We often hear the term handicaps in golf. What does this term mean? In golf, handicap is a numerical measure used to measure an amateur golfer performance by calculating the nett score of the number of strokes. Meanwhile, this calculation system is not used in professional golf tournaments.
Assessing Golfers Skill Level
By using this calculation system, golfers will be able to know their proficiency level and follow the competition according to their ability. For example, a player with a higher handicap, less likely play with a lower handicap golfer. But, the lower handicap golfer has the possibility to play along with a more expert golfer. This calculation system may vary from one country and another. This is because each golf club and local golf associations have different rules. Then how to calculate handicap?
How to Calculating Handicaps in Golf
The golfer’s handicaps calculated based on the level of difficulty of the golf course and the average of golfer’s top ten recent scores or the average score of three game rounds. For example, if a player has completed 18 holes in 80, 86 and 95 strokes, then the average score would be 80 + 86 + 95 = 261/3 = 87.
Then those average score is reduced by the standard number of shots that golfer is expected to finish the 18 holes (The Standard Scratch Score). If the Standard Scratch Score (SSS) is 70, then the player receives an initial handicap of 17 (87 – 70 = 17). For male golfers, the maximum handicap allowed is 28. As for female golfers, the maximum handicap allowed is 36. The better a golfer’s ability, the lower their handicap number.
In a golf played by two golfers with a different handicap, the handicap becomes the cornerstone of the calculation. The selected golf course is adjusted to the golfer’s ability or the number of the handicap. If there is golfer with handicap 10 against golfer with handicap 2. Then, the winner determined by reducing the first player’s value by two, while the second player’s value is reduced by 10. Then the result is compared.
In general, handicaps fall into five categories as follows:
- Category 1: Handicap of 5 or less (0.1)
- Category 2: Handicap of 5.5 to 12.4 (0.2)
- Category 3: handicap of 12.5 to 20.4 (0.3)
- Category 4: Handicap of 20.5 to 28 (0.4)
- Category 5: Handicap of 28.1 to 36 (for female golfers) (0.5)
Beside using the number of golfer’s strokes in one round, handicap also influenced by the difficulty level of the golf course used by golfers. The use of golf course difficulty level is aimed at assessing golfer’s ability more accurately. You can legalize a golf handicap through a golf association like the United Stated Golf Association (USGA) by paying a small fee.
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Handicaps may decrease or increase throughout the competition. If a golfer exceeds their handicap, usually their handicap will get reduction. For example, if a golfer plays two strokes better from his handicap, then his handicap will be reduced by 2x the handicap value in his category.
