Your course handicap may
vary depending on which tee you are playing on any given
day. Course handicaps are calculated by using your
Handicap Index in combination with the Slope Rating of
the tee you are playing. Sometimes, your course handicap
will not change between tees because the slope rating of
those tees are too similar. Players with higher handicap
indexes will experience greater adjustments in their
course handicaps than will players with lower indexes.
Slope Rating
The Slope Rating of a course (or tee) refers to the
relative difficulty of the course for the higher
handicapper as compared to the scratch golfer. The
higher the slope, the more difficult the course (or tee)
is going to be for the average golfer. Accordingly, the
higher handicapper will receive an extra stroke or two
(a higher Course Handicap) to help them be more
competitive against the lower handicap golfers.
Playing Away From Home
When playing away from your home club, it’s very
important to check the club’s handicap computer or slope
reference charts to find out what your course handicap
is from the tees that you are going to play.
Competing From Different Tees
When you compete against someone who is playing from a
different set of tees, you should each determine your
individual course handicaps based upon your handicap
indexes. Additionally, if you are going to play from
different tees, you also need to make an adjustment for
the difference in those two tees’ course ratings.
Example – Playing From Different Tees
Jim has a handicap index of 5.6 and Fred has an index of
17.4. After looking at the handicap chart in the pro
shop, they determine that Jim’s “course handicap” from
the Blue tees is 6 – Fred’s “course handicap” from the
Green tees is 21. Should Jim give Fred 15 strokes?” –
The answer is probably no.
Typically, the Course Ratings of the two tees involved
are different. Assuming the Blue Tee rating is 73.2 and
the White Tee rating is 71.0, there is a rounded
difference of 2-strokes between these two tees. So…Jim
should receive a 2-stroke increase in his course
handicap (6+2=8) and now he gives Fred only 13 strokes
(21-8), not the full 15-strokes we first thought.
This example is completely consistent with the USGA
handicap system and should be followed. Please see the
USGA Handicap System website for more information. |
