The key to close and fair matches in Solheim, is applying a fair handicap to every player. Therefore, as a captain, it is of the utmost importance that players enter every score for games they play during the active season, and enter them before midnight on the same day of play! This allows for any playing conditions calculation adjustment, IF necessary, to be applied – which just adds to the accuracy of the particular score. (Rule 5.6 in 2020 Rules of Handicapping)
The maximum allowable handicap index for play in Solheim is 28.6. (If a captain accepts a player with a higher index, she will play from the maximum index, therefore will be at a disadvantage.)
Handicap Index vs. Course Handicap
The measure of a player’s demonstrated ability calculated against the Slope Rating of a golf course of standard playing difficulty is the Handicap Index. It must be translated to the course handicap (which is specific to the tee being played). It is always a number to one decimal place. I.e. the handicap index of 12.3 at NOTL translates to a course handicap of 13 from the gold/white tees. Solheim matches are played from the tees which are the same as those normally used by women players at that course.
Going from Handicap Index to Course Handicap:
The Golf Canada app translates the player’s handicap index into the course handicap for you.
Start by listing each player's Handicap Index.
Go to the three bubbles on the far right bottom of the opening screen
Open that and see “course handicap calculator”
Open that and your own index will appear on the screen, with your default slope and rating for YOUR course from the tees you normally play, showing your course handicap in the red bar at the bottom. Assuming this is where you’re playing the matches you’re handicapping, simply change the handicap index box to the index of your first player. The course handicap will also change to reflect it.
Different Match Play Allowances to Course Handicaps
Each Solheim format has a different handicap allowance (or percentage), taken from the 2024 Rules of Handicapping. Follow the examples below, depending upon the month and format of the match.
In each match, hosting captains should arrange opponents such that the lowest handicap player/team plays the lowest handicap opponent/team. The fewer strokes given, the better.
The lower of the team/player plays off zero, i.e. the difference in number of strokes will be awarded to one team.
See example below:
May Format: Scramble **
Full explanation for this example:
Calculate each player’s adjusted handicap (using the allowances given). In the partnership, the lower handicap player receives 35% of her course handicap, and the higher handicap partner receives 15% of her course handicap.
Example:
Sally has a 14.4 index, which translates to a course handicap of 15
Mary has 22.5 index, which translates to a course handicap of 23
35% of Sally’s handicap is 5.25, and 15% of Mary’s handicap is 3.45.
Total the two: 5.25 + 3.45 = 8.70 which rounds up to 9.
Any rounding for ALL handicap calculations should be done once in the last step only.
Their opponents, worked the same way, have a 12 team course handicap, therefore Sally and Mary must GIVE 3 strokes TO their opponents.
Mark 3 stokes on the #1, #2 and #3 ladies’ handicap holes on the scorecard, beside their opponents.
June Format Foursomes **
The team receives 50% of the combined team course handicap.
July Format Four Ball **
Each player receives 90% of their course handicap.
August Format Individual Match Play **
Each player receives 100% of their course handicap.
** Remember to match players/teams of the lowest handicap with the opponent/s with the lowest handicap, and so on.