Handicap (HCP)
HCP means handicap. It helps golfers of different abilities compete fairly by giving them an appropriate number of strokes.
HCP means handicap. It helps golfers of different abilities compete fairly by giving them an appropriate number of strokes. A lower handicap generally indicates a stronger player.
A lower handicap generally indicates a stronger player.
Under the World Handicap System (WHS), three related numbers matter:
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Handicap Index | Your overall demonstrated ability, expressed as a decimal—for example, 15.2. |
| Course Handicap | The number of strokes you receive for the particular course and tees you play. |
| Playing Handicap | Your allowance for the competition, after any format-specific adjustment. |
Your Handicap Index reflects your better performances, rather than your average score.
Source: USGA explanation
How it works
In individual net stroke play, your Playing Handicap is deducted from your actual score:
Gross score 90 − Playing Handicap 18 = Net score 72
For hole-by-hole scoring such as Stableford, handicap strokes are allocated using the scorecard’s Stroke Index. Over 18 holes, an allowance of 18 gives one stroke on every hole; an allowance of 20 gives an additional stroke on holes ranked Stroke Index 1 and 2.
How it is calculated
First, each eligible round produces a Score Differential, which adjusts your score for course difficulty. For a full 18-hole round:
Score Differential = (Adjusted Gross Score − Course Rating − PCC) × 113 ÷ Slope Rating
- Adjusted Gross Score: your score after handicap adjustments, including limits on exceptionally high hole scores.
- Course Rating: the expected score for a scratch golfer.
- Slope Rating: the course’s relative difficulty for golfers who are not scratch players.
- PCC: an adjustment when playing conditions significantly affect scores.
For example, a score of 90, Course Rating 72, Slope 113, and PCC 0 gives a Differential of 18.0.
Source: USGA calculation guide
Once you have 20 scores, the system normally averages your lowest eight Score Differentials from the most recent 20, with additional safeguards and adjustments. With fewer scores, a different calculation applies.
Source: USGA Handicap Index guide
Your Index is then converted for the course:
Course Handicap = Handicap Index × (Slope Rating ÷ 113) + (Course Rating − Par)
The competition allowance determines your final Playing Handicap.
Source: USGA course and playing handicaps
DRS Monsoon League
For your DRS Monsoon League, System 36 was a separate method of assigning a handicap for that event; it should not be confused with an official WHS Handicap Index.
