The way fourball match play handicaps are worked out is changing

Fourballs received a proper overhaul as part of the changes to the World Handicap System. 

Not only are competition scores in the fourball betterball format now eligible for your handicap records – if you hit some strict criteria – but the way handicaps are applied in 4BBB and foursomes match play games was also altered.

In betterball, all four players previously worked out their Course Handicap and applied the 90 per cent format allowance to calculate their Playing Handicaps.  

After doing this, they worked out how many shots they received from the lowest Playing Handicap. 

But a guidance document to the Rules of Handicapping, produced by the four home unions of England Golf, Scottish Golf, Wales Golf and Golf Ireland and outlining all the 2024 changes to WHS and how they should be implemented, revealed a subtle change to that calculation. 

Players now calculate their Course Handicap and then take shots from the lowest golfer. It’s only at this point, they work out the 90 per cent allowance. 

In foursomes, it’s 50 per cent of the difference between each team’s combined Course Handicaps.  

The observant among you might note the change replicates what happened before the introduction of WHS in November 2020.

• NOW READ: What is Course Rating minus Par?

Four ball match play allowance changes: A more familiar and intuitive calculation

What’s the difference? In a small number of cases the change in calculation may marginally increase or reduce the number of shots a player could receive compared with the previous arrangements. 

But handicap chiefs also say the process will be more familiar and intuitive to golfers and make working out shot allocations a far less stressful 1st tee experience. 

James Luke, England Golf’s head of handicapping, reiterated: “Looking at the calculations for a match play fourball betterball, or foursomes, your Playing Handicap is 100 per cent of your Course Handicap and then the 90 per cent allowance is adjusted from the lowest player. 

“That’s essentially exactly how we used to do it previously and the reason for it is because of ease of use for golfers and to remove any confusion.” 

Asked about possible shot differences compared with the previous calculations, Luke added players should not expect to see lots of changes in the numbers. 

“Obviously, it depends on the types of players and the combinations, whether that’s lower players versus higher, or whether a team is quite mixed, and so it might be a shot up or shot down here and there. But, ultimately, people are going to get the shots they require to play the format. 

“What we’re trying to do with these changes is make the game fairer and make it simpler for golfers to use and they can do that using digital technology.” 

With the new rules having arrived on April 1, competition organisers whose winter events are over-running because of delays caused by the winter weather will need to ensure golfers play to the new calculations.

Now have your say

What do you think of these changes to the fourball match play calculations? Let me know by leaving a comment on X.

• NOW READ: Fourball bandits beware! Your scores could soon count for handicap