How the numbers are worked out

Handicap Index

The Handicap Index you type in is the official handicap number, used exactly as it is. The app does not adjust it to the best golfer and never rounds it.

• Next: turned into a Course Handicap for the tee played = see Course Handicap

Index 12.4 stays 12.4. The app then converts it to a Course Handicap for the tee, applies the game's allowance, and (for most money games) takes strokes off the low in each game.

A plus handicap is typed with a plus sign (+2.1). It means better than scratch: the golfer gives strokes back on the easiest holes instead of receiving them.

Course Handicap

Your Handicap Index converted for the tee you play: harder tees (higher Slope and Rating) give more strokes.

• Handicap Index: example golfer = 12.4
• Slope part: 12.4 x 130 / 113 = 14.3
• Rating part: Course Rating 71.8 - Par 72 = -0.2
• Course Handicap: 14.3 - 0.2 = 14.1 = 14

Course Handicap on an example tee: 14

The formula: Index x Slope / 113 + (Course Rating - Par). The app keeps the exact 14.1 and rounds only at the end.

Nine holes: half the Index (to one decimal) x the 9-hole Slope / 113 + (9-hole Rating - 9-hole Par).

Playing Handicap

The Course Handicap multiplied by the game's allowance, rounded last (a .5 rounds up). The allowance is the share of the handicap the game uses.

• Course Handicap: unrounded, kept exact = 14.1
• Allowance: set by the game or the event = 95%
• Multiply: 14.1 x 95% = 13.36
• Round last: .5 rounds up = 13

Playing Handicap: 13

Rounding only at the end means a 95% allowance never rounds twice.

Strokes off the low

Everyone's Playing Handicap minus the lowest one in that game. The best golfer plays to 0 and the rest receive the difference. It is worked out per game, from the golfers in that game.

• Mark: 9 - 5 = 4
• Chad: 11 - 5 = 6
• Ryan: 14 - 5 = 9
• Jacob: 5 - 5 = 0 (the low)

Jacob plays to 0; Mark 4, Chad 6, Ryan 9

Mark 9, Chad 11, Ryan 14, Jacob 5: off the low Jacob plays to 0 and Mark 4, Chad 6, Ryan 9. (An example group.)

The Handicap Index itself is never changed. This only decides how many strokes each golfer receives in that game.

Why a stroke falls on a hole

Strokes go to holes in stroke-index order, hardest (1) first. After 18 a second stroke goes to the hardest holes again. A plus handicap gives strokes back from index 18 (the easiest) upward.

Playing Handicap 20 on 18 holes: one stroke on every hole and a second stroke on indexes 1 and 2. Playing +2: a stroke given back on indexes 18 and 17.

If the par-3 rule is on, strokes that would land on a par 3 are held back or moved (see the par-3 rule).

Dots and marks

A filled dot on a hole is one handicap stroke the golfer receives there. Two dots mean two strokes. A plus handicap shows a minus mark where a stroke is given back.

• Dot: one stroke received on this hole = ●
• Two dots: two strokes (handicap above 18) = ●●
• Minus mark: a plus handicap gives one stroke back = −

A dot on hole 3 and par 4: gross 5 becomes net 4.

The dots are for this game: they move when the game takes strokes off the low or uses a different allowance.

Gross, net and to par

Gross is the strokes taken. Net is gross minus the handicap strokes received. To par is net (or gross) compared with par: -1 is a stroke under, E is even.

Gross 5 with a dot on a par 4: net 4, which is even (E) to par.

Thru means the number of holes played so far.

Match play

Two golfers, or two pairs, play against each other one hole at a time. The lower score wins the hole and equal scores halve it. Whoever wins more holes wins the match, and one stake changes hands.

In ten seconds. Mark and Ryan play for $5. On hole 1 Mark makes 4 and Ryan 5, so Mark is 1 up. Every other hole is halved, so Mark wins 1 up and Ryan pays Mark $5.

What you enter. Each golfer's score on every hole. Nothing else. How you win. Win more holes than the other side.

Match play, default settings, 2 golfers

You lose one stake per match, however big the margin.

• Stake: one stake per match, win or lose = $1

Most you can lose: $1

All the Match play rules and options

Nassau

Three matches in one: the front nine, the back nine and the whole round. Win more holes than your opponent over each stretch to win that bet. If you fall behind you can press, which starts a new bet on the holes that remain.

