Course Handicap Tables

• Handicap Index: A numerical measure of your ability, based on the average of your best 8 out of the last 20 Score Differentials.
• Course Handicap: The number of strokes you receive on a given course and tee set, based on your Handicap Index and the course’s Slope Rating.
• Playing Handicap: Your Course Handicap is adjusted by a competition allowance, determined by the format being played.
• Adjusted Gross Score: Your actual score with a cap of Net Double Bogey per hole to limit the impact of high scores. Holes started but not completed should also be recorded this way.
• Score Differential: A figure calculated from your Adjusted Gross Score, used to update your Handicap Index. It reflects course difficulty and weather conditions.

Course Handicap and Playing Handicap

To ensure fairness and consistency, the following rounds are acceptable for handicap purposes:

• Formats: Singles play over 9 or 18 holes, in competitions or general play.
• Pre-registration: Required before starting a general play round (replacing the previous Supplementary Score system).
• Social Events: Scores from authorised social formats (e.g. roll-ups) are encouraged.
• Ineligible Formats: Team games and match play (currently not acceptable in England).

• 9-Hole Rounds: All 9 holes must be completed. The system calculates an 18-hole equivalent.
• 18-Hole Rounds: At least 10 holes must be completed; unplayed holes are scored as Net Par or Net Par +1.

• Playing Conditions Calculation (PCC):  Automatically applies when 8 or more qualifying players submit scores on the same day. This adjusts your Score Differential to reflect unusual playing conditions:
  • Up to +1 for easier conditions
  • Down to –3 for more difficult conditions
• Exceptional Score Reductions: To reward standout performances:
  • Scores 7–9 shots under your Index: –1 stroke
  • Scores 10+ shots under: –2 strokes

• Soft Cap: Slows increases once your Handicap Index rises more than 3 shots above your lowest in the last 12 months.
• Hard Cap: Prevents it rising more than 5 shots above that low point.

Ferndown Golf Club respects your privacy. All data collected through the Intelligent Golf system, including score submissions, is securely stored and managed in accordance with data protection regulations. You have the right to access, correct, or request deletion of your personal data at any time.