The handicap basically allows people of very different golfing ability to compete with each other. Other sports do have a ‘handicap’ system, but nowhere does it work as effectively as in the game of golf.

Let’s take an example of a 9 handicap player meeting a 16-handicapper in a Match play singles match. They would take the difference between their handicaps (7) and apply the ¾ of difference principle (if their club uses this rather than the full difference) = 5.25 – rounded to the nearest full number (=5). The 16 handicap player would get an extra stroke over his opponent at the first 5 stroke index numbered holes on the course.

Handicaps are administered by the Golf Clubs themselves, according to rules laid down by their responsible national union.
Officially, there is no other way, despite the claims of a number of bodies to being able to award ‘official handicaps’ (except where low handicaps are administered by a regional body rather than a club)

Most golf clubs have a committee (council) member responsible for this. A players handicap can be varied upwards or downwards as a result of his/her performance in ‘qualifying competitions’. The committee also has the right under the rules of golf (rule 19b) to make merit adjustments to a member’s handicap.

Handicaps fall into 4 categories for men and 6 for ladies, as follows:

Category Handicap range
1 0 – 5
2 6 – 12
3 13 – 20
4 21 – 28
5 29 – 40
6 41 – 45

Clubs often have names rather than category numbers for the different levels, ranging from the Gold/silver etc to the Tigers and Rabbits and the like.

Stroke Index
All golf clubs are required to publish a HANDICAP STROKE TABLE, indicating the order of holes at which handicap strokes are to be given or received. This always appears on the course scorecard under the heading stroke index. This is a list of numbers from 1 to 18 where handicap strokes are taken. The lower numbers indicate a higher degree of difficulty, hence a person receiving, for example, 9 strokes, either in a handicap competition or from a playing opponent, would receive an extra stroke at each of the holes with a Stroke Index from 1 to 9 inclusive.

The ‘degree of difficulty’ is a relative term, as the Club Committee is requested to observe a number of recommendations when setting the stroke index – such as ‘balancing’ the numbers between the two ‘nines’ of an 18-hole course.

This is especially noticeable if you visit a course which has 3 or more ‘nines’ which can be played in different combinations – allowance must be made for the balancing and other factors, when wondering why a hole played much easier (or harder!) than its stroke index would indicate. One thing you can guarantee – the stroke index 1 hole has been given that status for a very good reason!