In ten seconds. Mark and Ryan play $5, $5, $10. Mark wins hole 1 and every other hole is halved. Mark is 1 up on the front nine ($5) and 1 up overall ($10), and the back nine is tied. Ryan pays Mark $15.

What you enter. Each golfer's score on every hole. Tap Press when someone is behind and wants a new bet. How you win. Win the front nine, the back nine and the overall round.

Nassau, default settings, 2 golfers

Without presses the most you can lose to one opponent is $20. Presses are manual, so case 2 applies if the losing side keeps pressing: the real worst case is $270, not the headline $20.

• Case 1: no presses: front nine + back nine + overall = 5 + 5 + 10 = $20
• Case 2: manual presses: as many presses as you choose to call, each at the press stake (worst case: every chance is taken)
• Front nine: 1 match + 8 presses = 9 matches x $5 = $45
• Back nine: 1 match + 8 presses = 9 matches x $5 = $45
• Overall: 1 match + 17 presses = 18 matches x $10 = $180
• One opponent in total: front nine + back nine + overall = $270

Most you can lose: $270

Nassau with no presses

Without presses the most you can lose to one opponent is $20. Presses are off, so case 1 applies.

• Case 1: no presses: front nine + back nine + overall = 5 + 5 + 10 = $20
• Presses: turned off in this game, so case 1 is the whole story = $20

Most you can lose: $20

Nassau with automatic presses at 2 down

Without presses the most you can lose to one opponent is $20. Presses are automatic at 2-down, so case 2 applies: the real worst case is $140, not the headline $20.

• Case 1: no presses: front nine + back nine + overall = 5 + 5 + 10 = $20
• Case 2: automatic presses at 2-down: a new bet starts by itself each time a side is 2 down on its newest bet
• Front nine: 1 match + 4 presses = 5 matches x $5 = $25
• Back nine: 1 match + 4 presses = 5 matches x $5 = $25
• Overall: 1 match + 8 presses = 9 matches x $10 = $90
• One opponent in total: front nine + back nine + overall = $140

Most you can lose: $140

All the Nassau rules and options

Skins

Every hole is worth a skin. The lowest score wins it outright. If two or more golfers tie for low, nobody wins and, with carryover, the skin rolls into the next hole. Each other golfer pays the skin value to the winner.

In ten seconds. Four golfers play $2 skins. On hole 1 Mark makes 3 and the others make 4, so Mark wins the skin and collects $2 from each of the other three: Mark +$6. If everyone ties the rest of the round, nothing else moves.

What you enter. Each golfer's score on every hole. Nothing else. How you win. Win holes outright, with no one tying your score.

Skins, default settings, 4 golfers

The worst case is another golfer winning every skin, so you pay the skin value for each one. A tied hole carries its skin to the next hole, but never adds a skin, so the total is fixed by the holes.

• Skins on the card: 18 holes x 1 skin = 18 skins
• Value of a skin: each other golfer pays the winner this per skin = $1

Most you can lose: $18

Skins at $2 with birdies counting double

The worst case is another golfer winning every skin, so you pay the skin value for each one. A tied hole carries its skin to the next hole, but never adds a skin, so the total is fixed by the holes.

• Skins on the card: 18 holes x 1 skin = 18 skins
• Birdie skins count double: worst case: every skin is won with a birdie = x 2
• Value of a skin: each other golfer pays the winner this per skin = $2

Most you can lose: $72

All the Skins rules and options

Stableford

You earn points on every hole from your score against par: more points for a better score, none for a very bad hole. The highest points total wins, and each pair of golfers settles the difference in points.

In ten seconds. On hole 1 (a par 4) Mark pars for 2 points, Chad bogeys for 1, Ryan makes a double bogey for 0 and Jacob birdies for 3. Everyone pars every other hole. At $1 a point Jacob collects $1 from Mark, $2 from Chad and $3 from Ryan.

What you enter. Each golfer's score on every hole. The points are worked out for you. How you win. Score the most points over the round.

Stableford, default settings, 4 golfers

The worst case is scoring the fewest points on every hole while one opponent scores the most.

