Course Handicap
The Course Handicap in WHS (World Handicap System) is the number of handicap strokes a player receives for a specific set of tees at the course being played. The Course Handicap is calculated from the Handicap Index, the Course Rating (CR) and the Slope Rating (SR).
The handicap strokes are awarded per holes² depending on the Stroke Index (abbreviation on scorecards: SI, HCP or HDCP) of a particular hole. The Stroke Index of each golf hole is defined as the difficulty of one hole in comparison to other holes on the same course. They are numbered from 1 to 18 (9 for 9-hole courses). Stroke Index = 1 is the hardest hole and Stroke Index = 18 is the easiest hole.
Playing Handicap
The Playing Handicap is the number of handicap strokes a side (player or team) receives (or gives) in a handicap competition. It is the percentage of the Course Handicap determined by the Committee in charge of the competition. The Handicap Allowance in a handicap competition must be laid down by the Committee in the conditions under which the competition is to be played.
WHS recommends that the following Playing Handicaps apply in the following forms of play:
- Singles – The player receives 95% or 100% of his Course Handicap.
- Four-ball (Better-ball) – Each partner receives 85% or 90% of his Course Handicap.
For some competitions the Committees determine Playing Handicap as 75% or 50% of the Course Handicap.
For handicapping purposes (i.e. handicap adjustment), all acceptable scores must be adjusted basing on 100% of Course Handicap.
Playing Handicap of the Team
The Playing Handicap of the team is the number of handicap strokes the side receives (or gives) in a handicap competition. Playing Handicaps in a handicap competition must be laid down by the Committee in the conditions under which the competition is to be played. Usually it is the percentage of the partner’s Course Handicaps.
WHS recommends that the following Playing Handicaps apply in the following forms of play:
- Foursomes – The side receives 50% of the sum of the Course Handicaps of the partners.
- Greensomes – The partner with the lower Handicap Index receives 60% of his Course Handicap and the partner with the higher Handicap Index receives 40% of his Course Handicap. Both figures are added.
A scramble is not played under the principles of The Rules Of Golf, but WHS recommends the following solution:
- Texas Scramble – The partner with the lower Handicap Index receives 35% of his Course Handicap and the partner with the higher Handicap Index receives 15% of his Course Handicap. Both figures are added.
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back to: Handicap
update: March 2020