Unified Handicapping -System in detail
Unified Handicapping -System in detail
20. Alteration of Handicaps
20.1 Handicaps are divided into the following Categories:
| Handicap Category | Exact Handicap | Playing Handicap |
| 1 | Plus to 5.4 | Plus to 5 |
| 2 | 5.5 to 12.4 | 6 to 12 |
| 3 | 12.5 to 20.4 | 13 to 20 |
| 4 | 20.5 to 28.0 [20.5 to 28.4] |
21 to 28 |
| [5] | [28.5 to 36.0] | [29 to 36] |
20.2 The recording of scores shall be kept by Nett Differential, i.e. the difference (+ or -) between the player's nett score and the Competition Scratch Score. (after the application of Clause 19 as appropriate). The date, Nett Differential, Exact Handicap and Playing Handicap must be recorded in the Player Handicap Record together with the supplementary information shown in Appendix I, Table A.
20.3 If a player returns a Nett Differential within his Buffer Zone his Exact Handicap is not changed.
A Buffer Zone is the tolerance, above the calculated Competition Scratch Score, allowed in a nett score return, before an increase in handicap is applied. The Buffer Zone is one stroke above the calculated Competition Scratch Score for Category 1 and increases in one stroke increments up to four strokes above the Competition Scratch Score for Category 4 [five strokes for Category 5]. This increasing tolerance is based on the differing scoring patterns of golfers of varying ability and the Buffer Zone specific to each Handicap Category has been derived statistically to provide that competitors from all Handicap Categories in a Qualifying Competition have the same likelihood of playing to their Buffer Zone or better.
20.4 Subject to the provisions of Clauses 18.4 and 18.5, if a player returns a score with a Nett Differential above his Buffer Zone or records a 'No Return' his Exact Handicap is increased by 0.1.
20.5 If a player returns a Nett Differential of less than zero his Exact Handicap is reduced by an amount per stroke that the Nett Differential is below zero, the amount per stroke being determined by his Handicap Category.
Note: Qualifying Scores returned in Par/Bogey and Stableford competitions shall be converted into Nett Differentials by using the Table in Appendix D.
20.6 Exact Handicaps shall be adjusted as follows:
| Handicap Category | Exact Handicap | If Nett Differential is | ||
| Within Buffer Zone |
Above Buffer Zone |
Below Buffer Zone | ||
| No change | Add | Subtract for each stroke below | ||
| 1 | Plus to 5.4 | 0 to +1 | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| 2 | 5.5 to 12.4 | 0 to +2 | 0.1 | 0.2 |
| 3 | 12.5 to 20.4 | 0 to +3 | 0.1 | 0.3 |
| 4 | 20.5 to 28.0 [20.5 to 28.4] |
0 to +4 | 0.1 | 0.4 |
| [5] | [28.5 to 36.0] | [0 to +5] | [0.1] | [0.5] |
See Appendix E for detailed handicap adjustments.
For Example:
If a player with an Exact Handicap of 11.2 returns a score with Nett Differential of +4 his Exact Handicap becomes 11.3. If he then returns a score with a Nett Differential of -7 his Exact Handicap is reduced by 7 x 0.2 = 1.4. i.e. to an Exact Handicap of 9.9 and his Playing Handicap is 10 which immediately becomes his new handicap.
20.7 When a player's handicap is to be reduced so that it goes from a higher Category to a lower Category, it shall be reduced at the rate appropriate to the higher Category only so far as brings his Playing Handicap into the lower Category and the balance of the reduction shall be at the rate appropriate to the lower Category.
For Example:
If a player with an Exact Handicap of 21.2 returns a score with Nett Differential of -6 i.e. 6 strokes below his Playing Handicap of 21, his Exact Handicap is reduced as follows:
21.2 - (2 x 0.4) = 20.4
20.4 - (4 x 0.3) = 19.2
20.8 A player whose Exact Handicap is X.5 or above shall be given the next higher handicap, e.g. an Exact Handicap of 12.5 would be rounded to a Playing Handicap of 13. This applies when handicaps are increased or reduced.
Note: An Exact Handicap of +0.5 is rounded up to a Playing Handicap of scratch (0) and not +1. Likewise, an Exact Handicap of +3.5 is rounded up to a Playing Handicap of +3.
20.9 Alterations to Playing Handicaps, increases and decreases, shall be made as soon as practicable after the close of a competition or after the score(s) becomes known to the Home Club and displayed immediately in a prominent position at the club.
20.10 Increases in Exact Handicaps should not be subject to restriction unless a Union so directs. A Union may restrict the increase of Exact Handicaps to a maximum of 2.0 strokes in a calendar year except increases granted under Clause 23.
20.11 If a player returns a Qualifying Score or Scores below his Playing Handicap at his Home Club or away and is unable to:
- (a) report an away score(s) to his Home Club or
- (b) ascertain whether or not his Playing Handicap has been reduced as a result of the score(s)
he shall, before playing in another competition at his Home Club or away, for that competition make such reduction to his Playing Handicap as shall be appropriate under the UHS by applying the Competition Scratch Score if known, otherwise the Standard Scratch Score, to calculate his Nett Differential and handicap reduction.
Should a player not know his Exact Handicap, such reduction should be made from his Playing Handicap less 0.5, (e.g. if Playing Handicap is 16 then reduction should be from 15.5).
Note: Handicap reductions only shall be applied under this sub-clause. Handicap increases may only be made by a player's Home Club after scores have been duly reported.
Decisions Relevant to Clause 20
4(a) Alteration of Handicaps In the Course of a Competition Over More Than One Round