FAQ Category: Handicap

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Can my Handicap Index increase after a good round?

Yes — and it’s not as uncommon as it might seem. Even after a round played better than your current Handicap Index, the Index may still go up. Remember that your Handicap Index is calculated based on your most recent 20 scores. Each new score enters the record, and the oldest of the 20 drops
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How are fractions rounded in golf?

In golf calculations, fractions are always rounded using the rule that “.5 rounds up.” That means:  1.500     —> 2  1.4999   —> 1  1.250     —> 1.3  1.2499   —> 1.2 However, it’s important to remember that “up” means toward the higher value, not away from zero. For negative numbers, this means:  -1.250   —>
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Why are the Course Handicap and Playing Handicap whole numbers, while the Handicap Index includes a decimal?

The Handicap Index is meant to represent a player’s ability as accurately as possible. Therefore, it is expressed to one decimal place.In contrast, the Course Handicap and Playing Handicap indicate the number of extra strokes a player receives for a specific round of golf. For this reason, these values are rounded to whole numbers. After
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How many rounds do you need to play to obtain a Handicap Index?

The Rules of Handicapping require that, before obtaining an official WHS Handicap Index (Initial Handicap Index), the following be played and posted: one 18-hole or 9-hole round in EGA member countries three 18-hole rounds or six 9-hole rounds in other countries Outside EGA member countries, a combination of 18-hole and 9-hole rounds is also permitted,
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How is the expected score for the second nine calculated for a 9-hole round?

The expected score on the second nine for a 9-hole round is necessary to calculate the 18-hole Score Differential for that round. The method for calculating the Score Differential is outlined in Rule 5.1 of the Rules of Handicapping. Unfortunately, neither the R&A nor the USGA publishes a formula for calculating the expected score. Those
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