Page type: Glossary / definition
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Meaning
Maximum Hole Score is the highest score a player may post for one hole when submitting a score for handicap purposes. With an established Handicap Index, it is normally net double bogey; for scores establishing an initial Handicap Index, it is par plus five strokes.
How it matters in match play
Maximum Hole Score is a handicap-posting adjustment, not a cap that automatically changes the score used to decide a match. Record the hole under the agreed match-play format, then apply the WHS adjustment when the round is submitted for handicap purposes. Do not confuse it with the separate Maximum Score stroke-play format, where the Committee sets the competition cap.
Table
| Quick reference | Detail |
|---|---|
| Term | Maximum Hole Score |
| Category | handicap |
| Applicable rule | WHS Rules of Handicapping, Rule 3.1; Rules of Golf, Rule 21.2 |
| Related concepts | Net Double Bogey, Course Handicap, Handicap Stroke, Maximum Score, Score Differential |
Worked example
Alex has a Course Handicap of 15 and receives one Handicap Stroke on a par-4 hole with Stroke Index 10, so his Maximum Hole Score for handicap posting is 7: par 4 + 2 + 1.
Rule reference: WHS Rules of Handicapping, Rule 3.1; Rules of Golf, Rule 21.2
Sources: www.randa.org , www.usga.org , www.randa.org
Common questions
Is Maximum Hole Score the same as Maximum Score?
No. Maximum Hole Score is a WHS adjustment used when posting a score for handicap purposes. Maximum Score is a separate Rules of Golf stroke-play format under Rule 21.2, with a cap set by the Committee.
How do I calculate Maximum Hole Score?
For an established Handicap Index, use par + 2 strokes + any Handicap Stroke received on that hole. The unrestricted Course Handicap is used for this adjustment. For an initial Handicap Index, the limit is par + 5.
Does Maximum Hole Score decide who wins a match?
Not by itself. It does not replace the score used to settle ordinary match play. It adjusts a hole score for handicap posting after the round, while the match result follows the agreed format and applicable competition terms.
Can a net double bogey adjustment be applied on more than one hole?
Yes. The Rules of Handicapping state that there is no limit to the number of holes in a round where a net double bogey adjustment may be applied.
What happens if a player is posting their first scores?
For scores submitted to establish an initial Handicap Index, the maximum score for each hole played is par plus five strokes, rather than net double bogey.
What if a player receives several Handicap Strokes on one hole?
Add all Handicap Strokes received on that hole to par plus two. If the Course Handicap is more than 54 and the player receives four or more strokes on a hole, Rule 3.1 provides a par-plus-five limit for handicap purposes.