Stroke Index Recommendation

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APPENDIX G

HANDICAP STROKE INDEX

Rule of Golf 33-4 requires Committees to “publish a table indicating the order of holes at which

handicap strokes are to be given or received”. To provide consistency at Affiliated Clubs it is

recommended that the allocation is made as follows:

(a) Of paramount importance for match play competition is the even spread of the strokes to

be received at all handicap differences over the 18 holes.

(b) This is best achieved by allocating the odd numbered strokes to the more difficult of the

two nines, usually the longer nine, and the even numbers to the other nine.

(c) The first and second stroke index holes should be placed close to the centre of each nine

and the first six strokes should not be allocated to adjacent holes. The 7th to the 10th

indices should be allocated so that a player receiving 10 strokes does not receive strokes on

three consecutive holes.

(d) None of the first eight strokes should be allocated to the first or the last hole, and at clubs

where competitive matches may be started at the 10th hole, at the 9th or 10th holes. This

avoids a player receiving an undue advantage on the 19th hole should a match continue to

sudden death. Unless there are compelling reasons to the contrary, stroke indices 9, 10, 11 and

12 should be allocated to holes 1, 9, 10 and 18 in such order as shall be considered appropriate.

(e) Subject to the foregoing recommendations, when selecting each stroke index in turn holes

of varying length should be selected. Index 1 could be a Par 5, index 2 a long Par 4, index

3 a shorter Par 4 and index 4 a Par 3. There is no recommended order for this selection,

the objective being to select in index sequence holes of varying playing difficulty. Such a

selection provides more equal opportunity for all handicaps in match play and Stableford

and Par competitions than an order based upon hole length or difficulty to obtain Par.

Note 1: Par is not an indicator of hole difficulty. Long Par 3 and 4 holes are often selected for

low index allocation in preference to Par 5 holes on the basis that it is easier to score

Par on a Par 5 hole than 4 on a long Par 4. Long Par 3 and 4 holes are difficult Pars for

low handicap players but often relatively easy Bogeys for the player with a slightly higher

handicap. Difficulty in relation to Par is only one of several factors to be taken into

account when selecting stroke indices.

Note 2: When allocating a stroke index it should be noted that in the majority of social matches

there are small handicap differences thereby making the even distribution of the lower

indices of great importance.

The above recommendations for the ‘Handicap Stroke Index’ provision are principally directed

at match play situations and have proved to be suitable for that purpose. The ‘Handicap Stroke

Index’, however, is also used widely for Stableford, Par and Bogey competitions. In these forms of

stroke play competition the need to have a uniform and balanced distribution of strokes is less

compelling. There is a cogent case for the Index in such competitions to be aligned to the ranking

of holes in terms of playing difficulty irrespective of hole number. Such a ranking facility is available

through many of the licensed handicap software programs currently used by Affiliated Clubs.

Clubs that conduct a significant number of Stableford, Par and Bogey competitions may wish to

provide separate stroke indices for match play and the listed forms of stroke play. To avoid confusion

this would be best done on separate scorecards.

If a golf club conducts Stableford, Par or Bogey competitions in which men and ladies compete

in the same competition, albeit from different tees, it is recommended that a common ‘Handicap

Stroke Index’ be provided. Such an action will facilitate the management of the competition and

subsequent handicap adjustment.

These recommendations supplement those made by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St.

Andrews contained in “Guidance on Running a Competition".

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