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Nov 28th, 2020

Handicap allowances under the WHS

It's not just the calculation of handicaps that is changing

So we all know where to get our Handicap Index and how to then calculate our handicap for a given course and set of tees. However, did you know that you then need to adjust your handicap further using the Handicap Allowance table to arrive at your playing handicap?
We remember back in the day when for an individual Stableford competition you played off 7/8ths of your handicap. Well now regardless of whether it is a strokeplay (medal) event or a Stableford you will receive 95% of your handicap.
A subtle change that will not impact hugely apart from those with much higher handicaps but one that rather came in under the radar.

Here are the new suggested Handicap Allowances under the World Handicap System.
Strokeplay
  • Individual: 95%
  • Individual Stableford: 95%
  • Individual Par/Bogey: 95%
  • Individual Maximum Score: 95%
  • Fourball stroke play: 85%
  • Fourball Stableford: 85%
  • Fourball Par/Bogey: 90%
Matchplay
  • Individual: 100%
  • Fourball: 90%
Team
  • Foursomes: 50% of combined team handicap
  • Greensomes: 60% low handicap + 40% high handicap
  • 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): 35% 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%
These handicap allowances only count as part of your playing handicaps. They will not have any bearing on the score you return as part of your best eight of 20 under the new global handicap system.

TAGS: Rules Of Golf, World Handicap System, Handicap Allowances, 2020