Handicap Quiz

There is far more to handicapping than the actual Handicap Index itself. Test your knowledge on common handicap scenarios with the questions below, and click ANSWERS to see how you fare at the end.

1. For every set of tees at a golf course, a player could potentially have a different Course Handicap depending upon the Slope Ratings.

a) Yes.
b) No.

2. Jeff and Alysa are playing a match against each other. The 17th hole is a 470-yard par 4 for men and a 450-yard par 5 for women. There are no handicap strokes given to either player. Both Jeff and Alysa score their respective par for the hole. Who wins the hole?

a) Jeff, because he played the hole with a longer yardage.
b) Jeff, because his score is better than Alysa’s.
c) Alysa, because she played the hole with a higher par.
d) Alysa and Jeff halve the hole because they both parred the hole.

3. How often should a player shoot to his handicap?

a) 20 to 25 percent of the time.
b) 26 to 50 percent of the time.
c) More than 50 percent of the time.
d) Every time because the handicap is the player’s average.

4. Are scores made while using a Distance Measuring Device (DMD) acceptable for handicap purposes?

a) Yes. As long as the DMD measures distance only, the score is acceptable for handicap. purposes, regardless if the Committee has established a local rule allowing the use of DMDs.
b) Yes, provided the DMD measures variables such as elevation, wind speed and gradient.
c) No, because the Committee does not allow the use of DMDs and therefore scores cannot be returned for handicap purposes.
d) No. DMDs are not available to all players since they are not located on the golf cart.

5. What is the minimum number of 18-hole scores it takes to establish an 18-hole Handicap Index?

a) 1
b) 5
c) 10
d) 20

6. A player wishes to play an 18-hole round. Before the player can start the 14th hole, however, darkness sets in and the player is unable to finish the round. Is the player required to post the score?

a) Yes, as an 18-hole score while taking par on holes 14 through 18, which were not played.
b) Yes, as a nine-hole score because all 18 holes were not played.
c) Yes, as an 18-hole score after she finishes her round the next day.
d) Yes, as an 18-hole score taking par plus any handicap strokes on holes 14 through 18, which were not played.

7. Henry and Lynda are playing a friendly match. Henry is playing the men’s middle tees where the rating is 71.3/125. Lynda is playing the women’s forward tees where the rating is 72.9/125. Who gets the additional strokes?

a) No one gets additional stokes since their Slope Ratings are the same.
b) Lynda will get two additional stokes.
c) Henry gets two strokes because his course is longer.
d) Lynda has to pay Henry $5 per stroke for any additional strokes she wants.

8. A golfer has an SCGA/USGA Handicap Index of 31.7. He is playing a set of tees with a Course Rating of 72.8 and a Slope of 135. What is the player’s Course Handicap?

a) 31, the difference between the Slope Rating less the Course Rating and Handicap Index.
b) 36, because that is the maximum Course Handicap for a golfer.
c) 38, based on the Slope chart of 135.
d) 41, the difference between the Course Rating and Handicap Index.

9. Pat is playing a match against a friend who has a Course Handicap of 12. Pat’s Course Handicap is 5. How would the Handicap strokes be allocated for the match?

a) The friend would receive seven strokes on Handicap holes six through 12.
b) Pat would receive five strokes, and the friend would receive 12 strokes.
c) The friend would receive seven strokes on Handicap holes one through 7.
d) The friend would receive 12 strokes on Handicap holes seven through 18.

10. Geri failed to sign her scorecard for the Club Championship. Does she still have an acceptable score for handicap posting purposes even though she was disqualified from the event?