---
title: Allocating Handicap Strokes
description: Below is everything you wanted to know and more on how Handicap Strokes should be allocated for your next competitive round of golf. What is a Handicap Str
---

[SCGA Club Admin Hub ](https://adminhub.scga.org)

# [Allocating Handicap Strokes](https://adminhub.scga.org/blog/allocating-handicap-strokes)

 Written by [admin](https://adminhub.scga.org/author/admin) | Apr 25, 2024 10:47:29 PM

Below is everything you wanted to know and more on how Handicap Strokes should be allocated for your next competitive round of golf.

**What is a Handicap Stroke**?

It is a stroke applied to *a gross score* which, in effect, subtracts the player’s handicap stroke(s) from the player’s *gross score* for a hole or round, which is referred to the player’s *net score.*

**What is the purpose of allocating handicap strokes to certain holes**?

Basically, it is to equalize the abilities of players at different handicap levels. It allows a 30- handicap player to equitably compete against a 15-handicap player. Some formats apply stroke holes or ‘pops’ on a hole-by-hole basis, for instance in Four-Ball stroke play and Skins, whereas in an 18-hole Net Competition, the total Course Handicap is used to determine the net score.

**Who determines the allocation of handicap strokes**?

Either the club’s Handicap Committee or a Committee formed to allocate handicap-stroke holes by collecting hole-by-hole data as recommended by the USGA in Appendix E of the [Rules of Handicapping.](https://www.usga.org/handicapping/roh/Content/rules/Appendix%20E%20Stroke%20Index%20Allocation.htm) The SCGA provides the rating and slope for each set of tees which is not related to the stroke hole allocation. However, the SCGA offers a service where if the club provides a spreadsheet with the necessary number of hole-by-hole scores, with Course Handicaps for each score provided, the SCGA will provide both forms of analysis identified by the USGA.

**Should men and women have different stroke hole allocations**? **Should each set of tees have a different stroke hole allocation?**

Stroke hole allocations for men and women should be different because the need to equalize holes will be different for men than for women. However, a single allocation for men and one separate one for women is the most practical and easiest for players to utilize even when there are multiple sets of tees.

**In a mixed Four-Ball competition (women and men play their own ball and record the best score), which stroke hole allocation should be used for the competition?**

Women would use their stroke hole allocation and men would use their stroke hole allocation in all formats where players play their own ball.

**How often should stroke hole allocations be reviewed or updated?**

There are no set rules, however the USGA recommends that a committee should review scorecards and determine scoring averages every five years or after major renovations have been made to the course.

**How many scorecards need to be collected?**

Under the World Handicap System, 250 scorecards from each group would be sufficient.

Group A should represent players with a Course Handicap of 8 or below for men and 14 or below for women.

If a club does not have enough low handicap players, the committee can use scorecards from 25% of its players with the lowest course handicap.

Group B should represent hole-by-hole scores for middle to higher handicap players. Men should fall between course handicaps of 20-28 and women, 26-40. In general, the average of the Course Handicap of players in Group B should be 15-20 strokes higher than the average Course Handicap of the players in Group A.

**Why are odd numbered stroke holes always on the front nine and even numbered stroke holes on the back nine?**

Unless the back nine of a golf course is determined to be more difficult than the front nine, the odd/even distribution best equalizes the distribution of handicap strokes over the entire 18-holes.

**Where should the #1 stroke hole be allocated?**

The first allocated stroke hole does not mean it is the hardest hole on the course but it should be the hole where the stroke is most useful in a match between players of almost equal ability, for instance between a 10 and an 11 or a 29 or a 31-course handicap.

[View full post](https://adminhub.scga.org/blog/allocating-handicap-strokes)

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