• Most points on a hole: best score on the table = 5
• Fewest points on a hole: a pick-up or very bad hole = 0
• Gap on one hole: 5 - 0 = 5 points
• Holes: worst case: every hole = x 18
• Value of a point: each pair settles the difference = $1
• Opponents: you settle with each one = x 3

Most you can lose: $270

All the Stableford rules and options

Las Vegas

Two teams of two. On each hole, each team puts its two scores side by side to make one number, lower score first (4 and 5 make 45). The lower number wins, and the difference is the points that hole is worth.

In ten seconds. Mark and Chad against Ryan and Jacob at $1 a point. Mark makes 4 and Chad 5: 45. Ryan makes 4 and Jacob 6: 46. The difference is 1 point, so Ryan and Jacob each pay $1 to the other team.

What you enter. All four scores on each hole, then the L or R team button only if a team doubles. Birdie flips happen by themselves. How you win. Win more points than the other team over the round.

Las Vegas, default settings, 4 golfers

The worst case is losing every hole by the biggest swing the rules allow: points per hole x point value x holes.

• Biggest number a team can make: scores of up to 12 per golfer, after any flip = 921
• Smallest number: two 1s make 11 = 11
• Multiplier: a flip with two birdies or an eagle doubles = x 2
• Points on one hole: (921 - 11) x 2 = 1820 points
• Point value: each point is worth this = $0.25
• Holes: worst case: lose every hole by the most = 18

Most you can lose: $8190

Las Vegas with a 20-point cap on every hole

The worst case is losing every hole by the biggest swing the rules allow: points per hole x point value x holes.

• Points on one hole: the per-hole cap = 20 points
• Point value: each point is worth this = $0.25
• Holes: worst case: lose every hole by the most = 18

Most you can lose: $90

All the Las Vegas rules and options

Banker

One golfer is the banker on each hole and everyone else bets against the bank. Each opponent picks a bet size. If the banker scores lower the banker wins that bet, if higher the banker pays it. The bank passes around the group.

In ten seconds. Mark is banker at $1 a unit. Chad bets 2, Ryan bets 1, Jacob bets 3. Mark makes 4, Chad 5, Ryan 3, Jacob 4. Mark wins Chad's $2, pays Ryan $1 and ties with Jacob, so Mark nets +$1.

What you enter. A bet size for each opponent, then every score. How you win. Finish the round with the most money from your bets and your turns as banker.

Banker, default settings, 4 golfers

The worst case is being banker on every hole and losing the biggest possible bet to every opponent.

• Biggest bet: the group maximum, in units = 5 units
• Player press: an opponent doubles their own bet = x 2
• Banker press: the banker presses every bet = x 2
• Unit: one unit is worth = $1
• One bet at most: 20 units x $1 = $20
• Opponents: as banker you can lose to all of them on one hole = x 3
• Holes: worst case: lose every hole = x 18

Most you can lose: $1080

All the Banker rules and options

Wolf

The wolf rotates each hole. After the others tee off, the wolf can pick one of them as a partner, or go alone against the rest. Best score decides the hole. Going alone, or blind, pays more if you win.

In ten seconds. Mark is wolf and picks Chad. They beat Ryan and Jacob on the hole, so Mark and Chad get 1 point each. At $1 a point Ryan and Jacob each pay $1 to each of them: Mark and Chad +$2, Ryan and Jacob -$2.

What you enter. Who the wolf picks (or Lone / Blind), then every score. How you win. Score the most points: partner up when it is safe, go alone when you are sure.

Wolf, default settings, 4 golfers

Find the hole that costs you the most points, then assume you lose that hole every time.

• Wolf and partner win: you are an opponent: 2 x 1 = 2 pts
• Wolf and partner lose: you are wolf or partner: 2 opponents x 1 = 2 pts
• Lone wolf wins: you are an opponent: 2 = 2 pts
• Lone wolf loses: you are the wolf: 3 opponents x 1 = 3 pts
• Blind wolf wins: you are an opponent: 3 = 3 pts
• Blind wolf loses: you are the blind wolf: 3 opponents x 1 = 3 pts
• Worst single hole: the biggest of the six = 3 points
• Holes: worst case: lose every hole = x 18
• Unit: one point is worth = $1

Most you can lose: $54

All the Wolf rules and options

Hammer

Every hole starts at a base stake. The side holding the hammer can throw it to double the hole. The other side either accepts (and now holds the hammer) or declines and gives up the hole at the old stake.

