Rules of Handicapping for Members
“A Handicap Index reflects a player’s demonstrated ability. To maintain equity and integrity, players must post all acceptable scores accurately and in good faith.”
Member Responsibilities
As a golfing member of the World Handicap System, a player has the responsibility to keep an accurate record of golfing activity. This is done so by abiding by the following
- Play by the Rules of Golf
- Post all acceptable scores
- Play to your honest ability, don’t manipulate scoring
- Know your Course Handicap before play
For a more detailed overview, review the records below as seen in USGA Appendix A
Which Scores Are Acceptable for Handicap Purposes
- The round must be played in an authorized format of play and under the Rules of Golf to be acceptable. USGA Rules of Handicapping, Rule 2.1
- The round must be played on a course and tees with valid Course Rating™ and Slope Rating™. USGA- Establish a Handicap Index
- There is a minimum number of holes requirement: • For an 18-hole score, at least 10 holes must be played. • For a 9-hole score, all 9 holes must be played. USGA- 9 Hole Scores
- In the 2024 WHS update, rounds of 10–17 holes are now acceptable: a Score Differential is calculated using the holes played plus an “expected differential” for the unplayed holes. USGA- Holes Not Played
Timeframe for Submitting Scores
- After finishing your round, you should submit your score the same day, before midnight local time. USGA- Submitting a Score
- If your score is posted after the day of play, it is still allowed, but it will not be included in the Playing Conditions Calculation (PCC) for that date unless the PCC has not yet been performed.
- If a score is submitted “out of sequence,” it should be inserted in chronological order and receive the appropriate PCC adjustment for that date.
Playing Conditions Calculation (PCC)
- PCC is an automatic daily adjustment (from -1 to +3 strokes) based on how scores compare to expected scoring conditions (e.g., weather, course setup). You don’t need to do anything—just post your score on the same day.
The Handicap Index® is updated overnight: a newly posted score is incorporated into your index update the next day (at midnight local time). USGA- Index Calculation
How to Post: GHIN app or Club kiosk
For the full Rules of Handicapping see . USGA- Rules of Handicapping
Score Types
Scores will be identified with the letter designations below. These can be used to help determine the format of play, where a round was played and other details about the round.
H = Home – Round played at a course where you are a member
A = Away – Round played at a course you are not a member
C or T = Competition or Tournament – Formally organized competition round
N = Nine-hole score – 9 holes were played
Competition Score:
For the purposes of handicap review, clubs are encouraged to post specific scores as competition scores. Although a competition score does not have a direct impact on a player’s Handicap Index calculation, it may be used as part of handicap review to indicate the player’s demonstrated ability in competition rounds versus general play.
A competition score is a score made in a competition organized and conducted by a Competition Committee. The competition must identify a winner(s) based on a stipulated round(s) and must be played under the Rules of Golf.
See the official document of USGA Scores Types
Maximum Hole Score for Handicap Posting
- Once you have an established Handicap Index, each hole’s recorded score (for posting) is capped at net double bogey (i.e. double bogey + any handicap strokes you receive on that hole). USGA Adjustment of Hole Scores
- Example: If your Course Handicap gives you 1 stroke on a par-4 hole, your maximum hole score is 4 (par) + 2 (double bogey) + 1 (stroke) = 7.
- For initial scores (before you have a Handicap Index), the cap is par + 5 on any hole.
For the full Rules of Handicapping (including all detailed examples and definitions), see the USGA’s Rules of Handicapping document. USGA- Rules of Handicapping
Posting Scores When Fewer than 18 Holes Are Played
- 9-hole scores are acceptable if all 9 holes played. If less than 9 holes were played this round does not require a posted score USGA- 9 Hole Scores
- Rounds of 10–17 holes are now acceptable under the 2024 WHS rules: you record the holes played, and the system adds an expected differential for the unplayed holes to compute an 18-hole equivalent. USGA- Holes Not Played
- If holes are not played due to weather, darkness, etc., Rule 3 of the Rules of Handicapping governs: you can adjust by assigning scores for unplayed holes (e.g. net par) or record as “not played” as long as minimum holes played criteria are met.
Converting Handicap Index to Course Handicap
- Your Handicap Index® is a portable number that reflects your playing ability independent of course.
