The Rules of Handicapping provide a consistent measure of a golfer's ability worldwide and help to enhance the enjoyment of the game for all who play, wherever they play.
The integrity of the World Handicap System relies on all key stakeholders ensuring that the requirements set down within the Rules of Handicapping are satisfied and that they carry out their respective responsibilities.
The key stakeholders within the Rules of Handicapping are:
The responsibilities of each key stakeholder are:
Player Responsibilities. In order to comply with the requirements of the Rules of Handicapping, a player is expected to:
Note: This Handicap Index will apply elsewhere, including at all other golf clubs of which the player is a member.
In order to comply with the requirements of the Rules of Handicapping, Handicap Committees and Authorized Associations are expected to:
Notes:
1. Where a National Association administers and manages a player’s Handicap Index directly, the National Association assumes the responsibilities of a golf club.
2. Where appropriate, the delegation of responsibilities is determined by either the Multi-National Association or the National Association.
World Handicap System Responsibilities Relating to the Golf Course:
An Authorized Association is expected to: |
A Golf Club/Handicap Committee is expected to: |
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Three sample scoring records are presented to demonstrate the information that should be contained within different versions.
Player’s Name: Player’s Identification No.: Home Club: |
Low Handicap Index: xx.x |
Current Handicap Index: Effective Date: dd/mm/yy |
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Date Played (dd/mm/yy) |
Course Name |
Course Rating |
Slope Rating |
Adjusted Gross Score |
Score Differential |
Adjustment |
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Player’s Name: Player’s Identification No.: Home Club: |
Low Handicap Index: xx.x |
Current Handicap Index: Effective Date: mm/yy |
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Date Played (mm/yy) |
Course Rating |
Slope Rating |
Adjusted Gross Score |
Score Differential |
Adjustment |
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Full Version. For reference by the player to whom the record belongs, the Handicap Committee and those involved in dispute resolution, and which can be used to support all aspects of the World Handicap System. The scoring record will contain full details of the most recent 20 scores, as well as the 5 scores most recently replaced within the 20-score set. It will also provide an option to link to the player’s full, backdated scoring record history.
Notes:
Many data fields may be automated by the handicap computation service.
Examples of how scores might be designated include:
Type of Play: Competition; General play; 9-hole round (N)
Format of Play: Stroke play; Match play
Where round was played: Home; Away
Other details: Incomplete round; Exceptional score; Penalty score
Where fields cannot be populated automatically, they need to be populated manually when entering scores into the system.
Handicap allowances are designed to provide equity for players of all levels of ability in each format of play, over both 9 holes and 18 holes.
Handicap allowances are applied to the Course Handicap as the final step in calculating a player’s Playing Handicap (see Rules 6.1 and 6.2).
The National Association is responsible for establishing handicap allowances or it can delegate this responsibility to a Regional Golf Association or golf club.
The following table sets out the recommended handicap allowances based on medium-sized field net events. The allowances may be adjusted based on field size and the desired equity (see Interpretation C/1):
Format of Play |
Type of Round |
Recommended Handicap Allowance |
Stroke play |
Individual |
95% |
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Individual Stableford |
95% |
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Individual Par/Bogey |
95% |
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Individual Maximum Score |
95% |
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Four-Ball |
85% |
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Four-Ball Stableford |
85% |
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Four-Ball Par/Bogey |
90% |
Match play |
Individual |
100% |
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Four-Ball |
90% |
Other |
Foursomes |
50% of combined team handicap |
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Greensomes |
60% low handicap + 40% high handicap |
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Pinehurst/Chapman |
60% low handicap + 40% high handicap |
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Best 1 of 4 stroke play |
75% |
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Best 2 of 4 stroke play |
85% |
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Best 3 of 4 stroke play |
100% |
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All 4 of 4 stroke play |
100% |
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Scramble (4 players) |
25%/20%/15%/10% from lowest to highest handicap |
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Scramble (2 players) |
35% low/15% high |
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Total score of 2 match play |
100% |
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Best 1 of 4 Par/Bogey |
75% |
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Best 2 of 4 Par/Bogey |
80% |
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Best 3 of 4 Par/Bogey |
90% |
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4 of 4 Par/Bogey |
100% |
Handicap Competitions:
For organized competitions, the Committee should specify the handicap allowance within the Terms of the Competition.
