What is a "Hard Cap"

The hard cap is part of the World Handicap System™ and limits how much your Handicap Index® can increase following a period of higher scores.

It only comes into effect once you have established a Low Handicap Index™, which happens once you have at least 20 scores in your handicap record.

How does the hard cap work?

Your Low Handicap Index™ provides a reference point for your Handicap Index®.

If your Handicap Index® starts to increase, the soft cap is applied first. If it continues to rise, the hard cap prevents your Handicap Index® from increasing to more than 5.0 strokes above your Low Handicap Index™.

For example, if your Low Handicap Index™ is 14.8, the hard cap would prevent your Handicap Index® from increasing above 19.8 while that Low Handicap Index™ remains the reference point.

You don't need to do anything yourself - the soft and hard caps are applied automatically when your Handicap Index® is calculated.

What is my Low Handicap Index™?

Your Low Handicap Index™ is the lowest Handicap Index® you have held during the relevant 365-day period.

It gives the handicap system a measure of your demonstrated ability and is used as the reference point for both the soft cap and hard cap.

Your Low Handicap Index™ is established once you have at least 20 acceptable scores in your handicap record and is updated as your record develops.

Why is there a hard cap?

Golfers can go through periods of better and poorer form. The hard cap helps make sure a temporary run of higher scores doesn't cause your Handicap Index® to move too far away from your demonstrated ability.

You can find more information in the WHS™ Rules of Handicapping.