Completing the Handicap Card
Contents...
The information below should be passed on to all new players as a guide on how to complete their handicap card:
Front of Cards
This area is for noting changes to your handicap and for auditing purposes. When your handicap changes, note it here and get your Club/Federation/National Handicapper to check and sign your card as soon as possible.
Your card should always be showing a recent (certainly within 6 months) signature of a handicapper, even if your handicap has not changed in that time.
One of the duties of a club Handicapper is to 'audit' (and sign) all cards annually, and this is usually undertaken during the winter months.
Inside of Cards
See the posters showing how to fill out your handicap cards for (AC) or (GC)* as well as the further detail below.
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THE GC CARD DESIGN IS UNDERGOING A MINOR MODIFICATION
This is to help the recording of Advantage GC 'scoring fractions' (see below) - the above linked GC poster will be amended to reflect this and the link will be updated accordingly.
Similarly, a 'How to complete your handicap card' PowerPoint presentation is also being amended, and when completed, will appear HERE.
Temporary notice dated 16 March 2026 - please check back inside two weeks - Chris Roberts, Chairman, Handicap Committee
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Date
The date of the game.
Opponent Name
Always enter the opponent's full name. You may know who "Dicky" is because he is a club mate but it is rather meaningless to others who may look at your card.
Opponent Hcp
Always enter your opponent's handicap here. A good reason for completing your card immediately after the game is that your opponent may not be around to tell you their handicap at a later time.
Game H/L or A
For AC, enter H or L in this column to signify whether the game was played to handicap or level play Laws.
For GC, enter H, L or A in this column to signify whether the game was played to Handicap (extra stroke), Level play or Advantage play Rules.
Game Score
Enter the game score here, with your score first.
W or L (for a Win or Loss) is NOT an acceptable entry (more detail is required).
For AC, +6 if you win, -6 if you lose. Put the full score, e.g., 21-18, if the game finished on time.
For GC Level play or Handicap (extra turns), 7-4 if you win, 4-7 if you lose.
For GC Advatange play, write the scoring fractions*, for example: 7/7 - 4/6 if you win, or 5/7 - 6/6 if you lose - and to make it clear, circle the winning score.
* A scoring fraction is the hoops actually scored, followed by the hoops needed to win, so, for example 6/6, 7/7, 8/8 are all winning scores and (unless winning on time) 4/6, 5/7, 7/8 are all losing scores. Advantage GC games won 'on time' should be indicated by a 'T'.
Index +/-
This must be a figure with a plus or minus sign.
For all Handicap, and Advantage GC play, it will always be +10 or -10.
For Level play, look up the +/- values on the points exchange table on the back of the handicap card (Table 2 on the Handicapping web page), and enter that number (again with a +/- sign).
Index New
This is the sum of your previous index plus or minus the column immediately to the left.
General
It helps to use a spare line on the card to record, for example, "league match vs. Norwich", or "C-Level (7+) Series tournament", to identify a group of entries. Cards should not be changed at the end of each season if there is sufficient space available to continue. When your card is full, carry forward your index score to your new card and always get the new card signed by a Handicapper. (It is good practice to carry your previous card with you as a historical reference).
It would be very useful to Handicappers when checking your card if you would please make a notation (in the margin) at the point any handicap changes occur.
Using this website
