Short answer. A net game with money on the line requires a handicap index for every player in that game. Without one, Ringer would have to score that player as scratch, which is unfair to them, so it refuses to add the game until the index is filled in from the roster.
How it works
Two things have to be true at once for the guard to fire: the game is scored net (or off low), and it has a stake above $0. A gross game, or a net game played for pride, is never blocked.
Who has to have an index depends on the game:
| Game | Who needs an index |
|---|---|
| Pot (Stroke), Stableford, Skins, Team Best-Ball | Everyone who is in for the round |
| Nassau, Match Play | Every player on either side |
| 9-Point, Sixes | Every player in the game's list |
Players marked out are ignored. A player whose RSVP is unknown counts as in.
The same rule applies again at publish time. If a net game still has a player with no index, the round cannot be finalized, because a missing index is never treated as scratch.
Steps
- Read the message. It names the player or players who need an index.
- Open the roster and add the index for each named player. A player can also enter their own from Profile.
- Add the game again.
If a player truly has no index, either switch the game to gross, set the stake to $0, or take that player out of the game (for Nassau, Match Play, 9-Point, and Sixes) before adding it.
Who can do this
The Commissioner adds games and can enter an index for anyone on the roster. Players can enter their own index.
If it doesn't work
- "{Name} needs a handicap index before this net money game can start — otherwise they'd play scratch. Add it from the roster." Add the index for that player, then add the game again. With several players the message reads "need a handicap index", and a player with no name on the roster is shown as "a player".
- "N player(s) has/have no handicap index — a net game can't settle without it." This is the same rule at publish time. Add the missing index, or remove the player from the net game, then publish again.
- The game added, but the money shows nothing for one player. In a net Skins game, players without an index are shown on the board but not contested for skins. Add their index and the skins recalculate.