Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for the calculation and maintenance of a golfer's handicap index. In one exemplary embodiment, a method is provided for the maintenance of a golf handicap index by providing a card having golfer information relating to a particular golfer. The golfer information includes scores posted by the golfer which are used in the calculation of a handicap index. A local processing unit is also provided to compute the handicap index based on guidelines established by the United States Golf Association. Information is exchanged between the card and the local processing unit at the time the golfer posts a score. Handicap indexes are updated based at least in part on the entered scores and on a schedule consistent with USGA guidelines.