What Is A Golf Handicap?

The great thing about amateur golf is it can be played by people of all ages and abilities, with everyone able to compete on a level playing field. This is only possible thanks to the handicap system, which is a concept that divides opinion, but what is a golf handicap?

In this article, we explain everything you need to know and share some useful tips for getting your first handicap...

What Is A Golf Handicap?

A golf handicap is a numerical measure of a a golfer's individual ability. This allows golfers to compete with other amateurs of different abilities, with the idea being that both players have a chance to win.

The maximum golfer handicap is 54, and the better the golfer is, the lower their handicap index. If a player holds a handicap of 54, they receive 54 strokes which are taken off their total score at the end of the round.

A player who holds a handicap of 0 is referred to as a 'scratch golfer', as they do not receive any strokes. It is possible to hold a 'plus figure' handicap, meaning that strokes are added on to the final score of a player rather than taken away. This requires a tremendously high skill level to maintain and is quite rare.

When players subtract their handicap allowance from their total (gross score), they are given what is called a 'nett' score. In a match play scenario, where one player or team competes against another, the player or team with the higher handicap will receive strokes from their opponent(s).

A player’s handicap is calculated based on recent performances. As of 1st November 2020, all golfers in the UK and Ireland adopted the World Handicap System, (WHS) meaning golfers across the globe will be using the same handicapping system. WHS calculates handicap by taking an average of the best eight of a player’s 20 most recent scores to give a “Handicap Index.”

Some golfers feel that the handicap system unfairly favours less skilful golfers in club competitions, with plenty of debate recently about the fairness of the system.

How Do I Get A Golf Handicap?

Players new to golf or looking to obtain a first handicap will need to submit scorecards amounting to 54 holes. From those, an initial Handicap Index will be provided. This will be altered when 20 scores have been submitted to deliver a fully developed Handicap Index. The Handicap Index is used in conjunction with the difficulty of a course to provide a Course Handicap.

Each course has a “Course Rating” – this is the total score a scratch golfer would be expected to return over 18 holes. There is also a “Bogey Rating” – this measures playing difficulty for an average golfer (20 handicap for a man, 24 for a women.)

From these a “Slope Rating” is calculated allowing players to calculate how many strokes they receive on a particular course. The system will calculate a player’s exact Handicap Index to one decimal place although actual Course Handicap will be a whole number rounded up or down. A player can reduce their handicap through submitting good scores, conversely a player’s handicap will increase to reflect poorer performance.