Golf Tip: When playing against the wind tee the golf ball lower than usual, ball further back with a narrow stance, choke up on grip and have the hands ahead of the clubhead at impact.

Golf Handicap Systems Help Even Out Scorecards For Competitive Golf Play

The golf handicap system is implemented at golf courses for golf tournament play. Trophies and prizes are awarded at the end of golf tournaments based on golf scores. In order to make the golf game fair play, the handicap system is based on the ten lowest differentials of the last twenty games on an eighteen-hole course in one season. Some golf associations will accept fewer golf games. It can also be used for fair play outside of golf tournaments. The following is a short guide on how the golf handicap system works.

Handicap numbers are recorded for golf players numbered one through thirty-six, with the number 1 being the lowest handicap and the number 36 being the highest handicap. A scratch golfer has no handicap, better known as a scratch player.

Now let’s take a look at how these numbers come into effect. If a golfer has a handicap of ten and the opponent has a handicap of twenty; the difference between the two players is ten golf strokes. Therefore, the player with the lower handicap must give out ten golf strokes on eighteen holes in order to make the golf game fair play. How do you identify on which golf holes they are going to be given out?

Typically on all golf scorecards you will find numbers 1 through 18 near the bottom of the scorecard beside Men's HCP and Ladies’ HCP. The numbers 1 through 18 will also be out of order. The reason for the disorder of numbers are; the number 1 being the hardest golf hole and the number 18 being the easiest golf hole. The golf course architect determines the order of numbers on any given golf hole, by the yardage and slope rating and or other difficulty of the golf hole.

Now that we have determined how many golf strokes are to be given out and where they are to be taken. The higher handicap in this example is the twenty handicap golf player, which should receive ten golf strokes for eighteen holes on holes numbered 1, 2, 3,4,5,6,7,8,9, and 10 from the opponent. This should make the match a lot closer, if both players are playing within their game. It typically works out to one golf stroke on every other golf hole in this example, depending on how the golf course is laid out. Another example would be a scratch player and a thirty-six-handicap player; with the scratch player having to give out two golf strokes on every hole.

Keeping track of your handicap and using a handicap system will help make the game fair play in a lot of golf matches, when playing against other opponents.

This article is a simple guide for golfers with a handicap between scratch and thirty six. For the plus handicap golfers and others, check with your local golf pro and or golf association for an official guide in maintaining a legitimate handicap. If you belong to a golf course, the Management should have a system in place to use for tournament play, which is recognized by most golf courses and golf associations. You can also find golf handicap software on keeping track of a golf handicap on the Internet.