Updates to the Rules of Handicapping applicable from 1st April 2024:
- Course Rating minus Par included in the calculation of Course Handicap
- Playing Handicap in Stroke Play calculated using Unrounded Course Handicap
- Playing Handicap in Match Play calculated using Rounded Course Handicap
- Handicap allowance in Match Play applied to the difference in Playing Handicaps
- Scores from Four-ball count for handicap, subject to meeting certain criteria
- Use of Expected Scores for holes not played
- In Foursomes, Greensomes and Texas Scrambles when play is from 2 tees - the par of one tee set is used in the calculation of all Course Handicaps
Read on for further details:
England Golf Resources
Updated MGC webpages:
- Course Handicap & Playing Handicap (look-up tables of Playing Handicaps)
- ToC 3.3: Mixed and Multi-tee competitions (explanation)
- ToC 9.3: Mixed & Open to All Competitions (terms for specific comps)
- ToC Appendix E: Knockout Rules (with example calculations)
- ToC Appendix F: Handicap Allowances
- ToC Appendix N: Multi-tee competitions (with example calculations)
- Handicap Calculator (interactive form)
- Mixed Tee Handicap Calculator (Excel files to download)
(Course Rating minus Par) as applied at Mapperley GC
From April 2024 the difference between Course Rating (C.R.) and Par is included in the calculation of Course Handicaps:
Course Handicap = H.I. x ( Slope / 113 ) + ( C.R. - Par )
Irrespective of which tees you are playing from your target for "playing to handicap" is always:
- 36 points in Stablefords, and
- Net Par in Medals
When playing from forward tees you receive fewer handicap strokes, but require fewer points to play to handicap (P2H) as compared with previously:
For example, for a Male golfer with Handicap index of 10.0
From White Tees
- C. R. 71.2, Par 71 (difference 0.2)
- From April 2024 his Course Handicap is 11 and 36 points is P2H
- Previously his Course Handicap was 11 and 36 points was P2H
(i.e. no change because C.R. and Par are similar)
From Yellow Tees:
- C. R. 69.1, Par 71 (difference 1.9)
- From April 2024 his Course Handicap is 9 and 36 points is P2H
- Previously his Course Handicap was 11 and 38 points was P2H
From Blue Alternate Tees:
- C. R. 67.8, Par 70 (difference 2.2)
- From April 2024 his Course Handicap is 8 and 36 points is P2H
- Previously his Course Handicap was 10 and 38 points was P2H
For a Female golfer with Handicap index of 15.0
- From Red Tees: C. R. 72.4, Par 74 (difference 1.6)
- From April 2024 her Course Handicap is 15 and 36 points is P2H
- Previously her Course Handicap was 17 and 38 points was P2H
The most significant benefit of this change is that when more than one tee set is in use (such as when Men are playing from White Tees and Women from Red tees) no adjustments to Playing Handicaps are required in Stablefords because 36 points always represents playing to handicap.
And in Medals the only adjustment required is that Women receive extra strokes to reflect the difference in Par between the tee sets:
- 3 strokes when men are playing the 10th as a par 4 (74 - 71)
- 4 strokes when men are playing the 10th as a par 3 (74 - 70)
You can check your Course Handicap on the My England Golf app, the HowDidiDo app, on this website and in look-up tables posted in and around the clubhouse.