In ten seconds. Mark and Ryan play a $2 hammer. Mark throws on hole 1 and Ryan accepts, so the hole is $4. Mark wins the hole and Ryan pays Mark $4. Every other hole is halved.

What you enter. The scores, plus Throw, Accept or Decline whenever the hammer is used. How you win. Win more holes, especially after the hammer has doubled them.

Hammer, default settings, 4 golfers

Each accepted hammer doubles the hole. The worst case is losing every hole after the most hammers allowed.

• Base stake: every hole starts here = $1
• Hammers per hole: 2 x 2 x 2 (each accepted hammer doubles) = x 8
• Holes: worst case: lose every hole = x 18

Most you can lose: $144

Hammer limited to 3 per hole

Each accepted hammer doubles the hole. The worst case is losing every hole after the most hammers allowed.

• Base stake: every hole starts here = $1
• Hammers per hole: 2 x 2 x 2 (each accepted hammer doubles) = x 8
• Holes: worst case: lose every hole = x 18

Most you can lose: $144

All the Hammer rules and options

Bingo Bango Bongo

Three points on every hole, and the score does not matter. Bingo goes to the first ball on the green, Bango to the ball closest to the hole once all are on, and Bongo to the first to hole out.

In ten seconds. On hole 1 Mark is first on the green (bingo), Chad is closest once all are on (bango) and Ryan holes out first (bongo). Each has 1 point and Jacob has none. At $1 a point, Jacob pays $1 to each of them.

What you enter. Tap the golfer for each of the three awards on the hole. How you win. Collect the most points, whatever your handicap.

Bingo Bango Bongo, default settings, 4 golfers

The worst case is an opponent winning bingo, bango and bongo on every hole, so you trail them by every point.

• Points on a hole: bingo 1 + bango 1 + bongo 1 = 3
• Holes: every hole = x 18
• Value of a point: each pair settles the difference = $1
• Opponents: you settle with each one = x 3

Most you can lose: $162

All the Bingo Bango Bongo rules and options

Nines (5-3-1)

Three golfers share nine points on every hole: 5 for the best score, 3 for the middle, 1 for the worst. Ties share the points. Each golfer is paid or pays against the average over the round.

In ten seconds. Hole 1: Mark makes 4, Chad 5, Ryan 6, so they get 5, 3 and 1 points. Every other hole is tied at 3 each. Mark has 56, Chad 54, Ryan 52 and the average is 54. At $1 a point: Mark +$2, Chad $0, Ryan -$2.

What you enter. Each golfer's score on every hole. The points are worked out for you. How you win. Score more than the average of the group.

Nines (5-3-1), default settings, 3 golfers

You are paid or pay against the average of the three players, which is one third of what pairwise settlement would be.

• Most you can trail one opponent by on a hole: 5 points for them, 1 for you = 4
• Holes: every hole = x 18
• Value of a point: per point = $1
• Behind one opponent: 4 x 18 x $1 = $72
• Against the average: two opponents, shared among three: 2 / 3 = x 2/3

Most you can lose: $48

All the Nines (5-3-1) rules and options

Sixes

Four golfers play three six-hole matches, changing partners each time so everyone plays with everyone once. Each six holes is its own bet between the two pairs, and the losing pair pays the winning pair the stake.

In ten seconds. Holes 1 to 6: Mark and Chad against Ryan and Jacob, $2 a bet. Mark and Chad win hole 1 and the rest are halved, so they win the six. Ryan and Jacob each pay $2 to each of them. The next six holes have new partners.

What you enter. Each golfer's score on every hole. The partners change by themselves. How you win. Win your six-hole matches, with every partner in turn.

Sixes, default settings, 4 golfers

Each segment is its own bet. The worst case is losing every segment, paying both opponents each time.

• Segments: 18 holes in blocks of 6 = 3 bets
• Bets: 3 = 3
• Stake: per opponent, per bet = $1
• Opponents: the losing pair pays both winners = x 2

Most you can lose: $6

All the Sixes rules and options

Quota

Each golfer has a target number of points, 36 minus their handicap. You earn points on every hole: 1 for a bogey, 2 for a par, 4 for a birdie, 8 for an eagle. Finish the most points over your target.