In general, after handicap allowances have been applied in stroke play formats, a player receives their full Playing Handicap,
In general, after handicap allowances have been applied in match play formats, the player with the lowest Playing Handicap plays off zero strokes relative to the other player(s). The other player(s) receive(s) the difference between their own Playing Handicap and that of the player with the lowest Playing Handicap.
Plus Playing Handicaps:
Unless otherwise specified by the Committee, players with a ‘plus’ Playing Handicap give strokes back to the course, beginning at the hole with stroke index 18. For example, a player with a Playing Handicap of +2 would give strokes back to the course at the holes with stroke index 18 and 17.
When handicap allowances are applied, a player with a plus Playing Handicap moves up towards zero including rounding. This is to maintain the same relative difference between Playing Handicaps.
Extra Holes:
Handicap allowances are designed to create equity over 9 or 18 holes. The Terms of the Competition should specify where handicap strokes should be applied if extra holes are required to determine the winner or other finishing positions (see Official Guide to the Rules of Golf, Committee Procedures, Section 7A).
APPENDIX C Interpretations:
C/1 – Impact of Field Size on Recommended Handicap Allowance
Field sizes have an impact on equity and should be considered when determining handicap allowances for a specific event and format of play.
The recommended handicap allowance for all individual stroke play formats of play is set at 95% for medium–sized field net events, of at least 30 players. For a field size of fewer than 30 players, the recommendation would be to increase the handicap allowance to 100%.
C/2 – Examples of How to Allocate Strokes in Handicap Competitions When Handicap Allowances Apply
Player |
Singles Match Play Playing Handicap 100% Handicap Allowance |
Four-Ball Match Play Playing Handicap 90% Handicap Allowance |
A |
10 |
9 |
B |
18 |
16 |
C |
27 |
24 |
D |
39 |
35 |
Example 1: In singles match play between player A and player B, player A plays off zero (0) strokes and player B receives 8 strokes in the match.
Example 2: In four-ball match play, Player A would play off zero (0) strokes, player B would receive 7 strokes, player C would receive 15 strokes and player D would receive 26 strokes.
Note: The strokes received in Four-Ball match play remain the same even if the lowest handicap player is unable to play.
C/3 – Examples of How to Allocate Strokes in Handicap Competitions Involving Plus Handicap Players and When Handicap Allowances Apply
The following illustration indicates how an 85% handicap allowance is applied to two teams playing in a Four-Ball stroke play competition with Course Handicaps of +4 (player A), 16 (player B), 7 (player C) and 26 (player D):
The 85% handicap allowance results in a 17-stroke difference between partners for Team 1 and a 16-stroke difference between partners for Team 2. This is approximately 85% of the difference between the Course Handicaps, and maintains relative equity.
When applying a handicap allowance, any reduction will always result in a Playing Handicap closer to zero, including for players with a plus Handicap Index.
Examples:
Player |
Course Handicap |
Four-Ball Stroke Play Playing Handicap 85% Handicap Allowance |
Four-Ball Match Play Playing Handicap 90% Handicap Allowance |
A |
+4 |
+3 |
+4 |
B |
16 |
14 |
14 |
C |
7 |
6 |
6 |
D |
26 |
22 |
23 |
Example 1: In Four-Ball stroke play, player A gives 3 strokes back to the course, player B receives 14 strokes, player C receives 6 strokes and player D receives 22 strokes.
Example 2: In Four-Ball match play, player A plays off zero (0) strokes, player B receives 18 strokes, player C receives 10 strokes and player D receives 27 strokes.
The handicap review process gives a Handicap Committee the ability to ensure the Handicap Index of a player reflects their demonstrated ability. It is strongly recommended that a Handicap Committee conduct a handicap review at least annually for all members who have designated that golf club as their home club.
The handicap review can be initiated by:
When conducting a handicap review, the Handicap Committee might consider:
The Rules of Golf state: “The Committee is responsible for publishing on the scorecard or somewhere else that is visible (for example, near the first tee) the order of holes at which handicap strokes are to be given or received.” (See Rules of Golf, Committee Procedures, Rule 5I (4)).
It is recommended that a stroke index allocation be applied over 18-holes, split into six triads with each hole ranked on its playing difficulty relative to par. The difficulty of each hole can be determined objectively using hole-by-hole data provided from the Course Rating procedure as follows:
Scratch Value + Bogey Value – (2 x par)
For example, on a par 4 hole where the Scratch Value is 4.2 and the Bogey Value is 5.3:
4.2 + 5.3 – (2 x 4) = 1.5 over par
The recommended methodology and procedures for determining a stroke index allocation within the six-triad structure, designed to accommodate both stroke play and match play formats, is as follows:
These recommended procedures support the guidance contained in the Rules of Golf, Committee Procedures, Rule 5I (4).
