What does a Handicap Index® represent?
A Handicap Index represents your demonstrated playing ability. It is based on your scores relative to the course and tees played during those rounds.
Your Handicap Index is calculated the same way as golfers around the world, and it can be used on any course with a Course Rating™ and Slope Rating®. In addition, it can be used:
• To have a fair game during a casual round with friends
• As a progress tracker for your game
• To enter a competition
• For equity in a competition
Your Handicap Index is calculated the same way as golfers around the world, and it can be used on any course with a Course Rating™ and Slope Rating®. In addition, it can be used:
• To have a fair game during a casual round with friends
• As a progress tracker for your game
• To enter a competition
• For equity in a competition
How many scores do I have to post before I get a Handicap Index®?
In order to establish a Handicap Index, a total of 54 holes must be played and posted to your scoring record. These scores can be made up of any combination of 9- or 18-hole rounds. 9-hole scores are combined in the order that they are received to form 18-hole Score Differentials™ that are used to calculate your Handicap Index. Once you have posted a total of three 18-hole Score Differentials, a Handicap Index will be issued to you the very next day.
I recently posted scores, but my Handicap Index® has not changed. Why?
Once you have 20 scores in your scoring record, your Handicap Index is calculated by averaging your 8 best Score Differentials™ out of your most recent 20, which means 12 of your last 20 scores are not used in the calculation. If your Handicap Index remains unchanged after posting score(s), it is most likely because the same 8 scores are still being used in your 8 best of 20 calculation.
If you have at least three but fewer than 20 scores in your scoring record, a fewer number of scores are used to calculate your Handicap Index.
If you have at least three but fewer than 20 scores in your scoring record, a fewer number of scores are used to calculate your Handicap Index.
What is a Score Differential™ and how is it calculated?
A score of 80 on a difficult course may be a better performance than a 77 on an easier one, and it is the Score Differential calculation that allows this to be captured.
A Score Differential measures the performance of a round in relation to the relative difficulty of the course that was played, measured by the Course Rating™ and Slope Rating® . The result of the daily playing conditions calculation (PCC) is also included in the Score Differential calculation, which may provide an adjustment if course and/or weather conditions significantly impacted scores on that day.
A Score Differential is calculated using the following formula:
(113 / Slope Rating) x (Adjusted Gross Score - Course Rating - PCC adjustment)
There may be additional adjustments to the Score Differential, such as an exceptional score reduction or Committee-applied adjustment. These would be clearly identified within the scoring record.
A Score Differential measures the performance of a round in relation to the relative difficulty of the course that was played, measured by the Course Rating™ and Slope Rating® . The result of the daily playing conditions calculation (PCC) is also included in the Score Differential calculation, which may provide an adjustment if course and/or weather conditions significantly impacted scores on that day.
A Score Differential is calculated using the following formula:
(113 / Slope Rating) x (Adjusted Gross Score - Course Rating - PCC adjustment)
There may be additional adjustments to the Score Differential, such as an exceptional score reduction or Committee-applied adjustment. These would be clearly identified within the scoring record.
What are handicap allowances and why are they recommended for various formats of play?
A handicap allowance is the percentage of a Course Handicap™ recommended to create equity based on the format of play.
Since higher-handicap players typically have more variance in their scores and an increased potential to shoot lower net scores, when full Course Handicaps are used in certain formats, players with lower Course Handicaps are generally at a disadvantage. By taking a percentage of Course Handicap, the higher handicap players are impacted more, which brings the expected scores for all players or teams to a more consistent level. Handicap allowances are mainly applied in team formats, where the combination of players can produce lower scores compared to other teams.
Millions of scores and/or simulations were used to determine and validate the handicap allowances used under the WHS™, and the recommendations for each format of play can be found here.
Since higher-handicap players typically have more variance in their scores and an increased potential to shoot lower net scores, when full Course Handicaps are used in certain formats, players with lower Course Handicaps are generally at a disadvantage. By taking a percentage of Course Handicap, the higher handicap players are impacted more, which brings the expected scores for all players or teams to a more consistent level. Handicap allowances are mainly applied in team formats, where the combination of players can produce lower scores compared to other teams.
Millions of scores and/or simulations were used to determine and validate the handicap allowances used under the WHS™, and the recommendations for each format of play can be found here.
On which holes do players receive strokes in a competition?
Handicap strokes are received based on the stroke index, or "handicap" row on the scorecard. For example, a player with a Playing Handicap™ of 14 receives one handicap stroke on holes allocated 1 through 14. Players with a plus Playing Handicap will be required to give strokes back starting with the 18th ranked strike index hole.