Gross score
Gross score is every stroke you actually took, no adjustments. It's what gets posted for handicap tracking, and what professional tournaments use, since pros don't play off a handicap.
Net score
Net score is your gross score minus your handicap. Shoot 82 with a course handicap of 12, your net score is 70. That's the whole calculation. Most member events, scrambles, and group tournaments use net scoring, because not everyone in the field plays to the same level.
Why it matters for a group tournament
Without net scoring, a tournament is really just a contest between the lowest-handicap players in the field. Net scoring gives a mid-handicap player a real shot at the trophy too, which is most of what keeps a member-guest or company outing fun for the whole field.
Handling it without a calculator
Set handicaps per player when building your tournament, and LeaderboardLive shows gross and net side by side on the leaderboard automatically. Toggle between the two views, nothing to re-enter.
FAQ
Do I need an official handicap index to use net scoring?
No, you can enter a course handicap manually for a casual event.
Is net score used in match play too?
Yes, net match play applies handicap strokes per hole rather than to a total score.
Sources
- LiveAbout: What Is a Net Score in Golf and How Do You Calculate It?
- Wikipedia: Golf Handicap