Crystell Harty
Golfers with a handicap are allowed to take a stroke or apply a stroke to reduce their score on a given hole. The number of strokes a player is entitled to is determined by their Course Handicap. The scorecard for the course will indicate the stroke hole designations, including the yardages, pars, and order of holes on which strokes can be received. This is known as the Stroke Index, which is a numbering system used in handicap golf competitions. Each hole gets a unique stroke index number between 1 and 18, with 1 being the most difficult and 18 being the least difficult.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is a handicap stroke? | A stroke applied to a gross score which, in effect, subtracts the player’s handicap stroke(s) from the player’s gross score for a hole or round, referred to as the player’s net score. |
| How is it used? | Handicap strokes are given at holes where the stroke index of the hole is less than or equal to the number of strokes given. |
| How do you know which holes you get to do that? | Figure your course handicap, then compare your course handicap to the "handicap" line on the scorecard. |
| How do you determine which holes to apply handicap strokes to? | Look at an example: if a player's course handicap is "1," that player would get a stroke only on the Number 1 handicap hole. |
| How do you calculate your net score? | If you are a 20 handicap, you would have a total of 20 strokes given to you for the round. This means that whatever your total score is (gross score), you would subtract 20 strokes from that score and that would be your handicap-adjusted score (net score). |
| How do you know how many strokes to give/take? | The scorecard for the course on which you are playing will have the stroke hole designations. On the card, you should see the yardages, the pars, and the order of holes on which you would receive strokes in a match play. |
What You'll Learn
Handicap strokes
In match play, the stroke index is used to evenly spread the handicap allowances across the course. The odd stroke index numbers are allocated to the more difficult half of the course, which is usually the longer half, while the even stroke index numbers are assigned to the easier half. Holes 1 and 18 are typically not included in the first 8 of the stroke index. The handicap strokes are then deducted from a player's score in the order of the stroke index from hole 1 to 18. For example, a player with a handicap of 12 would receive a stroke deduction on holes with a stroke index of 1 to 12.
In stroke play, the total number of strokes is counted over one or more rounds of 18 holes, and the player with the lowest total score wins. In handicap competitions, players subtract their handicaps from the total score to generate their net scores, and the player with the lowest net score wins.
Golfers with handicaps need to apply those handicaps on the golf course, which means that on certain holes, they can "take a stroke" or "apply a stroke" to reduce their score. For example, if a golfer played six strokes to get the ball into the hole on Number 12, but their handicap allows them to take a stroke on that hole, their net score would be 5. To determine which holes they can take handicap strokes on, golfers need to figure out their course handicap and then compare it to the "handicap" line on the scorecard. The numbers on that row represent the ranking of the holes for handicap purposes.
The purpose of the handicap system is to allow for play between experts and beginners, levelling the playing field by accounting for the skill of each individual.
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Handicap-stroke holes
The number of handicap-stroke holes a golfer gets depends on their handicap. Each hole on a golf course is given a handicap rating from 1 to 18, with 1 being the most difficult and 18 being the least. A player's handicap will determine how many strokes they get to reduce their score on a given hole.
For example, a player with a handicap of 1 will get a stroke on the Number 1 handicap hole, while a player with a handicap of 2 will get strokes on handicap holes Number 1 and 2. If a player has a handicap of 18, they will get a stroke on every hole.
The handicap holes are listed on the scorecard, usually in two rows, one for men and one for women, and labelled "Handicap" or abbreviated as "HCP". The handicap holes are determined by the golf club, and the scorecard will indicate how to apply the handicap score to a golfer's total. This is done through a line on the card known as the Handicap Line.
The purpose of the handicap system is to level the playing field and allow players of different skill levels to compete against each other. For example, a golf pro with no handicap can play against an amateur with a handicap of 10, and the handicap system will give the amateur a chance to catch up to the pro.
In addition to the handicap system, there is also the concept of a maximum hole score for handicap purposes. This is usually limited to a net double bogey, which is calculated as the par of the hole plus two strokes (double bogey) plus any handicap strokes the player is entitled to based on their Course Handicap. This prevents one difficult hole from unfairly affecting a player's overall score.
