With colder weather well underway and many courses across the country shifting into winter routines, it’s a great time to brush up on a few Handicapping terms. Whether you’re still playing, travelling south for a round or two, or simply preparing for next season, understanding these concepts will help you get the most out of your Handicap Index all year round.

1. Playing Conditions Calculation (PCC)

The Playing Conditions Calculation (PCC) becomes especially relevant during Canadian winter and shoulder seasons. PCC automatically recalibrates Score Differentials on days when course conditions are notably harder or easier than usual. If the scores posted that day show that players, as a group, performed worse than expected, the PCC may adjust by +1, +2, or +3. Conversely, if scoring was better than anticipated, it may adjust by -1.

The best part? PCC is fully automatic. Golfers and clubs don’t need to do anything. The system reviews results at the end of each day, helping to keep your Handicap Index accurate and fair, even with unpredictable conditions.

2. Active Season

Canada’s Active Seasons vary by province. The Active Season is the period during which course conditions are suitable for generating acceptable scores for handicapping purposes. Any score recorded within a specific province during its Active Season will be included in your Handicap Index.

To simplify this process, the Golf Canada Score Centre automatically recognizes the Active Season of the course being played. Golfers simply post their round, and the system handles the rest. For more information on Active Seasons, please click here.

3. Most Likely Score

The most likely score is used when a golfer begins a hole but doesn’t finish it. This is especially common during cold weather rounds when players pick up more often.

To determine your most likely score, take:

· The strokes you have already taken (including penalties), plus

· The estimated number of extra strokes you would likely require to complete the hole from your current position.

The Rules of Handicapping include recommended guidelines. For example, if you’re within 5 feet, add 1 stroke; if you’re between 5 and 20 feet, add 2 or 3 strokes.

For more details on the most likely score, see Rule 3.3 in the Rules of Handicapping.

4. Scoring Record

A common misconception is that rounds played during your home province’s inactive season shouldn’t be posted because they won’t count toward your Handicap Index. While it’s true that inactive season rounds don’t factor into your Index, you should still post them, especially if you’re travelling somewhere that is in an active season.

So even if your course is open but not in its active season, or you’re playing somewhere that is in their active season, be sure to post all your scores. This helps you maintain a complete scoring record, even if some rounds don’t directly impact your Handicap Index.

5. Simulator Golf

Simulator golf continues to expand across Canada as winter leagues and indoor facilities become more prevalent. While excellent for skill development, competition, and enjoyment, simulator rounds cannot be posted for handicap purposes.

Why not?

· Simulators don’t have official ratings

· Playing conditions are controlled rather than natural

· Although simulators can be highly accurate, it’s tough to replicate variables such as elevation change, firmness, wind, rough length, etc.

Though simulator scores do not count toward your Handicap Index, we strongly encourage golfers to use these facilities during the winter. For more information on the benefits of simulator golf and how to find a facility near you, please visit the homepage for our new Just Swing initiative.

Written by Adam Stanley

Golf is a sport built on history and tradition, yet for centuries it was tied exclusively to fairways, greens and tee times. Since 2020, traditional golf has surged, but the places where Canadians play the game have expanded even faster. Golf is now being enjoyed in city centres, shopping malls, converted warehouses and increasingly in basements and garages.

Around the world, and especially in Canada, off-course formats – from tech-driven driving ranges to cozy indoor simulators and social golf lounges – are lowering the barriers to play, widening the audience, and reshaping what it means to be a golfer.

“We’ll always champion green-grass golf as the purest form of the game, but more specifically, we’re trying to send a message to the market: however and wherever you pick up a golf club, it is great. It’s golf,” says Golf Canada Chief Marketing Officer Tim McLaughlin. “And if you’ve never picked up a golf club on a course, and only play in simulators, you might not see yourself as a golfer right now. But what we’re trying to tell you is that you are a golfer.”

Off-course golf in Canada offers convenience and entertainment. Driving ranges across the country have evolved from rows of mats into covered, data-rich tech hubs where players of all levels track stats or compete with friends. Indoor simulators have popped up in all kinds of locations, making it possible to fit a full 18 holes into a lunch break. Date nights, kids’ birthday parties or winter weekends can all involve golf, no matter the season.

