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Playing Handicaps under WHS


It's all change under the World Handicap System.

Playing Handicaps are calculated as a percentage of Course Handicaps for each format of the game as follows:-

  • Individual stroke play, Stableford, par/bogey, maximum score: 95%
  • Fourball stroke play: 85%
  • Fourball Stableford: 85%
  • Fourball par/bogey: 90%
  • Individual match play: 100%
  • Fourball match play: 90%
  • Foursomes: 50% of combined team handicap
  • Greensomes, Pinehurst/Chapman: 60% low handicap + 40% high handicap
  • Best 1 of 4 stroke play: 75%
  • Best 2 of 4 stroke play: 85%
  • Best 3 of 4 stroke play: 100%
  • Best 4 of 4 stroke play: 100%
  • Scramble (4 players): 25%/20%/15%/10% from lowest to highest handicap
  • Scramble (2 players): 25% low/15% high
  • Total score of 2 match play: 100%
  • Best 1 of 4 par/bogey: 75%
  • Best 2 of 4 par/bogey: 80%
  • Best 3 of 4 par/bogey: 90%
  • 4 of 4 par/bogey: 100%

Please be aware that pre-calculated Playing Handicaps by computer (and shown on competition score cards and start sheets) are only rounded once i.e. there is no intermediate rounding between the calculation of a Course Handicap and a Playing Handicap as there is for Match Play.