HANDICAP STROKES
The basic principle of allocation of Handicap Strokes is to equalize the abilities of players at different handicap levels. Handicap Strokes give the higher handicap golfer strokes where they will most likely need them as an equalizer when playing a match against a low handicap golfer. It is imperative that a player’s handicap is current and up to date before beginning any and all competitions, including match play and best ball.
When To Use Handicap Strokes
Handicap Strokes are used in best ball competitions and match play. Before playing such a competition, ensure that your handicap factor is up to date with all your scores entered, and then use the handicap that applies to the course you are playing.
Handicap Strokes are commonly referred to as “ticks”.
How to Apply Handicap Strokes (Ticks)
On the sample scorecard below (North West course at Tor Hill), you will see the handicap (HDCP) allocated across the very bottom of the scorecard highlighted in yellow. These numbers indicate the rated level of playing difficulty. The #1 rated hole is the hole where the higher handicap golfer needs the most strokes as an equalizer, and #9 rated hole the least strokes. For example, #1 North is rated the 6th most difficult hole to play for men (M) and the 6th most difficult hole to play for ladies (L), #2 is rated 2 for M and 1 for L, etc. Because we have 27 holes at Tor Hill, each nine hole course is rated 1 to 9.
AT TOR HILL:
We have three 18 hole courses:
Please note that the Front Nine and Back Nine designations are always as noted above, no matter which combination you play. For example, if you are playing on the East/North course but start your round on the North, the East is still the Front Nine and the North is the Back Nine.
To designate ticks on your scorecard, start by applying 1 tick on the #1 rated hole on the Front Nine), and 1 tick on the #1 rated hole on the Back Nine (West #7). Continue with the #2 rated holes, #3 rated holes, etc. until you have reached your handicap number. If the handicap is an odd number, the extra tick is applied on the Front Nine.
If your handicap is less than 18, you will not have a tick on every hole.
If your handicap is 18 - 36, continue applying ticks starting over again on #1 rated holes until your handicap number is reached. You will have 2 ticks on some of the holes (all if your handicap is 36).
If your handicap is 37+, then start again at the #1 rated holes.
If your handicap is an odd number, the last tick should always be marked on the Front Nine.
Please note: On 18 hole courses (e.g. The Murray), holes are rated 1 to 18, so you would start at the #1 rated hole, then #2 rated hole, etc.
In the example below, Player A has a handicap of 23. She gets one tick on each of the 18 holes and remaining 5 ticks allocated to the 5 hardest ranked
holes. That would mean one additional tick on holes North #2, West #7, North #4, West #1, and final tick on North #7.
Best Ball Competition
Handicap Strokes are used to determine the net best ball score in Best Ball Competitions.
The above scorecard is an example of the proper method of recording your scores for best ball for a team of 2 players.
The first line of scores will be your gross score, the second line of scores will be your net score (gross score less number of ticks you are entitled to receive). This scoring is done for each player. The lowest net score of each hole is used to determine your best ball score.
Match Play Competition
In a single match play between two players (A and B), the lowest course handicap player takes zero(o) strokes off their game and the other (higher course handicap) player takes strokes equal to the difference between the two players. For example:
Player A has a course/playing handicap of 18
Player B has a course/playing handicap of 30
Player A does not receive any strokes(ticks) and Play B received 12 strokes(30 minus 18). Those 12 strokes/ticks would be applied to Player B’s score card.
Last updated April 10, 2024 by Handicap Coordinator
The basic principle of allocation of Handicap Strokes is to equalize the abilities of players at different handicap levels. Handicap Strokes give the higher handicap golfer strokes where they will most likely need them as an equalizer when playing a match against a low handicap golfer. It is imperative that a player’s handicap is current and up to date before beginning any and all competitions, including match play and best ball.
When To Use Handicap Strokes
Handicap Strokes are used in best ball competitions and match play. Before playing such a competition, ensure that your handicap factor is up to date with all your scores entered, and then use the handicap that applies to the course you are playing.
Handicap Strokes are commonly referred to as “ticks”.
How to Apply Handicap Strokes (Ticks)
On the sample scorecard below (North West course at Tor Hill), you will see the handicap (HDCP) allocated across the very bottom of the scorecard highlighted in yellow. These numbers indicate the rated level of playing difficulty. The #1 rated hole is the hole where the higher handicap golfer needs the most strokes as an equalizer, and #9 rated hole the least strokes. For example, #1 North is rated the 6th most difficult hole to play for men (M) and the 6th most difficult hole to play for ladies (L), #2 is rated 2 for M and 1 for L, etc. Because we have 27 holes at Tor Hill, each nine hole course is rated 1 to 9.
AT TOR HILL:
We have three 18 hole courses:
- East/North - East is Front Nine, North is Back Nine
- North/West - North is Front Nine, West is Back Nine
- West/East – West is Front Nine, East is Back Nine
Please note that the Front Nine and Back Nine designations are always as noted above, no matter which combination you play. For example, if you are playing on the East/North course but start your round on the North, the East is still the Front Nine and the North is the Back Nine.
To designate ticks on your scorecard, start by applying 1 tick on the #1 rated hole on the Front Nine), and 1 tick on the #1 rated hole on the Back Nine (West #7). Continue with the #2 rated holes, #3 rated holes, etc. until you have reached your handicap number. If the handicap is an odd number, the extra tick is applied on the Front Nine.
If your handicap is less than 18, you will not have a tick on every hole.
If your handicap is 18 - 36, continue applying ticks starting over again on #1 rated holes until your handicap number is reached. You will have 2 ticks on some of the holes (all if your handicap is 36).
If your handicap is 37+, then start again at the #1 rated holes.
If your handicap is an odd number, the last tick should always be marked on the Front Nine.
Please note: On 18 hole courses (e.g. The Murray), holes are rated 1 to 18, so you would start at the #1 rated hole, then #2 rated hole, etc.
In the example below, Player A has a handicap of 23. She gets one tick on each of the 18 holes and remaining 5 ticks allocated to the 5 hardest ranked
holes. That would mean one additional tick on holes North #2, West #7, North #4, West #1, and final tick on North #7.
Best Ball Competition
Handicap Strokes are used to determine the net best ball score in Best Ball Competitions.
The above scorecard is an example of the proper method of recording your scores for best ball for a team of 2 players.
The first line of scores will be your gross score, the second line of scores will be your net score (gross score less number of ticks you are entitled to receive). This scoring is done for each player. The lowest net score of each hole is used to determine your best ball score.
Match Play Competition
In a single match play between two players (A and B), the lowest course handicap player takes zero(o) strokes off their game and the other (higher course handicap) player takes strokes equal to the difference between the two players. For example:
Player A has a course/playing handicap of 18
Player B has a course/playing handicap of 30
Player A does not receive any strokes(ticks) and Play B received 12 strokes(30 minus 18). Those 12 strokes/ticks would be applied to Player B’s score card.
Last updated April 10, 2024 by Handicap Coordinator