Rules source: the allowances and the "difference between Playing Handicaps" rule are from Appendix C of the Rules of Handicapping (World Handicap System). They are recommendations; the committee or group may vary them.
Handicap strokes calculator
MatchPlay agrees the strokes before anyone tees off.
MatchPlay is being built to take the format and the handicaps in the group chat, confirm who gets what, keep the score hole by hole and settle the result the moment the card is confirmed.
The handicap allowances
Appendix C of the Rules of Handicapping recommends an allowance for each format so that every player or side has a fair chance. The Playing Handicap is the Course Handicap multiplied by the allowance and rounded to the nearest whole number. These are the allowances the calculator uses.
| Format | Match play | Stroke play | How the strokes are given |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singles (individual) | 100% | 95% | Per player; higher player receives the difference |
| Four-ball | 90% | 85% | Per player; lowest Playing Handicap plays off scratch, the others receive their difference from it |
| Foursomes | 50% of the combined Course Handicaps | 50% of the combined Course Handicaps | Per side; higher side receives the difference |
| Greensomes / Pinehurst / Chapman | 60% of the lower + 40% of the higher | 60% of the lower + 40% of the higher | Per side; higher side receives the difference |
In match play the Rules of Handicapping put it this way: "the player with the lowest Playing Handicap plays off zero strokes relative to the other player(s). The other player(s) receive(s) the difference between their own Playing Handicap and that of the player with the lowest Playing Handicap." In stroke play nobody plays off scratch: each player or side simply deducts its Playing Handicap from the gross score. Four-ball par and bogey competitions use 90% rather than the 85% stroke-play figure.
Scramble allowances are different again (25/20/15/10% for four players): see the scramble guide.
Worked examples
Take four players with Course Handicaps of 8 and 18 (side A) against 12 and 24 (side B).
- Four-ball match play (90%). Playing Handicaps: 8 × 0.9 = 7.2 → 7; 18 × 0.9 = 16.2 → 16; 12 × 0.9 = 10.8 → 11; 24 × 0.9 = 21.6 → 22. The lowest is 7, so that player plays off scratch and the others receive 16 − 7 = 9, 11 − 7 = 4 and 22 − 7 = 15 strokes, each taken on their own ball on the lowest stroke-index holes.
- Foursomes match play (50% of the combined handicaps). Side A: (8 + 18) × 0.5 = 13. Side B: (12 + 24) × 0.5 = 18. Side B receives 18 − 13 = 5 strokes on stroke index 1 to 5.
- Greensomes match play (60% low + 40% high). Side A: 0.6 × 8 + 0.4 × 18 = 4.8 + 7.2 = 12. Side B: 0.6 × 12 + 0.4 × 24 = 7.2 + 9.6 = 16.8 → 17. Side B receives 5 strokes.
- Singles match play (100%). The 8 against the 12: the 12 receives 4 strokes, on stroke index 1 to 4.
Press "Load the worked example" above to see the four-ball case in the tool, complete with a sample stroke index so you can see the holes.
Agree these before the first tee
- Course Handicap, not Handicap Index. Convert each Handicap Index to a Course Handicap for the tees being played before you start; the calculator works from the Course Handicap.
- The allowance. The Appendix C figures are recommendations. If your club or group uses full handicaps in four-ball or a different foursomes method, enter the numbers your way and use the stroke-index grid for the holes.
- Where the strokes fall. Use the stroke index printed on the card, and check whether your club publishes a separate match-play stroke index.
- Plus handicaps. A player with a plus Course Handicap gives strokes rather than receiving them; the calculator handles negative numbers in the same way, and in singles the difference still goes to the higher player.
Related guides
Read the four-ball, foursomes and individual match play guides, brush up on match-play scoring, then settle the side games with the skins calculator or the Nassau calculator. The complete format library covers every game.
Common questions
How many strokes do you get in match play?
In singles match play the allowance is 100%, so the higher-handicap player receives the full difference between the two Course Handicaps. A 12 playing an 8 receives 4 strokes, taken on the holes with stroke index 1 to 4.
What is the handicap allowance for four-ball match play?
The Rules of Handicapping recommend 90% for four-ball match play. Each player's Course Handicap is multiplied by 0.9 and rounded to give a Playing Handicap. The player with the lowest Playing Handicap plays off scratch and each of the other three receives the difference between their own Playing Handicap and that lowest one.
How does the foursomes handicap work?
Each side adds its two Course Handicaps together and takes 50% of the total, rounded, as the side's Playing Handicap. In match play the side with the higher Playing Handicap receives the difference between the two sides.
What is the greensomes handicap allowance?
The recommended allowance for greensomes, Pinehurst and Chapman is 60% of the lower Course Handicap plus 40% of the higher one, rounded, per side. In match play the higher side receives the difference between the two sides' Playing Handicaps.
Which holes do the strokes fall on?
Strokes are taken on the holes with the lowest stroke index numbers on the card. A player receiving 5 strokes takes one on each hole with stroke index 1 to 5. If a player receives more than 18, they take a stroke on every hole and a second stroke on the lowest stroke-index holes for the remainder.
Are these allowances compulsory?
No. Appendix C of the Rules of Handicapping sets recommended allowances, and the committee or group running the match may use something different. Whatever the group agrees, settle it before the first tee.