Cap Examples (Soft Cap and Hard Cap)

The soft cap and hard cap ensure that a temporary loss of form does not cause a player’s Handicap Index to move too far from a level consistent with their demonstrated ability. The caps also serve as anti-abuse safeguards and aid in minimizing the potential for handicap manipulation. The cap is part of the Handicap Index calculation after each score is posted.

The upward movement of a Handicap Index is unrestricted up to 3.0 strokes above the Low Handicap Index™ at which time a soft cap evaluation occurs. If a soft cap is applied, the Handicap Index will then be evaluated for a hard cap.

Note: The player must have a Low Handicap Index (established once 20 scores are in their scoring record) before a cap can be considered.

Soft Cap Example

The soft cap suppresses upward movement of the Handicap Index by 50% after a 3.0 stroke increase over the Low Handicap Index has been reached.

Avg. Low 8 Score Differentials – 11.6; Low Handicap Index – 6.5

Step 1:

Subtract the Low Handicap Index from the Average Low 8 Score Differentials

Avg. Low 8 Score Differentials

–

Low Handicap Index

11.6

–

6.5

5.1

Step 2:

Determine how much greater this value is than 3.0 by subtracting 3.0 from the resulting value from Step 1

(Avg. Low 8 Score Differentials - Low Handicap Index)

–

3.0

5.1

–

3.0

2.1

Step 3:

Subtract 50% of the resulting value from Step 2 from the Average Low 8 Score Differentials

50%

2.1

1.05

Avg. Low 8 Score Differentials

–

(50% * 2.1)

11.6

1.05

10.55, rounded to 10.6 Handicap Index with soft cap applied = 10.6

Hard Cap Example

The hard cap restricts upward movement of the Handicap Index to 5.0 strokes over the Low Handicap Index.

Average Low 8 Score Differentials – 18.2; Low Handicap Index – 10.2

Step 1:

Subtract the Low Handicap Index from the Average Low 8 Score Differentials

Avg. Low 8 Score Differentials

–

Low Handicap Index

18.2

–

10.2

8.0

Step 2:

Determine how much greater this value is than 3.0 by subtracting 3.0 from the resulting value from Step 1:

(Avg. Low 8 Score Differentials - Low Handicap Index)

–

8.0

–

3.0

5.0

Step 3:

Subtract 50% of Step 2 resulting value from the Average Low 8 Score Differentials:

Avg. Low 8 Score Differentials

–

(50% of 5.0)

18.2

2.5

15.7

Since 15.7 is greater than the maximum upward movement of no more than 5.0 strokes (15.2), the player’s Handicap Index with the hard cap applied is 15.2.