Course Handicap Calculation

What is the difference between Course Handicap and Playing Handicap?

Under the World Handicap System (WHS), a Course Handicap adjusts a golfer's hole scores based on the difficulty of the course and tees played, while a Playing Handicap is the final number used for a specific game or competition.

Under the World Handicap System (WHS), Course Handicap accounts for the difficulty of the course and tees played. It allows golfers to adjust hole scores, set target scores, and convert into a Playing Handicap.

Course Handicap is the number used to adjust hole scores for net double bogey and net par.  A Course Handicap calculator is available on the Course Handicap Calculator page. 

Playing Handicap is the number used for the purposes of a specific game or competition format. It is calculated by applying a handicap allowance to the Course Handicap — for example, in stroke play the allowance is typically 95%, so a golfer with a Course Handicap of 20 would receive a Playing Handicap of 19. Allowances vary by format of play and are set to ensure fair competition across different game types.

Resources

• Playing Handicap poster
• Handicap Allowances
• Detailed Explainer
• Playing Handicap (PH) Change Summary
• Course Handicap (CH) Change Summary