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Rules of Handicapping FAQs

Handicap Index Safeguards

Q. What is an exceptional score and what happens when I post one?

A. Any score that produces a Score Differential™ that is at least 7.0 strokes better than your Handicap Index® at the time the round was played is considered exceptional and is subject to the exceptional score reduction.

  • If the Score Differential is between 7.0 and 9.9 strokes better, a -1 adjustment is applied to each of the most recent 20 Score Differentials in your scoring record. This has a net impact of reducing the Handicap Index by 1 stroke.
  • If the Score Differential is 10.0 strokes or better, a -2 adjustment is applied to each of the most recent 20 Score Differentials. This has a net impact of reducing the Handicap Index by 2 strokes.

Scores made following the exceptional score will not contain the -1 or -2 adjustment (unless they are also exceptional) which will slowly diminish the impact of the reduction as you continue to post scores. Also, reductions for multiple exceptional scores are applied cumulatively. (Rule 5.9, Rules of Handicapping)