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 player
• The golf club and its Handicap Committee
• Regional Golf Associations
• National Associations                              Collectively known as Authorized Associations
• Multi-National Associations
• The USGA and The R&A

  The responsibilities of each key stakeholder are:

1. Player Responsibilities. In order to comply with the requirements of the Rules of Handicapping, a player is expected to:

   1. Act with integrity by following the Rules of Handicapping and to refrain from using, or circumventing, the Rules of Handicapping for the purpose of gaining an unfair advantage.
   2. Have only one Handicap Index from a single scoring record, which is managed by the player’s home club in accordance with the Rules of Handicapping.

      Note: This Handicap Index will apply elsewhere, including at all other golf clubs of which the player is a member.

   3. Ensure each golf club of which they are a member knows the details of:
      • All other golf clubs that they are a member of, and
      • Which golf club that they have designated to be their home club.
   4. Ensure that, prior to playing a round in an authorized format of play, they:
      • Know their current Handicap Index,
      • Inform the Handicap Committee or the Committee in charge of the competition of any discrepancies with their Handicap Index and provide details of any outstanding scores yet to be submitted or posted to their scoring record,
      • Know the holes where handicap strokes are to be given or received, and
      • Record their correct handicap on the scorecard in a stroke-play competition.
   5. Attempt to make the best score possible at each hole.
   6. Where applicable, ensure all acceptable scores are submitted for handicap purposes, including scores from outside the player’s home jurisdiction. Acceptable scores should be submitted:
      • Before midnight on the day of play, and
      • In the correct chronological order.
   7. Submit acceptable scores to provide reasonable evidence of their demonstrated ability.
   8. Provide any new golf club with the full details of their previous playing history, Handicap Index held, memberships and any other information relevant to their golfing ability.
   9. Play by the Rules of Golf.
   10. Certify the scores of fellow players.

    

2. Golf Club/Handicap Committee, Regional Associations, National Associations and Multi-National Association Responsibilities. 

    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:

Three sample scoring records are presented to demonstrate the information that should be contained within different versions.

1. General Version. Accessible by the Handicap Committee and all players within a golf club in countries where peer review is required for the certification of scores. This record will display basic details of the 20 most recent scores, as well as the 5 scores most recently replaced within the 20-score set.                                                  

   Player’s Name: Player’s Identification No.: Home Club:			Low Handicap Index: xx.x		Current Handicap Index: Effective Date: dd/mm/yy
   	Date Played (dd/mm/yy)	Course Name	Course Rating	Slope Rating	Adjusted Gross Score	Score Differential	Adjustment
   1
   2
   3
   4
   5
   6
   7
   8
   9
   10
   11
   12
   13
   14
   15
   16
   17
   18
   19
   20
   21
   22
   23
   24
   25

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
2. Condensed Version. Accessible by the Handicap Committee and players in countries where peer review is required for the certification of scores. This record is the same as the General Version but, given its wider availability, it omits reference to the day the round was played and the golf course played for data privacy reasons.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

   Player’s Name: Player’s Identification No.: Home Club:					Low Handicap Index: xx.x		Current Handicap Index: Effective Date: mm/yy
   	Date Played (mm/yy)	Course Rating	Slope Rating	Adjusted Gross Score		Score Differential		Adjustment
   1
   2
   3
   4
   5
   6
   7
   8
   9
   10
   11
   12
   13
   14
   15
   16
   17
   18
   19
   20
   21
   22
   23
   24
   25

                                                          

3. 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.

1. The home club (recognized for handicap management purposes) can be automatically populated from the player’s identification number or name.
2. The current Handicap Index can be automatically populated from the last calculated Handicap Index.
3. Date Submitted – can default to the current day the score is being submitted and posted into the scoring record, with a choice to change where appropriate.
4. The course database (held either locally or centrally) may provide automatic entries for: State/Country; Course Rating; Slope Rating; par and Course Rating minus par calculations.
5. **If required, score type designation(s) should be determined by the Authorized Association and can be used to help identify the format of play, where a round was played and other details about the round. This is primarily to assist with the Handicap Committee review process but can also ensure that the Rules of Handicapping are applied correctly.

   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

6. ***Where hole-by-hole score entry is in use, applicable adjustments to the gross score can be automatically applied. If hole-by-hole scoring is not in use, the gross score adjusted for when a hole is started but a player does not hole out or when a hole is not played will need to be calculated and recorded manually.
7. The Course Handicap can be automatically calculated using the player’s Handicap Index, the Course Rating, the Slope Rating and the par of the tees played.
8. Adjusted Gross Score(s) can be calculated automatically.
9. ****Stableford Points and Par/Bogey results can be calculated automatically where hole-by-hole score entry is in use; otherwise they will need to be manually entered as total points/result.

    

10. Any selected end-of-process adjustments, such as exceptional scores and/or adjustments applied by the Handicap Committee, can be automatically applied to calculate the final adjusted Handicap Index.

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):

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

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:

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 World Handicap System software specifications will recommend reports and notifications to assist Handicap Committees to identify those players who require a handicap review. A review can be conducted annually or as otherwise necessary.
• A player must be made aware of, and be given the opportunity to contribute towards, the handicap review process to the extent practicable and must have recourse to an appeals procedure, if requested.