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Allocating handicap strokes
Handicap strokes are a way to equalize the abilities of players at different handicap levels, allowing them to compete equitably. The number of strokes a player is entitled to is indicated by their Course Handicap. For instance, a player with a handicap of 20 would get one stroke on each of the 18 holes.
The allocation of handicap strokes is determined by either the club's Handicap Committee or a separate committee formed to allocate handicap-stroke holes. The committee is responsible for publishing a Handicap Stroke Table, indicating the order of holes at which handicap strokes are given. This table is usually included on the scorecard, with each hole having a unique stroke index number between 1 and 18.
In match play, the stroke index is used to spread handicap allowances evenly across the course. Odd stroke index numbers are allocated to the more difficult half of the course, usually the longer half, and even stroke index numbers to the easier half. The stroke index is also used in other competitions, such as Stableford competitions, where points are earned on each hole in relation to each golfer's net par for the hole.
In a handicap match play competition, if one player has a handicap that is eight shots higher than their opponent, they will receive a handicap stroke on the holes with a stroke index of 1 to 8. For example, if a player has a handicap of 12, they will receive a stroke deduction on holes with a stroke index of 1 to 12.
It is important to note that the handicap-stroke holes are not necessarily in the order of the golf course hole layout. The committee in charge of the competition has the authority to assign a custom order to the handicap-stroke holes.
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Handicap allowances
The allowances are designed to give all players a similar chance of finishing in the top 10% when playing well in medium-sized, individual stroke-play net events. For match play and team formats, the allowances are set to give each player or team the same chance of winning. The allowances may be adjusted for different field sizes and the makeup of the field.
In organised competitions, the committee should specify the handicap allowance within the terms of the competition. After handicap allowances have been applied in stroke-play formats, a player receives their full playing handicap. In match-play formats, the player with the lowest playing handicap plays off zero strokes, and the other player(s) receive the difference between their own playing handicap and that of the player with the lowest handicap.
For players with a 'plus' playing handicap, they give strokes back to the course, starting at the hole with stroke index 18. For example, a player with a +2 handicap would give strokes back to the course at holes 18 and 17. When handicap allowances are applied, a player with a plus playing handicap moves towards zero, including rounding, to maintain the same relative difference between playing handicaps.
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Handicap match play
In golf, the handicap system is designed to make competitions fairer. In match play, the standard way to allocate handicap strokes uses the "course-defined hole ranking". The "handicap-stroke hole" is a hole on which a player is entitled to apply a handicap stroke or strokes to a gross score.
To determine how many strokes each player gets, subtract the lower handicap from the higher handicap, then assign the difference to the weaker player. The better golfer, or the one with the lower handicap, plays off scratch, while the weaker golfer is the only one who uses handicap strokes in the match. For example, if Golfer A has a course handicap of 14 and Golfer B has a course handicap of 10, Golfer A gets four strokes and Golfer B gets zero strokes.
The holes on which the handicap strokes are used are determined by the "Handicap" or "HCP" row or column on the scorecard. This shows each hole numbered from one to 18, indicating the ranking of the holes from most difficult to least difficult. Using the previous example, Golfer A, who gets four handicap strokes, would apply those strokes to the four highest-rated handicap holes.
It's important to note that the handicap-stroke holes are not necessarily in the order of the golf course hole layout. The committee in charge of the competition may assign a custom order by publishing a "stroke allocation table".
In match play, the unit of competition is a hole. A player wins a hole by completing it in fewer strokes than their opponent. The winner of the match is the player who wins the most holes. If the match ends in a tie, extra holes may be played to determine a winner.
Additionally, if a match goes to extra holes, it is not considered a new match. The first hole is considered the 19th hole, the second the 20th, and so on. Unless the committee decides otherwise, matches continue on the hole they started on.
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Frequently asked questions
A handicap stroke is a stroke applied to a gross score, which in effect, subtracts the player's handicap strokes from their gross score for a hole or round, which is referred to as the player's net score.
To know which holes you get handicap strokes on, you must first figure out your course handicap. Then, compare your course handicap to the "handicap" line on the scorecard. The numbers on that row represent the ranking of the holes for handicap purposes.
In match play, the stroke index is used to evenly spread the handicap allowances across the course. This is done by allocating the odd stroke index numbers to the more difficult half (9 holes) of the course, and the even stroke index numbers to the easier half.
