Net Double Bogey Calculator
Cap a high hole score at the correct maximum for handicap purposes, including the high-handicap exception, before you record it.
Maximum hole score
7
| Par | 4 |
|---|---|
| Strokes received (+) or given (−) | 1 |
| Gross score | not entered |
| Maximum hole score for handicap purposes | 7 |
| Adjusted score used | n/a |
Why a hole score gets capped at all
A single disastrous hole, an eight or a nine on a par 4, can distort a Handicap Index far more than it reflects your actual playing ability. The World Handicap System addresses this by capping every hole score, before it is used for handicap purposes, at net double bogey: par, plus two strokes, plus or minus any handicap strokes you receive or give on that hole. You still write down what you actually shot for your own record and for gross competition purposes; the adjustment only applies to the score used for handicap calculation.
The high-handicap exception
Players with a Course Handicap of 18 or higher get an additional protection: their maximum is also compared against par plus 5, and whichever number is lower applies. This exists because a higher handicap player already receives more strokes on many holes, which without this exception could push the standard net-double-bogey cap above a already-generous par-plus-5 ceiling. This calculator applies that exception automatically and tells you whether it changed your result.
How to use the maximum in practice
After a hole, take your handicap strokes for that hole, usually from your stroke allocation, and enter them here along with the hole's par. If you also enter your gross score, the tool shows the adjusted score you would record for handicap purposes side by side with what you actually shot, so the difference is visible rather than hidden in a spreadsheet formula.
What this tool does not do
This calculator does not submit anything to an official handicap record. Score posting happens through your golf association's authorized service, using their software or app, not through a third-party site. Use this tool to understand the adjustment before you post, not as a substitute for posting. See the handicap inputs resource for how this adjustment fits alongside Course Handicap, Score Differential, and the other pieces of the World Handicap System.
Frequently asked questions
What is the net double bogey cap?
It is the maximum score a single hole can count for handicap purposes: par, plus two strokes, plus or minus any handicap strokes you receive or give on that hole. You still record what you actually shot; only the score used for handicap calculation is capped.
What is the high-handicap exception?
Players with a Course Handicap of 18 or higher have their maximum also compared against par plus 5, and whichever number is lower applies. This keeps the cap from exceeding a reasonable ceiling for players who already receive strokes on many holes.
Does this tool post my adjusted score to my handicap record?
No. It only shows you the adjustment so you understand it before posting. Score posting happens through your golf association's own authorized service, not through this or any third-party site.