If you would like to play competitive golf either at Balbirnie Park Golf Club or any other golf club, you will need to obtain a Handicap Index.
A Handicap Index allows you to play golf on an equal footing with everyone else who has a handicap, regardless of your ability or the course you play on.
To obtain a Handicap Index you need to play and record scores from a total of 54 holes. This can be from any combination of 9 or 18-hole rounds (for example, 3 x 18 holes, 6 x 9 holes etc).
Each scorecard must say it is ‘Playing For Handicap’ and show your name, the date and the gross score for each hole and indicate which set of tees you have played from. Your card should be marked by another player who has witnessed the round of golf and both yourself and your marker should sign the card.
The completed set of ‘Playing For Handicap' scorecards should then be handed to either the Club Professional, Club Administrator or Match & Handicap Convenor.
Your Handicap Index will be calculated by computer using the WHS (World Handicap System), operated by Scottish Golf. You will be given a unique CDH (Central Database of Handicaps) number which will stay with you for life.
Once you have a Handicap Index you can submit more scores for handicap, either by playing in a competition or by playing a general play round by submitting your score via the Howdidido or Scottish Golf apps.
Your Handicap Index will continue to develop until you have 20 scores recorded. The more cards you submit, the quicker you will get a fully developed handicap index that is a more accurate reflection of your ability. For fewer than 20 scores your Handicap Index will be calculated as follows:
• 3 scores: lowest score -2
• 4 scores: lowest score -1
• 5 scores: lowest score
• 6 scores: average of lowest 2 scores -1
• 7 or 8 scores: average of lowest 2 scores
• 9-11 scores: average of lowest 3 scores
• 12-14 scores: average of lowest 4 scores
• 15-16 scores: average of lowest 5 scores
• 17-18 scores: average of lowest 6 scores
• 19 scores: average of lowest 7 scores
• 20 scores: average of lowest 8 scores
From then on, your newest score will replace the oldest score on your record and your Handicap Index will be re-calculated based on the lowest 8 scores on your current record.
Before playing a round of golf, you will need to convert your Handicap Index to a Course Handicap. This will change from course to course, depending on the difficulty of the course. At Balbirnie Park Golf Club, when you sign in to play a competition or pre-register to play a general play round for handicap purposes, your Course Handicap will appear on the Howdidido or Scottish Golf apps. Handicap conversion charts are also provided at the pro shop.
When playing in a competition, your Course Handicap may be further adjusted depending on the type of competition you are playing in. For example, in a singles stableford or stroke play competition your Playing Handicap will be 95% of your exact Course Handicap. At Balbirnie Park Golf Club, when you sign in to play a competition your Playing Handicap will appear on the Howdidido app. Handicap conversion charts are also provided at the pro shop.
For further information about course and playing handicaps please refer to the guidance on Scottish Golf website.
https://www.scottishgolf.org/course-handicap-playing-handicap-calculations