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Understanding Plus Handicaps in Golf

ByMichael Reeves

← Golf Gameplay & Rules | Golf Scoring and Handicaps


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Quick Answer

  • A plus handicap in golf means you’re better than scratch, meaning you’re expected to shoot under par on average.
  • The number before the plus sign, like +2, tells you how many strokes under par you’re projected to finish a round.
  • These are the top-tier players, consistently performing at an elite level.

Who This Is For

  • Golfers aiming to understand the higher echelons of handicap calculations and what it takes to get there.
  • Anyone playing in competitive amateur events where understanding handicaps, especially plus handicaps, is crucial for fair competition and strategy.

What to Check First: Understanding Plus Handicaps

  • Verify your official Handicap Index: This is the starting point. Make sure it’s current and issued by your national or regional golf association. No guessing allowed here.
  • Grasp the Handicap Index vs. Course Handicap difference: Your Index is your baseline skill. Your Course Handicap is adjusted for the specific course and tees you’re playing. They aren’t the same thing.
  • Review the World Handicap System (WHS) guidelines: Get familiar with the official rules. It’s the backbone of modern handicapping, ensuring fairness across the board.
  • Understand Course Rating and Slope Rating: These numbers are key. They tell you how difficult a course is for a scratch golfer (Course Rating) and how much harder it is for a bogey golfer relative to a scratch golfer (Slope Rating). This directly impacts your Course Handicap.
  • Know your typical playing partners’ handicaps: This helps you understand stroke adjustments in casual play or matches. Are you giving them strokes, or are they giving you?

What is a Plus Handicap in Golf? The Elite Standard

Step-by-Step Plan for Understanding Plus Handicaps in Golf

1. Action: Obtain your official Handicap Index.

  • What to look for: A numerical value that might have a plus sign in front of it, like +1.5 or +3.0. This is your baseline skill measure.
  • Mistake: Relying on casual estimates or outdated handicaps. Always use the official, current number from your governing body. It’s the only true measure.

2. Action: Research the World Handicap System (WHS) rules for calculating handicaps.

  • What to look for: Official documentation that explains how the Handicap Index is derived from your best scores out of your last 20. Pay attention to the “net double bogey” adjustment.
  • Mistake: Assuming handicap calculations are simple arithmetic. The WHS has specific rules and formulas that need to be followed precisely.

3. Action: Calculate your potential Course Handicap for a specific course and set of tees.

  • What to look for: A number that results from the formula: Handicap Index x (Slope Rating / 113) + (Course Rating – Par). For a plus handicap player, this calculation will often result in a number of strokes given to the course.
  • Mistake: Using your Handicap Index directly on the course. This is a huge error. The Course Handicap is what determines strokes given or received. I learned this the hard way once, thinking I was getting strokes when I was actually supposed to be giving them.

4. Action: Understand how strokes are applied when you have a plus handicap.

  • What to look for: With a plus handicap, you are expected to finish under par. This means you will typically give strokes to players with handicaps higher than zero. The number of strokes you give is based on the difference between your Course Handicap and theirs.
  • Mistake: Thinking you always get strokes. This is the opposite of reality for plus handicaps. You’re the one giving strokes, not receiving them, unless playing someone with an even higher plus handicap.

5. Action: Review your scorecard after a round where you used your handicap.

  • What to look for: Compare your gross score to your net score (gross score minus strokes received, or plus strokes given). See how your net score relates to the par of the course. Did you play to your handicap? Better? Worse?
  • Mistake: Not reconciling your score with your handicap expectation. This is a missed learning opportunity. Understanding why you shot what you did relative to your handicap is key to improvement.

6. Action: Understand the concept of “playing off” a handicap.

  • What to look for: When you have a plus handicap, you’re “playing off” a negative number. For example, a +2 handicap means you’re playing off 2 under par. In stroke play, this means you subtract that number from your gross score for your net score. In match play, it means you give strokes on the hardest holes as determined by the scorecard.
  • Mistake: Getting confused about how the number is applied. A +2 handicap means you’re better than scratch by 2 strokes, not that you get 2 strokes. It’s a crucial distinction.

7. Action: Familiarize yourself with handicap allowances in different formats.

  • What to look for: In singles stroke play, you typically use your full Course Handicap. In foursomes (alternate shot), the allowance is usually 50% of the combined Course Handicaps. In four-ball (better ball), it’s often 85% or 90% of your individual Course Handicap.
  • Mistake: Applying the wrong allowance for the format. This can significantly impact the fairness of the game, especially when playing with or against plus handicaps.

