Method

• Amateur golf handicaps specifically measure how many strokes over par a golfer expects to play at the top of his game. A golfer who requires no handicap is called a "scratch golfer."
  
  

Application

• Amateur golf handicaps work by allowing golfers to subtract strokes on specific holes. Once a golf round is finished, all players with handicap strokes may deduct them from their scorecard to arrive at a final score.
  
  

Statistics

• The average amateur golf handicap is 16. Among those who keep a handicap, males average about 15, while females average 23.
  
  

Differences

• Handicapping rules sometimes vary depending on the course that is being played and the difficulty level it presents to golfers.
  
  

History

• The United States Golf Association created the amateur handicap system in 1911 and has maintained it ever since. While many changes have been made over the years, the general framework remains.