How Many Shots Do I
Get in Matchplay?
The short answer: the difference between your Course Handicaps. Here are quick-reference examples for common pairings — plus how four-ball and foursomes change the numbers.
Definition
In singles matchplay, the number of shots you receive equals the difference between your Course Handicap and your opponent's Course Handicap. The lower-handicapped player receives no shots; the higher-handicapped player receives the full difference as strokes on the hardest holes by Stroke Index.
The quick answer
In singles matchplay, the number of shots you receive equals the difference between the two players' Course Handicaps. Course Handicap adjusts your Handicap Index for the specific course and tees you're playing.
Course Handicap = HI × (Slope ÷ 113) + (Course Rating − Par)
Shots received = Higher Course HCP − Lower Course HCP
The examples below use a standard-difficulty course: Slope 113, Course Rating equal to Par. On such a course, your Course Handicap equals your Handicap Index, which makes the examples easy to follow. On harder or easier courses, the numbers will differ slightly.
Singles examples
| Player A (HI) | Player B (HI) | Shots | Who receives |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 14 | 6 | HI 14 receives 6 shots from HI 8 |
| 12 | 20 | 8 | HI 20 receives 8 shots from HI 12 |
| 4 | 18 | 14 | HI 18 receives 14 shots from HI 4 |
| 16 | 24 | 8 | HI 24 receives 8 shots from HI 16 |
| 0 (scratch) | 10 | 10 | HI 10 receives 10 shots from scratch |
| 28 | 36 | 8 | HI 36 receives 8 shots from HI 28 |
If the Slope Rating is above 113 or Course Rating is above Par, both players' Course Handicaps rise — but not by the same amount. Higher-handicap players are more affected by a high Slope. So the shot difference may be one or two shots more than the simple Handicap Index difference suggests. Always calculate Course Handicaps from the scorecard values, not just the raw Handicap Index numbers.
Where the shots fall — Stroke Index
Knowing how many shots you receive is only half the answer. The other half is knowing which holes they fall on. That's determined by the Stroke Index printed on the scorecard.
You get one extra stroke on the holes ranked SI 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. Those are the six holes where handicap shots are expected to be most valuable.
You get one stroke on every hole (SI 1–18), and then a second stroke on the two holes ranked SI 1 and SI 2. The lowest SI holes always receive extra shots first.
Four-ball — shots change
In four-ball matchplay, each player's Course Handicap is reduced by 15% (85% allowance) before calculating shot differences. This is because having a partner reduces the impact of a bad hole. Full details and examples are in the four-ball handicap calculator.
On a standard course (Slope 113, CR = Par). Course Handicaps equal Handicap Indexes.
| Player | Course HCP | Playing HCP (85%) | Shots received |
|---|---|---|---|
| A — HI 8 (lowest) | 8 | 7 | 0 (baseline) |
| B — HI 12 | 12 | 11 | 4 |
| C — HI 14 | 14 | 13 | 6 |
| D — HI 20 | 20 | 18 | 11 |
Playing Handicaps are 85% of Course Handicap, relative to the lowest. All "shots received" are relative to Player A (baseline = 0). If A is in Team 1 with D, and B is in Team 2 with C, each player receives the shots shown on holes by Stroke Index.
Foursomes — very different
In foursomes (alternate shot), partners combine their Course Handicaps and take 50% of the total. The shot difference is then the gap between the two teams' Playing Handicaps.
Result: Team A receives 4 shots from Team B (14 − 10 = 4). See the foursomes handicap calculator for more examples.
Common questions
Do I use my full Handicap Index or a reduced number?
In singles matchplay you use 100% of your Course Handicap — there's no reduction. In four-ball, 85% is applied. In foursomes, 50% of the combined Course Handicaps. See the full WHS allowances table for all formats.
What if we have the same handicap?
If both players have the same Course Handicap (after rounding), the match is played off scratch — no shots given. Both players score their gross on every hole. This is straightforward matchplay at its purest.
Does the number of shots change during the round?
No. The shot allocation is agreed before the first tee and stays fixed for the entire round, regardless of how the match is going. Handicaps are not adjusted during play.
What is a "shot" in matchplay?
A handicap shot means the higher-handicapper deducts one stroke from their gross score on that hole. So if the higher-handicapper makes a net 4 (gross 5, minus 1 stroke) and the lower-handicapper makes a gross 4, the hole is halved. Without the stroke, the lower-handicapper would have won it.
Why does my shot count change at different courses?
Because Course Handicap adjusts for the specific course's difficulty using Slope Rating and Course Rating. A higher Slope Rating gives more shots to higher-handicap players proportionally more than to lower-handicap players — so the shot difference between two players can shift by a stroke or two from course to course.
Related guides
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