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Applying Course Handicaps

	Course Handicap	Strokes Given
Jack	12	-
Tom	26	14
Brad	23	11
Ryan	14	2

The resulting numbers are the strokes each player receives over the eighteen holes (note that the lowest handicap player only gives strokes and never receives any). But when does each player receive their strokes? For games where total score matters, you simply subtract the full number from each golfer's score at the end of the round. But when the score on each hole matters we need to be able to decide on which hole to give each player strokes. On every course scorecard, you will see a line called 'HDCP.' HDCP stands for Handicap, and rates the difficulty of each hole (1 being the hardest, 18 the easiest). If two friends of course handicaps 10 and 22 play a match, then the less skillful player will receive 12 strokes - one on each of the twelve hardest holes. If the difference between players is 20 strokes, the less skillful player would receive 2 strokes on the holes with handicap 1 and 2, and 1 stroke on remaining 16 holes. For our example foursome, the strokes given on the first seven holes are shown below: When you these remove strokes from each player, the resulting scores are called 'net scores.' With this in mind, you can now play any of the games discussed in the Game of the Month section of the Knowledge Center. Try one the next time you are out on the course! Do you have advice that answers questions often asked by new players? Send us an email and we will post your advice on the Knowledge Center. Back to Top Features Feature Tour MyScorecard Mobile Apps Course Partners & Affiliates Help & Contact Us USGA Handicaps USGA Handicap Lookup USGA Handicap Cards Golf & Handicap Insights Golf Handicaps Decoded The Proper Golfer Improve with Concept Golf Golf Games to Play Legal & Privacy Privacy Statement Disclaimer Follow Us Blog Facebook Twitter ©Copyright 1999-2023, Myscorecard LLC, All Rights Reserved