Understanding Handicaps & Tips for Correct Scoring
Handicaps are not complicated or secret or just for very good golfers. Simply put, a Handicap is a reflection of your demonstrated ability. Competitive golfers and recreational golfers alike all benefit from having this “snapshot” of their abilities.
How to Obtain and Maintain A Handicap
Your Handicap is obtained and maintained by posting scores from all your rounds through your member account on the Golf Canada Score Centre.
- Your initial Handicap will be issued once you have posted a minimum of three 18-hole rounds, or six 9-hole rounds – or a combination of these for a minimum of 54 holes.
- Your Handicap is updated with each additional round posted.
- Once you have posted at least 20 rounds, the best 8 games of your last 20 will be used to update your Handicap.
- Posting every score from every round that produces an eligible score will ensure that your Handicap will continue to be valid and reflect your demonstrated ability.
The World Handicapping System incorporates a single set of Rules of Handicapping to provide consistent reference and application for all golfers, Committees, Clubs and Associations. The complete rules can be accessed through the Golf Canada website.
Based on the Rules of Handicapping below are easy-to-follow explanations, tips and rules will assist you in correctly posting your scores and managing your Handicap.
How to Post Your Scores & Review Your handicap and Posting History
Scores Acceptable For Handicap Purposes
How Many Holes Must be Played to Post an Acceptable Score
How To Post A Score When A Hole Is Not Played
How To Post A Score When A Hole Is Started But Not Completed
Playing Conditions Calculation
What it is and how it works
Score Differentials, Handicap Indexes, Course Handicaps & Playing Handicaps
What are these and what are the differences?
Stroke Index Allocation
What is it and when is it used?
Maximum Adjusted Score
What is Net Double Bogey, when is it used, and how is it calculated?
Other Uses and Application for the Stroke Index Allocation
Including Net Par, Net Scoring for a Hole and Strokes Given/Received in Match Play