How do I work out my Course Handicap and Playing Handicap?
Rule- South Africa
- Golf RSA
- Handicaps Network Africa
- World Handicap System
- Rules of Handicapping 2024
- All ages
- 2026
- Players
Course Handicap (the strokes you get on a particular course and set of tees):
Course Handicap = Handicap Index × (Slope Rating ÷ 113) + (Course Rating − par)
It is rounded to the nearest whole number. For a 9-hole round, use half your Handicap Index (rounded to the nearest tenth) and the 9-hole ratings and par.
Playing Handicap (the strokes you actually get in a competition) = Course Handicap × the handicap allowance for the format, rounded to the nearest whole number (.5 rounds up).
GolfRSA requires clubs to use the World Handicap System allowances for all club handicap competitions. A Committee may set a lower percentage but not a higher one. The main allowances are:
| Format | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Individual stroke play, Stableford, Par/Bogey | 95% |
| Four-ball stroke play / four-ball Stableford | 85% |
| Individual match play | 100% |
| Four-ball match play | 90% |
| Foursomes | 50% of combined team handicap |
| Greensomes | 60% low / 40% high |
In match play, the player with the lowest Playing Handicap plays off zero and the others get the difference.
Sources: Rules of Handicapping (2024), Rules 6.1, 6.2 and Appendix C; GolfRSA Rules of Handicapping 2024 club training (Appendix C).
Added 22 Oct 2026