In the past few months, if you’ve played golf in Canada and you’ve been entering your scores into the Golf Canada Handicap System, those scores have probably not counted towards your Golf Canada Handicap Factor.
In Canada, each province has an “active season” in which players should register their golf scores to establish a legitimate Golf Canada Handicap Factor. Through the Golf Canada Score Center, players are able to post rounds played at golf clubs during an inactive season, and are encouraged to do so, but keep in mind that those scores will not count towards their handicap factor.
Over the years, provincial golf associations have factored in numerous parameters to determine their active seasons; this helps to ensure that the majority of posted scores are consistent to establish accuracy and fairness. co With that in mind, Golf NB, in conjunction with Golf Canada, has established the active golf season for New Brunswick as May 1st through October 31st on an annual basis.
That being said, it is important to remember that scores from any golf course in areas that are observing an active season must be posted for handicap purposes; even if it is the inactive season here in New Brunswick. If you are one of the thousands of New Brunswickers who has made their annual pilgrimage to the Southern United States, you will still need to report your scores to your Canadian golf club – even if it is currently buried under a foot of snow.
While your club’s Handicap Committee must make it possible for players to post their away scores at the beginning of the active season. Golf NB & Golf Canada are happy to help, allowing players to post scores through golfcanada.ca, golfnb.ca or through Golf Canada’s mobile app, available here.
When travelling to other countries, be aware of their active seasons to makes sure that you report all acceptable scores. Your home club needs all acceptable scores to ensure your handicap factor is up-to-date and accurate when it is recalculated at the beginning of the upcoming season.
A detailed list of active and inactive seasons in the United States can be found here.
For additional information on handicapping, click here.