League handicaps explained

Gimme calculates a league handicap for each golfer. It is for league play. Official handicaps come from your club or golf association. Gimme is not affiliated with the USGA, GHIN or the PGA.

The commissioner picks one method for the league.

Adjusting scores first

Before any method runs, each hole score is adjusted. The default is net double bogey (par plus 2 plus any strokes received on that hole). You can instead set a league maximum per hole (for example double par), or no cap.

Method A: Differential average (default)

For each round: differential = (113 / slope) x (adjusted score - course rating). For 9-hole rounds, Gimme uses that nine's own rating and slope.

League handicap = the average of the lowest N of the most recent M differentials. The default is the best 4 of the last 8. Golfers with fewer rounds use a sliding rule so they get a number early.

Playing handicap for a round = league handicap x (slope / 113) + (course rating - par), times the format allowance, rounded to whole strokes.

Method B: Average over par

Average of (adjusted score - par) over the last N rounds (default 5), times a percentage (default 80%). Simple, easy to explain at the bar, good for casual leagues.

Method C: Manual or official

Either you enter each golfer's handicap, or golfers type in their own official handicap and Gimme converts it to a playing handicap for your tees. Good if your members already carry one.

New golfers

You choose: use the first round score, use a provided handicap, or apply a league maximum until 3 rounds are posted.

Caps and limits

• Maximum handicap.
• Maximum change from week to week.
• Lock handicaps after a set week.
• Commissioner override, with a note required.

Example

A golfer's differentials for 8 recent rounds are 12.1, 9.8, 14.0, 10.2, 8.9, 11.5, 13.3, 9.5. The best four are 8.9, 9.5, 9.8 and 10.2. The average is 9.6. That is the league handicap under Method A defaults.

Find these settings under your league's handicap settings.