies and governance requirements.

Benefits for Golfers

• Understanding How Your Handicap Works—know exactly how your Index is calculated and updated.
• Confidence in Competition with assurance that everyone is playing by the same standards.
• Equitable Play regardless of skill level, thanks to adjustments made through the system.
• Improved Score Management through accurate and timely posting of rounds.
• Contribution to a Fair Golfing Community by being informed, responsible, and participating in Peer Review.

To complete the Rules of Handicapping certification, please watch the online seminar and complete the certification quiz –free and available at your convenience!  For more information about the Rules of Handicapping, please visit our website at www.golfcanada.ca/handicapping.

The Playing Conditions Calculation (PCC) is one of the many tools that make the World Handicap System more dynamic and equitable. While largely invisible to the casual golfer, it plays a crucial role behind the scenes, ensuring your handicap truly reflects your ability—not just the luck of the weather.  The PCC is a statistical adjustment designed to account for unusual playing conditions. But what exactly is the PCC, and how does it work?

What is the PCC?

The Playing Conditions Calculation is a daily statistical analysis conducted based on golfers’ scores to reflect how much easier or harder the course played on a specific day. It recognizes that factors like weather, course conditions and course setup can influence scoring, and changes the players’ Score Differentials accordingly to reflect that the course played differently from how the Course & Slope Ratings were determined.

How Does the PCC Work? The PCC is automatically calculated in the Golf Canada Score Centre at the end of each day using all the scores posted at a given course. It analyzes how players performed relative to their expected performance based on their handicaps and the Course & Slope Ratings.

Here’s a breakdown of how it functions:

• It is applied automatically— the only thing that golfers need to do is post their score before midnight!
• The system gathers all scores posted to the course (for all sets of tees) on a given day.
• A minimum of 8 acceptable scores (by golfers with a Handicap Index of 36.0 or less) must be posted for the day.
• It calculates how those scores compare to what would normally be expected.
• If a statistically significant difference is observed (suggesting the course played much harder or easier), a PCC value is determined and included in the Score Differential calculation for that day.
• The adjustment can range from -1.0 to +3.0 strokes.
  • A minus PCC value (-1.0) indicates that the course played easier than normal

A positive PCC value (+1.0, +2.0, + 3.0) indicates that the course played more difficult than normal.

If a PCC value is determined, it is factored into the Score Differential calculation.  When a PCC value applies, you will see a hat (“^”) beside the Score Differential in your Golf Canada Scoring Record.  For a detailed explanation of how a Score Differential is calculated, you can also click on the value under the “Diff” column.

Why Is the PCC Important?

The goal of the PCC is to recognize that playing conditions impact the relative quality of a score.  Without this adjustment, scores recorded in especially tough conditions could unfairly inflate a player’s handicap, while scores in ideal conditions could deflate it.

For example:  A score of 85 made in challenging conditions might be a better demonstration of ability compared to a score of 85 made in good conditions.

The R&A and the USGA have put together a survey about the World Handicap System (WHS™) and you are invited to participate.

Your honest feedback and insights are invaluable to the ongoing review of the Rules of Handicapping™ and the Course Rating System™, which have accuracy, consistency and equity as core principles – as well as enhancing the enjoyment of the game of golf for everyone. 

This is a global survey, and all individual responses are confidential and anonymous.

Please click on the link below to start the survey:

START SURVEY

An Active Season is the period of time when acceptable scores from a specified area should be submitted for handicap purposes.  The Rules of Handicapping stipulates that every player is responsible for submitting all acceptable scores into one’s scoring record for rounds played on courses during the active season.

It is the responsibility of authorized provincial golf association to declare active and inactive seasons, with area clubs and players required to observe these dates for score posting purposes. To make this process easier, the Golf Canada Score Centre automatically considers the active season of the course being played when a score is posted and whether it should be included in calculating a player’s Handicap Index.

In Canada, the active season in each province is as follows:

BC =     Mar.1 – Nov.15
AB =     Mar.1 – Oct.31
SK =     Apr.15 – Oct.31
MB =    Apr.15 – Oct.31
ON =    Apr.15 – Oct.31
QC =    Apr.15 – Oct.31
NS =     Apr.15 – Oct.31
NB =     Apr.21 – Oct.31
PE =     Apr.16 – Nov.14
NL =     Apr.1 – Nov. 30

(NOTE:  Some Lower mainland and Vancouver Island courses may observe a year-round active season). For a list of clubs observing a year-round active season, please contact BC Golf

Scores made at any golf course observing an inactive season are not acceptable for handicap calculation purposes. This is because course conditions during inactive seasons are not consistent with the way that the Course & Slope Ratings were determined, which can impact the accuracy of a player’s Handicap Index.

Scores made at a golf course in an area observing an active season must be posted for handicap purposes, even if the golf club where the player is a member is observing an inactive season. The club’s Handicap Committee must make it possible for a player to post these away scores at the beginning of the active season.

It’s important to note that if you are travelling to other countries or regions, you should confirm their active seasons to ensure all acceptable scores are posted. Your home club needs all acceptable scores (even if played during a Canadian “off-season”) to ensure that your Handicap Index is accurate and reflects your demonstrated ability.

For example, if a player belonging to a golf club in Ontario plays golf in Florida (which observes a year-round active season) during January, any score(s) made in Florida are acceptable and must be submitted to the player’s scoring record. If the player is also a member of a golf club in Florida and Ontario, it is important to remember that all acceptable scores must be posted to each scoring record.  The Golf Canada Score Centre has tools available to link Canadian and USGA accounts, so that a score posted to one account is automatically transferred to the other.  For more information, or to set up this link, please contact members@golfcanada.ca or phone 1-800-263-0009 X399.

For a detailed list of active and inactive schedule in the United States, click here.

For more information on handicapping, click here.

TO ENTER YOUR SCORES FOR AN OFFICIAL HANDICAP, BECOME A GOLF CANADA MEMBER HERE.