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Golf term

Handicap Index

Also searched as: handicap, HCP, World Handicap System, WHS, golf handicap

A number that shows how well you play: the lower, the better. It lets players of different ability compete fairly against each other.

The World Handicap System was introduced around the world from 2020 onwards. Your Handicap Index is calculated from your last 20 acceptable rounds, using the best eight. How difficult the course was is taken into account.

Your Handicap Index is the same everywhere. How many strokes you actually receive on a given course is your Course Handicap. A difficult course gives you more strokes than an easy one.

The maximum Handicap Index is 54.