I don’t know about you, but I have been playing the game of golf for a bunch of years and I frequently struggle with the components of our Handicap System and how they all interact. As a result, I decided to invest some time to attempt to sort it all out. We certainly run the risk of losing our non-golfing followers over the next few weeks, hopefully you can hang in there! Here we go!
The Handicap System is a multi-faceted mathematical calculation, allowing a higher Handicap Indexed player (a less competitive player) the ability to compete on equal footing with a lower Handicap Indexed player (a more competitive player).
Very simplistically (in stroke play), a lower Handicap Indexed player (i.e. 5.0 Handicap Index) would give five individual strokes to a higher Handicap Indexed player (10.0 Handicap Index) on the five most difficult holes on the course thus equalizing the players abilities.
Note:
Each hole on a golf course is rated based on the degree of difficulty (one through eighteen). A one rating represents the most challenging hole on the course while an eighteen rating represents the least challenging hole on the course.
Next week, we will share the math behind the Handicap Index calculation, identical to posting an Adjusted Gross Scores (detailed below) into an automated handicap service such as GHIN (Golf Handicap and Information Network).
Before we take the leap to the math, there are a few important fundamentals/concepts to the equation.
HANDICAP INDEX (PORTABLE INDEX): The measurement of a player’s potential ability on a standard golf course of standard playing difficulty. Golfers use their Handicap Index to determine their Handicap at a particular course, based on the difficulty of the specific course.
Maximum Handicap Index Limit(men): 36.4 (Changing to 54 in 2020).
Maximum Handicap Index Limit(women): 40.4 (Changing to 54 in 2020).
Calculation: Next Week’s Article
HANDICAP: A player’s Handicap is adjusted based on a course’s Slope Rating (detailed below). A “Handicap” is reduced on a lower rated (easier) course and is increased on a higher rated (harder)course.
Calculation: Handicap Index Slope Rating (detailed below) divided by 113 (Average Slope Rating) =Handicap (rounded to the nearest whole number)
(Example: Handicap Index (10)x Slope Rating (130) divided by 113 = Handicap (12). Based on this calculation, a player with a 10 Handicap Index would receive 12 strokes rather than 10 strokes on this particular course, in a competitive match.
ADJUSTED GROSS SCORE (EQUITABLE STROKE CONTROL): The Adjusted Gross Score (which is different than the players gross score) is the score utilized to post into an automated handicap service, utilizing a per hole“maximum” score based on your Handicap for the specific course, minimizing the effects of “disaster holes” on the scorecard.
0-9 Handicap: Maximum double bogey per hole
10-19 Handicap: Maximum 7-strokes per hole
20-29 Handicap: Maximum 8-strokes per hole
30-39 Handicap: Maximum 9-strokes per hole
40- Over Handicap: Maximum 10-strokes per hole
(Example: A “10” Handicap golfer scores a “9” on a given hole. The golfer is only allowed to post a “7” on the scorecard for Handicap Index purposes)
BOGEY RATING: The evaluation of the playing difficulty of a course for the bogey golfer under normal course and weather conditions (the target score for a bogey golfer). The Bogey Rating is based on the effective playing length and other course related obstacles to the extent that they affect the scoring ability of a bogey golfer with a Handicap Index between 17.5-22.4.
Calculation: Slope Rating divided by a constant 5.381 (men) or divided by a constant 4.24 (women) plus Course Rating = Bogey Rating
(Example: Slope Rating (130) divided by 5.381 (men) plus Course Rating (70.8) = Bogey Rating (95)
SLOPE RATING: Slope Rating represents the relative difficulty of a course for bogey golfers compared to the Course Rating (see below) or the difference between a Bogey Rating and a Course Rating. Slope Ratings typically range from 55-155. 113 is the average Slope Rating.
Calculation: Bogey Rating – Course Rating x 5.381(constant factor) = Slope Rating (Example: Bogey Rating (95) – Course Rating (70.8) x 5.381 = Slope Rating (130)
COURSE RATING: Course Rating measures the difficulty of a golf course as well as the number of strokes it should take a “scratch” (0 Handicap) golfer to play the entire course. Course Ratings typically range from the high 60’s (easier course) to the mid 70’s(harder course).
Calculation: The USGA determines the score of a typical scratch golfer (a golfer that shoots even par) on a given course. The Course Rating is performed by a team from the USGA who evaluates the length, elevation, altitude, prevailing wind direction, doglegs as well as potential obstacles such as side hill lies, width of fairways, length of rough, water hazards, green speed, bunkers (also known as psychological factors).
Is anyone still there? Please blink twice if you are still awake. Thank you for bearing with us, only two more weeks to go!
Next Week: “The Math”
If you are enjoying our weekly posts,we’d be eternally grateful if you’d spread the word. Thank you or following Bad Golf Guy and be sure to check us out on Instagram.
The back nine can only get better!
Leave a Reply