A rating of slope in contrast, is a number (typically between 55 and 155) describing the relative difficulty of a course for a bogey golfer compared to a scratch golfer.Ī handicap of course indicates the number of strokes that a golfer receives at a particular golf course. Rating of course is a number (typically between 67 and 77) that is used to measure the average 'good' score that a scratch golfer may attain on the course. In the United States, officially rated golf courses are described by course and rating of slope. Rating of course, rating of slope, and handicap of course A scratch golfer is a golfer whose handicap is zero, while a bogey golfer is one whose handicap is approximately 18. 'Scratch golfers' and 'bogey golfers' are terms that are often used in relation to golf handicaps. These individuals were referred to as the 'adjustors of the odds,' and were the precursors of the modern Handicap Committee's present in golf clubs.

Even in the early days of the sport, the act of allowing strokes in golf was called 'assigning the odds,' which was a task assumed by a group of administrators.

The concept, however, existed long before the term was coined. The term 'handicapping' originated in horse racing, where a jockey was handed his odds for the race in a cap (hand-in-cap). This means that a handicap is not static, and is regularly adjusted. Although handicap systems are prevalent in amateur golf, they are not used in professional golf.Ī golf handicap is often determined at the course where a golfer typically plays, and though certain details of a handicap system may vary, handicaps are generally based on a recent history of a golfer's rounds. A handicap theoretically allows players of differing ability levels to play together on more equal grounds. The player that has the fewest strokes at the end of the round is the winner. In terms of stroke play (a scoring system involving counting the total number of strokes a golfer takes on each hole during a given round), a more skilled golfer gives the less experienced player a 'handicap' in which extra strokes are added to his or her score.

The higher the handicap of a golfer, the poorer the golfer's ability relative to that of a person with a lower handicap. If left blank, it will be treated as 0.Ī golf handicap is intended as a measure of a golfer's potential playing ability. The playing condition adjustment is an optional value between -1 and 3. When filling the form, please provide either an 18-hole or 9-hole score. Use this calculator to compute the index of handicap for a golfer given data from at least 54 holes (3 rounds of 18-holes) of playing data. Use this calculator to find out the handicap of a golfer for a specific course.

54 odds meaning