In ten seconds. Four scratch golfers with a quota of 36. Mark birdies hole 1 (4 points) and pars the rest (2 each) for 38, 2 over quota. The others make 36 and are on quota. At $1 a point each of them pays Mark $2.

What you enter. Each golfer's score on every hole. The points are worked out for you. How you win. Beat your own target by more than the others beat theirs.

Quota, default settings, 4 golfers

The worst case is an opponent making eagles all round while you score nothing and have the bigger quota to miss.

• Their points: 8 points for an eagle x 18 holes = 144
• Your quota: 36 scaled to 18 holes = 36
• Gap: 144 + 36 = 180
• Value of a point: each pair settles the difference = $1
• Opponents: you settle with each one = x 3

Most you can lose: $540

All the Quota rules and options

Rabbit

The first golfer to win a hole outright catches the rabbit. If someone else wins a hole outright, the rabbit is set free (or passes to them). Whoever holds it at the end of the nine collects from everyone.

In ten seconds. Four golfers play $2 rabbit. Mark wins hole 1 outright and catches it. Nobody else wins a hole outright on the front nine, so Mark holds it at the turn and collects $2 from each of the others: Mark +$6.

What you enter. Each golfer's score on every hole. The rabbit moves by itself. How you win. Hold the rabbit when the nine ends.

Rabbit, default settings, 4 golfers

Whoever holds the rabbit at the end of a segment collects one stake from you. The worst case is another golfer holding it every time.

• Segments: one rabbit per nine = 2
• Stake: paid once per segment = $1

Most you can lose: $2

All the Rabbit rules and options

Snake

Whoever three-putts takes the snake, and keeps it until someone else three-putts. The golfer holding the snake at the end of the round pays every other golfer the stake.

In ten seconds. Four golfers play a $2 snake. Chad three-putts hole 1 and nobody three-putts again. Chad holds the snake at the end and pays Mark, Ryan and Jacob $2 each: Chad -$6.

What you enter. Tap the golfer who three-putted, on the hole it happened. How you win. Never be the last to three-putt.

Snake, default settings, 4 golfers

The worst case is holding the snake at the end of every segment after three-putting every hole.

• Snake value: a flat $1 = $1
• Segments: one snake for the round = x 1
• Other golfers: you pay each of them = x 3

Most you can lose: $3

All the Snake rules and options

Junk

Side prizes on top of your main game: closest to the pin on a par 3, a sandy, a birdie and similar. Each prize you earn is paid by every other golfer, a unit each. Switch on only the items your group plays.

In ten seconds. Four golfers, $1 a unit. On the par-3 third hole Mark is closest to the pin on the green and makes par: that is a greenie. Chad, Ryan and Jacob each pay Mark $1, so Mark +$3.

What you enter. Tap the golfer next to each prize that was earned on the hole. Birdies come from the scores. How you win. Earn more prizes than the others.

Junk, default settings, 4 golfers

Worst case: the other golfers earn every junk item that can happen on every hole, and you commit every penalty item.

• Greenie (par 3s): 1 x 1 winner x 4 holes = 4 units
• Sandy: 1 x 3 golfers x 18 holes = 54 units
• Birdie or eagle: 2 (the bigger of the two) x 3 golfers x 18 holes = 108 units
• Unit: one unit is worth = $1

Most you can lose: $166

All the Junk rules and options

Handicap allowance

The share of the Course Handicap a game or event uses. 100% is the full handicap; many events use 95%. It is applied before rounding.

• Course Handicap: example golfer, unrounded = 14.1
• Allowance: event setting = 95%
• Playing Handicap: 14.1 x 95% = 13.4, rounded last = 13

Lower allowances give a little less help to the higher handicaps, which keeps a field fair when the format is team play.

Press threshold

How far behind a side must be before it may call a press. "Any" means 1 hole down or more. "2" means only when 2 or more down.

Threshold 2: down 1 after hole 5, a press is not accepted. Down 2 after hole 6, it is.

A press is a new bet over the holes that remain, starting all square.

Press

A press is a new bet started while you are behind, over the holes left, starting all square. The first bet carries on as well, so a press adds to what you can lose.

• Front nine bet: you are 2 down after hole 4 = $5 at risk
• Press before hole 5: new $5 bet over holes 5 to 9 = $5 more

Down 2 and pressed, you now have $10 on the front nine.

