Calculating handicaps in matchplay

Calculating handicaps in matchplay

Matchplay handicaps use a format that some people find confusing. To help you understand how to work out your handicaps here is a full explanation.

However, few things to note before we start, matchplay handicaps are worked out differently when using a single tee compared to using multiple tees (i.e mixed matches between men and women).

In mixed matches, those playing from the tees with the highest Course Rating receive additional shots over those playing from the lower Course Rated tees.

The White tee has a Course Rating of 68.7. the Yellow tee is 67.3 and the Red tee is 70.1. Therefore the Red tee receives additional shots (as it’s the highest), 1.4 over the White tees and 2.8 over the Yellow tees. More will be explained below in each format.

Another thing to note is, to determine the outcome of each hole (win/loss/half) when using different sets of tees and stroke indexes, each player’s score is made relative to the par and stroke index of the set of tees they are playing from. So if you are playing in a mixed match, the 1st hole at Gloucester is a Par 4 / SI 3 for the Men’s/Whites, and if the ladies are off the Reds then they play it as a Par 5 / SI 17.

Pairs Betterball, such as the Tetley-Hawkins.

When a single tee is in use

Step 1: Course Handicaps – For each player, convert their Handicap Index into a Course Handicap (using the chart on the wall outside the clubhouse entrance or using the charts here, White, Yellow, Red

Step 2: Handicap difference – Adjust each Playing Handicap down so the lowest handicap plays off zero.

Step 3: Handicap allowances – Each difference is then reduced to the 90% allowance, rounding to the nearest whole number

Example:

Step 1: Course Handicaps

Player 1: Handicap Index 8.9 = 9
Player 2: Handicap Index 14.2 = 15
Player 3: Handicap Index 19.8 = 21
Player 4: Handicap Index 24.5 = 26

Step 2: Adjusted for lowest handicap

Player 1: 8 – 8 = 0
Player 2: 14 – 8 = 6
Player 3: 19 – 8 = 11
Player 4: 23 – 8 = 15

Step 3: This difference is then reduced to the 90% allowance

Player 1: 0 x 90% = 0
Player 2: 6 x 90% = 5.4, rounded to 5
Player 3: 11 x 90% = 9.9, rounded to 10
Player 4: 15 x 90% = 13.5, rounded to 14

When multiple tees are in use (mixed matches between men and women)

Step 1: Course Handicaps – For each player, convert their Handicap Index into a Course Handicap (using the chart on the wall outside the clubhouse entrance or using the charts here, White, Yellow, Red)

Step 2: Course Rating adjustment – The players who are on the tees with a higher Course Rating get an increase based on the Course Rating differences. At Gloucester, the red tees are rated 1.4 higher than the whites, therefore ladies add 1.4 onto the number calculated in step 1. The Handicaps can then be rounded to the nearest whole number.

Step 3: Handicap difference – Adjust each Playing Handicap down so the lowest handicap plays off zero.

Step 4: Handicap allowances – Each difference is then reduced to the 90% allowance, rounding to the nearest whole number.

Example:

White Tee: Course Rating = 68.7
Red Tee: Course Rating = 70.1

Player 1: White Tee, Handicap Index 8.9
Player 2: White Tee, Handicap Index 14.2
Player 3: Red Tee, Handicap Index 19.8
Player 4: Red Tee, Handicap Index 24.5

Step 1: Course Handicaps

Player 1: 8.9 = 9
Player 2: 14.2 = 15
Player 3: 19.8 = 21
Player 4: 24.5 = 26

Step 3: Course Rating adjustment

The Red tee has a higher Course Rating. The difference is 1.5, so this is added on to players using the Red tees and then rounded to the nearest whole number.
Player 1: 8.1, rounded to 8
Player 2: 13.5, rounded to 14
Player 3: 18.9 + 1.5 = 20.4, rounded = 20
Player 4: 23.4 + 1.5 = 24.9, rounded = 25

Step 3: Adjusted for lowest handicap

Player 1: 8 – 8 = 0
Player 2: 14 – 8 = 6
Player 3: 20 – 8 = 12
Player 4: 25 – 8 = 17

Step 4: This difference is then reduced to the 90% allowance

Player 1: 0 x 90% = 0
Player 2: 6 x 90% = 5.4
Player 3: 12 x 90% = 10.8
Player 4: 17 x 90% = 15.3

Individual, such as the Singles Matchplay

When a single tee is in use

Step 1: Course Handicaps – For each player, convert their Handicap Index into a Course Handicap (using the chart on the wall outside the clubhouse entrance or using the charts here, White, Yellow, Red)

Step 2: Combine Course Handicaps for each team

Step 3: Handicap allowances – For Foursomes the allowance is 50%. So adjust each team’s combined handicap to 50% and the round to the nearest whole number.

Step 4: Handicap difference – Adjust each Playing Handicap down so the lowest team plays off zero.

Example:

Player 1: Handicap Index 8.9
Player 2: Handicap Index 14.2
Player 3: Handicap Index 19.8
Player 4: Handicap Index 24.5

Step 1: Course Handicaps

Player 1: 8.9 = 9
Player 2: 14.2 = 15
Player 3: 19.8 = 21
Player 4: 24.5 = 26

Step 2: Combine Course Handicaps for each pair

Player 1 (9) + Player 2 (15) = 24
Player 3 (21) + Player 4 (26) = 47

Step 3: 50% allowance

Player 1 & 2: 24 x 0.5 = 12
Player 3 & 4: 47 x 0.5 = 23.5, rounded to 24

Step 4: Adjusted for lowest handicap

Player 1 and 2: 12 – 12 = 0
Player 3 and 4: 24 – 12 = 12

When multiple tees are in use (mixed matches between men and women)

Step 1: Course Handicaps – For each player, convert their Handicap Index into a Course Handicap (using the chart on the wall outside the clubhouse entrance or using the charts here, White, Yellow, Red)

Step 2: Course Rating adjustment – The players who are on the tees with a higher Course Rating get an increase based on the Course Rating differences. At Gloucester, the red tees are rated 1.4 higher than the whites, therefore ladies add 1.4 onto their Course Handicap

Step 3: Combine Course Handicaps for each team

Step 4: Handicap allowances – For Foursomes the allowance is 50%. So adjust each team’s combined handicap to 50% and the round to the nearest whole number.

Step 5: Handicap difference – Adjust each Playing Handicap down so the lowest team plays off zero.

Example:

Player 1: White Tee, Handicap Index 8.9
Player 2: White Tee, Handicap Index 14.2
Player 3: Red Tee, Handicap Index 19.8
Player 4: Red Tee, Handicap Index 24.5

Step 1: Course Handicaps

Player 1: 8.9 = 9
Player 2: 14.2 = 15
Player 3: 19.8 = 21
Player 4: 24.5 = 26

Step 2: Course Rating adjustment

As player 3 and 4 are playing off the red tee, add 1.4 to their Course Handicap
Player 1: 9
Player 2: 15
Player 3: 21 + 1.4 = 22.4
Player 4: 26 + 1.4 = 27.4

Step 3: Combine Course Handicaps for each pair

Player 1 (9) + Player 2 (15) = 24
Player 3 (22.4) + Player 4 (27.4) = 49.8

Step 4: 50% allowance

Player 1 and 2: 24 x 0.5 = 12
Player 3 and 4: 49.8 x 0.5 = 24.9

Step 5: Adjusted for lowest handicap

Player 1 and 2: 12 – 12 = 0
Player 3 and 4: 25 – 12 = 13

If you have any doubt in calculating your handicaps please email committee@gloucestergolf.com and we will talk you through the process.