If you’re new to golf, then you may still be getting your head around the rules and terminology of the game. While you may understand the difference between a par, bogey or eagle, you may still be confused by handicap. It’s a common phrase, and you may have heard other players talking about their handicap but not be entirely sure what they’re talking about.
In this article, we explain everything you need to know about golf handicaps, what they mean and how you get your own.
What is a golf handicap?
A golf handicap is a number that represents a golfer’s playing ability. It helps level the playing field to ensure that players of a similar skill can compete fairly against each other. The lower the number, the better the player is.
As part of recent changes to handicap rules, beginner golfers will begin with a handicap of 54, for both men and women. Your handicap lets you compare your performance with other players at the same level, and it can change as your game improves or dips. The lower your handicap, the better your golf game is.
Why do handicaps matter?
There are two main reasons handicaps are so important in golf:
- Fair competition: Golf handicaps make it possible for a beginner to compete against a more experienced player by giving them extra strokes during the round.
- Tracking improvement: Your handicap gives you a clear measure of how your game is progressing over time.
It’s not just for serious players or club members; anyone can benefit from keeping a handicap.
How do you calculate your handicap in golf?
Many players across the UK and the world use the World Handicap System to calculate their handicap to ensure it’s a consistent measure. Golf handicap is calculated by:
- You must play at least 54 holes. This can be a mix of 18-hole rounds and 9-hole rounds on courses with a World Handicap System rating.
- Submit your scores via your golf club’s system or an independent app.
- Once you’ve logged enough rounds, you’ll be assigned a handicap index. This is your official handicap number.
- Your score will be based on your best scores. It uses the best eight scores from the last 20 scores. Doing it this way gives a good reflection of your playing potential over time. The more rounds you play and submit, the more accurate your handicap will be.
- This number may vary depending on which course you’re playing and your course handicap. For example, if your handicap index is 18, it may be 18 on a standard course, 16 on an easier one and 21 on a tougher course.
Playing with your handicap
Once you know your handicap index and your course handicap, you can calculate how it affects your round. For example, if your course handicap is 18, you get one extra stroke on each hole.
However, if it’s nine, then you get an extra stroke for the nine most challenging holes. These strokes are then taken into account to calculate your net score. If you play a par 72 course, and you score 90 with an 18 handicap, your net score will be 72, meaning you’ve played to your handicap or skill level.
Looking for a golf course in Warwickshire?
Whether you’re a novice or an experienced player, we welcome golfers of all abilities to our course. Spreading over 6,289 yards with a par 71, Whitefields Golf Club offers a challenge for players of all handicaps. Click here to find out more.