The U.S. Open will be played June 12-15 at Torrey Pines South Course near San Diego. Tiger Woods, after playing a practice round there, said “a 10 handicapper couldn't break 100” at the venue.

Phil Mickelson said “even par will be a pipe dream.” Sounds like a tough course.

Thanks to an article by Guy Yokum in the June 2008 issue of Golf Digest for the following handicap synopsis on “What is a 10 handicapper?”

1. A handicap is a measure of a golfer's ability compared to an expert amateur's ability.

2. A male 0 handicapper, by USGA definition, drives the ball at least 250 yards and can reach 470 yard holes in two shots.

3. A course rating is determined by the cumulative length of holes and the difficulty of obvious obstacles like sand and water.

4. Slope rating is the analysis of the relative difficulty of a course for a bogey golfer when compared to a scratch golfer.

5. Poorer players' scores rise exponentially when playing courses with a high slope rating.

6. All golfers are required to post scores when playing seven holes or more. 7

. Equitable Stroke Control limits the maximum score any golfer can make on any hole based on handicap.

8. Men with an Index of 10 or better are in the top 25 percent of all golfers.

9. Sandbaggers are defined as players who play poorly intentionally with nothing at stake or post scores higher than what they actually shoot so they get more strokes in tournaments and matches. A “bagger's” tournament scores are traditionally lower than in casual play.

10. Reverse sandbaggers post only low scores or scores lower than what they actually shoot. These players carry a “vanity” handicap which limits their ability to compete on an even level.

You can get a valid handicap by joining a golf association at any course that subscribes to USGA handicapping procedures, or start your own “Type 2 golf club without real estate” by visiting the handicapping section at USGA.org.

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PGA of America vice president Jim Remy spoke in person at the CNY Section meeting in April. Remy was there to reiterate the PGA of America's commitment to bringing new golfers into the game and to keeping them playing. Programs offered as a result of the Play Golf America initiative include free junior clinics held in our section to a regular junior tournament tour.

There are many opportunities for new golfers to learn to play and to get out and play on the golf course.

For example, Dutch Hollow offers a $13 cart-included Friday Evening Golf Special in keeping with the Play Golf America theme. As a matter of fact, one child with any adult plays free, and any adult who plays on Friday evening gets the same $13 deal. If there are any other specials or deals out there, please let me know.

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There are still openings to get into the McGladrey Team Championship local qualifier at Dutch Hollow to be held on May 31.

Local winners in the new PGA of America event move on to Kanon Valley for the section qualifier, where that winner goes to Pinehurst No. 2 for the national championship. Call 784-5052 for more information, or visit www.PGA.com/teamchampionship to register your team or to find out more about this event.

See you on the links!

Lombardo, a PGA professional at Dutch Hollow Country Club, can be reached at lombo@pga.com