How handicaps and strokes work

From Index to the strokes you get

1. Course handicap. With course-adjusted handicaps on (the default), Index × Slope ÷ 113 + (Course Rating − Par), for the tees the player is on.
2. Nine holes. On a Front 9 or Back 9 round, half the handicap, per the Rules of Handicapping (using the nine’s own ratings when the course has them).
3. Allowance. The round’s allowance, for example 85%, rounded to the nearest whole number.
4. Spin off the low man, if it’s on: everyone in the match plays off the difference from the lowest.
5. Strokes by stroke index. A 12 gets a stroke on the 12 hardest holes (SI 1 to 12). A 23 gets two strokes on SI 1 to 5 and one everywhere else.

Plus handicaps give strokes back on the easiest holes: a +2 adds a stroke on SI 17 and 18. On a nine-hole round the stroke indexes are re-ranked 1 to 9, so a 16 playing the front nine gets exactly 8 strokes.

Typing handicaps

• 12 is a 12. +2 is a plus 2. 0, scr or scratch is scratch.
• Left blank, a player has no handicap and plays gross.
• Turn off Use course-adjusted handicaps if you’d rather type the course handicap yourself.

Where you see it

• The scorecard says You get 1 stroke on a hole where you get one, and net 4 under your score.
• Next to a name: (12), (+2), (13 → 7) when an allowance or spin changes it, (13 · Blk) on a different tee.
• Manage → Handicaps → Show playing handicaps lists what everyone plays off, round by round.

Last checked October 30, 2026. Still stuck? Email support@leaderboardlive.io.