What is Maximum Hole Score?

For a Golfer Without an Established Handicap Index

When a golfer submits their first scores to obtain an initial Handicap Index, the maximum score allowed for each hole is par + 5 strokes (for example, a maximum score of 8 on a par-3 hole). This limit applies to all holes submitted across the initial scoring rounds required to establish a Handicap Index.

For a Golfer Who Already Has an Established Handicap Index

For score posting purposes only, the Maximum Hole Score will be a net double bogey. This equals a gross double bogey, plus any handicap strokes (known as ‘pops’) the golfer is entitled to receive on that hole, based on the stroke hole rankings. For example, if you have a 25 handicap, the max hole score will be a gross quadruple bogey on the 7 hardest holes and a gross triple bogey for the remaining 11 holes. There is now a score posting feature for ‘hole-by-hole’ scoring. If you use this, the system will do the calculations for you. (Prior to 2020, a similar concept called Equitable Stroke Control, or ESC, was used under the previous USGA Handicap System. ESC was replaced by the Net Double Bogey maximum when the World Handicap System (WHS) was adopted globally in 2020.)