How to give golf strokes in strokeplay and matchplay formats

Playing golf this week in a competition or with your mates, but aren't sure how to work out the number of allocated strokes during your match? Well, you've arrived at the right place. 

Here's a quick guide on how to use a golf handicap in strokeplay and matchplay - according to the player's edition of CONGU (the council of national golf unions)...

HOW TO USE A GOLF HANDICAP IN STROKEPLAY

SINGLES - full handicap 

FOURSOMES - half combined playing handicap of partners

FOURBALL BETTER BALL - each partner receives 90% of their full playing handicap

HOW TO USE A GOLF HANDICAP IN MATCHPLAY

SINGLES - full difference of playing handicaps

FOURSOMES - half the difference of the combined playing handicaps of each side

FOURBALL BETTER BALL - lowest player concede strokes to other three players calculated at 90% of the difference between playing handicaps 

EXPLAINED: THE NEW WORLD GOLF HANDICAP SYSTEM FOR 2020

HOW TO USE A GOLF HANDICAP IN GREENSOMES

STROKEPLAY - 0.6 x lowest playing handicap plus 0.4 x highest playing handicap

MATCHPLAY - full difference between greensomes handicap 

HOW TO CALCULATE A GOLF HANDICAP - CLICK HERE

HANDICAP CATEGORIES

Handicaps are divided into different bands, called categories

Depending on which category you fall under, the amount your handicap can go down varies. 

Also, the amount you can play over your handicap (buffer zone) varies before your handicap increases. 

CATEGORY 1 - HANDICAP BAND PLUS-5.4 - BUFFER ZONE 1 SHOT ABOVE CSS - HANDICAP DECREASE FOR EVERY SHOT BELOW CSS -0.1

CATEGORY 2 - HANDICAP BAND PLUS 5.5-12.4 - BUFFER ZONE 2 SHOTS ABOVE CSS - HANDICAP DECREASE FOR EVERY SHOT BELOW CSS -0.2

CATEGORY 3 - HANDICAP BAND 12.5-20.4 - BUFFER ZONE 3 SHOTS ABOVE CSS - HANDICAP DECREASE FOR EVERY SHOT BELOW CSS -0.3

CATEGORY 4 - HANDICAP BAND 20.5-28.4 - BUFFER ZONE 4 SHOTS ABOVE CSS - HANDICAP DECREASE FOR EVERY SHOT BELOW CSS -0.4

CATEGORY 5 - HANDICAP BAND 28.5-36.4 - BUFFER ZONE 5 SHOTS ABOVE CSS - HANDICAP DECREASE FOR EVERY SHOT BELOW CSS -0.5

CATEGORY 6 - HANDICAP BAND 36.5-54 - BUFFER ZONE 6 SHOTS ABOVE CSS - HANDICAP DECREASE FOR EVERY SHOT BELOW CSS -0.6

NEXT PAGE: THE NEW WORLD GOLF HANDICAP SYSTEM FOR 2020...