- Course Handicap is calculated automatically in the GHIN app or other WHS mobile apps USGA-Handicap Index to a Course Handicap
To convert to a Course Handicap, use the formula:
Course Handicap = Handicap Index × (Slope Rating / 113) + (Course Rating – Par)
In many systems, the “(Course Rating – Par)” term is already built in or zero for standard tees USGA- Course Handicap
The resulting Course Handicap is rounded to the nearest whole number.
- That Course Handicap determines how many strokes you receive on holes and is used to determine net scores (e.g. for net double bogey caps).
For the full Rules of Handicapping (including all detailed examples and definitions), see the USGA’s Rules of Handicapping document. USGA- Rules of Handicapping
Handicap Allowances for Different Formats of Play
- In different formats (match play, stableford, four-ball, etc.), playing handicap allowances may be used, which may reduce a player’s full Course Handicap to create a “Playing Handicap.”
- These allowances are determined by competition rules or the organizing body; they are not part of the Rules of Handicapping but rather competition conditions.
- The USGA / R&A provide Playing Handicap guidelines (e.g. 90% of Course Handicap in match play, or other percentage factors). USGA – Handicap Allowances
- Always check the competition conditions to know what handicap allowance is in effect for a given event.
For the full Rules of Handicapping (including all detailed examples and definitions), see the USGA’s Rules of Handicapping document. USGA- Rules of Handicapping
Where to Find the Scoring Record
- Your scoring record (i.e. all posted acceptable scores and their Score Differentials, adjustment notations, etc.) is maintained in the GHIN system, or your national/association handicap system and is accessible via the GHIN website or app
- You can review your record to see which rounds were used in your index (best differentials), any “P” (penalty) scores, exceptional score reductions, or other annotations. GHIN
How the Handicap Index Is Calculated
- For a player with 20 or more scores in their record, the Handicap Index is the average of your best 8 Score Differentials out of the most recent 20, subject to certain safeguards (caps, exceptional score reductions). USGA-Handicap Calculation
- When you have fewer than 20 scores (but at least the minimum required), a reduced number of differentials are used as per Table in Rule 5.2.
- Safeguards may adjust the result:
- • Exceptional Score Reduction: if you submit a round that is significantly better than your index, the system may reduce your index further.
- • Soft Cap / Hard Cap: limits to how much your index can increase over your lowest index in the past 365 days (Low Handicap Index).
- The Score Differential for each round is calculated using automatically but the WHS formula
Rules of Establishing a Handicap
- To establish an initial Handicap Index, a player must submit acceptable scores totaling at least 54 holes (e.g. six 9-hole rounds or three 18-hole rounds).
- The maximum allowable Handicap Index under WHS is 0
Handicap Committee’s Ability to Post Penalty Scores
- If a player fails to post a score in a timely manner, the Handicap Committee may post a penalty score designated with a “P.” USGA- Handicap Committee
- The penalty score may be chosen based on the player’s lowest or highest Score Differential, or, if available, the actual score.
- The Committee is not required to notify the player before posting a penalty score.
- The intent is to preserve the integrity of the scoring record and encourage timely posting.
Process of a Handicap Review
- A Handicap Committee has the right to perform a handicap review if they believe a player’s index is not reflective of their demonstrated ability (e.g. due to anomalous scores, irregular posting, etc.).
- The review may involve requesting scorecards, analyzing grouping of scores, verifying course/tee data, or adjustment of the index.
- If the Committee considers the index to be out of line, they may adjust the index or impose screens, limits, or require additional posting.
- The Rules of Handicapping grant Committees authority to apply adjustments, caps, or restrictions in certain situations (e.g. excessive upward movement, exceptional performances).
- Committees must act in a transparent, fair manner and follow the principles of the WHS / Rules of Handicapping.
Peer Review
USGA bylaws for peer review are as follows:
The player and the Handicap Committee have joint responsibility for adhering to the two basic premises: each player will try to make the best score at every hole in every round, regardless of where the round is played, and that the player will post every acceptable score for peer review.
As a part of peer review, the Handicap Committee must make the scoring record of members accessible to all other members for the certification of scores. This may be accomplished through handicap software provided by the club (e.g., mobile app or online application).
Scorecards may be requested periodically if the Handicap Committee wishes to sample the accuracy with which players are adjusting scores, however, the club must not take punitive action regarding the scoring record or the Handicap Index if an acceptable score is returned without a scorecard. The club Handicap Committee may require the return of scorecards for a probational period from a player who has had a Handicap Index withdrawn or adjusted.