Once you’ve signed up for a Handicap Index, downloaded your mobile app and are ready to start posting scores, here’s how you can establish your number. 

There are acceptable rounds and unacceptable rounds when it comes to posting your score for handicap purposes. 

You don’t play golf with your Handicap Index. That’s a portable number that represents your playing ability on your better days. You play golf with your Course Handicap, which represents the number of strokes you need to play to par from the tees you’re playing.

For handicap purposes, you’re limited to a maximum score of net double bogey for each hole.

If playing to par isn’t a realistic goal, then use your Course Handicap to calculate a target score instead.   

Have you ever played a game or competition where a percentage was applied to your Course Handicap? That percentage is called a handicap allowance, which is recommended to create equity for players of all skill levels in various formats of play.  

When you’re playing a non-competitive round, all you need to know is your Course Handicap. But if you’re competing against other players, whether it’s your club championship or for a round of drinks, you’ll also have a Playing Handicap, which can be different.

The stroke index (or handicap) row determines what hole you give or receive strokes and is the most important line on a scorecard. 

When you play in formats like match play where you don’t have to hole out on every hole, you should still post those rounds for handicap purposes by recording your most likely score.

If your round is cut short because of something like darkness or weather, it may still count toward your Handicap Index. 

New in 2024, each 9-hole score will be converted into an 18-hole Score Differential™ that will be included in your scoring record right away.

Posting your score the same day you play matters. You’ll contribute to the daily playing conditions calculation and have an up-to-date Handicap Index.

If you shot 92 on one course and 89 on a different course, the 92 might actually be a more impressive performance. It all comes down to the Score Differential.

A Handicap Index is designed to reflect your demonstrated playing ability on your better days – which is why not every score is factored into your handicap calculation.