Automatic press

A press that starts by itself when a side reaches the trigger (for example 2 down), so nobody has to call it. Each automatic press is a full extra bet at the press stake.

Trigger 2 down: you go 2 down on hole 3, a press starts at hole 4. If you go 2 down on that press too, another starts.

Carryover

When a hole is tied, its prize is not lost: it carries to the next hole, which is then worth more. The next outright winner takes all of it.

• Hole 1 tied: skin carries = 1 skin waiting
• Hole 2 tied: skin carries = 2 skins waiting
• Hole 3 won outright: 1 + 2 carried = 3 skins

At $2 a skin, the winner of hole 3 collects $6 from each other golfer.

Flight

A flight is a group of players who compete against each other for their own prizes, often by handicap or by ability. Each flight can have its own format and payouts.

Big Ugly: the Good flight plays a shamble, the Ugly flight plays a scramble. Each flight has its own winners.

A golfer belongs to one flight in a round. Rules, pools and points can be set per flight.

Shamble

A team format: everyone tees off, the team picks the best drive, then each golfer plays their own ball from there to the hole. The best score (or scores) on the team counts.

Team of two. Both drive, they pick Mark's drive. Mark makes 4, Chad makes 5 from the same spot: the team scores 4 (best ball).

In the app you enter each golfer's own gross score in a shamble.

Scramble

A team format with one ball: everyone hits, the team picks the best shot and everyone plays from there, until the ball is holed. The team has one score per hole.

Foursome. All four drive, pick the best, all four hit from that spot, and so on. They hole out in 4: the team writes 4.

In the app you enter the team gross for the hole. Scrambles use a reduced handicap allowance, so no one team gains from low-handicap stacking.

Four-ball (best ball)

Pairs play as teams. Each golfer plays their own ball, and the better net score of the two is the team score on that hole.

Mark makes net 4 and Chad net 5: the team scores 4 on the hole. A match is won by winning more holes.

Best ball

The team score on a hole is the better (lower) of the partners' scores. The weaker score does not count that hole.

Partners score 4 and 6: best ball is 4.

Best N balls

In a team of four, only the best N net scores on each hole are added up. "Best 2" means the two lowest of four scores.

Scores 4, 5, 5, 7 on a hole. Best 2 counts 4 + 5 = 9.

Stableford

You score points on each hole from your net score against par, and the highest total wins. A bad hole costs you only the points you would have earned on it.

• Double bogey or worse: net = 0 points
• Bogey: net = 1 point
• Par: net = 2 points
• Birdie: net = 3 points
• Eagle: net = 4 points

18 net pars is 36 points.

Points

A point is the unit a game counts in. The stake says what a point is worth. In points-only mode the app counts points and shows no money.

Stableford at 1 per point: 36 points against your friend's 33 is a 3-point difference.

Points rule

A points rule awards points for a result in the event: for example 5 points for a flight win or 1 point for each skin. All the rules together make the points table.

Rule: "Win your flight (net): 10 points". Two winners in different flights add 10 each to their points.

Points rules can be per flight and per day. The table adds them all up automatically.

Stroke method

How handicap strokes are shared in a game. Off the low: everyone plays relative to the best golfer in that game. Full: everyone gets their whole Playing Handicap. Pairwise: each pair uses only its difference.

Playing handicaps 5 and 11. Off the low and pairwise give the 11 six strokes against the 5. Full gives 5 and 11 to each, which only matters against others.

Most you can lose (worst case)

The most one golfer can lose in a game if every hole goes as badly as the rules allow. The app shows it before you start so nobody is surprised.

A $5/$5/$10 Nassau with no presses has a worst case of $20 against one opponent. With presses it can be many times that.

Tap the (i) next to any game to see the exact formula with your numbers.

Max playing handicap

A ceiling on Playing Handicap for the event. Anyone above it plays as if they had exactly the cap. Leave blank for no cap.

Cap 30: a golfer with a Playing Handicap of 36 plays off 30.

Par-3 stroke rule

Some groups do not give handicap strokes on par 3s. The rule can take away all or half of those strokes, and either lose them or move them to another hole.

A 10-handicap would get a stroke on a par 3 that is stroke index 8. With "no strokes on par 3s, move to the same nine" the stroke goes to the next hardest hole that is not a par 3 on that nine.

The total stays the same when strokes are moved, and falls when they are lost.

