How to Increase Your Handicap

Golf is a sport that allows players of all skills to compete against one another on a level playing field through its handicap system. The handicap is calculated differently depending on the country where you play, but the concept is the same. In America, you take the 10 best scorecards from your last 20 rounds, and use these to establish your handicap. A player who takes 90 shots to complete a course with a par of 72 would have a handicap of 18 -- because it took him 18 shots more than par. Generally, the goal should be to decrease your handicap, as this makes you a better golfer. If you are struggling to play to your handicap, however, it is possible to increase it.

Instructions

1. • 1

     Play at least 11 rounds of golf, and take more shots to complete each round than you used when establishing your handicap during the previous 20 rounds.

   • 2

     Calculate your 10 best rounds from the previous 20. (These will now be worse rounds than before.)

   • 3

     Recalculate your handicap using the U.S. Golf Association system. Since you have taken more shots than in your best 10 rounds, your handicap will increase.