Regulation 1
Your Handicap Index for the season
On Sunday, 6 September 2026, Matchplay SA admin verified each player's Handicap Index and recorded it on their profile. This becomes the maximum Handicap Index that the player may use for the rest of the Matchplay Pairs Challenge, including the SA Final.
- If your Handicap Index increases, you must continue playing from your locked Handicap Index.
- If your Handicap Index decreases, the lower index becomes your new maximum for the rest of the event.
- The competition Handicap Index is capped at 20.0. A higher index is limited to 20.0 for competition purposes.
- You are responsible for using the correct Handicap Index and should keep your HNA handicap app available as proof.
If a player is replaced during the season, Matchplay SA admin will check the replacement player's handicap history. The lowest Handicap Index recorded between 6 September 2026 and the replacement player's registration date will apply, subject to the competition cap.
Check your handicap on the system now through your player portal. If you disagree, send us the reason and a screenshot of your current Handicap Index on HNA.
Regulation 2
How to calculate handicaps on match day
- Confirm the course and tees. Record the course and the tee box selected by each player.
- Confirm each Handicap Index. Use the player's correct permitted Handicap Index, including any lower current index and the 20.0 competition cap.
- Calculate each Course Handicap. Use the World Handicap System calculation for the course and selected tees.
- Apply the 90 percent allowance. Apply 90 percent to each Course Handicap and round to the nearest whole number to determine each player's Playing Handicap.
- Set the matchplay strokes. The player with the lowest Playing Handicap plays off zero. Each other player receives the difference from that lowest Playing Handicap.
Regulation 3
Calculation example
If the four Playing Handicaps after the 90 percent allowance are 4, 8, 12 and 16, the matchplay strokes are:
| Player | Playing Handicap | Matchplay Strokes |
|---|---|---|
| Player A | 4 | 0 |
| Player B | 8 | 4 |
| Player C | 12 | 8 |
| Player D | 16 | 12 |
Regulation 4
How the hole is decided
Each player plays their own ball. Apply handicap strokes on the holes indicated by the course's stroke index. The lower net score from each pair is the team's score for the hole. The team with the lower net score wins the hole; equal net scores halve the hole.
Regulation 5
Using the wrong handicap
Rule 3.2c of the Rules of Golf requires players to declare the correct handicap before or during a handicap match:
- If a player declares a handicap that is too high and this affects the number of strokes given or received, the player is disqualified. In four-ball match play, Rule 23.9b means the side is disqualified.
- If a player declares a handicap that is too low, there is no penalty, but the player must continue using the lower declared handicap.
- If handicap strokes are applied incorrectly to a hole, the agreed result of that hole stands unless the mistake is corrected in time under the Rules.
Regulation 6
Rules references
These regulations should be read with Rules of Golf 3.2c and 23.9b, and Matchplay SA Tournament Rules 9.1 and 9.4.