World Handicap System
Definitions
Acceptable
Score
A score from an authorised format of play which
meets all the provisions set out within the Rules of Handicapping.
Active
Season
The period of time when Acceptable Scores from a
specified area should be submitted for handicap purposes, as determined by the
Authorised Association where the round is played.
This is expected to be all year round in GB&I (but with restrictions
when Winter Rules are in force).
Adjusted
Gross Score
A player’s gross score, including any penalty
strokes, adjusted for when:
- The player exceeds their maximum hole score,
- A hole is not played, or
- A hole is started but the player does not hole out.
Authorised
Format of Play
A format of play eligible for handicap purposes, as
determined by the Authorised Association where the round is played.
Bogey
Player
A player with a Handicap Index of approximately
20.0 for men and approximately 24.0 for women.
Cap
The procedure that reduces or limits the amount by
which a player’s Handicap Index can increase when measured against the player’s
Low Handicap Index.
Course
Handicap
The number of handicap strokes a player receives,
before handicap allowances, from a specific set of tees as determined by the
Slope Rating.
Course
Rating
An indication of the difficulty of a golf course
for the scratch player under normal course and weather conditions.
Exceptional
Score
A Score Differential which is at least 7.0 strokes
better than the player’s Handicap Index at the time the round was played.
General
Play
When an organised competition is not being
contested and golfers are playing:
- A casual round; or
- Competitively, but not in an event organized by a Committee.
Handicap
Allowance
The percentage of a Course Handicap recommended to
create equity for all players participating in a specific format of play.
Handicap
Index
The measure of a player’s demonstrated ability
calculated against the Slope Rating of a golf course of standard playing
difficulty (Slope Rating 113)
Low
Handicap Index
The lowest Handicap Index achieved by a player
during the 365 day period preceding the day on which the most recent score in
their scoring record was played.
Net
Double Bogey
A score equal to the par of a hole plus two strokes
and adjusted for any handicap strokes applied on that hole. A net double bogey
is a player’s maximum hole score for handicap purposes.
Net
Par
A score equal to the par of a hole adjusted for any
handicap strokes applied on that hole.
Par
The score that a scratch player would generally be
expected to achieve on a hole under normal course and weather conditions,
allowing for two strokes on the putting green.
Penalty
Score
A score posted at the discretion of the Handicap
Committee for a player who does not submit an acceptable score when required.
Playing
Conditions Calculation (PCC)
The statistical calculation that determines if
conditions on a day of play differed from normal playing conditions to the
extent that they significantly impacted players’ performance.
Playing
Handicap
The Course Handicap adjusted for any handicap
allowances or Terms of the Competition. It represents the actual number of
strokes the player gives or receives for the round being played.
Score
Differential
The difference between a player’s Adjusted Gross
Score and the Course Rating, reflecting the Slope Rating and the Playing Conditions
Calculation. It is the numerical value attributed to a score achieved on a golf
course on a specific day that is posted into the player’s scoring record. A
Score Differential must be an 18 hole value or its calculated equivalent.
Scoring
Record
A history of a player’s acceptable scores along
with:
- The player’s current Handicap Index,
- The player’s Low Handicap Index,
- Other details about each round (such as, the date the round was played), and
- Any applicable adjustments (for example, an exceptional score).
Scratch
Player
A player with a Handicap Index of 0.0.
Slope
Rating
An indication of the relative difficulty of a golf
course for players who are not scratch players compared to players who are
scratch players
Stroke
Index
The value assigned to each hole on a golf course to
indicate where handicap strokes are given or received.