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How do we track golf handicaps

Golf handicap information

The Golfscoretracker system currently calculates golf handicaps for the UK, Ireland and USA according to the exact specifications and rules of the UK and USGA handicapping systems. All the other countries use the UK system, although additional systems for selected countires will be added shortly. 

UK Handicap

The following requirements are needed to allow the system to calculate your golf handicap :

  • The round played must be 18 holes
  • The course/tee played must have the scorecard SSS (Standard Scratch Score) stored in the golfscoretracker system
  • A golf handicap will only be set once 3 rounds have been added based on the above criteria
  • Once the first 3 rounds are added, the handicap will be calculated as an average of these rounds unless a starting handicap was set
  • Your golf handicap will be adjusted accordingly based on the following information relating to the golf handicap system used

The golf handicap system used is based on current game performance. Your last round score will generally affect your golf handicap.

Unlike The ESC under USGA , the golf handicap system used allows a net (+2) maximum for men and (+3) for women, on any hole.

Standard scratch for the course somewhat resembles Course Rating in the USGA system. ( 71,73,72 etc.). The calulations are then started as follows :

Gross Score = Number of strokes - Standard Scratch

Adjusted Gross Score = Gross Score - hole adjustments described above (max net double bogey)

The following golf categories are then used :

Category Handicap Range Buffer Zone Reduction per Shot Increase per 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 - 28.0 +4 -0.4 +0.1

So for example the following applies :

  • Determine the Rounds Net Score. e.g. Gross Score - Current golf handicap
  • Determine what Category this Golfer falls into based on current handicap
  • If Net Score is greater than Golfers Category Buffer Zone then simply add 0.1 to Golfers Handicap
  • If Net Score Ranges from 0 to Buffer zone the handicap is then unchanged
  • If Net score is negative then for each shot less than 0, the Golfers Handicap is reduced by the amount specified by the category he/she is currently in

Your starting handicap of 24 puts you in Category 4. Following are the adjustments made to your handicap based on subsequent rounds submitted :

Score SSS Gross Score Hcp Net Hcp Score Hcp Adj New Handicap
94 72 22 24 -2 2* 0.4=0.8 23.2
95 71 24 23.2 +1 0 (within buffer zone +4) 23.2
100 71 29 23.2 +6 +0.1(outside buffer zone +4) 23.3