GSGA Handicap Lookup
by GSGA/GHIN Number or Name

In recent years there have been important changes to the definition of “peer review” and in how an individual’s scoring record may be accessed by those involved in peer review. These changes were made in response to questions raised by some golf clubs that have had the handicap scoring records of some of their members accessed by individuals who were using the information for reasons unrelated to the peer review element of the USGA Handicap System.

The new definition of “peer review” is the ability of golfers to gain an understanding of a player’s potential ability and to form a reasonable basis for supporting or disputing a score that has been posted (emphasis added). There are two essential elements of “peer review.”

1. Members of a golf club must have a reasonable and regular opportunity to play together.
2. Access must be provided to scoring records, as well as to a Handicap Index list, for inspection by others, including, but not limited to, fellow club members. 


There are now two forms of scoring record display:

2. A “complete” scoring record must be additionally available for a golfer’s fellow club members, the club’s Handicap Committee and competition officials of any competition in which the golfer is going to participate. A “complete” scoring record also requires that the day of the round be shown and it should* name the course. In order to access a golfer’s “complete” scoring record, his GSGA or GHIN membership number must be entered in the handicap lookup areas noted above.

* A “complete” scoring record for a member of a Type 3 club (non-real estate club where members have no prior affiliation) must display the name of the course where each round is played.

In summary, 1) a “general” scoring record contains the same information as a “complete” scoring record, less the specific day and course name for each score and 2) in order to access the “complete” scoring record, the membership number must be known.

These changes may be found in the USGA Handicap System manual for 2008-2011 on page 10 of the Definitions section and in Decisions 6-3/1, 6-3/3 and 6-3/4 on pages 45-46 in Section 6. The GSGA Handicap Department is available to answer any questions you may have on this matter.