Review of GolfSoftware Online Handicap System

We have been testing the online handicap system from GolfSoftware.com now for the last 6 weeks on a 60 day free trial basis. This online system provides an easy to use and comprehensive handicap management system for a large group of golfers. The advantage of this online system is the ability to have a number of Admins who can update and input golfer information and scores and is not dependent on a single computer installation of the software. Also it allows all golfers in the group to access their golfing scores and statistics and print out their updated USGA handicap which is obviously very useful when playing at other groups or golf courses who require an "official" handicap card.

A brief overview is given below about the system. For full details of the Handicap System you can read here: http://www.golfsoftware.com/products/hs/online-golf-handicap-tracker.aspx

Course Information

The GolfSoftware system has a large database with detailed course information. There are already many golf courses in Malaysia on the system with full details of rating and slope for each course and each tee position.

However if the course is not in the system you can add or edit courses with all the relevant hole distances, par, index and course rating and slope.

Golfers

Up to 100 golfers can be entered into the system so individual golfer information and scores can be maintained. Different rosters can be used so for example you may have different groups that you manage so the system can handle this. In our case I have an active Loose Cannons roster with an additional roster for players who are not active.

Individual scores can be entered for each player with course played, date and gross score. Once player information and scores are entered you can calculate the handicaps of all players (or individuals) on a routine automatic basis or d this calculation manually by clicking one button.

Handicap Calculation

The handicaps are calculated using USGA rules and the calculation is as follows:

1. Handicap Setup is as follows ...
The table below is used to determine the number of handicap differentials to use :
Number of Acceptable Scores Differential(s) to be Used 5 or 6 Lowest 1 7 or 8 Lowest 2 9 or 10 Lowest 3 11 or 12 Lowest 4 13 or 14 Lowest 5 15 or 16 Lowest 6 17 Lowest 7 18 Lowest 8 19 Lowest 9 20 Lowest 10	Stuart has 20 scores so the highlighted parameters are used to determine which scores to use for handicapping
2. The Differentials for these scores are calculated...

Date	Adjusted Grs Score	Score Type	Course Played	Tee	Course Rating	Course Slope	Differential	Used
9/3/2013	96		Bukit Kemuning	White	70.5	115	25.1
8/27/2013	90		Staffield Resort - N&S Course	White	70.7	128	17.0	Used
8/20/2013	97		Port Klang Golf Resort	Blue	72.3	126	22.2
8/13/2013	95		Bukit Tinggi Golf & Country Club	White	68.4	129	23.3
8/6/2013	96		IOI Palm Garden	Blue	70.2	128	22.8
7/30/2013	91		Tropicana E1/W3	White	70.2	126	18.7	Used
7/23/2013	93		KGSAAS	White	69.0	128	21.2	Used
7/16/2013	90		Kota Permai Golf & Country Club	White	72.0	113	18.0	Used
7/9/2013	89		Bukit Unggul Country Club	White	70.5	115	18.2	Used
7/2/2013	95		Rahman Putra	White	71.9	129	20.2	Used
5/28/2013	96		Staffield Resort - N&S Course	White	70.5	115	25.1
5/21/2013	87		Bukit Kemuning	White	70.5	115	16.2	Used
5/14/2013	92		Saujana Impian G. & C.C.	White	70.5	115	21.1	Used
4/29/2013	92		IOI Golf Resort	White	67.7	112	24.5
4/16/2013	94		KGSAAS	White	69.0	128	22.1
4/11/2013	97		Orna - East/West Course	White	70.5	115	26.0
4/2/2013	94		Bukit Unggul Country Club	White	70.5	115	23.1
3/12/2013	86		KRTU	White	71.0	130	13.0	Used
3/5/2013	95		Saujana Impian G. & C.C.	White	70.5	115	24.1
2/26/2013	86		Bukit Unggul Country Club	White	70.5	115	15.2	Used

	The equation for calculating a differential is ...
	Diff = (Adjusted Gross Score - Rating) X (113 / Slope)
3. Use the differentials to calculate a USGA Index
Differentials 'used' are added together...
178.8 = 17.0 + 18.7 + 21.2 + 18.0 + 18.2 + 20.2 + 16.2 + 21.1 + 13.0 + 15.2
Then divide the total number used
Average differentials = 178.8 / 10  = 17.880
Multiply average by 96%.
USGA Index = 17.880 x 0.96         USGA Index = 17.1 (Digits after tenths place are deleted)
Final USGA Index = 17.1 Individual golfers have the ability to review their scores online and download a copy of their handicap card for printing.

Reporting

Many useful statistical reports can be generated to track player performance and current handicaps. For example the table below shows the Most Improved Golfer over a specific period of time. Custom reports can also be designed for your won use.

Online Files

There is also a facility for uploading files onto the system to share with all golfers. For our group I have uploaded the weekly results for reference as well as the current updated Loose Cannons master spreadsheet with all the player info and handicaps. I also have prepared some user notes for the running of the online system and the updating procedure for the spreadsheet.

E-Mail/Message

There is a utility to be able to mass e-mail all the players in the roster or message them which is useful for the routine sharing of information or sending updates.

Summary

I believe that this online web system from GolfSoftware is an ideal method to track all our golfing activities and importantly calculate an official USGA handicap for all players on a routine basis. In this way there can be no arguments on anyone's handicap. because it is an online system it is easily accessible by all players and the Admins who will run the system therefore not relying on a single person or single software installation on someone's computer.

There is a web based system (the system we have been testing) or a desktop system. The advantage of the web based system is easy access from many different computers, iPads, iPhones, etc and access by many people. There are different pricing schemes depending on how many golfers to be managed - we would need the 50-100 golfer system.

The annual cost for a 100 player web based handicap system is 240USD and I would recommend to the group that we commit to this system for our routine ongoing handicap monitoring and player management.