Do you ever wonder how a 25 handicap golfer can play against a 4 handicap golfer and both have a chance to win? The handicap system in golf facilitates this through course handicaps and stroke allotment.
The way it works is through a player’s calculated handicap index, which represents their scoring potential. This index is then translated into a course handicap bascalculated handicap indexed on slopes and ratings to set up a fair match with strokes incorporated as needed.
Let’s dive into the details to fully understand golf handicaps.
What Is a Handicap in Golf
A golf handicap is a numerical measure of a golfer’s scoring potential ability. It allows golfers of all different skill levels to compete fairly against one another, regardless of inherent skill.
A golfer’s handicap is calculated using the scores they post in official sanctioned rounds. The purpose of a handicap is to level the playing field for all golfers.
How a Golf Handicap is Calculated and Determined
A golfer’s handicap index is calculated based on the scores they post over their most recent twenty rounds. For each round a player completes, something called a “handicap differential” is determined.
This differential accounts for the relative difficulty of the specific golf course and set of tees that were played. The differential also accounts for any abnormal course or weather conditions.
After twenty rounds are completed, the best ten differentials out of the twenty are then averaged. This calculated average becomes the golfer’s handicap index.
The handicap index is portable from course to course. However, the index then needs to be adjusted and converted to relate to the specific golf course being played. This adjusted number is called the “course handicap.”
Using Golf Course Handicaps in Competition and Play
In a golf competition or casual round where handicaps are being applied, golfers do not play strictly against the course. They essentially play against the other members of their group.
Handicaps allow this to happen fairly through “strokes” that are awarded. The number of total strokes awarded to a player is equal to the difference between that golfer’s course handicap and the course handicap of the golfer with the lowest handicap in the group.
By awarding these extra strokes to higher handicap players, it effectively helps to “level the playing field” in the competition. The strokes are added onto a player’s gross score for the round.
And the resulting net scores are what the golfers compare to determine winner(s), pay out prize money, etc. In this way, a twenty handicap golfer can compete fairly on the scorecard against a five handicap golfer.
The system aims to make the competition equitable.
Golf Handicap Categories and Score Potential
To help better understand a golfer’s potential scoring ability, USGA handicaps fall within one of five categories:
- Low Handicap = 0.0 to 9.9
- Mid/Average Handicap = 10.0 to 19.9
- High Handicap = 20.0 to 29.9
- Very High Handicap = 30.0+
The handicap system is designed so that golfers have room for improvement. So there are maximum limits in place. For men, a golfer’s handicap cannot exceed thirty-four point zero.
And for women, a golfer’s handicap cannot exceed forty point four. Golfers with calculated handicap indexes above those thresholds would compete at the maximum.
But their actual index would track below the max.
Scratch Golfers and Handicap Indexes
The best golfers in the world have handicap indexes very close to zero point zero. A golfer with a zero point zero handicap index would be called a “scratch” golfer.
This indicates their scoring ability versus an average golfer. A scratch golfer is expected to score equal to course rating on most any golf course played.
Any positive handicap index indicates above average play. And a negative handicap index is very rare, but indicates a golfer with exceptional scoring prowess compared to an average golfer.
The #1 ranked golfer on a high school team often plays to a two or three handicap for example. While the #5 golfer plays to an eight or nine. And casual golfers often play between twelve and twenty-four handicaps.
How Handicaps Are Calculated
As mentioned in the section above, a golfer’s handicap index is calculated using their most recent twenty sanctioned eighteen hole rounds. When a round is completed, the first step is to calculate something known as the “handicap differential” for that particular round.
There are a few factors that go into determining the exact differential.
Calculating the Handicap Differential
The two main components that make up a golfer’s handicap differential for a given round are:
- The Score vs. Course Rating
- A Calculation Based on Course and Slope Difficulty
To calculate this differential number, the first thing to do is take the score achieved and subtract the course rating for the tees that were played. This adjusts for the inherent playing difficulty of the golf course and selected tee box.
The second thing is to multiply this difference by what is called the “slope rating” of the golf course. Slope rating quantifies and accounts for the relative difficulty for a bogey golfer compared to a scratch golfer at that course.
The resulting number after completing these two steps is the handicap differential.
A golfer will have a handicap differential for every round that is posted for handicap purposes. These differentials enable peer to peer scoring conversions across all golf courses.
Averaging the Best 10 of 20 Most Recent Differentials
Once a golfer reaches twenty posted differentials, the handicap calculation process goes into effect. The USGA system will select and average only the best ten differentials out of the most recent twenty.
Using fewer than the best twenty could lead to a handicap index that is overly responsive to a single good or bad round.
The best ten out of twenty method allows golfers to play poorly on occasion while decreasing the effect of an exceptionally good day. This leads to accurate, responsive handicap indexes.
The calculated average after tossing out the ten highest differentials becomes the golfer’s official USGA handicap index.
Converting the Handicap Index to a Course Handicap
A golfer cannot compete against other golfers using their handicap index. The index is useful for tracking purposes and allows handicaps to translate across courses.
But for actually playing and scoring, it needs to be converted into a course handicap specific to that golf course.
Conversion requires just a couple quick steps. The first is again accounting for any difference in course difficulty versus an average course.
