(There is a brand new system as of 2020 for determining maximum strokes per hole. This is the biggest change that will affect all of us. Please read this section carefully! The new system for maximum strokes per hole is dependent on three things:
Previously, we used Equitable Stroke Control to calculate the maximum number of strokes per hole. Under the old system, you had the same number of maximum strokes, regardless of which hole you were playing and regardless of what course you were playing on.
Now, the maximum number of strokes is a mathematical calculation:
Par + 2 (double bogie) + number of strokes you get on a hole based on your handicap (your "POPS")
So, the big question is, how do you know how many strokes you get on each hole. Here are the simple steps.
If you have a handicap of 10, you would get one stroke for holes ranked 1-10. [Please note the word “ranked.” You do not get one stroke for holes #1-10; you get 1 stroke for holes RANKED 1-10 on the handicap line.] If you have a handicap of 18, you would get one stroke on every hole. Since we all have more than an 18 handicap, how would you calculate how many strokes you get on each hole with a higher handicap?
Examples:
Let’s look at how that would work when you calculate your maximum number of strokes per hole.
If a hole is a par 4 and you have a 36 handicap, this is how you’d calculate your maximum strokes: 4 (par) + 2(double bogey) + 2 (the number of strokes you get for that hole). Your maximum number of strokes for that hole would be 8 (4+2+2).
If a hole is a par 4 and you have a 39 handicap, this is how you’d calculate your maximum strokes: 4 (par) + 2(double bogey) + 2 or 3 (depending on which hole you are playing and what the handicap ranked difficulty is for that hole). For example: If it is hole #9 at Stanford, with a handicap rank of 1, you would get 3 strokes, and the maximum number of strokes for that hole would be 9 (4+2+3). If it is hole #11, with a handicap rank of 12, you would only get 2 strokes, and the maximum number of strokes for that hole would be 8 (4+2+2).
Each hole will be different on different courses:
Each course ranks each of its holes differently. So, your maximum number of strokes per hole will depend on the rank of that hole on the specific course you are playing.
Summary:
This may sound a little complicated but once you understand the concept, it will become quite easy. Remember, the old system gave you a maximum number of strokes regardless of what hole you played and regardless of what course you were playing on. This system requires you to calculate your maximum score on each hole separately, depending on your handicap and depending on the course. You must determine your handicap for each different course you play on so you can calculate your maximum score on each hole for that course. The club house for that course should be able to show you their chart or calculate it for you.
- Your index
- Your handicap for a given course (i.e, course by course depending on the slope of the course.
- Each hole's ranked difficulty for a given course
Previously, we used Equitable Stroke Control to calculate the maximum number of strokes per hole. Under the old system, you had the same number of maximum strokes, regardless of which hole you were playing and regardless of what course you were playing on.
Now, the maximum number of strokes is a mathematical calculation:
Par + 2 (double bogie) + number of strokes you get on a hole based on your handicap (your "POPS")
So, the big question is, how do you know how many strokes you get on each hole. Here are the simple steps.
- Calculate your course handicap from your handicap index: Each course has a slope rating which is a way of measuring the difficulty of that particular course. There is a mathematical formula which converts your handicap index to the appropriate handicap for that particular course. For courses other than Stanford, your NCGA app will make that calculation for you. Here is the conversion for the Stanford Golf Course:
- Calculate your strokes per hole: When you look at the Stanford scorecard, you will see a line titled “Par/Handicap” at the bottom under the Blue tee line. The handicap number ranks the difficulty of each hole, with 1 being the most difficult and 18 being the least difficult.
If you have a handicap of 10, you would get one stroke for holes ranked 1-10. [Please note the word “ranked.” You do not get one stroke for holes #1-10; you get 1 stroke for holes RANKED 1-10 on the handicap line.] If you have a handicap of 18, you would get one stroke on every hole. Since we all have more than an 18 handicap, how would you calculate how many strokes you get on each hole with a higher handicap?
- Let’s say you have a 26 handicap. Obviously, you’ll get at least one stroke on each of the 18 holes on the course, but you’ll also get a second stroke on the 8 highest ranked holes on the handicap line of the scorecard. Why 8? Because you used the first 18 of your handicap getting 1 stroke on each hole and then you have 8 more strokes to assign---and you assign them to the 8 hardest (most difficult holes per the course ratings) holes. So, on the holes ranked 1-8 you’ll get 2 strokes each; on the other holes, you’ll get 1 stroke each.
- And if you get to take 36 strokes, you’ll get 2 strokes for each of the 18 holes on the course.
- And if you get to take 39 strokes, you’ll get 3 strokes on holes ranked 1-3; on the other holes you’ll get 2 strokes each.
Examples:
Let’s look at how that would work when you calculate your maximum number of strokes per hole.
If a hole is a par 4 and you have a 36 handicap, this is how you’d calculate your maximum strokes: 4 (par) + 2(double bogey) + 2 (the number of strokes you get for that hole). Your maximum number of strokes for that hole would be 8 (4+2+2).
If a hole is a par 4 and you have a 39 handicap, this is how you’d calculate your maximum strokes: 4 (par) + 2(double bogey) + 2 or 3 (depending on which hole you are playing and what the handicap ranked difficulty is for that hole). For example: If it is hole #9 at Stanford, with a handicap rank of 1, you would get 3 strokes, and the maximum number of strokes for that hole would be 9 (4+2+3). If it is hole #11, with a handicap rank of 12, you would only get 2 strokes, and the maximum number of strokes for that hole would be 8 (4+2+2).
Each hole will be different on different courses:
Each course ranks each of its holes differently. So, your maximum number of strokes per hole will depend on the rank of that hole on the specific course you are playing.
Summary:
This may sound a little complicated but once you understand the concept, it will become quite easy. Remember, the old system gave you a maximum number of strokes regardless of what hole you played and regardless of what course you were playing on. This system requires you to calculate your maximum score on each hole separately, depending on your handicap and depending on the course. You must determine your handicap for each different course you play on so you can calculate your maximum score on each hole for that course. The club house for that course should be able to show you their chart or calculate it for you.