Q: We have multiple plus handicap players in our stoke play event. How are Plus Handicaps assigned on the scorecard?
A: The idea behind a plus (+) handicap golfers, is that they are expected to play better then a scratch golfer (0 Handicap). For example, take a +2 Playing Handicap golfers, we can expect this golfer to play 2 strokes better than par over the course of a round.
In a best ball format, the plus handicap player would have storkes added to their gross scores on the easiest holes (the holes with the highest stroke index), not the hardest. This adjustment reflects their skill level by making it slightly harder for them to scores substantially better on an easy hole, or in a team competition, it makes it harder to contribute a low score for the team on that particular hole.
In a best ball format, for other players with a regular handicap, they receive strokes on the hardest holes where their handicap applies, based on the course's stroke index. This helps level the playing field by giving them an advantage on the holes where they are most likely to struggle compared to a scratch or plus handicap golfer.
If we look at the scorecard below, Brad is a +4 Playing Handicap and Walter is a 12 Playing Handicap. Brad will get strokes added to his scores on the four easiest holes (stoke index 15-18), signified by the plus (+) symbol in the corresponding boxes. While Walter will get strokes removed from his score on the 12 hardest holes (stoke index 1-12), signified by the dot (•) symbol in the corresponding boxes (shown below).
