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The Rules of Handicapping

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The Rules of Handicapping provide a consistent measure of a golfer's ability worldwide and help to enhance the enjoyment of the game for all who play, wherever they play.

Appendix A - Rights and Responsibilities

The integrity of the World Handicap System relies on all key stakeholders ensuring that the requirements set down within the Rules of Handicapping are satisfied and that they carry out their respective responsibilities. The key stakeholders within the Rules of Handicapping are:

Appendix B - Player’s Scoring Record

Three sample scoring records are presented to demonstrate the information that should be contained within different versions.

Appendix C - Handicap Allowances

Handicap allowances are designed to provide equity in different formats of play, over both 9 holes and 18 holes. Handicap allowances are applied to the unrounded Course Handicap as the final step in calculating a player’s Playing Handicap (see Rules 6.1 and 6.2).

Appendix D - Handicap Review

The handicap review process gives a Handicap Committee the ability to ensure the Handicap Index of a player reflects their demonstrated ability.

Appendix E - Stroke Index Allocation

The Rules of Golf state: “The Committee is responsible for publishing on the scorecard or somewhere else that is visible (for example, near the first tee) the order of holes at which handicap strokes are to be given or received.” (See Rules of Golf, Committee Procedures, Rule 5J (4).)

Appendix F - Establishing Par

The Rules of Handicapping feature par as a factor in the calculation of:

Appendix G - The Golf Course, Course Rating and Slope Rating

Course Measurement, Course Rating and Slope Rating, and Modification of Courses