HANDICAP ALLOWANCES
The European Golf Association recommends that the following Handicap Allowances
shall apply in the following forms of play.
A National Association may at its discretion make the recommendations mandatory.
The reference to handicaps in all cases refers to EGA Playing Handicaps.
MATCH PLAY
Handicap Strokes to be taken according to the Handicap Stroke Index.
Singles:
The player with the higher handicap receives the full difference between the Playing
Handicaps of the two players.
Foursomes:
The side with the higher sum of the Playing Handicaps of the partners receives 50 %
of the full difference between the aggregate handicap of each side (0.5 is rounded
upwards).
Example:
Players A (Playing Handicap 11) and B (Playing Handicap 18) play a match against
Players C (Playing Handicap 6) and D (Playing Handicap 12)
A and B receive: 50% x [(11 + 18) - (6 + 12)] = 50% x (29 − 18) =
50% x 11 = 5.5 - rounded upwards 6 strokes
Note: In Mixed Foursomes Match Play, Handicap Strokes are taken as assigned on the
Handicap Stroke Index for men.
Four-ball:
The player with the lowest Playing Handicap, who shall play from scratch, to concede
Handicap Strokes to the three other players based on 90 % of the difference between the
Playing Handicaps.
Note: In Mixed Four-ball Match Play, Handicap Strokes are taken as assigned on the player’s
respective Handicap Stroke Indices.
Greensomes:
The partner with the lower Playing Handicap receives 60 % of his Playing Handicap
and the partner with the higher playing handicap receives 40% of his Playing
Handicap. Both figures are added before rounding. The final figure (= the playing
handicap of the side) is rounded (0.5 upwards).
The side with the higher playing handicap receives the full difference between the
handicaps of the two sides.
If, in the above formats, players play from different tees with a different Par, see
clause F-1 in this Appendix.
BOGEY, PAR AND STABLEFORD COMPETITIONS
Singles:
The player receives 100 % of his Playing Handicap.
Foursomes:
The side receives 50 % of the sum of the Playing Handicaps of the partners.
(0.5 rounded upwards).
Four-ball:
Each partner receives 90 % of his Playing Handicap.
Greensomes:
The partner with the lower Playing Handicap receives 60 % of his Playing Handicap and
the partner with the higher Playing Handicap receives 40 % of his Playing Handicap.
Both figures are added before rounding. This final figure (= the playing handicap of
the side) is rounded (0.5 upwards).
Handicap Strokes to be taken according to the Handicap Stroke Index.
Players with a “plus” handicap give one or more strokes to the course commencing
at stroke index 18.
In a mixed foursome or greensome Handicap Strokes are taken as assigned on the
Handicap Stroke Index for men.
In a mixed four-ball Handicap Strokes are taken as assigned on the player’s respective
Handicap Stroke Indices.
In the above formats, when players compete in the same competition but play
from different tees with a different Par, NO EXTRA adjustment for the difference in
Pars will be applied to their playing handicaps since the formula of the EGA Playing
Handicap (see clause 19.3) compensates for that difference.
STROKE PLAY
Singles:
The player receives 100 % of his Playing Handicap.
Foursomes:
The side receives 50 % of the of the sum of the Playing Handicaps of the partners
(0.5 rounded upwards).
Four-ball:
Each partner receives 90 % of his Playing Handicap.
Handicap Strokes to be taken according to the Handicap Stroke Index.
In mixed four-ball stroke play Handicap Strokes are taken as assigned on the player’s respective Handicap Stroke Indices.
Greensomes:
The partner with the lower playing handicap receives 60 % of his Playing Handicap
and the partner with the higher Playing Handicap receives 40 % of his Playing
Handicap. Both figures are added before rounding. The final figure (= the playing
handicap of the side) is rounded (0.5 upwards).
In the above formats, when players compete in the same competition but play from
different tees with a different Par, see clause F-1.
Note 1: Handicap Allowances in a handicap competition must be laid down by the
Committee in the conditions under which the competition is to be played (Rules of
Golf, Rule 33-1).
Note 2: The Committee in charge of a competition to be played over an extended
period may provide in the Conditions of the Tournament that a player’s Exact
Handicap may be changed during a competition.
Note 3: In handicap competitions over 36 holes, Handicap Strokes should be given or taken on a basis of two 18 holes rounds.
Note 4: Sudden death play-off. When extra holes are played in handicap competitions,
Handicap Strokes should be taken in accordance with the Handicap Stroke Index.
Note 5: Players with a “plus” handicap give one or more strokes to the course
commencing at stroke index 18.