The handicap system is one of golf's great strengths: it lets golfers of different abilities compete fairly. But it took well over a century to reach today's unified World Handicap System. Here's how golf handicapping developed.
Early handicapping
In the 19th century, golfers set handicaps informally, giving strokes or odds to weaker players in matches. Clubs began keeping records and setting handicaps for competitions.
National systems
In the 20th century, national golf bodies created their own handicap systems, with their own calculations and course ratings. Golfers moving between countries often found their handicaps calculated differently.
Course rating and slope
Course rating measured the difficulty of a course for a scratch golfer. Later, slope rating measured how much harder a course is for higher-handicap golfers, allowing handicaps to adjust between courses. Read course rating and slope explained.
The World Handicap System
Introduced in 2020, the World Handicap System unified handicapping:
- One Handicap Index recognised worldwide.
- Average of the best 8 of the last 20 score differentials.
- Course and Playing Handicaps based on course rating, slope and format.
- Net double bogey as the maximum hole score for handicap purposes.
- Daily updates and adjustments for playing conditions.
Read the World Handicap System explained and handicap allowances explained.
Why handicaps matter
Handicaps let a beginner and a scratch golfer play a competitive match, one of golf's unique features. Read how golf scoring works.
A timeline
| Era | Development |
|---|---|
| 18th–19th centuries | Informal odds agreed between players, such as strokes or "bisques" |
| Late 19th century | Clubs begin to calculate handicaps based on scores |
| Early 20th century | National associations introduce handicap systems |
| Mid to late 20th century | Different systems develop in Britain and Ireland, the US, Australia and elsewhere |
| 1980s–1990s | Course rating and slope systems develop in the US |
| 2020 | The World Handicap System unifies handicapping across most of the world |
How handicaps used to work
Earlier systems were often based on a golfer's best scores, with handicaps adjusted up or down after each qualifying round. Different countries used different calculations, which made it hard to compare golfers internationally. A 12-handicapper from one country might have been a 14 in another.
The arrival of course and slope ratings
Course rating measures how difficult a course is for a scratch golfer, while slope measures how much harder it is for a higher-handicap golfer. These made it possible to adjust handicaps fairly for courses of different difficulty. Read course rating and slope explained.
The World Handicap System
The modern system uses the best eight of a golfer's last 20 scores, adjusts for course and slope, and includes features such as playing conditions calculations and a maximum hole score for handicap purposes. Read the World Handicap System explained and use our handicap calculator.
Why handicaps make golf special
Handicaps let golfers of very different abilities compete fairly, play in the same competitions and enjoy close matches. Few sports have anything similar. Read handicap allowances explained.
Frequently asked questions
When did the World Handicap System start?
In 2020.
Why were handicap systems unified?
To give golfers one handicap recognised everywhere.
What is slope rating?
A measure of how much harder a course plays for higher-handicap golfers.
How is a Handicap Index calculated?
From the average of the best 8 of your last 20 score differentials.
What was a bisque?
An old handicap stroke that the receiver could choose when to use during a match.
Why did golf create a world handicap system?
To unify different national systems so that handicaps are comparable worldwide.
The bottom line
Golf handicapping has evolved from informal odds to a sophisticated, unified worldwide system, making golf fair for all. Use our handicap calculator to work out yours. For more history, read the history of the rules of golf.