Greensomes Handicap

Greensomes Handicap
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Greensomes uses a weighted combination: 60% of the lower Course Handicap plus 40% of the higher. Here's why — and how to work it out.

Definition

In greensomes, the team Playing Handicap is (Lower Course Handicap × 0.6) + (Higher Course Handicap × 0.4). The weighting reflects that the stronger player's drives are statistically chosen more often, giving them slightly more influence over the combined handicap.

What is greensomes?

In greensomes (sometimes called Scotch foursomes), both players drive on every hole. The team then selects the better drive and plays alternate shot from there until the ball is holed. It's more social than pure foursomes since both players get to tee off on every hole.

Because both players drive but only one drive per hole is used, the lower-handicapper's tee shots are likely selected more often (statistically). This is why the WHS formula weights their handicap at 60%, giving slightly more influence to the stronger player.

The formula

Greensomes Playing Handicap

Team Playing Handicap = (Lower CH × 0.6) + (Higher CH × 0.4)

Shot difference = Higher team PH − Lower team PH

Round the Playing Handicap to the nearest whole number. "Lower CH" is the player in the partnership with the smaller Course Handicap — not necessarily the lower Handicap Index, though on a standard course these are the same.

Worked examples

Example 1 — Standard course (Slope 113, CR = Par)

Team 1 (Abi + Ben)

Abi — HI 8 → CH8 (lower)

Ben — HI 20 → CH20 (higher)

(8 × 0.6) + (20 × 0.4)PH 13

Team 2 (Chris + Dan)

Chris — HI 12 → CH12 (lower)

Dan — HI 16 → CH16 (higher)

(12 × 0.6) + (16 × 0.4)PH 14

Result: Team 1 (PH 13) gives Team 2 (PH 14) 1 shot — the shot falls on the hole with the lowest Stroke Index.

Example 2 — Varied handicaps (Slope 120, CR 72.5, Par 72)

Team 1

Player A — HI 4.5 → CH6

Player B — HI 28 → CH32

(6 × 0.6) + (32 × 0.4)PH 17

Team 2

Player C — HI 14 → CH16

Player D — HI 18 → CH21

(16 × 0.6) + (21 × 0.4)PH 18

Result: Team 1 (PH 17) receives 1 shot from Team 2 (PH 18), despite having an extremely wide internal handicap gap. The lower-handicapper's drive advantage is accounted for by the 60% weighting on their CH.

Greensomes vs foursomes handicaps

The two formats produce different Playing Handicaps for the same partnership. Greensomes is typically more generous (higher PH) than foursomes because the 0.6/0.4 weighting doesn't halve as aggressively as the 50% combined method.

Partnership	Foursomes PH	Greensomes PH
CH 10 + CH 10	10	10
CH 8 + CH 20	14	13
CH 4 + CH 28	16	14
CH 0 + CH 36	18	14

Standard course assumed. For extreme pairings, greensomes actually produces a lower PH than foursomes — because 60% of a near-scratch player's CH dominates the calculation.

Common questions

Why does the lower handicapper get 60% and not 50%?

In greensomes, when both players drive, the lower-handicapper's tee shot is statistically chosen more often — they hit it further and straighter on average. So their handicap has proportionally more influence on the team's performance. The 60/40 split reflects this asymmetry. If it were 50/50, the lower-handicapper's advantage would be understated.

Is greensomes the same as Scotch foursomes?

Yes — greensomes and Scotch foursomes are the same format. Both players drive, best drive is selected, then alternate shot to finish the hole. The term "Scotch foursomes" is more common in some regions; "greensomes" is the standard WHS terminology.

What if both partners have the same Course Handicap?

If both Course Handicaps are identical, it doesn't matter which is "lower" or "higher" in the formula. You'd calculate: (CH × 0.6) + (CH × 0.4) = CH × 1.0 = the Course Handicap itself. So matching Course Handicaps produce a Playing Handicap equal to the Course Handicap — same as foursomes for equal partners.

Do clubs vary the greensomes formula?

Yes — some clubs use alternative formulas such as (lower ÷ 2) + (higher ÷ 3), or simply 50% of the combined. WHS recommends the 0.6/0.4 method, but for social rounds many clubs use a simplified version. Check what formula your club or competition specifies before the round.