How do handicaps work for 9-hole vs. 18-hole events?

PlayThru supports both 9-hole and 18-hole events. Handicap stroke allocation adjusts automatically based on the number of holes you select.

Setting hole count

  1. Open Outing Organizer → Event tab.
  2. Set Number of Holes to 9 or 18.
  3. Save.

18-hole events

  • Enter hole handicap indexes 1–18 on the Course tab (1 = hardest hole).
  • Full course handicap strokes are distributed across all 18 holes.
  • Tiebreaker "Hardest Holes" uses the full stroke index ranking.

9-hole events

  • Enter hole handicap indexes 1–9 on the Course tab for the 9 holes being played.
  • PlayThru maps indexes to the 9 holes in play (holes 10–18 fields are hidden in the UI).
  • A golfer's 18-hole handicap index is typically halved for 9-hole net scoring (standard USGA practice). Confirm your event's local rules with your handicap committee.

Note: PlayThru does not automatically half a golfer's handicap. It is on you to input the correct 9-hole handicap for the golfer.

What to enter on the Course tab

Event type Par fields Handicap index fields
18-hole Holes 1–18 Indexes 1–18
9-hole Holes 1–9 only Indexes 1–9 only

The Course Rating, which is typically around 72 for 18 hole events, will be halved for a 9-hole event. Check your course's scorecard for the 9-hole rating.

Common questions

Q: Can I run a 9-hole event on the back nine?
A: You can use the same tee box — just fill in data for the holes in play. Unfortunately, the hole numbers will be 1-9. They don't change for the nine your playing.

Related reading

How do handicaps work for 9-hole and 18-hole events