Handicaps are the great equalizer in golf betting. A 5 handicap and a 15 handicap can compete fairly because the higher handicap gets strokes on the hardest holes. Understanding how to apply handicaps correctly makes betting more competitive and fun.

Most betting disputes stem from handicap confusion. This guide clarifies stroke allocation, net scoring, and format-specific adjustments.

How Handicap Strokes Work

Your handicap represents the number of strokes over par you typically shoot. A 10 handicap averages 82 on a par-72 course (72 + 10 = 82).

In betting, you use the difference between handicaps. If Player A is a 5 handicap and Player B is a 15 handicap, the difference is 10. Player B receives 10 strokes.

Those 10 strokes are distributed across the course based on the scorecard's handicap ratings. Every hole has a handicap ranking from 1 (hardest) to 18 (easiest).

Player B gets a stroke on handicap holes 1 through 10. On those holes, their gross score is reduced by one stroke to calculate net score.

Example:

Hole 1 (handicap 3): Player B makes 6, gets a stroke, net score is 5
Hole 2 (handicap 12): Player B makes 5, no stroke, net score is 5
Hole 3 (handicap 1): Player B makes 7, gets a stroke, net score is 6

Full Handicap vs Partial Handicap

Full handicap: Use the entire difference. 5 handicap versus 15 handicap = 10 strokes.

Partial handicap: Use a percentage of the difference. Common percentages:

80% handicap: 10 stroke difference × 0.80 = 8 strokes
75% handicap: 10 stroke difference × 0.75 = 7.5 (round to 8) strokes
50% handicap: 10 stroke difference × 0.50 = 5 strokes

Why use partial handicaps?

Rewards better golf slightly (skill matters more than handicap)
Reduces impact of sandbaggers
Common in competitive member-guest tournaments

When to use full handicaps:

Casual betting with friends (maximum fairness)
Large skill gaps (15+ stroke difference)
First time playing together

When to use partial handicaps:

Serious competition
Suspected handicap inflation
Smaller skill gaps (under 10 strokes)

Match Play Handicap Application

In match play, strokes are applied hole-by-hole. The lower handicap player gives strokes on specific holes.

Example: 7 handicap versus 14 handicap

Difference: 7 strokes
Player with 14 handicap gets strokes on handicap holes 1-7

On hole 5 (handicap 4):

7 handicap makes 4
14 handicap makes 5, gets a stroke, net 4
Hole tied

On hole 12 (handicap 9):

7 handicap makes 4
14 handicap makes 5, no stroke (hole 9 not in their stroke holes)
7 handicap wins hole

Critical rule: Confirm stroke holes before starting. Check the scorecard, identify which holes the higher handicap receives strokes, mark them clearly.

Stroke Play Handicap Application

In stroke play, apply full handicaps to gross scores at the end of the round.

Example:

Player A (5 handicap): Gross 80, Net 75 (80 - 5)
Player B (15 handicap): Gross 88, Net 73 (88 - 15)
Player B wins by 2 strokes net

No hole-by-hole allocation needed. Just subtract handicaps from total gross scores.

Why this differs from match play: Stroke play cares about total performance. Match play cares about individual holes. Handicap application reflects that difference.

Sandbagging and How to Prevent It

Sandbagging is when a player inflates their handicap to gain an unfair advantage. A true 10 handicap claiming to be a 15 gets 5 extra strokes they do not need.

Red flags:

Recent scores much better than handicap
Inconsistent performance (shoots 75 one day, 95 the next)
Vague about handicap index versus course handicap
No GHIN or official handicap tracking

How to combat sandbagging:

1. Require official handicaps (GHIN): If someone has an official handicap through USGA's GHIN system, you can look it up. This eliminates made-up numbers.

2. Use recent scores: Base handicaps on the last 10 rounds played with the group, not some number claimed from years ago.

3. Adjust after rounds: If someone consistently beats their handicap, lower it for future games. "You have shot under your handicap 4 rounds straight, we are adjusting you to a 12 instead of 15."