Common Mistakes in Understanding Plus Handicaps

  • Mistake: Confusing Handicap Index with Course Handicap.
  • Why it matters: This is the most common blunder. Your Handicap Index is your overall skill level, while your Course Handicap is specific to the course and tees you’re playing. Using the wrong one leads to incorrect stroke application.
  • Fix: Always calculate your Course Handicap for the exact course and tees you are playing. Most golf apps and club websites can do this for you instantly.
  • Mistake: Not updating scores promptly or accurately.
  • Why it matters: Golf is a game of progress. If your scores aren’t submitted, your Handicap Index won’t reflect your current ability, potentially giving you an unfair advantage or disadvantage.
  • Fix: Submit all your eligible scores within the WHS timeframe (usually within 14 days). Keep your handicap current; it’s a dynamic measure of your game.
  • Mistake: Assuming all courses have the same stroke allocation or handicap strokes.
  • Why it matters: Course Ratings and Slope Ratings vary wildly. A tough course with a high slope rating will give you a higher Course Handicap than an easier course, even with the same Handicap Index.
  • Fix: Always refer to the scorecard or a handicap calculator for the specific course and tees. The “Stroke Index” or “Handicap Holes” listed are critical for match play.
  • Mistake: Thinking a plus handicap guarantees a win or a specific score.
  • Why it matters: Golf is unpredictable. A player with a +3 handicap can still have a bad day and shoot 80, while a player with a 10 handicap might catch fire and shoot 75. Handicaps are averages, not guarantees.
  • Fix: Understand it’s an expectation of performance, not a fixed outcome. Focus on playing your best golf on the day, regardless of your handicap.
  • Mistake: Misinterpreting how strokes are given or received in matches.
  • Why it matters: With a plus handicap, you are generally giving strokes. If you’re playing a match against someone with a 10 handicap, and your Course Handicap is +2, you’re effectively giving them 12 strokes (10 – (-2) = 12).
  • Fix: Always clarify the stroke difference before starting a match. Use the scorecard’s stroke index to determine which holes you give or receive strokes on.
  • Mistake: Not understanding the handicap allowance for different formats.
  • Why it matters: Playing foursomes with a full handicap allowance would be wildly unfair. The WHS has specific rules for different game formats to maintain equity.
  • Fix: Consult the WHS rules or your club’s handicap committee for the correct allowances for four-ball, foursomes, greensomes, etc.

FAQ

  • What is the lowest possible plus handicap?

Theoretically, there isn’t a strict lower limit defined by the WHS, but practical handicaps rarely go below +5 or +6. These represent players who are exceptionally skilled, consistently shooting multiple strokes under par. Most amateur golfers will never see a handicap that low.

  • How is a plus handicap calculated?

A plus handicap is calculated using the same World Handicap System formula as any other handicap. It arises when the average of your best scores (typically the lowest 8 scores from your last 20) is significantly better than par. The system then calculates how many strokes under par this average performance represents, resulting in a negative (plus) handicap index. It’s a direct reflection of consistent, excellent play.

  • Does a plus handicap guarantee a win?

Absolutely not. A plus handicap means you are expected to perform at an elite level, averaging scores under par. However, golf is a game of variables – course conditions, weather, your mental game, and the performance of your opponents all play a huge role. Even the best players have off days. It gives you a statistical advantage, but it doesn’t predetermine the outcome. Understanding a Plus Handicap in Golf is about probability, not certainty.

  • When do I start giving strokes on the course with a plus handicap?

With a plus handicap, you are always giving strokes relative to par. When you play against someone with a zero or positive handicap, you will be giving them strokes. The number of strokes you give is determined by the difference between your Course Handicap and their Course Handicap. For instance, if you have a +2 Course Handicap and they have a 10 Course Handicap, you effectively give them 12 strokes.

  • What’s the difference between a plus handicap and being “scratch”?

A scratch golfer has a Handicap Index of 0.0. This means they are expected to shoot par on average. A plus handicap means you are better than scratch, meaning you are expected to shoot under par on average. So, a +1 handicap is better than scratch, and a +2 handicap is even better.

  • Can my plus handicap change?

Yes, your handicap is dynamic. It’s calculated based on your recent scores submitted under the WHS. If you play well consistently, your handicap index can decrease (e.g., from +2 to +1.5). If your performance dips, it could increase (e.g., from +1.5 to +2.0). This ensures your handicap accurately reflects your current playing ability.

  • How does a plus handicap affect match play scoring?

In match play, you typically give or receive strokes on holes based on their Stroke Index (difficulty rating). If you have a +2 Course Handicap and your opponent has a 10 Course Handicap, you’d typically give them 12 strokes. These strokes are usually applied on the 12 hardest holes on the course, starting with the #1 handicap hole. You’ll need to check the specific rules for your competition, but this is the standard approach.

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