“If you’re not a golfer, (off-course golf) is probably the right way to get into the game – it’s geographically accessible, it’s likely more affordable, it’s less time-consuming and its less intimidating,” McLaughlin says.

To support this growing entry point, Golf Canada launched its Just Swing campaign to encourage year-round participation. Off-course play is clearly becoming a gateway to the sport. In 2022, about 23 per cent of golfers in Canada participated in simulator golf. Today that number is 41 per cent. In the United States, McLaughlin notes, more people are now playing golf off the course than on it.

While not everyone who plays off-course golf will transition to green-grass facilities, many will. Golf Canada continues to consult with provincial associations, industry partners and the R&A, all of whom see the same opportunity to grow the game through off-course participation.

“The feeling in the industry is that there has not been enough education and awareness about what off-course golf is, how to get involved, and how to participate. We see huge potential for off-course golf to open up new opportunities for people to engage with the sport,” McLaughlin says.

Golf Canada also recognises that the simulator market includes two distinct groups. Commercial facilities are rapidly opening in plazas, strip malls, and office buildings. At the same time many golf clubs have installed simulator bays in curling rinks, banquet spaces, or practice buildings to provide year-round experiences for their members. Golf Canada understands that off-course activity is already happening inside its existing network, while new stand-alone facilities continue to grow.

Off-course golf is not a replacement for classic layouts or modern designs. It complements them. It helps break down preconceptions, introduces the sport to new audiences, and shows Canadians they can enjoy golf in a way that suits their lifestyle.

The future holds great potential. Could there be an indoor Canadian Open someday? A high-performance simulator league? Or a top indoor-golf event? As more Canadians pick up a club wherever they can and simply “Just Swing”, opportunities keep growing.

“Our membership strategy aims to enhance connectivity between off-course golf and on-course play. Many of these facilities are eager to connect with the broader golf landscape, so hopefully, in doing this, we can achieve exactly that,” McLaughlin says.

“All golf is golf, and we need to signal that to the market.”

Two-time Saskatchewan junior champion and 2023 amateur winner Josh Nagy is one step away from securing membership on the Asian Tour.

The Saskatoon product placed tied for sixth at 10-under par over 72 holes at a qualifier in Jacinto, California in early November. The finish allowed Nagy to enter the final stage of qualifying which will begin on Wednesday (Dec. 17).

Nagy is currently in Hua Lin, Thailand preparing for the final at Lake View Resort and Golf Club.

The Final Stage will be contested over five rounds with a field of 240 players. The leading 140 players and ties after 36 holes will qualify for rounds three and four, with a further cut after 72 holes to the leading 70 players and ties, who will then play the final round.

At the conclusion of the final round the top 35 players will secure Asian Tour membership for the 2026 season.

The PGA of Canada has named Jason Schneider the 2025 Jack McLaughlin Junior Leader of the Year.

The Saskatoon based professional was named the provincial junior leader of the year on Oct. 30 at the Dakota Dunes Resort. Schneider was one of eight Saskatchewan professionals named national finalists. He said being recognized is rewarding.

“I am honoured to be the 2025 PGA of Canada Jack McLaughlin Junior Leader of the Year award winner,” he said in a posted video with the announcement. “I know there are so many amazing professionals across Canada that are doing unbelievable things around the world.”

The PGA of Canada will continue to announce the winners on their Facebook page. The winners will celebrate at the PGA Show in Orlando in January.

Golf Canada members can now relive their 2025 golf season with #MyGolfYear, the annual personalized recap of rounds played, milestones and achievements, presented by BDO.

#MyGolfYear gives golfers a snapshot of their season, including total rounds played, best score, distance walked, number of birdies and other key stats, all in a custom graphic that members can download or share across social media. Since launching after the 2021 season, it has become a favourite way for golfers across Canada to reflect on their performance and share their progress with friends and fellow members.

“#MyGolfYear is a fun and engaging way for golfers to reflect on their season and celebrate their achievements,” said Tim McLaughlin, Chief Marketing Officer at Golf Canada. “It’s about more than scores; it’s about inspiring members to stay active, connect with the community, and continue enjoying the game year-round.”

What’s New for 2025?

