Matchplay Handicap
Calculator.
Work out exactly how many shots you give or receive in any matchplay format. The full WHS calculation — with three worked examples you can follow with your own numbers.
Definition
A matchplay handicap is calculated by converting each player's Handicap Index into a Course Handicap, applying the WHS format allowance (100% for singles, 85% for four-ball, etc.), then giving the lower-handicapped player no shots and the higher-handicapped player the full difference.
What you need
Four numbers. Two come from the players, three come from the course. All are on the scorecard or in your golf club's handicap system.
Your portable number — e.g. 14.2. Issued by your national golf body and shown in the club's handicap system.
Ranges from 55 to 155. Standard is 113. Printed on the scorecard by the tee colour. Higher = harder course for bogey golfers.
The expected score for a scratch golfer on these tees — e.g. 71.5. Also on the scorecard.
Total par for the round on the tees you're playing — usually 70, 71, or 72.
The calculation
Course Handicap — do this for each player
Course Handicap = Handicap Index × (Slope ÷ 113) + (Course Rating − Par)
Round to the nearest whole number. This gives each player their raw shot entitlement for these tees.
Apply the format allowance
Different formats apply a percentage to the Course Handicap. In singles, both players use 100% — so the Course Handicap is the Playing Handicap. In team formats the allowance is lower.
| Format | Allowance | Playing Handicap |
|---|---|---|
| Singles | 100% | Same as Course Handicap |
| Four-ball | 85% | 85% of CH, relative to lowest in group |
| Foursomes | 50% of combined | (Player A CH + Player B CH) × 0.5 |
| Greensomes | 0.6 lower + 0.4 higher | (Lower CH × 0.6) + (Higher CH × 0.4) |
Shot difference
Subtract the lower Playing Handicap from the higher one. That number is how many shots the higher-handicapper receives. Shots are allocated hole-by-hole using the Stroke Index on the scorecard — the player receives one shot on each hole in order from SI 1 upwards.
Worked examples
Result: Singles uses 100% allowance. Playing Handicaps are 17 and 9. Shot difference = 8 shots. Player B gives Player A 8 shots — one on each of the 8 holes ranked SI 1–8.
Result: Playing Handicaps are 27 and 15. Shot difference = 12 shots. Player B gives Player A 12 shots — one shot on the 12 hardest holes by Stroke Index.
Four players, same course. Slope 128, Course Rating 72.4, Par 72. The 85% allowance is applied relative to the player with the lowest Course Handicap.
| Player | HI | Course HCP | Playing HCP |
|---|---|---|---|
| A (lowest) | 5.2 | 7 | 6 (85% × 7) |
| B | 9.8 | 12 | 10 (85% × (12−7) + 6) |
| C | 12.4 | 15 | 13 (85% × (15−7) + 6) |
| D | 18.6 | 22 | 19 (85% × (22−7) + 6) |
Result: Player A (PH 6) is the baseline. B receives 4 shots, C receives 7 shots, D receives 13 shots — each relative to Player A's Playing Handicap of 6. See the four-ball guide for the full shot allocation method.
Common questions
What is the WHS matchplay handicap formula?
The WHS formula has two steps. First, calculate each player's Course Handicap: Handicap Index × (Slope Rating ÷ 113) + (Course Rating − Par). For singles matchplay, both players use 100% of their Course Handicap as their Playing Handicap. The shot difference is simply the higher Playing Handicap minus the lower one.
Does the shot difference change depending on the course?
Yes. The Course Handicap adjusts for the Slope Rating and Course Rating of the specific tees you're playing. Two players with identical Handicap Indexes can have different shot differences at different courses — a harder course (higher Slope) gives more shots to both, which can change the difference between them slightly.
Which holes do you receive shots on?
Shots are allocated using the Stroke Index on the scorecard, which ranks holes 1–18 from hardest to easiest to play to your handicap. If you receive 8 shots, you get one extra stroke on the holes ranked SI 1 through 8. If you receive more than 18 shots, you get two strokes on some holes.
Is the calculation different for club competitions vs friendly matches?
The WHS formula is the same. The difference is which Handicap Index you use. Club competitions typically specify a cut-off date, so all players use the Handicap Index they held on that date. In friendly matches you'd usually use each player's current Handicap Index.
Why is the four-ball allowance 85% and not 100%?
In four-ball, only the best score on each hole counts for each team. Having a partner reduces the likelihood that a bad hole hurts you — one player can bail out the other. The 85% allowance corrects for this scoring advantage by slightly reducing the handicap benefit. The full WHS allowance table is on the WHS handicap allowances page.
Can I use this formula without an official Handicap Index?
Yes — for friendly matches, many golfers use an agreed "playing handicap" based on recent rounds. The formula works the same way. For official club competitions you need a registered WHS Handicap Index from your national golf body.
Related guides
Calculate your matchplay handicap in seconds.
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