Since 1st April, competition and handicap committees in Ireland have had the power to affect Playing Handicaps in singles competitions as well as four ball stroke play, Stableford and V Par competitions.
Rather than the standard 95% of Course Handicap in singles stroke play and 85% in four ball stroke play and Stableford, committees in Ireland have the option to reduce Playing Handicap to 90% or 85% (or to increase it to 100%) of Course Handicap in singles stroke play.
In four ball stroke play comps plus Stableford and V Par, they can reduce the allowance to 80% or 75%, or increase it to 90%.
This is a trial year for Ireland and the option for new allowances, but the plan is that England, Scotland and Wales will follow suit in 2026.
The changes have come about because of feedback from lower handicap players who feel they have been disadvantaged under the new World Handicap System.
But why do we need a Playing Handicap? Isn’t Course Handicap sufficient? Why do we have % allowances, and why would they need to be increased?
The explanation is, it’s to provide equity. The idea of the handicap allowance is to give each player in the field equal chance of winning each event on any given day.
Think of it like this – A 2 handicap player versus the average 20 handicap player in a stroke play competition. The possible relative scoring range of the average 2 handicap player is far smaller than the 20-handicap player.
It’s easier for the high handicap player to have a superb day and shoot 5 or more below their handicap. It may happen once in a blue moon, but it can happen. That’s not something the average 2 handicapper has in their locker.
If you have a big field with a wide range of handicaps, the chances are that one of the high handicappers will have that “once in a blue moon” day where they beat their best by 5, thereby giving the lowest handicappers in the field no chance.
Right. What’s the playing allowance?
(Image credit: Kevin Murray)
If you give players 95% of their handicap, that will mean the 2 handicap golfer still gets 2 shots but the 20 handicapper only gets 19. The idea is that it gives everyone more of an equal chance to win on the day.
The reason Ireland is trialling the option to reduce that allowance to 85% in singles stroke play is, the…
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