Stroke Index Allocation for 9-Hole Play
The strokes received in a 9-hole format of play on an 18-hole golf course should be taken in ascending order from the published stroke index allocation for 18 holes. Alternatively, the Handicap Committee may consider amending the stroke index allocation from 1 to 9, relative to the ascending order of the published stroke index allocation for 18 holes.
For plus handicap players, where they are required to give strokes back to the course, this commences on the hole with the highest published stroke index allocated for the 9 holes or, if the Handicap Committee has amended the stroke index allocation from 1 to 9, at the hole with stroke index 9.
Sample Stroke Index Allocations
Example 18-hole stroke index allocation |
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Hole |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
17 |
18 |
Stroke Index |
7 |
15 |
5 |
11 |
1 |
13 |
3 |
17 |
9 |
8 |
16 |
6 |
12 |
2 |
14 |
4 |
18 |
10 |
When a Committee decides to amend an 18-hole stroke index allocation to create a 9-hole equivalent:
Example of an amended front nine 9-hole stroke index allocation |
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Hole |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
Stroke Index |
4 |
8 |
3 |
6 |
1 |
7 |
2 |
9 |
5 |
The Rules of Handicapping feature par as a factor in the calculation of:
It is important that an accurate par be established for each hole on a golf course for both men and women, and these values should be printed alongside each hole on the scorecard.
It is recommended that par be established for each hole in accordance with the following hole lengths:
Par |
Men |
Women |
3 |
Up to 260 yards (240 metres) |
Up to 220 yards (200 metres) |
4 |
240 to 490 yards (220 to 450 metres) |
200 to 420 yards (180 to 380 metres) |
5 |
450 to 710 yards (410 to 650 metres) |
370 to 600 yards (340 to 550 metres) |
6 |
670 yards and up (610 metres and up) |
570 yards and up (520 metres and up) |
Note: These guidelines assume an altitude less than 2,000 feet/610 metres above sea level.
Course Measurement, Course Rating and Slope Rating, and Modification of Courses
An Authorized Association is responsible for determining and issuing Course Ratings and Slope Ratings for all of the golf courses within its jurisdiction (see definition of golf course).
Course Ratings must be reviewed periodically and revised and reissued as necessary. New golf courses can change frequently during the first years after construction and must be re-rated within five years of the initial rating date. Thereafter, golf courses must be re-rated at least once every 10 years.
Each hole must be measured to the nearest yard/metre, for each set of tees from a permanent distance marker, in accordance with the procedures outlined in the Course Rating System.
The tee markers used to designate each set of tees on a golf course should be consistent in name, colour and/or design and distinguishable from the tee markers used for other sets of tees. It is strongly recommended that the Authorized Association issues guidance to golf clubs as to how these avoid any association with gender or age.
The Course Rating, Slope Rating and par for each set of tees must be readily available so that it is easy for a player to convert their Handicap Index to a Course Handicap and Playing Handicap to submit an acceptable score.
The Course Rating and Slope Rating is the evaluation of the playing difficulty of the course for the scratch player and the bogey player under normal playing conditions. The effective playing length is determined from the measurement of each hole, adjusted for the impact of roll, wind, elevation changes, altitude, dog-legs and forced lay ups. In addition to the effective playing length, there are 10 obstacle factors evaluated on each hole for both the scratch player and the bogey player. These are: topography; fairway; green target; recoverability and rough; bunkers; crossing obstacles; lateral obstacles; trees; green surface and psychology. The Course Rating System uses table values, adjustments and formulas to calculate ratings.
The Course Rating is calculated from the effective playing length and obstacle factors for 9 or 18 designated holes. The Course Rating is expressed in strokes to one decimal point and represents the expected score for a scratch player. The Bogey Rating represents the expected score for a bogey player. The difference between the Course Rating and the Bogey Rating is used in the determination of the Slope Rating. A golf course of standard relative difficulty has a Slope Rating of 113.
The front of a teeing area, as defined in the Rules of Golf, should not be placed more than 10 yards (10 metres) in front of, or behind, the relevant permanent distance marker on each hole. Overall, the golf course should not be shortened (or lengthened) by more than 100 yards (100 metres) from its measured length, to ensure accurate application of the Course Rating and Slope Rating in the calculation of players’ Score Differentials.