The 2025 edition of #MyGolfYear offers more detailed personalization, including new scoring statistics such as total pars, birdies and eagles, as well as your average 18-hole score. In the achievements section, golfers who recorded a hole-in-one will see a dedicated HIO badge, alongside highlights for those who played in multiple provinces or completed a milestone number of rounds this past season (i.e. 50 or 100). A year-over-year comparison of your handicap is also included.

How to Access Your #MyGolfYear

Members who logged their rounds online, in the Golf Canada App or at club kiosks during 2025 can access their personalized recap via e-mail or the Golf Canada App.

Celebrate Your Golf Season

Whether you played once or logged multiple rounds, achieved personal bests or simply enjoyed time on the course with friends, #MyGolfYear is a way to look back and celebrate your year in golf.

Thank you to all members for making 2025 a memorable season. Download your #MyGolfYear, share your story, and get ready for another great season in 2026.

The PGA of Canada has announced three new members of their Hall of Fame with Peter Semko being enshrined.

Born in Glaslyn, Sask., Semko moved to Saskatoon in 1941 before becoming an icon in the golf business in the City of Bridges and in Montreal under the tutelage of Pat Fletcher.

Semko was inducted into the Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame in 2010 and the Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame in 2000.

The PGA of Canada released more details on Semko’s career on Dec. 5.

Peter Semko (Builder) (posthumously)

Peter Semko truly did it all in the golf industry. Over the course of his remarkable life in golf, he served as a caddy, golf professional, administrator, instructor, golf course architect and developer, and eventually a golf course owner. His influence on the Canadian golf landscape is profound, and his mentorship helped guide the careers of countless PGA professionals who continue to carry forward his legacy today.

Before finding his permanent home in golf, Semko excelled as a hockey player, skating for the Saskatoon Westleys, the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, and even attending training camp with the Detroit Red Wings. Yet it was at the golf course where his passion and purpose truly aligned.

His journey in the sport began at just 11 years old in the back shop of the Saskatoon Golf and Country Club, first as a caddy and eventually as assistant professional under his mentor, the legendary Pat Fletcher. The pair later worked together at Royal Montreal Golf Club before Semko returned to Saskatoon to accept the head professional position at Holiday Park Golf Course in 1961. There, he played a pivotal role in the concept, design, and construction of the facility’s Executive Nine, a project that helped modernize public golf in the region.

Semko’s leadership extended far beyond the tee deck. He became the City of Saskatoon’s supervisor of golf courses while continuing his duties as Head Professional. At the Association level, he dedicated six years of service as president of the PGA of Saskatchewan and later served as Vice-President of the PGA of Canada. Peter was instrumental in bringing the PGA Championship of Canada to the Saskatoon Golf and Country Club in 1971 — a historic first for the province.

A visionary builder, Semko contributed to numerous golf course designs and construction projects throughout the province. His boldest venture came in 1979 when he took what he described as a “leap of faith” in building Greenbryre Country Club. The course became a cornerstone of golf in Saskatoon, and Semko remained at its helm for 28 years until his retirement in 2007.

Semko’s exceptional contributions earned him wide recognition in his later years, including induction into the Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame and the Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame. He also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Saskatchewan PGA, along with lifetime memberships in both the PGA of Canada and the Saskatchewan Turfgrass Association — honours befitting a man whose work elevated every facet of the game.

Peter Semko passed away on April 23, 2023 at the age of 89.

Golf Saskatchewan published an interview celebrating Peter in 2021.

After 28 years and two stints at Nipawin’s Evergreen Golf Course, Head Professional Derrick Tallon is retiring from his position at the club

After four decades in the golf industry including an astonishing 28 seasons at Nipawin’s Evergreen Golf Course, Derrick Tallon has announced his retirement.

Tallon took his playability test in Moose Jaw at Hillcrest Golf and spent years at Cooke Municipal Golf Course, Waskesiu Golf Course, and of course Evergreen where he worked for a dozen years before going to Waskesiu then returning.

Talon, 61, sat down with Golf Saskatchewan to discuss his extraordinary career in the game.

National Sport Organization welcomes former USC Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director to advance Canadian golf participation and competitive excellence

(December 3, 2025) – Golf Canada is pleased to announce that Paul Perrier has joined the National Sport Federation as its new Chief Sport Officer (CSO).

