“The USGA Handicap System”
The answers to all your handicap questions are in this manual.
Competing from
different tees
Use of “T” Scores
Recommended
handicap
allowances
Most likely score
Duties of the
Handicap
Committee
Allocation of
handicap strokes
Handicap Decisions
Section 4
Adjusting Hole Scores
See USGA Handigram Number 4
received today
Section 4-1: Unfinished Holes and
Conceded Strokes
“Most Likely Score”
A "most likely score" is the score a player must
post for handicap purposes if a hole is started but
not completed or if the player is conceded a
stroke.
“Most Likely Score”
If you pick up on a hole or are conceded a stroke,
record the score you most likely would have made.
Definition: “most likely score” -number of strokes
already taken plus, in your best judgment, the number
of strokes you would need to complete the hole from
that position more than half the time.
There is no limit to the number of unfinished holes a
player may have in a round provided that failure to
finish is not for the purpose of handicap manipulation.
These hole scores, when recorded, should be preceded by
an "X."
Section 4-2: Holes Not Played or Not
Played under The Rules of Golf
If a player does not play a
hole or plays it other than
under "The Rules of Golf“, the
score recorded for that hole
for handicap purposes must
be par plus any handicap
strokes the player is entitled to
receive on that hole.
This hole score, when recorded,
should be preceded by an "X."
Example: Holes Not Played
Hole Not Played - Player records a score of par plus
one for handicap purposes.
If Course Handicap is 10 and player does not play hole
#11, what is his score for this hole?
Score X-5
HOLE #11 PAR 4
HANDICAP ALLOCATION 6
Section 5
Scores
See USGA Handigram Number 3
received today
Acceptable Scores
• 18-hole and 9-hole rounds.
• Scores from home and away courses.
• All forms of competition (match play,
stroke play, team competitions, best ball
scores).
Posting Scores
# of Holes Played
Score to Post
1-6
Can’t Post
7-12
9 Hole Score
13-18
18 Hole Score
Unacceptable Scores
• When fewer than 13 of 18 holes are played.
• When fewer than 7 of 9 holes are played.
• Scores made in an area observing an
inactive season (ex. Philadelphia score in
December).
• When a majority of the holes aren’t played
under the Rules of Golf (ex. Mulligan's).
Unacceptable Scores
• When an 18-hole course is less than
3,000 yards.
• When you play in an event limiting the
types or # of clubs used (i.e., irons
only).
• When scores are made on a course
with no USGA Course or Slope Rating.
Tournament Score
A "tournament score" is a score made in a competition
organized and conducted by the committee in charge of the
competition. The competition must identify a winner(s) based
on a stipulated round(s), and must be played under the
principles of the Rules of Golf.
Using the definition as a guideline, the committee (preferably
the Handicap Committee in consultation with the committee in
charge of the competition) must determine in advance if these
conditions are met and announce in advance whether the
score must be identified by the letter "T" when posted.
T-Score Examples
• Member-guest, team matches, USGA qualifying
rounds, golf association tournaments, club
championship.
Not T-Scores
• Routine events, such as regular play days,
normally are not to be designated as Tscores because they are not significant in
the traditions, schedules, formats, and
membership of the club.
Competing from Different Tees
Different tees have different ratings
• Women vs. Men –
If women playing from the forward tees from which the women’s
USGA Course Rating is 73.4 compete against men playing from the
middle tees, from which the men’s USGA Course Rating is 70.9, the
women will add 3 strokes. (pages 59-60)
• Different tees usually have different Ratings. Because a USGA
Course Rating reflects the probable score of a scratch golfer, the
higher-rated course is more difficult, and the player playing from the
set of tees with the higher USGA Course Rating receives additional
stroke(s) equal to the difference between each USGA Course Rating,
with a .5 or greater rounded upward. The additional stroke(s) are
added to the Course Handicap of the player playing from the higherrated set of tees.
Section 9-4: Recommended
Handicap Allowances
Handicap allowances have no effect in determining
Handicap Index; however, their use is
recommended to produce fair and equitable
competition.
To make all forms of play more equitable, use the
recommended handicap allowances (pages 60-68).