How to Handicap Golfers

Shortly after the beginning of the 20th century, the governing golf associations of the both the U.S. and England adopted a handicap system for golfers so that they could enjoy playing against each other, regardless of their abilities. Without a handicap system, a golfer that routinely shot about 100 would not be a good match for someone who shot in the low 70s. Golf handicaps level the playing field so that both players can compete against each other equitably. About 80 years after handicaps were introduced, the United States Golf Association (USGA) changed the handicap system by incorporating the difficulty of various courses with a player's abilities.

Instructions

    • 1

      Play at least five rounds of golf and register with a public or private golf club that is authorized to issue handicaps. Eventually, when you have played 20 rounds, the 10 best scores will be used to determine your handicap. You can also choose to not join a club or play at a public course without establishing a handicap there. Gather at least 10 other golfers who also are not members of a club and do not have a handicap, then petition the USGA for the right to issue them for your group.

    • 2

      Heed the Equitable Stroke Control established by the USGA. USGA experts realized that some people will take extra strokes on certain holes to keep their handicap as high as possible, so scores can be used as long as they are adjusted. Besides, a handicap reflects your potential and it is not based on scores that are inflated. For example, if you are a "scratch" golfer -- one who has a 0 handicap or better -- you can count no more than a double bogey on a hole for handicap purposes. However, if your handicap is 30, you are allowed to report up to a nine on a hole.

    • 3

      Do the following calculations to arrive at your handicap. First, you may use up to your 10 best scores of the last 20 you played. If you've played less than 20, the USGA has a formula which should be applied. Take each of those scores and reduce it by the rating of the course on which you played. Multiple the result by 113 then divide the result by the course's slope rating. Finally, multiple the result by .96 to arrive at your handicap. It's a complex formula which golfers don't have to remember because it's handled by the Handicap Committee at your club.