Stroke index
The ( handicap ) stroke index (the handicap distribution key, the handicap distribution ) re - sorts the 18 holes of a golf course . Either according to descending difficulty or according to other criteria that are specifically aimed at match play . It defines the holes at which the target is to be taken or given.
In stroke play, he has no importance, since the one-time consideration of the specification has the same result as that from hole to hole. This applies even when using Stableford , provided that there is no net triple bogey or worse on any hole (which Stableford treats as double bogey: zero points). The distribution corresponds to that of a match game with a scratch player .
In match play, however, it is very important where the handicap is taken into account. If the index is specially designed for match play, the handicap difference is distributed in this order. Is z. B. A one stroke (on the par ) and B takes 4, then B may allow himself one more stroke at each of the holes with indexes 1 to 5. Likewise if A takes 10 and B takes 15.
If, on the other hand, the index is assigned according to decreasing hole difficulty, the two specifications are first distributed and only then offset. Donors distribute in reverse order. So if A z B. (as above) one stroke and B takes 4, B may allow himself one more stroke each at the holes with indexes 1 to 4 and 18. If, on the other hand, A takes 10 and B takes 15, these are the holes with index 11 to 15 (i.e. where bogeys are to be expected from B, but not from A).
If more than 18 strokes are to be distributed (which is not uncommon), one begins again at the end of the index at which one began. So if A plays a handicap Stableford Private Round (EDS) and takes a handicap of 28 strokes, then A may allow himself two more strokes (for par) on the holes with indexes 1 to 10, and only one on the remaining holes.
The whole thing becomes even more complicated with other forms of play and when playing different tees.