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Set Up Handicapping

If your event includes players of different abilities, handicapping helps level the playing field. Golfify supports multiple handicap methods and lets you customise allowances to match your event format — so every player competes fairly.

Before you begin

Make sure you've already created an event and selected a course with slope and course ratings. You can configure handicapping before or after adding players.

Video walkthrough

Here's a quick overview of how handicapping works in Golfify.

Enable Handicapping​

  1. From your event, tap the gear icon to open the Host Menu.

  2. Tap Event Settings, then scroll to Handicaps.

  3. Choose your preferred handicap method (see below).

  4. Set your handicap allowance percentage.

  5. Tap Save.

Handicap Methods​

Golfify offers three handicap methods. Choose the one that matches your region or event style.

World Handicap System​

The standard method used in most countries. Golfify adjusts each player's handicap index using the course and slope rating of the facility to calculate a course handicap.

World Handicap Rounded​

The same calculation as the World Handicap System, but the course handicap value is rounded at the course handicap stage rather than at the end. This is commonly used in Australia, South Africa, and sometimes the UK.

Raw Handicaps​

Uses the player's handicap index without adjusting for course or slope rating. Handicap allowances still apply — only the course adjustment is skipped. Useful for casual events or courses without official ratings.

Understand the Handicap Values​

When you look at a player's handicap details in Golfify, you'll see several abbreviations:

  • WHI — World Handicap Index. The player's handicap as saved on their profile.
  • HO — Handicap Override. Any manual override applied by the host.
  • C — Course Handicap. The WHI adjusted for the course using the selected handicap method.
  • P — Playing Handicap. The course handicap after applying the handicap allowance percentage, rounded to the nearest whole number.
  • A — Actual Shots Received. Calculated by reducing the lowest handicap player in the group to 0 and adjusting all others accordingly. Used in matchplay formats.

Set Handicap Allowances​

The handicap allowance is a percentage applied to the course handicap to produce the playing handicap. If you set it to 100%, no adjustment is made.

Most formats have a recommended default allowance published by the USGA. Golfify applies the appropriate default for your chosen format, but you can customise it.

  1. In Host Menu → Event Settings → Handicaps, find the Handicap Allowance field.

  2. Enter your desired percentage (e.g. 90%).

  3. For team events, you can set different allowances by player order — from the lowest handicap to the highest. For example, 70% / 50% in a pairs event takes 70% of the lower-handicap player and 50% of the higher-handicap player.

  4. Tap Save.

Override a Player's Handicap​

If a player's handicap index is incorrect or you need to set it manually, you can apply a handicap override.

  1. Go to Host Menu → Player Manager and tap the PLAYERS tab.

  2. Find the player and tap their name or row to view their details.

  3. Enter the override value in the Handicap Override field.

  4. Tap Save.

The override replaces the player's WHI for this event only — it doesn't change their profile handicap.

Matchplay Handicaps​

In matchplay formats, Golfify automatically adjusts handicaps so that the lowest-handicap player or team receives 0 shots. All other players are adjusted relative to that baseline.

For example, if Mike has a playing handicap of 2 and Charlotte has a playing handicap of 5, Charlotte receives 3 shots on the 3 hardest holes on the course.

Troubleshooting​

Handicap not showing the expected number of shots

If a player's handicap doesn't look right, work through this checklist:

  1. Check the WHI — is the player's handicap index correct on their profile? If you've applied a handicap override, verify that too.
  2. Check course data — if you're using the World Handicap System, make sure the course and slope ratings are correct. You can update them via Host Menu → Update Course Data.
  3. Check allowances — confirm the handicap allowance percentage is set correctly for your format.
  4. If everything looks correct and the issue persists, contact support at [email protected].

FAQ​

Can I maintain a handicap through Golfify?

Not at the moment. Golfify applies handicaps on a per-event basis but does not maintain or track a running handicap index. If your handicap has changed, update it on your profile before starting a new round. The event host can also override it using the Handicap Override field described above.