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Where to start - give it a go!

 

Simply enter 3 scorecards and the Par or SSS for the course.

 

 

 

What you have just calculated is an initial handicap value, basically a starting point from where your handicap begins.

A Golf Handicap is the measurement of your golfing ability and allows you to play against others on a fair basis. It's therefore an excellent measurement of how your game is improving and in an ideal world your handicap should always be reducing or staying the same.

Handicap's represents the number of stokes you play above a 'scratch golfer', someone who plays off a ‘0’ handicap.

 

Calculating a Handicap 

To calculate your initial handicap, an average of your first three rounds is used. What must be remembered is that the CONGU system does not allow a player to score more than a double bogey (+2) on each hole.

Under CONGU the maximum handicap for a man is 28 and for a women 36. However,  we have extended Men’s Handicap to 36 for our Handicap Tracker but our Handicap Certificates are limited to 28 for men. In other countries the maximum handicap is 53.5!

The ‘SSS’ – Standard Scratch Score

While the Par for the course is important, your handicap is calculated using the SSS of the course. The reason is that while the Par for different courses might be the same, some courses are more difficult than others and this difference is shown within the SSS.

The SSS value can typically range between 67 and 74.

 

Your Initial Handicap Value

If you do not have a Handicap we will calculate this for you. Just complete 3 scorecards. For greater accuracy, please complete hole by hole information to enable any adjustments to be made where you may have played more than +2 on a hole.

 

How Does your Handicap Change?

Buffer Zones –

Each time you add a scorecard, your handicap is recalculated. The Buffer Zones relate to your Handicap and determines how you handicap changes, either up or down. As your handicap decreases, becomes closer to 0, it becomes more difficult to lower your handicap. You will also notice that your handicap does not jump up when you have had a bad round, but increases slowly.

Category
Handicap
Range
Buffer
Zone
Reduction (shot)
Increase
(Round)
1 0.1 – 5.4 +1 -0.1 +0.1
2 5.5 – 12.4 +2 -0.2 +0.1
3 12.5 – 20.4 +3 -0.3 +0.1
4 20.5 – 28.4 +4 -0.4 +0.1
5 28.5 + +5 -0.5 +0.1

Your handicap is always to one decimal point, but for playing and calculation purposes, your handicap is rounded up or down to give a playing handicap. An actual handicap of 14.3 is a playing handicap of 14. 14.5 is a playing handicap of 15.

 

Adjusting your Score

The firstly thing that takes place after adding your scorecard is that your score must be adjusted. The maximum score possible on any hole is +2 and therefore, if you play +8 on a Par 5, you adjusted score will be +7, 2 over Par.

 

The Stroke Index – Shots Awarded

The stroke index gives every hole on the course a difficulty rating, 1 to 18, with 1 being the most difficult and 18 being the easiest.

Depending on your handicap, you are rewarded a number of strokes per course and these are awarded on a hole by hole basis.

If you have a 6 handicap, then you will be awarded one extra shot on the 6 most difficult holes, i.e. 1 – 6.

If you have a handicap of 12, then you will be awarded one shot on the 12 most difficult holes, stoke index 1 to 12.

If however you have a handicap of 27, you will be awarded one shot for every hole, plus one extra on the 9 most difficult holes. This means you get 2 shots on the 9 most difficult holes and 1 shot on the easiest holes, 

 

Golf Handicap Calculator 
  • We take your adjusted Score from the SSS of the course.
  • We take this value (Gross Score) and subtract your current playing handicap giving us your Net Score (Net differential)
  • We then apply your Net Score, to the various Buffer Zones for your handicap.

How confusing is that! – That is the reason we do it all for you. 

How does my handicap increase/decrease? - Some examples of a 28 Handicap player.



Your Handicap Increases

Adjusted Score - SSS = Gross Score

103 - 70 = 33

Gross Score - Handicap = Net Score

32 - 28 = 5

If Net Score > Buffer then ADD 0.1

5 is > +4

Running Handicap + 0.1

28.0 + 0.1

Your new handicap would be 28.1

Your Handicap stays the same

Adjusted Score - SSS = Gross Score

101 - 70 = 31

Gross Score - Handicap = Net Score

31 - 28 = 3

Net Score is within Buffer Zone

3 is < +4

No Change to Handicap

28.0

No Change in Handicap

Your Handicap Reduces

Adjusted Score - SSS = Gross Score

95 - 70 = 25

Gross Score - Handicap = Net Score

25 - 28 = -3

Net Score is less than handicap so 0.4 per shot

3 x 0.4 = 1.2

Running Handicap – 1.2

26.8

 To find out about Stableford Points and how they are calculated click here

 

 

Golf Handicap Certificate

M+ Golf Handicap Certificate - Find out more

 

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