Born in Sherbrooke, Que. and raised in Aurora, Ont., Perrier is an accomplished and dynamic sports administration executive who brings more than 15 years of senior leadership experience in NCAA Division I athletics, most recently serving as Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director and Deputy Athletic Director at the University of Southern California (USC).

As Chief Sport Officer, Perrier will oversee Golf Canada’s sport portfolio, including Team Canada high-performance and athlete development, National Amateur Championships, grassroots participation programs such as First Tee – Canada and She Plays Golf, and Safe Sport compliance. Reporting to CEO Laurence Applebaum as a member of Golf Canada’s Executive Team, Perrier will play a pivotal role in advancing Canadian golf participation and competitive excellence for the National Sport Organization.

“Paul is a dynamic sport executive and former high-level athlete with extensive leadership experience across sport including golf, coach development, compliance, strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, revenue generation and fundraising within both elite and public NCAA Division I athletic departments,” said Applebaum. “His experience managing complex sport organizations and building high-performance programs will help to further advance the sport and elevate Canadian golf on the global stage.”

During his tenure at USC (2019–2025), Perrier was a member of the Executive Leadership Team, with oversight and support for 23 varsity programs and 600 athletes. He led strategic planning, resource allocation, and performance initiatives and fostered inclusive, collaborative cultures that drove innovation and excellence. Perrier also managed the men’s and women’s golf programs, guiding them to multiple NCAA championship appearances and supporting elite athletes who advanced to the LPGA and PGA Tours.

Perrier, who will work collaboratively with the Golf Canada Foundation, also brings experience in fundraising and donor relations, having helped drive capital campaigns at USC and Rutgers. He also oversaw a $750,000 renovation of USC’s golf training facility and served as Tournament Director for the Trojan Golf Classic. His ability to build trust-based relationships with donors, alumni, and corporate partners has been a hallmark of his leadership.

Perrier joins Golf Canada at a time where the organization is experiencing strong momentum with a rise in participation and rounds played, Canadian continued success on the global stage and increased investment in the game from donors and corporate partners.

The opportunity to return to Canada to champion further growth is an opportunity for Perrier to apply his executive leadership experiences across a sport that has been a longtime passion.

“Joining Golf Canada is an incredible honour, and I’m inspired to help accelerate the sport’s growth and impact across the country,” said Perrier. “Together with our athletes, coaches, donors, and partners, we will continue to build pathways that drive participation and elevate Canada’s success on the world stage.”

Previously, Perrier served as Senior Associate Athletic Director at Rutgers University (2015–2019), where he helped develop a five-year strategic plan, oversaw sport programs, and led compliance and governance during a critical transition to the Big Ten Conference.  Prior to joining Rutgers, Perrier held several progressive leadership roles with USC including Associate Vice President for Athletic Compliance.

Perrier also co-founded the NACDA Sport Administrator Leadership Institute, served on the Big Ten Olympic Sports Oversight Committee, and was selected for the NCAA Pathway Program, a national initiative preparing senior administrators for CEO roles.

He holds a Juris Doctor from the University at Buffalo Law School and a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from Oswego State, where he was also a student-athlete (hockey) and co-president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

A proud Canadian who is married with two sons, Perrier has started in the CSO role and will be relocating back to Canada in the coming months.

The Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) has tentatively announced their Canadian schedule for next year which includes seven events in Saskatchewan.

The MJT will play their first event in Estevan at TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club on May 2 and 3. Swift Current’s Elmwood Golf Club will play host to the second event as the city usually does on May long weekend. The lone 54 hole event on the Saskatchewan schedule will run from May 16 to 18.

Humboldt Golf Club will play host to an event in 2026. The Saskatchewan Amateur Championships host from this year will have the MJT on June 13 and 14.

Tor Hill Golf Course in Regina will have a championship on June 27 and 28. One month later Moon Lake Golf and Country Club welcomes the MJT for a two day event on July 27 and 28.

The MJT will return to Elk Ridge Golf Resort on Aug. 15 and 16 and the season will conclude with the annual tournament at Warman’s Legends Golf Club on Aug. 29 and 30.

One day MJT Mini Tour tournaments will run alongside each event as well.

