Last Updated on April 13, 2024 by Britt Olizarowicz
As a former golf professional and membership director at a country club, I was constantly asked about the difference between gross and net scores. Some people won’t play in a tournament if it doesn’t have a net division. Let’s face it: a net score in golf is a bit easier to accept mentally than a gross score. If you have found yourself wondering what is net score in golf or how to calculate it, I have the answers you need. First things first, make sure you know your handicap; you will need it to calculate your net score.
What Is Net Score in Golf?
The net score in golf is your gross score minus your handicap.
Simply put it’s what you shot minus your handicap.
For a 20 handicap golfer that shot a 90, the net score would be a 70. Net score should bring you close to around par if you played to your handicap. That score of 90 for a 20 handicap is quite good, if they shot gross score of 100 it would be a bag round.
Understanding Gross vs. Net Score (In Matches)
To get a better understanding of the gross vs. net golf scores, let’s look at the example of player A, who wants to play a match with Player B.
- Player A is a 13 handicap
- Player B is a 15 handicap
If Player A shoots 95, his net score would be 82. (Gross score – handicap = net score)
If Player B shoots 96, his net score would be 81.
Player B wins the net competition between these two golfers. However, when you look at the players’ scores, the gross competition would be won by Player A. To win net competitions, you typically have to play better than your handicap.
In most golf tournaments, there is a competition for the best total gross score and for the best net score. Better players tend to appreciate playing a gross match.
How To Calculate Net Score in Golf
You will follow this exact process to calculate a player’s net score.
1. Convert Handicap Index to Course Handicap
The Golf Handicap Index Network or GHIN system is the method used by all golfers to track their handicaps. The handicap is essentially an average of a golfer’s score determined by their most recent rounds (eliminating outliers).
The GHIN Handicap system takes into account the golf course difficulty when it calculates the index (course rating and slope).
Once an index is in place, golfers can convert that index to a course handicap for the specific golf course they are playing.
If you are a 15.2 index playing a very difficult golf course, the course handicap could be an 18. On the contrary, a 15.2 index at an easy course may have to play to a 14.
2. Set Up Score Card
Once you have calculated the course handicap index, you can determine where you will get strokes. Start with the hardest holes and work your way down to the easiest hole. A 15 handicap will get you a stroke on the 15 hardest holes on the course. Take a look at the golf scorecard, and you will notice a column featuring the HDCP.
For golfers with a handicap of more than 18, there is a possibility that two shots would be given on a hole.
A 20-handicap golfer will get one stroke on every hole, but they will get two strokes on the 1st and 2nd hardest holes on the golf course.
3. Add Gross and Net Scoring Per Hole
When keeping your scorecard, make sure to write down the gross golf score (what you actually shot) and then put a slash with the net score. At the end of the round, you will need your gross score for handicap purposes, so it’s imperative to keep that even if you are playing a net match.
4. Complete Totals
At the end of your golf round, tally up the total gross and net score. Put the gross score into the World Handicap System or GHIN and then use the Net score for any competitions you may have had throughout the entire round.
What Is The Benefit of Net Scoring In Golf?
Golf might be simpler if we eliminated net scoring and just worked with the gross score. However, there are some great benefits to net scoring.
- Without net scoring, it would be difficult for higher handicappers to compete against each other, and other players.
- People find net scoring a fun alternative to gross scoring (reduced frustration).
- Net scoring in golf encourages beginners and higher handicap golfers to get involved in tournaments and events.
- Strategy and shot planning can be different in stroke and net play, encouraging a deeper understanding of the game.
Net Score in Match Play vs. Stroke Play
Net score in golf is different when playing match play or stroke play.
In match play, the net score is calculated after each hole. If you are playing a net match play event and one player makes a 5 while the other player makes a 5 for a 4, the 4 is the net winner. In match play, the person with the lowest score on the hole wins the hole.
A match continues until one person is the winner on the 18th hole, or before if there are not enough holes left to play. (For instance, 3 up with 2 to play)
With match play net scoring, the playing field is leveled, and matches are more fair. Match play and net scores can lead to major strategy discussions.
Stroke play is the total number of strokes taken during a round. When you calculate net stroke play scoring, the final score is simply the total number of strokes taken minus the player’s handicap.
Stroke play requires a little more consistency in the round and a focus on fewer strokes, not just individual competitions between players. Risk and reward have to be balanced more closely in stroke play. Bad hole scores could leave you with no chance to come back and win.
How To Play Well In A Net Golf Tournament
Whether you are playing in a net or gross golf tournament, there are best practices for playing your best round of golf. However, when it comes to the specific rules of net events, there are a few opportunities to help you end up with the lowest total score for your event. Here are the tips I’ve shared with students and used myself in net golf events.
- Capitalize on the stroke holes: create a game plan before you head out to the course that focuses on the holes where you get strokes. These have to be a par!
- Short game matters most: the great thing about net scoring is it helps level the playing field. However, if you can get up and down around the green, you will always end up with a lower score.
- Stay away from big numbers: chances are you know which holes are difficult for you, so keep it down the middle (even if it means pulling out the hybrid instead of the driver) to avoid extra strokes.
- Don’t get caught up in competition: keep an eye on other golfers to learn about slope and wind, but don’t get involved with another player’s score.
Common Misconceptions About Net Scores in Golf
Golf is filled with misconceptions. Don’t even get me started on the “best ball” vs. “scramble” misconceptions. However, here are a few things you should know about net scoring that are often misconceptions in the game.
Net Score Evens Everything Out
Net score does level the playing field. To call it exactly even is a bit of a stretch. There are other factors here, especially related to a golfer’s handicap and how accurate it actually is. Also, certain golf course conditions and the difficulty of the course impact scoring, making it hard to say that net score is a perfect equalizer.
High Handicappers Have an Edge
Any golfer who plays a good game of golf has the edge in a net tournament. Keep penalty shots to a minimum, make putts, and take fewer strokes around the green; this is the only way to shoot a good net score. Whether you are a scratch golfer or a new player won’t matter.
Net Score Doesn’t Reward Improvement
Even though the number of shots you get will decrease as you become a better player, the best players in the game don’t want any shots! Net scoring is not always easy as your handicap is dropping, but good players want low handicaps; it’s as simple as that.
Net Score Is Less Important Than Gross Score
Some golfers view net score as a less important measure of performance compared to gross score. When it comes to professional tournaments, this is likely true. However,
Final Thoughts
Golfers of different skill levels can easily compete against each other when they play in net tournaments. At the club level, net tournaments are even more popular than gross events because they make for a more inclusive and entertaining event. Now that you know how to calculate the net score, go sign up for something and take the low net prize. If you have questions about net scoring and formats, don’t hesitate to ask.
