Handicap Strokes in Match Play, Explained Simply

Handicaps keep a friends Ryder Cup fair. In match play they work a little differently from stroke play. Once you see it, it is easy.

Note: this is a plain-English guide. For official events, check the current USGA or World Handicap System guidance, since allowances can change.

The key idea

In stroke play, you take strokes off your total score.

In match play, you get strokes on specific holes. On those holes, your score is reduced by one. Then you compare scores to see who wins the hole.

Where the strokes go

Every scorecard ranks holes by difficulty. Look for a row labelled "Handicap" or "HCP". The number 1 is the hardest hole. The number 18 is the easiest.

Strokes go on the hardest holes first.

• Get 1 stroke: you get it on the number 1 handicap hole.
• Get 5 strokes: you get them on handicap holes 1 to 5.
• Get 20 strokes: one on every hole, plus a second on handicap holes 1 and 2.

Singles match play

The simplest case.

1. Work out each player's course handicap for the tees you are playing.
2. Take the difference.
3. The higher-handicap player gets that many strokes.

Example. Player A has a course handicap of 8. Player B has 15. The difference is 7. Player B gets 7 strokes, on handicap holes 1 to 7. Player A gets none.

On the number 3 hole, both make 5. Player B's net is 4. Player B wins the hole.

Four-ball match play

Four players. Two per side. Each plays their own ball.

A common method:

1. Work out a reduced handicap for each player. A 90 percent allowance is widely used.
2. Find the lowest of the four.
3. Every player gets strokes equal to the difference between their number and the lowest.
4. The lowest player plays off zero.

Example. Reduced handicaps: 4, 10, 12, 18. The lowest is 4. So the players get 0, 6, 8 and 14 strokes.

Each player's net score on a hole is compared. The side with the best net score wins the hole.

Foursomes (alternate shot)

Two players share one ball. So each side needs one team handicap.

A common method:

1. Add the two partners' course handicaps.
2. Do the same for the other side.
3. Take the difference between the two totals.
4. The side with the higher total gets half the difference, rounded.

Example. Side 1: 6 + 14 = 20. Side 2: 10 + 18 = 28. Difference: 8. Half of 8 is 4. Side 2 gets 4 strokes.

Scramble

Scramble handicaps vary a lot by group. Common methods take a small percentage of each player's number and add them. Because scrambles shrink the skill gap, many friend groups simply play them off scratch.

If you play off scratch, say so before the round.

Do you need handicaps at all?

Not always.

• If your group is close in skill, play off scratch. It is simpler.
• If your skill range is wide, use strokes. Without them, the same people win every match.
• If people do not have official handicaps, agree rough numbers before the trip. Do not change them mid-event.

Marking strokes on the card

Before you tee off, mark a dot on each hole where a player gets a stroke. It saves arguments on the 14th tee.

Some apps mark strokes for you. CupTracker says it uses USGA course handicap calculations to assign strokes automatically.

Where MATCHUPS stands

We make MATCHUPS. It does not connect to GHIN, so it will not pull in official handicap indexes. If your group wants handicaps handled from GHIN, pick another app from our Ryder Cup app comparison.

MATCHUPS is built for two equal teams of 4, 8 or 12 on iPhone, over one to five rounds, with a live lock-screen scoreboard and end-of-trip awards.

Quick reference

The short version

Strokes go on the hardest holes first. In singles, give the full difference. In four-ball, use a reduced allowance off the lowest player. In foursomes, use half the team difference. Agree everything before the first tee.

Then let the putts decide it.

New to the format? Start with the Ryder Cup format explained.

Cup Points is made by the MATCHUPS team. Our app runs two-team cups on iPhone and Apple Watch, with live points on the lock screen. Download it free or visit matchupsgolf.com.

FAQ

How do handicap strokes work in match play?

The higher-handicap player gets strokes on the hardest holes, based on the scorecard's handicap row.

How many strokes in singles match play?

Commonly the full difference between the two players' course handicaps.

Does MATCHUPS use GHIN handicaps?

No. MATCHUPS does not connect to GHIN.