When we teamed up with Milton Grant aka 831Golf, the goal was simple: clear up the confusion around Handicap Indexes and show why every golfer — new, experienced, casual, or competitive — should have one.

His video is fun, authentic, and packed with truth. And at its core is a message more golfers need to hear:

Your Handicap Index isn’t a label. It’s a tool — for fairness, for fun, and for getting better.

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Let’s break down why that matters.

What Is a Handicap Index? A Golf Essential (Not a Mystery)

A Handicap Index is a numerical snapshot of your golfing potential.

Not your average score. Not your best score ever.

Instead, it’s calculated from your most recent rounds and shows what you’re capable of shooting on a good day.

The NCGA — and the World Handicap System™ — use your scores, course difficulty, and slope to create a number that travels with you from course to course. Whether you’re playing a breezy 9-hole muni or a championship track, your handicap adjusts so you can compete fairly.

Why 831Golf Says EVERY Golfer Should Have One

In the collab video, Grant calls out the biggest misconception in golf:

“You don’t need to be a good golfer to have a Handicap Index.”

And he's right.

A Handicap Index isn’t reserved for scratch players or tournament golfers.

It’s for:

  • New golfers learning the game

  • Weekend regulars playing with friends

  • Members joining leagues or club events

  • Competitors entering NCGA qualifiers

  • Anyone who wants to track their progress

Your Handicap Index is one of the most inclusive parts of the sport.

Handicap Indexes Create Fair Competition — and More Fun

Imagine playing a match with someone far better or far less experienced than you. Without a Handicap Index, that round probably doesn’t feel very even.

With a Handicap Index?

Suddenly the match is competitive, exciting, and fair.

That’s the beauty of the Handicap Index — it balances the field so golfers of different skill levels can compete on equal ground.

Whether it’s a friendly $5 Nassau or a club championship qualifier, a handicap ensures every golfer has a legitimate chance. That’s what keeps the game fun.

Your Handicap Index Tracks Your Improvement

One of the reasons golfers love the game is because there’s always room to grow — and a Handicap Index makes that progress visible.

Watching your Handicap Index go down is one of the most rewarding feelings in golf.

And when it goes up?

That’s the game telling you where to focus your practice.

It’s like a fitness tracker for your swing:

  • More accurate than guessing

  • Consistent across different courses

  • Motivating to follow month after month

Grant calls it “the scoreboard of your personal golf journey” — a perfect way to think about it.

Why the NCGA Makes It Easy

If you’re in Northern California, getting an official Handicap Index through the NCGA is simple — and comes with extra benefits:

  • GHIN Handicap Index scoring access

  • NCGA events and tournaments

  • Member Perks & Discounts and preferred rates at Poppy Hills & Poppy Ridge

  • Golf news, rules resources, and education

  • A golf community that spans all of Northern California

The collab makes it clear: the NCGA isn’t just about competitive golf — it’s about helping every golfer enjoy the game more.

Golfers
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Get A Handicap Index

Joining an NCGA club is the fastest way to get your Handicap Index and start tracking your game. Join today, post your first scores, and you’ll be official in no time.

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Final Takeaway: Your Handicap Index Is a Bridge, Not a Barrier

The message from Grant x NCGA lands perfectly:

A Handicap Index doesn’t divide golfers. It connects them.

It makes the game more fair.

It makes the game more fun.

And it helps you grow — no matter where you are in your journey.

So if you’ve been avoiding getting a Handicap Index because you think you’re not “good enough,” think again.

You’re exactly who it’s for.