Equitable Stroke Control (ESC)

I read about ESC and I am wondering whether we are using this system for courses here. Anyone knows?




Equitable Stroke Control (ESC) is the system put in place by the USGA to eliminate the effect of "disaster holes." You know, that one hole per round where you put three balls in the water and then 5-putt. It’s also a way to combat sandbaggers who intentionally blow up on a hole in order to raise their handicap index.

Equitable Stroke Control puts a limit on the number of strokes you can write down on the scorecard for any one hole, based on your course handicap. For example, on that one disaster hole you might have taken 14 strokes to get the ball in the cup. But based on your course handicap, ESC might require you to post only a "7" on the scorecard you turn in. To determine the Equitable Stroke Control limits for your round, you must first know your course handicap. Once you’ve determined your course handicap, you can check the chart down below (which should also be available at golf courses) to determine the ESC limits. Here is the chart that shows Equitable Stroke Control limits:

Course Handicap Maximum Score
0-9 Double Bogey
10-19 7
20-29 8
30-39 9
40 or more 10

most of the courses if not all the course in singapore have this in their system.

I thought the USGA system only allow double bogey when comouting ur index? I maybe wrong

the question i have is

when we record on the card, do we

1. record the ESC limit (if blown)

or

2. record the actual strokes taken and let the handicap club calculate the ESC

I always put in the actual score. Only learnt about ESC today.

I always record actual score

Only record actual score so far and I key into the system and let the association calculate for me.

My most disasterous hole ever came to an unimaginable +15.

Hi Guys,

ESC is a bit tricky cos it is based on the Course Handicap (which is a function of your USGA Handicap Index as well as the Course and Slope Rating of the Course).

Depending on the type of system the club uses, ESC might or might not be auto calculated for you. Please check with them.

Also, if your club allows you to submit scores based to total gross score (as opposed to hole by hole), then the ESC is not auto calculated and it is up to the player to subtract the appropriate number of strokes before submitting the total score.

If in doubt, use the hole by hole option, then you can see whether your golf club's handicap system has incorporated ESC

Boss, Does mgk apply esc? Tks

Bro Pushslice,

Yes, MGK system applies ESC but only if you key in the scores on a hole by hole basis.

If you are using the post total gross score option, then it does not.

Just record actual scores for every hole lah.

Let the system do its job.

Mmmm. I realised that I can't enter hole by hole scores for my club. How do we calculate or determine the course handicap? I looked at MBGC website and I can only find the course rating and slope rating. I don't see any course handicap.