Tee, rating and slope

Each set of tees has a Course Rating (what a scratch golfer scores) and a Slope (how much harder the course is for higher handicaps). The app uses both to turn an Index into a Course Handicap.

• Course Rating: scratch score, e.g. 71.8 = 71.8
• Slope: difficulty for a bogey golfer, 55 to 155 = 130
• Index 12.4: 12.4 x 130 / 113 + (71.8 - 72) = 14

Pick the tees each golfer actually plays; mixed tees give each golfer their own Course Handicap.

To par

How a score compares with par for the holes played: -2 is two under, E is even, +3 is three over.

Holes 1 to 4 are par 4, 4, 3, 5 = 16. A golfer who took 15 strokes is -1 (1 under).

Thru

The number of holes a golfer has completed. "Thru 9" means nine holes are done; "F" means the round is finished.

To par and net are for the holes played so far, so a golfer thru 5 is not comparable with one thru 12.

Entry pool

The money everyone puts in at entry, paid out by place. The app only works out who is owed what; it never holds or moves money.

• Entry: 60 golfers x $20 = $1,200
• Payouts: 1st 50%, 2nd 30%, 3rd 20% = $600 / $360 / $240

Paid places always add up to the pool.

Payouts

How the pool is split between places. Ties split the places they cover. The organizer settles up outside the app.

Two golfers tie for 2nd: they share the 2nd and 3rd place money equally.

Win chances

The share of simulated rounds in which a golfer comes out ahead. It comes from playing the round many times over with stand-in scores, so it is an estimate, not a promise.

38% means that in 38 of every 100 simulated rounds that golfer was the winner.

More simulated rounds give a steadier number.

Stand-in golfers

Made-up players whose scores are generated from their handicap. They let you try a game or see its risk before real golfers are involved.

Their scores are random but repeatable: the same setup gives the same results.

Why you only see scores through hole k

To keep it fair, you can only see other golfers' scores up to the hole you have entered yourself. Nobody can adjust their play by watching a rival, and the server enforces it.

You have entered hole 7. You see everyone's scores through hole 7, even if others are further along.

After you finish, or when the organizer reveals, you see everything.

High-low

In team play, each team's lower score is compared and each team's higher score is compared. Each comparison is a point, so a hole is worth up to two points.

Team A scores 4 and 6, team B scores 5 and 5. Low ball: A wins (4 v 5). High ball: B wins (5 v 6). One point each, so the hole is halved.

Flip the bird (Las Vegas)

When one team makes a birdie, the other team's two-digit number is turned around, so a good number becomes a bad one. Often a birdie by both teams cancels.

Team A makes 34 with a birdie. Team B made 45, which flips to 54. A wins 54 - 34 = 20 points.

Pairwise

Every pair of golfers settles their own difference, so each golfer pays or collects against each of the others. Totals always net to zero.

Points 10, 8, 4. At $1 a point: 10 collects $2 and $6, 8 collects $4 and pays $2, 4 pays $6 and $4.

Pick-up

A golfer who does not finish a hole picks up. The game decides what that hole scores: out of the hole, a net double bogey, or a maximum score.

Net double bogey on a par 4 is 6 net, whatever strokes were received.

Plus handicap

A plus handicap means better than scratch. It is typed with a plus sign (+2.1). Instead of receiving strokes the golfer gives them back, starting on the easiest holes.

Playing +2: gives back one stroke on stroke indexes 18 and 17. A gross 4 on a par 4 there counts as a net 5.

Gross

The strokes actually taken, before any handicap strokes. Gross competitions ignore handicaps.

Gross 5 on a par 4 is +1 to par.

Stake

What a unit of the game is worth: the amount of one bet, one skin, or one point, depending on the game. The app only counts it; it never holds or moves money.

A $5 Nassau stake means $5 on the front nine, $5 on the back and (often) $10 overall.

Handicap strokes

Strokes a golfer receives to even out ability. They are subtracted from the gross score on the holes that are marked with a dot.

Aggregate

A team's hole score is both partners' scores added together, instead of the better one. The lower total wins the hole.

Team A scores 4 and 5 = 9. Team B scores 3 and 7 = 10. Team A wins the hole.

Segment

A block of holes a bet covers: a front nine, a back nine, or six holes in Sixes. Each segment is settled by itself.