All MJT events will be part of the Golf Saskatchewan Junior Order of Merit schedule with points awarded to competitors for the overall title and exemptions into a provincial event of each winners choosing.

To see the complete nationwide schedule click here.

The Order of Merit schedule will be released early in 2026.

Adam Stanley/ Golf Canada

When the first flakes of snow fall, many Canadians from coast to coast realize that, as unfortunate as it may be, golf season is ending. Or is it?

From downtown lounges with craft beer taps to makeshift setups in basements or garages, golf simulators are reshaping how people practice, play, and socialize around the sport.

What began as a high-end training tool for elite players has rippled into a consumer wave that’s expanding access and changing perceptions of golf across the country.

Market numbers show there’s no slowing down; the simulator sector is expanding quickly, and revenue projections show the golf simulator market in Canada is set to almost double over the next half-decade or so as both commercial venues and in-home installs increase.

At the heart of the exciting expansion is the technology of it all – evolving faster than most realize. Modern systems pair radar and camera-based launch monitors with physics engines and ultra-realistic course mapping, such as from Foresight and TrackMan.

Coaches routinely use simulator data for swing diagnosis and club-fitting, while recreational players can instantly compare numbers and replay shots in slow motion.

And, well, the virtual golf course designs these days? They just look really cool.

On the commercial side, indoor golf lounges and training centers are popping up in downtown cores and suburban plazas across the country.

Ottawa is a perfect example of this as Canada’s capital city boasts a golf simulator bar about two blocks away from Parliament Hill where, yes, you can even hit balls on a virtual driving range set up on Parliament’s front lawn, plus plenty others in its growing suburbs, like Silverwood’s Golf and Lounge where menu bites like braised beef crostini and the Augusta wrap (featuring pimento cheese, obviously) are on offer. 

“We knew that golf was always going to flourish in something like this, but the thing that tops you up is providing the top-notch service,” says Eric Glynn, the owner and director of operations of Silverwood’s. “The first position I hired was the general manager, who had tons of food and beverage experience and a passion for golf. Kitchen manager and head chef also have a passion for golf.”

These spaces market themselves as more than places to bang balls – they are social destinations as well. Friends can play Pebble Beach in 60 minutes, companies can host team-building events, beginners can swing sticks for the first time in a low-pressure setting, and even young kids can try to ‘destroy’ cars and trucks.

Silverwood’s has this something-for-everyone set up perfected. They have bays with regular bar-stool seating, VIP rooms that are fully glassed in where golfers can play their own music and watch what they want on TV, and then even quieter private rooms for the more serious player.

“We figured out how to amalgamate that and put things together and create a series of classes within our facility,” says Glynn, whose facility is celebrating its two-year anniversary in 2025. “It’s an entertainment place where people would be happy to come and escape from whatever the case may be.

“You can come in for an hour, book your real estate, and enjoy yourself. There are women with babies and strollers. There are ladies who just want to socialize. It morphed into more than just golf.”

Operators are quick to emphasize the convenience: full rounds of golf on iconic courses are condensed into tight time blocks, reservations are easy via apps or online booking portals, and the environments are climate-controlled. It’s a mix of social entertainment and serious practice time for low-handicap players. The same technology on the range at a PGA TOUR event is what these simulator facilities also use.

Indoor simulator facilities are drawing in younger and more diverse crowds who, well, appreciate a place for a good hang. It’s simple, really, simulator facilities remove the biggest obstacle for golf in Canada – weather – while also making the experience shorter and less intimidating.

That accessibility is nudging new demographics toward the game — women, younger urban residents, and busy professionals who want a post-work social hour of sport. Operators and national bodies are starting to see simulators not as a threat to traditional clubs, but as a funnel that can introduce players to outdoor golf when the season allows.

On the consumer side, basements, spare rooms, and garages are being converted into multi-purpose entertainment hubs. While big-time Tour tech can get up there in price, there has never been more affordable technology than there is now. Entry-level systems mean even weekend warriors can get meaningful feedback or have virtual fun without breaking the bank.

While the calendar limits golf outdoors to certain times of year, the simulator now does more than extend the season — it’s helping reshape golf into something even more social and accessible, one (virtual) shot at a time.