Golf Handicap: Allowing Golfers To Compete On Equal Terms

Amateur golfers with different levels of ability compete against one another on equal terms by measuring their level of ability and calculating their golf handicap. A golf handicap is measured in number of strokes and is used to calculate a net score by subtracting the handicap from the number of actual strokes.

Pro golfers play “head to head” and don’t get the benefit of a handicap in competition, but national golfing associations have developed standard formulas for calculating an amateur golfer’s handicap to give all players a more equal chance to win, and thereby promote the game.

Determining A Golf Handicap

The golf handicap is calculated using an arithmetic formula that can quantify how much below or above par the player should be able to play. Different methods of calculating the golf handicap are used in different parts of the world. The United States Golf Association defines the method of calculating the handicap of golfers in North America, while the rest of the world uses calculations supplied by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, in Scotland.

A player can have a net score that is calculated when their golf handicap is subtracted from their gross score. Whoever has the lowest score - wins. A player’s handicap is not a a direct result of calculating their average gross score. The calculation is much more complex and attempts to predict a player’s potential to shoot par golf. Normally, handicapping a person is based on their individual playing abilities based on their recent past history of play, so the golf handicap can be regularly adjusted upwards or downwards. In practice, only about one fourth of all golfers actually play par golf after applying their handicap.

Golfers with a zero golf handicap are referred to as “scratch golfers” and one whose handicap is 20 is called a “bogey golfer”. There are also “plus handicappers” who have handicaps below zero, and when a plus handicapper finishes his or her round of golf, he or she must add the handicap to the score, instead of subtracting it. US golfers have their handicaps calculated with the help of a number of variables such as their recent golfing history, as well as the course rating.

The golf handicap gives a less proficient golfer a chance to beat a more experienced golfer, and helps keep the game interesting and fun.