How to give golf strokes in strokeplay and matchplay formats
Are you aware of the handicap allowances when you're playing golf? Find out...
Playing golf this week in a competition or with your mates, but aren't sure how to work out the number of allocated strokes during your match? Well, you've arrived at the right place.
Here's a quick guide on how to use a golf handicap in strokeplay and matchplay - according to the player's edition of CONGU (the council of national golf unions)...
HOW TO USE A GOLF HANDICAP IN STROKEPLAY
SINGLES - full handicap
FOURSOMES - half combined playing handicap of partners
FOURBALL BETTER BALL - each partner receives 90% of their full playing handicap
HOW TO USE A GOLF HANDICAP IN MATCHPLAY
SINGLES - full difference of playing handicaps
FOURSOMES - half the difference of the combined playing handicaps of each side
FOURBALL BETTER BALL - lowest player concede strokes to other three players calculated at 90% of the difference between playing handicaps
EXPLAINED: THE NEW WORLD GOLF HANDICAP SYSTEM FOR 2020
HOW TO USE A GOLF HANDICAP IN GREENSOMES
STROKEPLAY - 0.6 x lowest playing handicap plus 0.4 x highest playing handicap
MATCHPLAY - full difference between greensomes handicap
HOW TO CALCULATE A GOLF HANDICAP - CLICK HERE
HANDICAP CATEGORIES
Handicaps are divided into different bands, called categories
Depending on which category you fall under, the amount your handicap can go down varies.
Also, the amount you can play over your handicap (buffer zone) varies before your handicap increases.
CATEGORY 1 - HANDICAP BAND PLUS-5.4 - BUFFER ZONE 1 SHOT ABOVE CSS - HANDICAP DECREASE FOR EVERY SHOT BELOW CSS -0.1
CATEGORY 2 - HANDICAP BAND PLUS 5.5-12.4 - BUFFER ZONE 2 SHOTS ABOVE CSS - HANDICAP DECREASE FOR EVERY SHOT BELOW CSS -0.2
CATEGORY 3 - HANDICAP BAND 12.5-20.4 - BUFFER ZONE 3 SHOTS ABOVE CSS - HANDICAP DECREASE FOR EVERY SHOT BELOW CSS -0.3
CATEGORY 4 - HANDICAP BAND 20.5-28.4 - BUFFER ZONE 4 SHOTS ABOVE CSS - HANDICAP DECREASE FOR EVERY SHOT BELOW CSS -0.4
CATEGORY 5 - HANDICAP BAND 28.5-36.4 - BUFFER ZONE 5 SHOTS ABOVE CSS - HANDICAP DECREASE FOR EVERY SHOT BELOW CSS -0.5
CATEGORY 6 - HANDICAP BAND 36.5-54 - BUFFER ZONE 6 SHOTS ABOVE CSS - HANDICAP DECREASE FOR EVERY SHOT BELOW CSS -0.6
