1968 - 2025 Celebrating 57 Years!

Golf Handicap Network History

The story of the Golf Handicap Network begins with innovation, perseverance, and a deep love for the game of golf.

Handicomp was founded in 1968 by Jim Healey, a brilliant electrical engineer who graduated from the University of Michigan in 1953. In the years that followed, Jim applied his expertise to some of the most advanced technology of the time—working on guidance computer systems for major defense and space programs, including POLARIS, GEMINI, and APOLLO.

But Jim’s heart had long belonged to golf. Since the age of 13, he spent countless hours on the course, first as a caddie at the Country Club of Lansing, and later as a passionate amateur. In 1960, after serving on several golf club handicap committees, he envisioned an automated, computerized solution to the tedious process of calculating handicaps. It would take several more years, but in 1967, he turned that vision into action.

In 1968, Jim introduced the very first Handicomp computer at Clearbrook Country Club in Saugatuck, Michigan. With the support of PGA professional Charlie Feeley—whose early endorsement remains a point of deep gratitude—Jim installed what is believed to be the world’s first microcomputer in a golf shop used solely for real-time handicap computation. Though only one of these original models was built, it marked a historic turning point.

By 1969, Jim transitioned from hardware to service, cannibalizing the original computer’s electronics to launch the Handicomp handicap computing service. This early system used an IBM Selectric Typewriter for printing and a Friden paper tape punch/reader for data storage. With no internal memory beyond a scratchpad, Jim hand-built three more computers to power the operation. While Jim focused on the technical side, his wife Pat served as the backbone of the business—single-handedly managing data entry as they built a loyal client base from scratch.

The 1970s were a decade of growth and momentum. In 1972, Handicomp signed its first Amateur Association partnership with the Toledo District Golf Association, followed by the Golf Association of Michigan in 1974. By 1978, Handicomp was serving approximately 800 clubs and employing nearly a dozen staff. The company also expanded into the Gulf States Section PGA, the Louisiana Golf Association, and the Gateway Section PGA. That same year marked the retirement of Jim’s original hand-built machines, as affordable microcomputers entered the market.

In 1981, Jim revived his dream of on-site handicap computation by installing Tandy Model II computers at nine Detroit-area clubs, including the prestigious Oakland Hills Country Club—another first in the industry. These installations marked the beginning of club-based computing, driven by partnerships with amateur golf associations.

The 1980s also ushered in the next generation of leadership. Jim and Pat’s daughter, Lisa Healey Postma, joined full-time in 1983 after several summers of part-time work. By 1990, she had taken over as Manager of the Handicap Service Department—a role she proudly maintains to this day.

In 1985, their son Stewart Healey joined the company, bringing a BS in Computer Science from Central Michigan University, and later earning an MBA from Western Michigan. Starting as a programmer and support technician, Stu steadily advanced to Support Department Manager, then General Manager, and ultimately became President in 1993—a role he continues to fulfill with dedication and vision.

As computer technology evolved rapidly during the 1980s, Handicomp stayed ahead of the curve. The arrival of multi-user systems, such as the Tandy 6000 and IBM PC-AT running SCO-Xenix, allowed for scalable installations. By 1990, it’s believed that Michigan alone had more multi-user club systems than any other state in the country.

With the rise of Windows and graphical interfaces, Handicomp introduced a range of innovative golfer entry products—from flat panels to full keyboards, and eventually to a comprehensive Touch Screen Golfer Interactive System that offered golfers unprecedented access to their handicap records.

The 1990s brought the Internet revolution—and with it, a seismic shift in how golf handicapping services were delivered. No longer bound to the club environment, Handicomp adapted once again. In 2006, the company launched the Golf Handicap Network (GHN), a 100% web-based platform that replaced the traditional paper and desktop-based systems.

In 2014, Handicomp expanded even further with the release of the Golf Mobile Network (GMN), a smartphone app that enabled golfers to post scores and review handicap data on the go. Today, the GMN is the preferred method for golfers nationwide to manage their handicaps.

Then, in 2017, anticipating changes brought on by the World Handicap System and restrictions placed on vendors, Handicomp made another bold move. It launched its proprietary Handicomp Golf Handicap System (HGHS)—a robust, proven service originally developed in 2006 for the Golf League Network. The HGHS now provides clubs, golfers, and associations with a reliable and flexible alternative to WHS/USGA-based services.

But the story doesn’t end there—it enters a bold new chapter!

In 2023, Handicomp introduced the industry’s first and only AI-powered Score Prediction and Handicapping Formula, ushering in a new era of accuracy, precision, and personalization. This groundbreaking innovation, presented at www.GolfHandicap.ai, redefines what's possible in golf scoring and handicapping analytics.

Over more than five decades, Handicomp has pioneered many of the industry's defining moments. It may be the longest-standing name in the game, but it's also one of the most forward-thinking. While other vendors have come and gone, Handicomp continues to serve, evolve, and lead.

The Golf Handicap Network is a testament to experience, innovation, and unwavering commitment to the game.