Page type: Glossary / definition
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Meaning
Chicago is a casual golf points game with a handicap-adjusted quota. A common version sets it at 39 minus the player's Course Handicap and awards 1 point for a bogey, 2 for a par, 4 for a birdie and 8 for an eagle. The highest differential wins.
How it matters in match play
Chicago is not a Rules-defined match-play format. It is normally an individual points competition against the field, although players can agree to compare their quota differentials head-to-head or add a Chicago side bet to a match; those scoring and settlement terms are house rules, not automatic match-play rules.
Table
| Quick reference | Detail |
|---|---|
| Term | Chicago |
| Category | betting |
| Applicable rule | No dedicated official rule established |
| Related concepts | Quota Game, Stableford, Side Bet, Pot, Payout |
Worked example
Using the common 39-minus-course-handicap version, Alex has a Course Handicap of 10 and a quota of 29; 13 pars, one birdie and three bogeys produce 33 points, or +4. Ben has a Course Handicap of 15 and a quota of 24; 12 pars, one birdie and eight bogeys produce 29 points, or +5, so Ben wins by one point.
Sources: www.golfdigest.com , www.australiangolfdigest.com.au , www.randa.org , www.ssgolfclub.org , www.golfcompendium.com
Common questions
Is Chicago an official format under the Rules of Golf?
No. Chicago is a casual betting or competition format. Rule 21.1 covers official Stableford, which also uses points, but it does not prescribe Chicago's quota formula or point scale. Agree the Chicago version before teeing off.
How do you calculate a Chicago quota?
A commonly published version uses 39 minus the player's Course Handicap. For example, a Course Handicap of 10 gives a 29-point quota. Published versions differ for high handicaps and sometimes cap the quota, so the organiser should write the formula and any cap on the Scorecard or Terms of the Competition.
How is the winner decided in Chicago?
Add each player's Chicago points and subtract the player's quota. The highest resulting differential wins. If money is involved, agree whether the Pot is winner-takes-all, paid by finishing place, or settled at a fixed dollar value per point before play.
Is Chicago the same as a Quota Game?
They are closely related labels for a handicap-adjusted points game, but there is no single universal Chicago ruleset. Confirm the starting formula, points for each score and any high-handicap cap rather than assuming another club's Quota Game is identical.
Does Chicago use a WHS handicap allowance?
No automatic WHS allowance is established by the Chicago game itself. Use the applicable Course Handicap or another handicap basis only as the agreed competition method, and do not present a casual Chicago quota as a WHS Appendix C allowance.
Can two teams play a Chicago variation?
Yes, but it is a variation. A club example assigns a combined quota to each two-player team and scores the team from net results. Set out how combined handicaps, hole points, ties and any optional Side Bet work before the round.