Guide to Soft Cap and Hard Cap

Know Before You Play is a video series designed to help golfers better understand the World Handicap System™ and how it supports fair, fun, and equitable play for everyone. Each short video breaks down key handicapping concepts in a clear, golfer-friendly way, helping you feel confident about posting scores and getting the most out of your Handicap Index®.

In this video, we explain the Soft Cap and Hard Cap, how your Low Handicap Index™ helps determine when these safeguards apply, and how they help prevent your Handicap Index® from increasing too quickly. Caps are re-evaluated with each daily revision following a new score posting, and while a cap may be applied to your Handicap Index, you can play your way out of it.

To learn more about the World Handicap System or to find additional resources, visit www.usga.org/whs.

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The USGA is a mission-based golf organization whose purpose is to unify the golf community through handicapping and grassroots programs; to showcase the game’s best talent through the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open and 13 other national championships and our museum; to provide unbiased global governance with The R&A through the playing, equipment and Amateur Status rules; and to advance issues important to golf’s future, with a focus on driving sustainability, accessibility and inclusion. As a nonprofit association, our work and our team are driven to act for the good of the game. For more, visit www.usga.org.

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For licensing footage or other inquiries, please contact USGA Broadcasting at usgabroadcasting@usga.org.