"A game of golf is a good walk spoiled" (Mark Twain)
The Toukley Wanderers Handicapping System is as follows:
- 0.5 deducted for every stroke under handicap to a maximum of 3.0 per round
- 0.1 added for every stroke over handicap to a maximum of 0.5 per round
- handicaps are calculated to one decimal place but are rounded off for each game except in the case of joint winners where the decimal point decides.
Here are some examples for player with a handicap of 36.0:
A. They shoot 3 under par (on handicap). Their handicap is reduced by 3 x 0.5 = 1.5 thus becoming 34.5 (35)
B. They shoot 9 under par. Their handicap is reduced by the maximum 3.0 thus becoming 33.0 (33)
C. They shoot 2 over par. Their handicap is increased by 2 x 0.1 = 0.2 thus becoming 36.2 (36)
D. They shoot 13 over par. Their handicap is increased by the maximum 0.5 thus becoming 36.5 (37)
The Australian Course Rating (ACR) is also taken into account, as well as the general rule that the highest possible score recorded on any hole is 5 over the par.
New players' handicaps are probationary for the first 5 games and can be adjusted outside of these general rules.
Finally, there is an annual adjustment at the end of each year, which basically means that, in a rare moment of weakness, the Handicapper takes mercy on those who have not had a good season and whose handicaps need a little fattening to help them avoid being in contention for "the Darius" (= wooden spoon) two years in a row.
Handicaps
