Golf Handicap Systems Help Even Out Scorecards
For Competitive Golf Play

Author: George Gabriel

The golf handicap system is implemented at golf courses, for
golf tournament play. Trophies and prizes are awarded at the
end of golf tournaments, based on golf scores. In order to make
the golf game fair play, the handicap system is based on the ten
lowest differentials of the last twenty games on an
eighteen-hole course in one season. Some golf associations will
accept fewer golf games. It can also be used for fair play
outside of golf tournaments. The following is a short guide on
how the golf handicap system works.
 
Handicap numbers are recorded for golf players numbered one
through thirty-six, the number one being the lowest handicap,
and the number thirty-six being the highest handicap. A scratch
golfer has no handicap, better known as a scratch player.
 
Now lets take a look at how these numbers come into affect. If
a player's handicap is ten, and another player's handicap are
twenty. The difference between the two players is ten golf
strokes. Therefore, to even up the match, the player with the
lower handicap, which this case is the ten-handicap golf
player, has to give out ten golf strokes to his opponent on
eighteen holes, to make the golf game fair play. How do you
identify on which golf holes they are going to be given out?
 
Typically on most, if not all golf scorecards, you will find
numbers 1 through 18 near the bottom of the scorecard beside
Men's HCP and Ladies HCP. The numbers 1 through 18, you will
also find out of order. The reason for the disorder of numbers
is, the number 1 being the hardest golf hole, and the number 18
being the easiest golf hole. The golf course, or architect of
the golf course, determines the order of numbers on any given
golf hole, by the yardage and slope rating, and or other
difficulty of the golf hole.
 
Now that we have determined how many golf strokes are to be
given out, and where they are to be taken. The higher handicap
in this case, which is the twenty handicap golf player, gets
ten golf strokes for eighteen holes, on holes numbered
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9, and 10. This should make the match a lot
closer, if both players are playing within their game. It
typically works out to one golf stroke on every other golf hole
in this example, depending on how the golf course is laid out.
Another example would be a scratch player and a
thirty-six-handicap player, the scratch player having to give
out two golf strokes on every hole.
 
Keeping track of your handicap, and using a handicap system,
will help make the game fair play in a lot of golf matches,
when playing against other opponents.
 
Check with your local golf pro, or golf association, on an
official guide for the golf handicap system, and for
maintaining a legitimate handicap. If you belong to a golf
course, they should have a system in place to use for
tournament play, which is recognized by most golf courses and
golf associations. You can also find golf handicap software on
keeping track of a golf handicap.


About The Author: Learned to play golf as a caddie. Now running
a tee time site at http://www.golfanchor.net and a golf site at
http://www.golfanchor.com