skip to main content

Topic - 9-Hole Scores for Handicap Purposes

Resources on this topic:

Know Before Your Play:

As of January 2024, when a player posts a 9-hole score, an 18-hole Score Differential equivalent will be determined by combining the player's 9-hole Score Differential with an expected Score Differential based on their current Handicap Index. This allows the 9-hole round to immediately factor into the player's Handicap Index calculation.

As part of this change, golfers are required to play all 9 holes with a valid 9-hole Course Rating and Slope Rating.

This change provides a better indicator of how a player will normally perform over 18 holes on a given day when compared to combining 9-hole scores from different days and under different playing conditions.

Additional Resources:

Read the Rules: