Equitable Stroke Control (ESC) is the downward adjustment of individual hole scores for handicap purposes in order to make handicaps more representative of a player’s potential ability. ESC sets a maximum number that a player can post on any hole depending on the player’s course handicap. ESC is used only when a player’s actual or most likely score exceeds his maximum number based on the table shown below. Check your course handicap on the ESC chart in order to see how many strokes you are allowed to take per hole. For example, after the calculations your handicap is 34, and due to ESC you can take a maximum of 9 strokes per hole. During your round, you take an 11 on a par 5 hole, when ESC is applied you would post a 9 for that hole. Therefore you deduct two strokes from your total 18 hole score. If your gross score was 100, then your adjusted gross score is 98 and that is the score you would post.
EQUITABLE STROKE CONTROL
18 hole course handicap, Maximum strokes allowed on any hole:
9 or less = Double Bogey 10 through 19 = 7 maximum 20 through 29 = 8 maximum 30 through 39 = 9 maximum 40 and above = 10 maximum
Note: It is your Course Handicap NOT your Current Index. - Updated: January 13, 2006
