How Handicaps Work

Handicap Index® Basics

• What does a Handicap Index® represent?
• How do I get a Handicap Index®?
• What is peer review and why is it important?
• How is a Handicap Index® calculated?
• What is a Score Differential™ and how is it calculated?
• How often is a Handicap Index® updated?
• I am posting scores, but my Handicap Index® stays the same. Why is that?

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Handicap Index® Safeguards

• What is my Low Handicap Index™ and why is it displayed in my scoring record?
• What is PCC (Playing Conditions Calculation)?
• What are the soft cap and hard cap?
• What is ESR (Exceptional Score Reduction)?

Course Handicap™, Playing Handicap™ & Ratings

• What is a Playing Handicap™?
• What is a Course Handicap™?
• When players compete from different tees, do we have to make any adjustments?
• What is a Course Rating™ and what does it represent?
• What is a Slope Rating™ and what does it represent?

Which Scores to Post

• Which scores are acceptable for posting?
• How many holes must be played to post an acceptable score?
• Are scores designated as "Competition" scores treated any differently?
• Should match play scores be posted even if I do not hole out on every hole?
• How are 9-hole scores used?

Adjusting Hole Scores

• What is my Maximum Hole Score for handicap purposes?
• I started a hole but did not complete it. What score do I post?
• I did not play a hole. What score do I post?
• How will a 10-17-hole score be displayed in my scoring record?