Cap Patrol
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of Cap Patrol?
Cap Patrol is a tool to help golf clubs promote fair play in net competition.
Cap Patrol has become the industry standard for helping committees monitor golf activity, enforce World Handicap System (WHS) guidelines, and identify individuals who may be regularly performing at a higher level than their handicap in net competition.
Without Cap Patrol, a handicap committee often relies on human judgment and anecdotal evidence to question or adjust handicaps—an inherently subjective process that can create tension among members. Cap Patrol replaces these delicate conversations with data-supported insights and adjustment recommendations.
What data sources does the system use?
PMGA net event performance
Detailed GHIN/WHS Scoring History
How does it work?
Cap Patrol analyzes multiple performance factors, including:
A player’s potential or ability in recent rounds and tournaments
Variance between home and away performance
Differences between casual and competitive scores
Results and placement in club-sponsored tournaments
This data is run through a proprietary algorithm to deliver a Cap Score which determines if the player is in need of an adjustment. Adjustments are made only to PMGA net tournaments and are temporary.
In the PMGA, we have taken a conservative approach to adjustments, and are only made when a player’s Cap Score is below 40 and in the “full adjustment” threshold (<40) and only if the adjustment is more than one stroke.
How is the Cap Score calculated?
The proprietary algorithm analyzes 45 distinct data points, including:
Potential: Performance in recent casual vs. tournament rounds.
Location Variance: Scoring differences between Home vs. Away rounds.
Historical Trends: High and low handicap indexes over the last 12 months.
Tournament History: Performance in club events over a rolling 27-month period. Tournaments' EPS weighting is affected by its designation as a major or minor tournament and field size.
Can I see where my or a fellow golfer’s Cap Score is?
Yes, we make the Cap Score Report available for review at the club. The Cap Patrol mobile app is also a good source of data.
What factors lead to an adjustment?
Cap Patrol evaluates multiple data points to determine if a golfer’s current index accurately reflects their ability, including:
Frequent top finishes in net events over the past 27 months (high EPS score)
High variance in scoring over the last 12 months
Large differences between current index and Competition Index (indicates better play in competition)
Significant variance between Home vs. Away scoring
High and Low Index range showing unusual performance fluctuations
Why use Cap Patrol if the WHS/GHIN is already meant to provide a level playing field?
Cap Patrol is a supplement to the WHS, informed by many more data points including PMGA event performance to inform an accurate playing level.x
How does Cap Patrol track team events like scrambles?
Cap Patrol accounts for net team events—such as scrambles and other non‑individual formats—through its Event Point System (EPS). This system ensures that all competitive formats that leverage handicap strokes used by the PMGA are reflected fairly in each member’s Cap Score.
How long does it take to get "off" the adjustment list?
A golfer remains on the handicap adjustment list as long as their performance continues to fall within Cap Patrol’s adjustment range.
The handicap chair and the pro shop review cap scores before every net tournament. Sometimes players only receive an adjustment for one tournament, and others may span multiple tournaments, depending on the data.
I placed in the gross category and in the net category, so I was removed from the net winnings. Does that count toward my EPS?
Yes. EPS points are awarded based on overall performance in net club events (where you place with the benefit of your handicap stroke allotment). Its purpose is to measure a player’s success in any PMGA net event.
Even if you were removed from net winnings because you placed in the gross category, your net performance still reflects competitive success, which Cap Patrol uses to determine consistency and performance over time.
In short, your Event Point System score includes that event because Cap Patrol’s recognizes your competitive performance rather than prize results. This ensures all strong competitive performances, regardless of category separation, are accounted for in your overall Cap Score tracking.
I am receiving an adjustment even though I haven’t won lately, but someone who won three times recently isn't being adjusted. Why?
If another player has multiple wins but is not flagged, that simply means all their scores are consistent and validated in WHS. For example, their handicap variance in the last 12 months, their home/away handicap differential and their casual/competitive handicap differential may be minimal.
I’m being adjusted by Cap Patrol, does that mean you think I’m cheating?
No. Several legitimate factors can lead to a golfer receiving a Handicap Adjustment recommendation in Cap Patrol — none of which imply cheating. This is based on objective performance data.
What are some reasons someone might score better in competitive play than in casual rounds?
Some golfers tend to do better in competition vis a vis their handicap. Maybe a player takes more time to strategize, line up putts, or concentrate than they would in casual rounds that affect their handicap. Maybe they drink a little more or don’t warm up for casual rounds, resulting in higher scores.
Ultimately, the data informs Cap Score using objective data to measure a player’s ability in net competition.