(i) Temporary Changes
The Handicap Committee must notify the Authorized Association when temporary changes are being made to the golf course that may affect the Course Rating. The Authorized Association will determine whether scores made under such conditions are acceptable for handicap purposes, and whether the Course Rating and Slope Rating should be modified temporarily.
Where a temporary Course Rating and Slope Rating has been issued, this information must be made available to players prior to the commencement of their round.
For an 18-hole golf course:
If approved by the Authorized Association, the issuance of a temporary Course Rating and Slope Rating is determined by the Handicap Committee and/or the Authorized Association following the procedure set out below:
Using these guidelines and the table below, find the range that includes the yardage difference:
Men’s Rating Adjustment |
Women’s Rating Adjustment |
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Yards [Metres] |
Change to Course Rating |
Change to Slope Rating |
Yards [Metres] |
Change to Course Rating |
Change to Slope Rating |
100 to 120 [100 to 110] |
0.5 |
1 |
100 to 116 [100 to 110] |
0.6 |
1 |
121 to 142 [111 to 130] |
0.6 |
1 |
117 to 134 [111 to 122] |
0.7 |
1 |
143 to 164 [131 to 150] |
0.7 |
2 |
135 to 152 [123 to 139] |
0.8 |
2 |
165 to 186 [151 to 170] |
0.8 |
2 |
153 to 170 [140 to 155] |
0.9 |
2 |
187 to 208 [171 to 190] |
0.9 |
2 |
171 to 188 [156 to 172] |
1.0 |
2 |
209 to 230 [191 to 210] |
1.0 |
2 |
189 to 206 [173 to 188] |
1.1 |
2 |
231 to 252 [211 to 230] |
1.1 |
3 |
207 to 224 [189 to 205] |
1.2 |
2 |
253 to 274 [231 to 250] |
1.2 |
3 |
225 to 242 [206 to 221] |
1.3 |
3 |
275 to 300 [251 to 274] |
1.3 |
3 |
243 to 260 [222 to 238] |
1.4 |
3 |
*Please contact your Authorized Association for any adjustment greater than 300 yards (274 metres)
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261 to 278 [239 to 254] |
1.5 |
3 |
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279 to 300 [255 to 274] |
1.6 |
3 |
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*Please contact your Authorized Association for any adjustment greater than 300 yards (274 metres) |
Note: These guidelines assume an altitude less than 2,000 feet/610 metres above sea level.
For a 9-hole golf course:
If approved by the Authorized Association, the issuance of a temporary Course Rating and Slope Rating is determined by the Handicap Committee and/or Authorized Association following the procedure set out below:
Using these guidelines and the table below, find the range that includes the yardage difference:
Men’s Rating Adjustment |
Women’s Rating Adjustment |
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Yards [Metres] |
Change to Course Rating |
Change to Slope Rating |
Yards [Metres] |
Change to Course Rating |
Change to Slope Rating |
50 to 76 [50 to 69] |
0.3 |
1 |
50 to 62 [50 to 57] |
0.3 |
1 |
77 to 98 [70 to 90] |
0.4 |
2 |
63 to 80 [58 to 73] |
0.4 |
2 |
99 to 120 [91 to 110] |
0.5 |
2 |
81 to 98 [74 to 90] |
0.5 |
2 |
121 to 142 [111 to 130] |
0.6 |
3 |
99 to 116 [91 to 106] |
0.6 |
2 |
143 to 150 [131 to 137] |
0.7 |
3 |
117 to 134 [107 to 122] |
0.7 |
3 |
*Please contact your Authorized Association for any adjustment greater than 150 yards (137 metres) |
135 to 150 [123 to 137] |
0.8 |
3 |
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*Please contact your Authorized Association for any adjustment greater than 150 yards (137 metres) |
Note: If playing a combination of different sets of tees, a current Course Rating and Slope Rating must be available to submit an acceptable score. If the Committee in charge of a competition has used a combination of tees for a competition course, this temporary rating procedure may be used, but this procedure is not a substitute for a formal or permanent Course Rating and Slope Rating.
(ii) Permanent Changes
A golf club must notify the Authorized Association when permanent changes are made to a golf course. Permanent changes to the golf course require the Authorized Association to review the current Course Rating and Slope Rating and to determine whether a re-rating is necessary.