Page type: Glossary / definition
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Meaning
Bisque is a casual handicap game, usually played as match play, in which each player chooses when to use allotted handicap strokes instead of following the stroke-index order. The choice is announced before the hole, and unused strokes normally expire at the end of the round.
How it matters in match play
Bisque adds a strategic handicap layer to a head-to-head match: each player spends a stroke on a chosen hole, then the lower net score wins that hole under agreed house rules. Ordinary match play normally allocates handicap strokes by hole. Confirm the stroke limit, whether two strokes may be used on one hole, and whether teams are allowed; Bisque is not a separate Rules of Golf format.
Table
| Quick reference | Detail |
|---|---|
| Term | Bisque |
| Category | betting |
| Applicable rule | No dedicated official rule established |
| Related concepts | Match Play, Handicap Stroke, Stroke Index, Handicap Competition |
Worked example
Alex has 8 Bisque strokes and Ben has 5; Alex announces one stroke before teeing off on the 3rd hole, so an 8-stroke gross score is recorded as 7 for the agreed comparison, leaving Alex 7 Bisque strokes.
Sources: www.golfcompendium.com , golf.com , www.randa.org , www.usga.org
Common questions
Is Bisque an official format under the Rules of Golf?
No. Bisque is a casual game with house rules. The Rules of Golf describe match play and handicap-stroke principles, but they do not establish one universal Bisque procedure.
When must a Bisque stroke be announced?
The common version requires the player to announce the stroke before teeing off on that hole. Agree this in advance, because local versions can differ.
Can a player use two Bisque strokes on one hole?
Sometimes, but not always. One published description allows up to two on a hole, while another specifies one, so the group must set its limit before play.
Are Bisque strokes allocated by Stroke Index?
Usually not. The point of Bisque is that the player chooses the hole, instead of following the normal stroke-index allocation. The chosen stroke still counts against that player's agreed allowance.
What happens to unused Bisque strokes?
They normally expire when the round ends. A player cannot carry unused strokes into another round unless a separate house rule says so.
Can Bisque be played for money?
Yes, if the players agree the stake and settlement before starting. The money arrangement is a private side-game rule, not part of the Rules of Golf.