Playing Rules

Every hole has a par; this represents the amount of shots a professional or 0 handicap golfer should hole out in.

Par 3 hit the green in one shot 2 putt
Par 4 hit the green in two shots 2 putt
Par 5 hit the green in three shots 2 putt

The total par of a golf course is all 18-hole pars added together. Most courses are between a par 68 – 73.

Handicaps indicate the amount of shots over the standard scratch a player will go round in.

Every affiliated course (registered with the English golf Union) will be assessed for difficulty of play and awarded a Standard Scratch. Ideally a par 72 course has a Standard Scratch of 72, the more difficult, 73 or 74, the easier 71 or 70 and so on.

When playing in a competition your score is calculate in relation to the Standard Scratch.

For example at Sedlescombe, Strokes played 98 (Gross Score) less Handicap say 28 gives net score 70, Standard Scratch 70, you’ve played to your handicap but par 72, 2 under par.

The maximum handicap for men is 28 (48 in some parts of Europe) and 36 for ladies (48 in parts of Europe)

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