5/27/2023
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 5I (4)).
It is recommended that a stroke index allocation be applied over 18-holes, split into six triads with each hole ranked on its playing difficulty relative to par. The difficulty of each hole can be determined objectively using hole-by-hole data provided from the Course Rating procedure as follows:
The recommended methodology and procedures for determining a stroke index allocation within the six triad structure, designed to accommodate both stroke play and match play formats, is as follows:
- Apply odd stroke index allocations over the front nine and even stroke index allocations over the back nine. If, however, the back nine is significantly more difficult than the front nine, as determined by the Course Rating, the even stroke index allocations can be switched to the front nine and the odd stroke index allocations to the back nine.
- Spread stroke index allocations evenly over the 18 holes so that players receiving strokes will have the opportunity to use a high proportion of these strokes before a match result has been decided.
- Apply the lowest stroke index hole (1 or 2) on each nine in the middle triad. If no hole within the middle triad is ranked within the lowest 6 holes relative to par, then it can be moved into an adjacent hole at the end of the first triad or the beginning of the third triad on each nine.
- Apply the second lowest stroke index hole (3 or 4) on each nine in either the first or third triad, unless the lowest stroke index hole has been allocated in that same triad.
- If possible, avoid low stroke indexes (6 or less) on consecutive holes.
- When a player receives more than 18 strokes, the same allocation order is used with stroke index 1 repeating as stroke index 19, 37 and 55, with all additional strokes going up sequentially.
If you would like to learn more about handicapping, please click on the following link which will redirect you to the
Golf Canada Rules of Handicapping.
If you are signed up for match play competitions, once the draw is posted later this week, please reach out to your opponent as soon as possible to schedule your match. Upon completion of the match, the winner should notify the pro shop so that the bracket can be updated. If matches are not played on time, they will be subject to a coin-flip to determine the winner. Good luck!