FAQs

Yes, there is an annual membership fee of $99. This membership includes the following benefits:

Access to the HHGC Community
Ability to communicate with fellow members via internal chat channels
The ability to book tee times with HHGC members
Invitations to HHGC social events
Invitations to HHGC social golf events
Participation in HHGC Majors Golf Events
Eligibility for HHGC Growler Cup Season-Long Standings
SCGA Membership (a $36 value)
USGA GHIN number
Access to SCGA Events and Perks
A member sign-up gift

I’d like to become an HHGC member. And as part of the membership I see it includes an official “Form Your Own Club” membership to SCGA (a $36 value and includes a GHIN number). What happens if I’m already a member of SCGA and have a GHIN number and I join HHGC?

That’s great that you are already an SCGA member and have an established GHIN number (handicap). You have two options of joining HHGC.

Joining a different club just before your existing club membership expires (SCGA notifies you in advance via email regarding each club membership) ensures continuous service and benefits – You can join any club of your choice. In all cases, you will be able to use the same GHIN number to reactivate your membership at your new club.
Joining an additional club while in the middle of membership with another club – This results in paying each club for its membership fees. In this scenario you are considered a multi-club member from an SCGA perspective, which would make you eligible to apply for the SCGA multi-member rebate at scga.org/rebate.

The SCGA states “whether a golfer belongs to one club or five, in California or in another state, they must use the same Handicap ID/GHIN number for their respective club memberships”. Reference: ONE MEMBER, ONE HANDICAP NUMBER

Do I have to be an HHGC member to play in HHGC Social Golf events?

No, you don’t need to be a member to play in any of the Social Golf events. However, we would love for you to join HHGC as a member and join our community of golf enthusiasts.

Do I have to be an HHGC member to join HHGC Social (non-golf) events?

No. We welcome everyone (including families) to join us for our happy hours and outings. We love seeing kids running around. We have a bunch of kids of our own as well.

Who can play in HHGC Majors events?

Any HHGC member can play in the Majors events.

In HHGC golf events where player rankings are involved (competitive and non-competitive), a NET score is calculated based on the SCGA handicap system (GHIN). Why is this used?

HHGC has a wide-range of golfers in the club. We have the seasoned golfer who has been playing for many years. We also have the newer golfers who are still improving their game. We aren’t all at the same playing ability. But what we all do share is the love of getting out there and hearing the sound of a pure shot. That’s what keeps us coming back time and time again. And for this reason, we use the GHIN handicap system to level the playing field in our competitive events.

Here is the SCGA’s explanation of the handicap index:

A Handicap Index is a number used to represent your potential scoring ability, which is always expressed as a number taken to one decimal place (e.g. 10.4). This number is used to calculate how many strokes you would potentially need to adjust your score back to par, and allows golfers of all skill levels to compete on an even playing field. For more information about the handicap index click here.

Here is the SCGA’s reason why you need a handicap:

By playing with a Handicap Index, you can compete with golfers of any skill level without having to give out strokes arbitrarily. By using a Handicap Index, you can compete against your own potential scoring ability instead of other golfer’s scores.

SCGA Blog: Top 10 Reasons To Have A Handicap Index:

Level the playing field
Play in local competitions that require a Handicap Index
Win prizes in charity tournaments
Assessment of skill level and progress
Be legit
Accurate reflection of how well you played vs. the course
Understand the scorecard
Stop losing money
Have confidence around the water cooler
If it’s good enough for A-list celebrities, it’ll work for you.

I see that most of the HHGC Golf events use handicaps and NET scores. Can I play in an HHGC event if I don’t have a handicap? If yes, how will my NET score be calculated after the round of golf?

HHGC does use a NET score (leveraging your handicap) to score your round. If you do not have a handicap, this is handled in one of three ways:

You may enter your previous scores into GHIN to get hcp calculated.
You may give HHGC your most recent five (5) scores (as well as the golf courses you played) and HHGC can calculate your handicap (https://golfhandicapcalculator.com/).
If you absolutely don’t have the scores (and golf courses played) of your last five (5) rounds, you will be listed as a scratch golfer for the HHGC golf event. You will have no benefit of a handicap for your final score. After the golf event, you will end up with a calculated handicap and begin using that for future HHGC events.

What is the HHGC Growler Cup?

The HHGC Growler Cup is a season-long player ranking system based on points. You accumulate points by playing in qualified HHGC golfing events. At the end of the season, HHGC members will be ranked based on their season points total. At the end of the season we will have the HHGC Growler Cup Championship Golf Tournament. And based where you rank

Who is eligible to take part in the HHGC Growler Cup points system?

Only HHGC members are eligible to take part in the HHGC Growler Cup points system.

How does the HHGC Growler Cup points system work?

You will earn HHGC Growler Cup points after each qualified round you play. The scoring for an individual round is the difference between your NET score from 200. If you shoot a 95 (but with your handicap the NET score is 81), you take 81 from 200. So your HHGC Growler Cup points total for the round will be 119.

We will track each qualified HHGC round’s Growler Cup points total. At the end of the season, we will take your best three rounds and add them together. This will make up your Growler Cup season points total and will be used to determine your standing among all other HHGC members.

How is the HHGC Growler Cup standings used for the HHGC Club Championship?

The order of the Growler Cup standings will determine how the HHGC Club Championship will be weighted. This weight will be based on the Growler Cup season standings:

First place starts at even
Second place starts at +1
Third place starts at +2
Fourth place starts at +3
etc…

The season standings give a slight advantage to the better finishers on the season.

Are there any golfing events worth more than others when it comes to the HHGC Growler Cup points system?

No golfing event will be worth more than others as it pertains to the Growler Cup points. But, the Majors events will have Bonus Points for how you finish.

How are Bonus Points earned at Majors events?

Bonus Points are based on where you finish in the Majors event. Points are given in reverse order. If there are 15 players, first place will be 15 points, second place 14, and so on ending with last place with 1 point. Bonus points at Majors events may encourage HHGC members to play in the event to score extra Growler Cup points.

How do I qualify to play in the HHGC Club Championship?

You must be an HHGC member and play in a minimum of three (3) HHGC golf events to qualify to play in the HHGC Club Championship.