Next, the number needs to be adjusted based on which tee box the player is competing from. A few simple calculations using course slope, rating, par, and selected tees provides the course specific handicap.
The course handicap matches scoring expectancy relative to the golf course itself. And allows equitable stroke play amongst golfers with peer to peer scoring adjustments.
This calculated course handicap can now be used for participating in a handicap competition.
Using Course Handicaps in Competition
When golfers with varying handicaps play against each other in a tournament or casually, a handicap allowance is integrated into final scoring and payouts.
This allowance is administered through what are known as handicap strokes, which are additional strokes a high handicap golfer is permitted based on their course handicap versus the lowest handicapper.
How Handicap Strokes Work
If two golfers were competing against one another in a match play event, and one golfer had an eight course handicap while the other is a scratch golfer, the higher handicapper would receive eight total handicap strokes.
The strokes are incorporated per hole based on the handicap stroke table for that course. The better golfer plays scratch while the eight handicap receives their allotted strokes to make the match equitable.
For a small wager or casual round with friends, distributing strokes allows players of different abilities to participate on a “level playing field.” Integrating handicaps enables score comparisons across skill levels.
A twenty handicap shoots one hundred and eight while a five handicap shoots seventy-five. But after twenty net strokes are applied, the twenty handicap golfer wins with an eighty-eight versus the five handicapper’s seventy-five.
Comparing Net Scores to Determine Winners
In any type of handicap competition, after all players complete their round and handicap strokes are applied, winners and payouts are determined by the net scores.
If four golfers with handicaps of ten, fifteen, twenty-four and thirty-one were playing in a tournament, they would all receive their respective handicap strokes. The net score differentials are compared first.
Payment is rendered based on net differentials to achieve an equitable payout distribution. So in theory, any of the four handicap levels above could post the best net score to win the golf competition.
Integrating handicaps gives all levels of golfer a chance to compete while keeping the game fair and interesting.
Peer Groups Within Flights
For very large field amateur tournaments or handicap competitions, flights and peer groups are often utilized. Golfers are grouped into competitive flights based on their course handicap.
And then within each flight, peer groups sort golfers to ensure proper execution of equitable handicap strokes during the round. Players compete within their flight and peer group rather than across the entire field.
Flights group golfers of similar playing abilities together into smaller competitive brackets for prizes and payout purposes.
Incorporating peer groups alongside flights enables efficient pace of play and scoring as players with similar course handicaps compete only within their specific flight and group.
Golf Handicap Categories and Maximums
As referenced briefly in a previous section, the USGA organizes handicap indexes into five distinct categories to represent a general idea of a player’s scoring ability. These categories include:
Scratch or Zero Handicap Golfer
A scratch or zero handicap golfer has extraordinary golf ability. This player is expected to shoot even par or around the course rating at nearly any golf course played from the appropriate set of tees.
A true scratch golfer is incredibly rare amongst amateur players. Many top regional or college players may reach this level.
Low Handicap Golfer
A golfer with a handicap index ranging between zero point zero and nine point nine is considered a low handicapper. He or she possesses the golf skills and ability expected from an advanced player.
These golfers can reach greens in regulation, exhibit strong course management, have repeating swing mechanics, and show mastery of short game elements.
Average Mid Handicap Golfer
The typical mid handicap golfer maintains an index between ten and nineteen point nine. This is the level held by many passionate, dedicated weekend players.
Mid handicappers generally have one or two major weaknesses in their game holding them back from reaching the next level. But their well roundedness keeps them very competitive at the amateur level.
High Handicap Golfer
A high handicap index falls between twenty and twenty-nine point nine. Golfers of this level battle consistency issues across all facets of the game.
High handicaps may exhibit frequent trouble off the tee, incomplete swings, and intellectual approach deficiencies. Yet their passion for golf keeps them coming back in attempts to lower their number.
Very High Handicap Golfer
A player with an index of thirty or above is deemed a very high handicap golfer. While these players love golf, they have not yet developed adequate swing mechanics or an overall understanding of playing strategy on the course.
Maximum handicap indexes provide a cut off at some point for competition purposes. But these players can still enjoy and work to improve their golf game.
Men’s Handicap Index Maximum
Per the USGA handicap system, the maximum golf handicap index a male golfer can be allotted is thirty-six point four. Any higher calculated indexes will be reduced to this value for peer scoring purposes.
But a golfer’s actual index will continue to calculate beyond thirty-six point four as an indication of their performance ability.
Women’s Handicap Index Maximum
The USGA maximum allotted golf handicap index for female players is forty point four. If a woman golfer’s twenty round average produces an index exceeding this threshold, it will be lowered to forty point four for equitable scoring comparison and competition amongst players.
Her true index based on differentials can still calculate beyond forty point four.
Handicap index maximums prevent newer players from being placed at an extreme scoring disadvantage. And also keeps competition equitable by capping allotted strokes available.
Players at the max still receive ample strokes to make the game enjoyable as they work to improve through practice and course management.
Conclusion
The golf handicap system allows players of all abilities to compete and play on an equitable basis. By calculating differentials and indexing scores, handicaps enable fair games between scratch golfers and high handicappers.
Integrating course handicaps and distributing strokes provides the framework for enjoyable competition. For anyone curious about what golf handicaps are and how they work, this overview covers the key details.
