The Golf Handicap System Explained.

Golfers work a handicap system, which measures the number of strokes over par a golf player shoots normally on average. For example, a golfer with a handicap of 2 would shoot a 72 on average on a golf course with a par of 70. This evens the playing field among golfers with varying skill levels.

Golf is a special sport in that players can contend on a level playing field, whatever their ability, appreciation to the golf handicap scheme.

In nearly all cases, you will need to become a member of a accepted club or accepted handicapping format in order to get an prescribed golf handicap so you can play in competitions.

In the UK, the maximum handicap for men is 28 and the maximum for ladies is 36. The type of competition depends on the number of shots that a player will yield or obtain during a competition.

The (CONGU) Council of national Golf Unions mastermind the handicapping system in the UK, and they induce the following recommendations for handicap allowances.

nonetheless, these are just suggestions and various clubs or events may utilise their respective rules. In most cases, differences are rounded to the closest full number, with halves being rounded up.

Match Play

Before starting a match in a handicap competition, the players should determine from one another their respective handicaps. If a player starts a match having declared a handicap higher than that to which he is merits and this affects the number of strokes given or received, he is disqualified other wise, the player must play off the declared handicap.

Stroke Play

In all rounds of a competition, the challenger must assure that his handicap is marked on his score card before it is returned to the committee. If a handicap is not recorded on the score card before it is returned, or if the documented handicap is higher than that to which the player is merits and this affects the number of strokes received, the player will be disqualified from the handicap competition otherwise the score stands. It is the player's responsibility to know the holes at which handicap strokes are to be given or received.