Rule 9 - 4 - Handicap Allowances

a. Match Play

In match play the game is played by holes. Except as otherwise provided in the Rules of Golf, a hole is won by the side that holes its ball in fewer strokes. In a handicap match the lower net score wins the hole. A match (which consists of a stipulated round, unless otherwise decreed by the Committee) is won by the side which is leading by a number of holes greater than the number of holes remaining to be played. The Committee may, for the purpose of settling a tie, extend the stipulated round to as many holes as are required for a match to be won (Rules of Golf, 2-1 and 2-3). The Committee should also determine the proper allowances before adjusting for competitions from different tees, or in competitions between men and women from the same tees. (See Section 9-3c.)

1. Singles Match Play
   In singles match play, the match is won by the player who is leading by a number of holes greater than the number of holes remaining to be played. After handicap allowances are determined, Section 9-3c should be applied in competitions from different tees, or in competitions between men and women from the same tees.

   Allowance: The higher-handicapped player receives the full difference between the Course Handicaps of the two players; the lower-handicapped player shall play from scratch. (See Decision 9-4a (i)/1.)

   Example: A player with a Course Handicap of 17 shall receive four strokes from a player with a Course Handicap of 13. The player receives them on the holes allocated as the first four handicap-stroke holes.

    

2. Singles Match Play vs. Par or Bogey
   Bogey or par competitions are forms of competition in which play is against a fixed score at each hole. The reckoning is made as in match play. Any hole for which a competitor returns no score shall be regarded as a loss. The winner is the competitor who is most successful in the aggregate of holes (Rules of Golf, 32-1). After handicap allowances are determined, Section 9-3c should be applied in competitions from different tees, or in competitions between men and women from the same tees.

   Allowance: The player receives his full Course Handicap.

3. Four-Ball Match Play
   In four-ball match play, two play their better ball against the better ball of two other players (Rules of Golf, Rule 30 and Definitions). After handicap allowances are determined, Section 9-3c should be applied in competitions from different tees, or in competitions between men and women from the same tees.

   
   Allowance: The Course Handicaps of all four players are reduced by the Course Handicap of the player with the lowest handicap, who shall then play from scratch. Each of the three other players is allowed 100 percent of the difference.

   In mixed four-ball match play, strokes are taken as assigned on the players’ respective stroke allocation tables. The committee in charge of the competition designates the tees to be played.

4. Four-Ball Match Play vs. Par or Bogey
   In four-ball match play vs. par or bogey, two play their better ball against par or bogey at each hole. The winner is the team who is most successful in the aggregate of holes. After handicap allowances are determined, Section 9-3c should be applied in competitions from different tees, or in competitions between men and women from the same tees.

   Allowance: Men receive 90% of Course Handicap; Women receive 95% of Course Handicap

5. Total Score of Partners Match Play
   Two players form a side and each plays his own ball. The combined total of their scores for each hole is the score for the side. After handicap allowances are determined, Section 9-3c should be applied in competitions from different tees, or in competitions between men and women from the same tees.

   Allowance: The Course Handicaps of the partners are combined, and the higher-handicapped side is allowed the full difference between the sides. The lower-handicapped side shall play from scratch.

6. Best-Ball-of-Four Match Play vs. Par or Bogey
   In best-ball-of-four match play vs. par or bogey, four play their best ball against par or bogey at each hole. The winner is the team that is most successful in the aggregate of holes. After handicap allowances are determined, Section 9-3c should be applied in competitions from different tees, or in competitions between men and women from the same tees.

   Allowance: Men receive 80% of Course Handicap; Women receive 90% of Course Handicap

7. Foursome Match Play
   In a foursome match, two play against two and each side plays one ball. In a foursome during any stipulated round, the partners play alternately from the teeing grounds and alternately during the play of each hole (Rules of Golf, Rules 29, 29-1 and Definitions). After handicap allowances are determined, Section 9-3c(iii) should be applied in competitions from different tees, or in competitions between men and women from the same tees.

   Allowance: The allowance for the higher-handicapped side is 50 percent of the difference between the combined Course Handicaps of the members of each side. (When selected drives are permitted, the allowance is 40 percent.)

8. Foursome Match Play vs. Par or Bogey
   In foursome match play vs. par or bogey, a match is played against par or bogey. The winner is the side that is most successful in the aggregate of holes. After handicap allowances are determined, Section 9-3c(iii) should be applied in competitions from different tees, or in competitions between men and women from the same tees.

   Allowance: The allowance is 50 percent of the partners’ combined Course Handicaps. (When selected drives are permitted, the allowance is 40 percent.)

9. Chapman or Pinehurst Match Play
   In a Chapman or Pinehurst match, two play against two. Each partner plays from the teeing ground and each plays his partner’s ball for the second shot. After the second shot, partners select the ball with which they wish to score, and play that ball alternately to complete the hole. After handicap allowances are determined, Section 9-3c(iii) should be applied in competitions from different tees, or in competitions between men and women from the same tees.

   Allowance: The partner with the lower Course Handicap receives 60 percent of his Course Handicap. The partner with the higher Course Handicap receives 40 percent of his Course Handicap. The percentage allowances are added together before rounding, and the total is rounded off with .5 or more rounded upward. The side with the higher Course Handicap receives the difference between the Course Handicaps of the sides. The lower-handicapped side shall play from scratch.