The handicap review can be initiated by:

• The Authorized Association’s requirement for affiliated golf clubs within their jurisdiction to conduct an annual handicap review for all players who hold a Handicap Index.
• The Handicap Committee wishing to review the handicap of a player who is consistently returning scores that do not reflect their demonstrated ability.
• The player requesting a handicap review following a period where they feel their scoring returns do not align with their current Handicap Index.

  When conducting a handicap review, the Handicap Committee might consider:

• The player’s scoring record history.
• The trend of the player’s Handicap Index, such as differences in a player’s Handicap Index over the past 12–24 months.
• Deviations from the expected scoring performance for the player.
• Frequency of score submissions in the past 12 months versus previous 12-month cycles.
• Comparison of average Score Differentials between competitive and casual rounds.
• Comparison of average Score Differentials in match play versus stroke play formats of play.
• Comparison of average Score Differentials in individual versus team formats of play.
• Any scores from, or performances known, in non-authorized formats of play.
• Any other knowledge that the Handicap Committee has relative to the player’s golfing ability. For example, improving play following golf lessons, declining scoring potential due to frequency of playing, ageing, incapacitating injuries or illness, etc.
• Percentage of acceptable scores submitted at a player’s home club.
• Percentage of acceptable scores submitted from casual round formats.
• Percentage of acceptable scores from 9-hole rounds.
• Identifying relevant handicapping trends for Handicap Committee consideration.
• Length of time since a player last played to their Handicap Index.
• Number of scores since a player last played to their Handicap Index.
• Information supplied by any other golf club where the player is a member.

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:

• Apply odd stroke index allocations over the front nine and even stroke index allocations over the back nine. If, however, the back nine is significantly more difficult than the front nine, as determined by the Course Rating, the even stroke index allocations can be switched to the front nine and the odd stroke index allocations to the back nine.
• Spread stroke index allocations evenly over the 18 holes so that players receiving strokes will have the opportunity to use a high proportion of these strokes before a match result has been decided.
• Apply the lowest stroke index hole (1 or 2) on each nine in the middle triad.If no hole within the middle triad is ranked within the lowest 6 holes relative to par, then it can be moved into an adjacent hole at the end of the first triad or the beginning of the third triad on each nine.
• Apply the second lowest stroke index hole (3 or 4) on each nine in either the first or third triad, unless the lowest stroke index hole has been allocated in that same triad.

• If possible, avoid low stroke indexes (6 or less) on consecutive holes.
• When a player receives more than 18 strokes, the same allocation order is used with stroke index 1 repeating as stroke index 19, 37 and 55, with all additional strokes going up sequentially.

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

When a Committee decides to amend an 18-hole stroke index allocation to create a 9-hole equivalent:

The Rules of Handicapping feature par as a factor in the calculation of:

• Net par (for hole(s) not played)
• Net double bogey (maximum hole score for handicap purposes)
• Course Handicap which includes a Course Rating–par adjustment (FOR ALL ASSOCIATIONS THAT HAVE SELECTED TO INCLUDE COURSE RATING–PAR)

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: 

 Note: These guidelines assume an altitude less than 2,000 feet/610 metres above sea level.

• Par reflects the score a scratch player is expected to score on a given hole and may be allocated depending on the playing difficulty of the hole, including any effective length correction factors, for example, elevation changes, forced lay-ups and prevalent wind.
• Where a hole length falls within two par ranges, for example 470 yards (men) or 400 yards (women), the par may be allocated as 4 or 5 depending on the difficulty of the hole.
• Where a hole length falls within two par ranges, it may be appropriate to designate par relative to the way the hole was designed to be played. For example, if the hole lengths from all sets of tees on a specific hole lie within the recommended par 4 range for men, with the exception of the forward tee at 250 yards, this hole can still be designated as a par 4 hole due the way the hole is designed to be played.

Course Measurement, Course Rating and Slope Rating, and Modification of Courses

1. General

   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.

    

2. Course Measurement

   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.

3. Tee Markers

   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. 

    

4. Display of Ratings and Par

   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.

    

5. Course Rating and Slope Rating

   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.

    

6. Modification of Courses

(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:

• Locate the nearest set of rated tees for the appropriate gender.
• Determine the measured difference between the set of tees being played and the rated set of tees.
• For differences under 100 yards (100 metres), no adjustment is necessary and scores can be submitted as usual; otherwise
• For differences between 100 and 300 yards (100 and 274 metres), the below table can be used to determine the adjustments required and issue a temporary Course Rating and Slope Rating.

Using these guidelines and the table below, find the range that includes the yardage difference:

Note: These guidelines assume an altitude less than 2,000 feet/610 metres above sea level.

• If the unrated tees are longer than the rated tees, add the resulting table values to the ratings of the nearest set of tees rated for the appropriate gender.
• If the unrated tees are shorter than the rated tees, subtract the resulting values from the ratings of the nearest set of tees rated for the appropriate gender.
• For differences above 300 yards (274 metres), play for the day would be ineligible for handicap purposes, unless otherwise determined by the Authorized Association in advance of the round or competition. 

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:

• Locate the nearest set of rated tees for the appropriate gender.
• Determine the measured difference between the set of tees being played and the rated set of tees.
• For differences under 50 yards (50 metres), no adjustment is necessary and scores can be returned or posted as usual; otherwise
• For differences between 50 and 150 yards (50 and 137 metres), the table below can be used to determine the adjustment and issue a temporary Course Rating and Slope Rating.

Using these guidelines and the table below, find the range that includes the yardage difference:

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.