4. Partial handicaps: As mentioned earlier, using 80% or 75% of the difference reduces the sandbagging advantage.

5. Peer accountability: Groups with regular players self-police. If someone is destroying everyone week after week, the group adjusts their handicap.

Course Handicap vs Index

Your handicap index is your portable number that travels with you to any course. It is calculated from your best recent scores with slope and rating adjustments.

Your course handicap is your index adjusted for the specific course and tees you are playing. Harder courses give you more strokes, easier courses give you fewer.

Example: Your index is 12.0. On a tough course (slope 135), your course handicap might be 14. On an easy course (slope 110), your course handicap might be 10.

For betting, always use course handicap for the tees you are playing that day. Most courses have charts near the first tee showing index-to-course-handicap conversions.

Common mistake: Using your index directly without converting to course handicap. This creates unfairness when playing different courses or tees.

Handicap Strategy by Format

Nassau (Match Play): Know your stroke holes. On holes where you get a stroke, play aggressively since your effective par is one better. On non-stroke holes, play conservatively.

Skins (Net): Getting a stroke on a hard par 4 is huge. A net birdie on a stroke hole wins skins. Conversely, easy holes where you do not get strokes require your best golf.

Stroke Play: Focus on avoiding big numbers. Handicaps give you cushion, but a triple bogey still hurts net score. Play smart, not heroic.

Wolf: If you are the high handicap in the group, you become more valuable as a partner on holes where you get strokes. The Wolf might pick you early on a hard par 5 where your net score could be strong.

Adjusting Handicaps for Foursomes

When playing team formats (better ball, alternate shot), handicap application changes.

Better Ball (Four-Ball): Each player uses their full course handicap. Strokes are allocated hole-by-hole based on the handicap rankings.

Alternate Shot: Use combined team handicap. Add both players' course handicaps, divide by 2, round up or down.

Example team:

Player A: 8 course handicap
Player B: 16 course handicap
Team handicap: (8 + 16) / 2 = 12

The team gets 12 strokes distributed across the hardest 12 holes.

Playing Without Official Handicaps

Not everyone maintains an official handicap. For casual groups, use an estimate based on typical scores.

Quick estimation:

Average your last 5-10 scores
Subtract par for the course
That is your rough handicap

Example: You typically shoot 92-96 on a par-72 course. Average 94, subtract 72, your handicap is roughly 22.

Refine over time: If you are consistently beating or losing to that number, adjust. The goal is fairness, not precision.

Maximum Handicap for Betting

Some groups cap handicaps at a certain level (20, 25, 30) to keep competition reasonable. A 5 handicap giving 30 strokes to a 35 handicap means the lower player must play nearly perfect golf.

Common cap: 24 maximum handicap. If someone is higher, use 24 for betting purposes.

Rationale: Extremely high handicaps have more score volatility. Capping reduces variance and keeps matches competitive.

Handicap Disputes and Resolution

Before the round: Agree on handicaps, confirm stroke holes, clarify full versus partial.

During the round: If a dispute arises about whether someone gets a stroke on a hole, check the scorecard immediately. Do not wait until after.

After the round: If someone's handicap seems off based on performance, discuss it before the next round. Use data (their scores) not feelings.

Group policy: Establish a consistent handicap policy for your regular group. Write it down. Refer to it when disputes arise.

Using Technology for Handicap Management

GHIN app: Official USGA handicap tracking. Post scores, view index, calculate course handicaps.

Golf GPS apps: Many include handicap calculators and net scoring features.

Mulligan Money (launching Spring 2026): Automatically applies handicaps to betting games, calculates net scores in real-time, and adjusts stroke allocation by format.

Join the Mulligan Money waitlist for early access to automatic handicap management, net score tracking, and fair betting built into every game.

The Bottom Line

Handicaps make golf betting fair and fun across skill levels. Use the difference between handicaps, apply strokes based on scorecard hole rankings, and choose full versus partial based on your group's style.

Prevent sandbagging with official handicaps or group-adjusted numbers. Confirm handicaps and stroke holes before starting. Settle disputes with data, not arguments.

Smart handicap use keeps matches competitive and ensures everyone has a chance regardless of skill level.

How to Use Your Handicap in Betting Games